Page:Chicago Race Riots (Sandburg, 1919).djvu/33

Rh Molders. Every foundry in Chicago, according to the Urban league employment office, which chiefly handles the labor situation for colored people, is ready to hire colored molders, who have no difficulty in getting jobs.

Tanneries have opened their doors to both skilled and semi-skilled colored workers.

Colored shipping clerks have entered freight warehouses. Such a statement might seem to have little significance. As in all these instances, however, it is the record of a new precedent. A door once inscribed, "No hope," now says, "There is hope."

Automobile repair shops now employ colored mechanics. The two largest taxi companies make no discrimination on account of color.

One large mattress factory has opened the doors to colored workers.

At the Central Soldiers' and Sailors' bureau at 120 West Adams street, are available for employment colored men who served with the 8th infantry regiment in the Argonne and the St. Mihiel sectors in front line action. There are fifty chauffeurs, twenty first and second cooks, thirty miscellaneous kitchen helpers, five valets and ten butlers of experience, five shipping clerks, five actors, five sales clerks, two stationary engineers, two firemen, two night watchmen and five elevator men.

According to Sergt. H. J. Cannasius, in charge of the division dealing with colored labor, a considerable proportion of the men are justified in refusing to take jobs at heavy labor. "These men were gassed or otherwise wounded in service in the Argonne or in the St. Mihiel actions," he said. "We sent one who had been gassed to take a job as porter in a shoe store in State street. He was in a basement trying to handle a big box of goods.