irregular in attendance to work. Very unsteady. Leave in summertime for road work. 

To the question, "What are the principal merits of your negro workmen?" these answers were given: They are superior to foreign labor because they readily understand what you try to tell them. Loyalty, willingness, cheerfulness. The skilled men stick and are good workmen. Generally speaking they are agreeable workmen. Quicker, huskier, and can stand more heat than other workmen. 

The attitude of white and black workmen toward one another in none of the plants visited presented anything like a serious situation. The following are answers to questions relating to this sentiment as returned by the important industries: No feeling--no complaints--no comments. White and black get along well. There was a little trouble some time ago between a Jewish foreman and his negro workmen. All the negroes quit. The matter was investigated and the foreman discharged. Good. The relations are favorable, although negroes appear a bit clannish. Good fellowship prevails. Negroes do not stay long enough to get acquainted. Good in most cases. Very little opposition. They are working as helpers with whites. Few objections. 

As a final effort to get the opinion of employers themselves concerning the best means of improving their labor, a suggestion from them on this matter was solicited. Their views are subjoined: A rather broad question and one that could only be answered after considerable study. Believe the great trouble with negro labor has been the fact that a poor class of negroes has been employed by many. We have a good lot of workers now. Some means should be devised to get them away from their general shiftless ways. Education. As a negro can be very contented and happy on very little, if their living conditions were improved and the desire created in them to improve their condition, this would be a help towards encouragement in bettering their social condition. In fact, we feel that anything that would help to better the social attention of the negro would make him a better workman. Better housing and supervision through some responsible organization. Some way to keep sympathetic watch over them. 

Without doubt there is an element of truth in each of these comments. It is unquestionably true that a large number of these men register by their actions instability, irregularity and general shiftlessness. Some of these cases are inexcusable, and the only reason for their connection with the industry is the fact that they were brought from the South, where they were voluntarily idle, by agents of 

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