unskilled to skilled labor. It is easy enough to forecast the result of such a situation. The employer will get the best labor possible for his money. He is not going to hire an incompetent man, when he can get a competent one at the same price.

Once out of his usual occupations, there is nothing for the Negro to do. He becomes an idler subjected to all of the dangers and vices of his condition. Crime is sure to follow idleness. Unless the Negroes endeavor to excel in all branches of work in which they are employed they will be driven out of them, and no one can tell how far reaching will be the result. This matter is of vital interest, not only to the people themselves directly concerned, but also to the Negro tradesmen and Negro professional men who are dependent upon them for a living. The lawyers, doctors, teachers, preachers and the men in business cannot escape the logic of the situation. In this practical age the laborer must in truth be worthy of his hire.

Through the public press the news comes to us that in Germany schools are being established in which waiters are trained. In addition to the art of becoming skilled in their trade, they are taught the English and French languages. These efficient and well schooled servants are coming to America from time to time in large numbers. It is not to be expected that the unskilled Negro waiters can successfully compete with these men. Sentiment in their favor may save them for a while, but not for all time. Cooks, chambermaids and nurses among the whites are similarly drilled. Unless the colored people dependent upon these vocations for a living adopt like methods of training, they will awake some morning and find these occupations in the cities gone from them. A proper appreciation for work, a respect for labor of all kinds on the part of the Negro may save him from this calamity.

The most encouraging fact touching the Negro’s present condition is his deep and earnest interest in education. His conduct in this respect is beyond all praise. He cannot be held responsible in any way for the illiteracy that exists among his race. Slavery is the plain historical cause of this misfortune.

Though the colored people have made commendable progress in education, yet they have not reached a point that justifies them in quibbling and splitting hairs as to the kind of education the schools should give them. Let them be sure to make good use of what they do get. As a race they are sadly, very sadly in need of that training so eloquently advocated by Booker T. Washington. The men and women who are to be teachers and who 

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