Library of The University of North Carolina MS iJIUIllh .11 00006731361 -^, ABi: Mi- »»>T^* THIS TITLE HAS BEEN WICRCriLWED This BOOK may be kept out TWO WEEKS Z^&^^N ONLY, and is subject to a fine of -»r««^^"*^r . ^^^CXTTO _ .1 il j-i - T. -_. ^^t^''^!i^^fr^^^ Sii^i^k^^^\ ^^^"^^ ^ ^^^y thereafter. Ur-was-nntcn out on • ^'-rJl.W^i'ijT''*^^^'*^ t^« ^«y indicated below: -.,a «? * " j'>ys. 0EC2J 2005 Durham County Economic and Social W. M. UPCHURCH and M. B. FOWLER cA Laboratory Study in the University of f^rth Carolina, Department of l^ra I Economics and Sociology The Expense of Publication is Generously Borne by Hon. John Sprunt Hill, an Alumnus and Trustee of the University CONTENTS I'Al.K Foreword 5 W. M. Unchurch 1. Historical Background 7 M. B. Fowler 2. Natural Resources 10 M. B. Fowler 3. Facts About the Folks 13 W. M. Upchurcii 4. Wealth and Taxation 2i W. M. Upchurch 5. Industries and Opportunities 28 W. M. Upchurch 6. Farm Conditions 37 \\. M. Upcliurch 7. Farm Practices 43 W. M. Upchurcii 8. Status of Our Rural Schcwls 48 \V. M. Upchurch 9. Sen-en-year Gains in Rural Schools 55 W. M. Upchurch 10. Durham City Schools Compared with Those of Winston-Salem no W. M. Upchurch 11. Other Durham County Institutions of Learning (6 W. M. Upchurch 12. Home-Raised Food and the Ixkal Market Problem (8 W. M. Upchurch 13. Where We Lead and \\ heri: We L.\o 81 M. B. Fowler 14. Our Problems and Their Solution 86 W. M. Upchurch FOREWORD The scries of studies here otTerc.l to tlic puhlic under the title. "Durham County: Economic and Social," is the work of M. B. Fowler and W. M. Upchurch, working under the sympathetic direction of Prof. E. C. Branson and his assistant in the department of Rural Economics and Sociology of the University of North Carolina. The data used were secured largely from the United States Census Report for 1910. and other authoritative sources and studies in the Xoyh Carolina Club room at the University, for the use of which we here render grateful thanks. We are also under many obligations to Mr. Floyd S. Bennett, of the Durham High School, for valuable suggestions and corrections. The expense of publication has been met by the Hon. Jolin Sprunt Hill, to whom the people of the county are indebted for this public service. The reader will Hnd some things of which he will be proud, but he will find others which he may regret, and he may wonder why they were given to the public. The purpose of the writers has not been to advertise our county by exaggerating the best things and neglecting the objectionable ones. We agree, rather, with the writer who said, "Our best friends are they who tell us of our faults and help us to mend them." We have kept this thought ever in mind as we have tried to interpret facts and figures in a fair-minded way. Wc further believe with Milton that— "Prime wisdom is Not to know at large of things remote. But that which daily lies about us." The work, therefore, has been an attempt to understand tlie present tlay forces of life in our city and county and to give our candid in- terpretation to the people, hoping in this way to be of some eflfective service to our home county. Whatever our success, we are at least offering to the public a new kind of bulletin. It has to do with tlie economic and social problems of Durham and Durham county. It is the second bulletin of its kind in this state, and so far as we know, it is one of the very few in the United States. The idea all through it is that we can tell how well we arc doing in any particular only by comparing our progress with tliat of other 6 Durham Couxty: Economic axd Social towns and counties in the same activity. The point is not so much whether we are gaining, but whether we are keeping up with, or are in advance of the most progressive communities. Our hope is that this little bulletin may find its way not only to the desks of our political leaders, but also into the hands of every student, teacher, preacher, and doctor; every banker, merchant, manufacturer and farmer — in short, into every Durham county home; and that it may carry stimulative information to some people, and stir in all a determination to help place our city and county in the front rank of all that is best. W. M. UPCHURCH, Edit or-i7i-C hie f IIAM C'olNTV: Kl'D.NO.MIC AND SoCIAl HISTORICAL BACKGROUND M. n. Fowi.KK Fifty-two years ago on a l)iautiful April clay there gathered around a cheerful camp fire at a little spot between (ireeushoro and Raleigh the soldiers of the blue and the gray. A stranger would have thought by their gaiety, games, foot races, horse trading, and general behavior that a spring festival was being celel)ratc(l. Hut why tliis place? This was the spot set aside as neutral ground between the armies of Gen- eral Sherman and General Johnston, just before the close of the war between the States. This place was called Durham's Station in honor of a venerable townsman. Dr. B. h. Durham. Ordinarily, about two hundred people resided at this little station. But on this memorable spring day thousands of men swarmed the woods in this vicinity. General Sherman's army camped just to the south of the station, and General Johnston's about three and one-half miles west, at the Bennett Place. Soldiers from botii sides met at Durham Station and had a genuinely good time. They found a frame house just a little way from the station, full of tobacco that had been manufactured by Mr. John R. Green for the soldiers in gray. The house was sacked, and men from both sides filled their pockets with smoking tobacco. After Johnston had surrendered to Sherman at the Bennett House, the soldiers scattered in every direction. Some lived in Texas, some in Maine. So it happened that later Mr. Green's tobacco went "ex- press prepaid" from Maine to Texas. When the tobacco carried away began to give out, these men began to feel a desire for more of the "celestial weed." Thus it happened that the railroad agent, post- master, and other officials around this little burg began to receive letters from various places, asking for more of that Durham tobacco. Mr. Green was quick to see his opportunity, and accordingly began to manufacture more tobacco and call it "Durham Smoking Tobacco." He adopted the Durham Bull as his trade mark. The story of the sub- sequent litigation over this trade mark need not be told here. Suffice it to say "Bull Durham" won out and still survives. After the death of Mr. Green in 1869, Messrs. W. T. HIackwell & Company pur- chased the business. Fresh capital was applied and the tobacco busi- ness took on the big boom that has never ceased. The sign of the "Bull" is seen around the world today. After the war Durham's population rapidly increased. The station became a town and was incorporated by the act of the General As- sembly, ratified April 10, 1869. It was named for the man who gave the land on which to build the station. Dr. B. L. Durham. At the time the above bill passed the General Assembly the town of Durham was 8 DuiiiiAM County: Economic axd Social in the county of Orange. Exactly two years later a bill for the estab- lishment of Durham county was ratified by the people, having been introduced in the General Assembly by the Honorable Caleb B. Green. A slice of Orange and a slice of Wake went to make up the county. Just a few years ago another part of Wake was cut oflf and handed over to Durham in the form of Carr township. The history of Durham henceforward concerns its growth from a tiny village of 200 people to a city of 30,000 inhabitants within 50 years. We say 30,000, because East and West Durham are really parts of the city of Durham. Early in its progress bankers of note, such as Mr. Eugene Morehead, established credit businesses. Graded public schools were started in 1882. With these things briefly said, let us concern ourselves with vvhat made Durham grow ; what it is and is not ; what it has at present and what it needs. 10 Durham Couxty : Economic and Social NATURAL RESOURCES M. B. Fowi- Total number of almshouse paupers. 34. State average. 96; U. S. average, 190. Xew York State. 272; Massachusetts. 447. Durham County : Economic and Social 99th in female workers in mills and factories, 1915, number... 2,759 Forsyth worst with 3,471 female operatives. FOREIGN-BORN POPULATION IN 1910 Africa 3 Austria 1 Canada 12 England 26 France 7 Germany 46 Greece 11 Hungary 1 Ireland Italy ... Russia . Scotland 4 3 115 7 Turkey 15 Wales 1 All others 6 Total 258 I)ii£ii.\M Col nty: Kconomic ami Social 2.'5 WEALTH AND TAXATION IN DURHAM COUNTY W. M. L'lMii luii The Krcatcr part of the wcaltli in Durham county is concentrated in and about the city of Durliam. In 1913 tlie total taxa1)lc prop- erty of tlie county was $26,500,480. Tlie farm wealth of tlie county is reported in the 1910 census at $3,591,167. This would appear on the ta.\ books at a smaller figure, as in the case of city property. Relatively our country properties, actual and taxable, arc small — per- haps less than a tenth of tlie total for tlic entire county. The taxablcs of the county have increased to $36,188,659 in 1917; which is around a ten million dollar increase in four years. In the period from 1903 to 1913 we increased our taxable pro|)crty 80 per cent, which was one per cent less than the state average. Per Capita Wealth and (iains The total amount of wealth in any place is not of as much con- cern as the portion which each individual possesses, and the ease and rapidity with which he may increase this amount. In 1910 our per capita country wealth was only $210. while that of .Mlcghany county was $560; of the state at large $322. and of Iowa $3,386. We should remember that neither Alleghany county nor Iowa produces cotton or tobacco, but instead they devote their time largely to food and feed crops and to livestock. Negroes Gain Rapidly It is interesting to know that while tlic wliite people of the state increased their wealth 69 per cent between 1903 and 1913, the negroes made a gain of 137 per cent. This means that they were just about twice as thrifty as the whites. When we remember that they had al- most no property when they were freed, a per capita taxable wealth of $50 in 1913 shows a wonderful gain. We are glad to know that our colored people are doing so well in the matter of saving, and we hope this will be an incentive to our whites to redouble their efforts in this particular. While our per capita rural wealth was only $210 in 1910, the per capita taxable wealth of the entire county, including the city, in 1913 was $753, in which particular Durham outranked every other county in the state. There is no occasion, however, for our country people to rush to town expecting to increase their possessions. To be sure, there is more wealth in town, but it is not so uniformly distributed. A few men in town have a superabundance, while the great majority have very little. The figures seem to show that the chances for ac- 24 DuKHAM County: Economic and Social cumulating property are better in the country regions than in the towns and cities. In the census period from 1900 to 1910 our farm wealth increased 112.8 per cent, but the taxable wealth of the entire county increased only 80 per cent between 1903 and 1913. We should remember, too, that the advantage is now with the farmer, because the prices of all farm products have doubled and trebled during the last three years. Low Tax Rate One hears people complaining of high taxes so often that he is likely to believe what they say. Our state and county rate is only 91 2-Z cents on the $100 valuation. Sixty-two counties had a higher rate in 1914. Some counties more than doubled the rate in Durham. In Yancey, for instance, the state and county rate was $2.12 2-3. In local taxation for schools our rate is $4.80 per $1,000.00 assessed val- uation, while the lowest in the state is $3.45 and the highest, down in Pamlico, is $8.98; yet their schools do not compare favorably with ours. In both the above items we are much nearer the lowest than the highest, and far below the state average. So long as our officials are able to keep the county in the front rank of progress on rates far below the state average, our people should rejoice instead of complain. Our county is able to stay in the lead on such a low rate only because of our large corporations and wealthy citizens. Unequal Tax Burden Under this heading it is proper to call the attention of our people to the fact that an acre of farm land in Durham bears a state tax burden nearly twice as heavy as an acre in Orange, more than twice as heavy as an acre in Chatham or Wake, nearly three times as heavy as an acre in Person or Granville, and more than eight times as heavy as an acre in Alleghany, the richest farm county in the state. These facts were brought out by Mr. E. S. Booth, of Durham, in a Tax Study, for the North Carolina Club at the University in 1915. His paper can be found in the University News Letter, Vol. 1, No. 8. It appears that our farm land in 1911 was assessed nearly 10 per cent above the census value, while farm land in Orange, Chatham, Wake, Person, Granville, and Alleghany was assessed at 66 per cent, 51 per (Cent, 45 per cent, 39 per cent, 38 per cent, and 13 per cent of the census values in the order named. This is an injustice that our tax assessors and the State Tax Commissioner ought to remedy. In the tax value of farm land when compared with census values, Durham county ranks fourth, only three other counties in the state paying on a higher valuation. This speaks well for our farming folks. Be it said to the honor and credit of one, and to the dishonor and shame of the other, that DruiiAM Coi.my: Jmono.mic .\m» Social 25 Dare, the poorest county in tlie state in per capita country wealth, ranks first in this respect with its farm lands listed 88 per cent above the census value; while Alk-Khany. the richest county in the state in per capita country wealth, ranks lowest with its lands listed 87 per cent below the census valuation. Income and Professional Taxes In the matter of income taxes in 1914 Durliam county ranked 6th, paying $4,143.35. In 1913 tliere wore 33 counties in the state which paid no income taxes and 32 counties paid none in 1914. We wonder if no one in these counties was getting an income of over $1,250 per year. And furthermore, Durham county ranked 7th in the amount of professional taxes paid by lawyers, doctors, dentists, photographers, etc.. in 1913. There was none at all reported for Harnett, Duplin. Caswell and Avery counties for 1913. Must we conclude that these counties had no professional men in that year, or that they failed to report to the tax officers? Because of these delinquencies in other counties, Durham county in 1914 paid into the state treasury in excess of pensions and school money received therefrom. $80,467; while Alleghany county, the richest farm county in the state, with its farm lands listed for taxes at only 13 per cent of the census value, is among the eleven pauper counties that get more from the state treasury in pensions and school moneys tlian all tlie taxes they pay into it. Tliat is. we are sending money to Raleigh and from there to Alleghany county to educate people who are better aide but less willing to educate themselves than we are. It should be somebody's duty to see that such counties list their property at a fair price and help to bear their righteous part of the state tax burden. Banking Facilities and Opportunities In 1914 Durham county had seven banks and ranked 53rd in this particular. That was one hank to every 5,459 people. The state aver- age was one bank to every 4.800 people and the United States average was one bank to every 3,700 people. Our per capita bank capital also is interesting. New Hanover county with Wilmington as a center had $40.06 bank capital per capita; Forsyth with Winston-Salem. $32.82 per capita; Mecklenburg with Charlotte, $31.67 per capita; Way'ie with Goldsboro, $19.10 per capita; Guilford with Greensboro, $15.56 per capita; Wake with Raleigh, $15.38 per capita; while Durham had only $12.43 per capita. In this particular Durham ranked 10th. Our per cai)ita bank capital is piti- fully small for a county whose manufactured products are worth around nincty-tive million dollars in 1917, and whose local trade in the ordinary necessities of life reaches fifty million dollars a year. These facts make it evident that our banks culd well afford to 26 Dl'KHam Coua'ty: Eco.nomic and Social increase their capital stock or that new banks could be operated with profit. A large part of our wealth is invested in our industries. This will be treated in a separate chapter, entitled, Industries and Opportunities. FACTS ABOUT WEALTH AND TAXATION IN DURHAM COUNTY The figures in the left margin indicate how many counties make a better record than Durham. 66th in total farm wealth, 1910 census $3,591,167 56th in farm wealth increase, 1900-1910, per cent 112.8 State average increase 130.5 per cent. 38th in increase in value of domestic animals, 1900-1910, per cent 112 State increase 109 per cent. Robeson first with 200 per cent increase. Dare lowest with 11 per cent increase. 4th in total taxable property in 1913 $26,590,480 Increase in taxable property 1903-1913 was 80 per cent. State increase was 81 per cent. State average in- crease, whites, 69 per cent; negroes, 137 per cent. 82nd in per capita country wealth, 1910 $210 Alleghany first with $560. Dare, $47; State, $322; U. S., $994; Iowa, $3,386. Per capita taxable wealth in Durham county, 1910, all property city and county was $753. White per capita taxable wealth $865 ; negro, $50. 38th in tax rate, state and county, on the $100, 1914 91 2-3 Duplin lowest, .66 2-3. Yancey highest, $2.12 2-3. 62nd in local taxation for schools, rate per $1,000 of assessed value, 1913-14 $4.80 Pamlico leads with $8.98. Hertford lowest with $3.45. 4th in tax value of farm land, compared with 1910 census value, per cent 109 Dare, the poorest county in per capita wealth, ranks first with 188 per cent. Alleghany, the richest county in per capita country wealth, ranks lowest with only 13 per cent. State average, 39 per cent. 6th in income taxes paid, 1913 $4,143.35 Thirty-three counties paid no income tax in 1913, and thirty-two paid none in 1914. DiKHAM C'oimy: Economic and Social 27 7th in professional taxes paid in 1914 by 101 men $505 This includes lawyers, doctors, dentists, photoRra- phers, etc. None were reported in Harnett, Duplin, Caswell, or Avery on tax list of 1913. 41st in improved roads, Jan. 1, 1915, per cent 16 Miles of improved roads, 133; miles surfaced, 118. State average of improved roads, 20 per cent. Since the above date Durham county has built about 4 miles of macadam and 25 miles of sand-clay road. 18th in automobiles (June 30, 1915), total number 345 One automobile to every twenty families. Amount in- vested in motor cars, $155,250. Amount invested in public school property, 1914. $345.0(X). In 1917 we have invested in automobiles $516,440.64. 2nd in taxes paid into state treasury in excess of pension ^ and school money received, 1914 80,467 Eleven counties in the state are dependent; that is, they receive more from the state than they pay in taxes into the state treasury. These eleven counties are all in the western part of the state and are: Ashe, Alexander, Alleghany, Burke, Clay, Jackson, Mitchell, Yadkin, Yancey. Wilkes, and Watauga. Mecklenburg pays most, $88,241. 63rd in Confederate pensioners, 1915, rate per 10,000 population 47 Number in the county receiving pensions, 179. Clay ranks first with 166 per 10,000 population. Perquim- ans ranks lowest with 16; the state average is 62. 53rd in banks in 1914, 7 in number— one bank to every 5,459 people. The state average was one bank for every 4,800 people, and the United States average was one bank for every 3.700 people. Camden, Currituck, and Graliam had no banks in 1914. Four- Year Increase in Total Taxables 1913 $26,590,484 1914 28.192.'X)6 1915 30.581.748 1916 31,279,333 1917 36,188,659 28 Durham Couxty: Economic and Social INDUSTRIES AND OPPORTUNITIES* W. M. Upchurch The things necessary for the development of manufacturing are sufficient capital, raw products within easy reach, efficient workers, and ample transportation facilities. Durham is blessed with all these. Railroad Advantages Few, if any, towns in the South off the main trunk lines enjoy greater railroad advantages than Durham. Five different companies operate trains in seven directions into and out of our city daily. In all there are about forty trains every twenty-four hours. With the Union Station as a center these lines radiate like the spokes of a wheel from the hub. This enables manufacturers to import materials from all directions and to start finished products toward their final destination. These are indispensable advantages in a growing in- dustrial center. Raw Products Durham is well located in the midst of a tobacco and cotton grow- .ing area. Great quantities of these products are brought in annually by the farmers of this and adjoining counties and sold on the local market, which saves our manufacturers the cost of transportation. Most of the remainder of our raw products are secured from fairly nearby markets. Capital Invested It is scarcely possible to find from the state reports the exact capital invested in manufacturing in a progressive city like Durham. It takes time for the reports to be sent in by the different manufact- uring concerns to the state department at Raleigh, and there to be tabulated and printed for the public. During this time other capital is being added to old plants and new plants are started. However, we can get it approximately correct. According to the state report for 1915, and the estimated amount for the W. Duke Sons and Company, we had in the county at that time a total capital stock of $17,382,221. Of course there was much more than this invested in our industries and carried under such heads as "surplus," "undivided profits," etc. Durham has sufficient capital invested in her industries to insure steady work for nine or ten thousand wage earners and large returns to capital. It is greater than that of any other city in North Carolina * The' tables on which this chapter is based can be found following the discus- sion. These figures are based on the Federal Census of Industries for 1914 and on the North Carolina Labor report for 1915. Di iniA.M Cor.Niv: Kco.no.mic and Social 20 except Winston-Salcin. ami these two cities liad to combine in order to out-distance us. Machinery, Management, and Laborers Tlierc are a number of things which help to produce large returns in factory work, among the most important of which may be men- tioned the right kind of machinery, good management, and efficient workmen. From the figures in the table at the end of this chapter all of these must have combined with others here in Durham, for in the matter of value of products according to number of wage earners, we are far ahead of any other town in tliis state. The figures would almost stagger one's belief, but for the fact that they are backed by the Federal Census of Manufactures for 1914. According to this report the average factory employee in North Carolina turned out, in 1914, products valued at $2,114.19. The aver- age factory worker in the city of Durham in the same year produced manufactured products valued at $5,792.87, which was about two and three- fourth times the state average. Among the ten largest cities in North Carolina, Winston-Salem was our nearest neiglibor in this par- ticular, and our workers surpassed those of Winston-Salem l)y 50 per cent. But suppose we take for comparison the value added to the raw products in the processes of manufacture in the ten largest cities of our state. In this particular we make even a better showing. Our average workers added one and a half times as much value to the raw products which they manufactured as did the workers in Winston- Salem, three and a lialf times those of Charlotte, four times those of High Point, three times those of Wilmington, four and a half times those of Rocky Mount, three times those of Greensboro, two and a half times those of Raleigh, three times those of Asheville, four times those of New Bern, and nearly four times those of the state at large. In Durham 4,764 workers added three-fourths as much value to the raw products which passed through their hands in 1914 as did 9.634 workers in Winston-Salem for the same year. In whatever way we compare our industries with those of other North Carolina towns, they rank far ahead except in total number of wage earners and in value of total output. In these two particulars alone did Winston-Salcm outrank Durham. This is explained in part by the fact that our large factories of East and West Durham are outside the city limits, hence not included in the comparison by the Federal report. The above facts are significant, and they are a distinct compliment to both our factory managers and their employees. 30 DL'I^IrA^[ Couxty: Economic and Social Lest We Forget But let us not Ibe too elated over the above record, for there is another side of the question to be considered. If the reader will study the facts under the head "Wage Earners" of Table I, following this discussion, he will find that Durham had, in 1914, a larger per cent of .women and children among her total workers than did any other 'city of North Carolina. This is a compliment to the women and children, still they are facts to be regretted. The only way the author can get any consolation from such a condition, is to combine these facts with those above, which makes us able to say that the women and children of Durham are more efficient workers than are the men of any other city in the state. Either this or our captains of industry chose more wisely the right types of manufacture. We should still re- member, however, that our boys and girls are going out in life to compete with those from other cities, who have been in school more and in factories less than ours. This does not seem quite fair to our young people. This is no thrust at our manufacturers. All of them may be oper- ating in perfect accord with the Child Labor Law at present, and perhaps they were doing so in 1914. Nevertheless, it is a fact that if we were doing all the law required at that time, the other towns were doing more, which was giving their boys and girls an advantage over ours in preparation for life. It should be said to the credit of the managers of the Durham Hosiery Mills that they realized the situation several years ago and started a night school for all their employees, paying every item of expense even to books, pencils and tablets. Although this school has been taken over by the city authorities and is now conducted at the Edgemont School building as a part of the city system, the Durham Hosiery Mills, the Chatham Hosiery Mill, and the North State Knit- ting Mill are still furnishing books and supplies for all their em- ployees who attend. Industries in Greater Detail In a brief treatise like this it would be impossible to give a de- tailed account of the organization, growth and present importance of each of our factories. One short paragraph devoted to each would make a story entirely too long to be included in this bulletin. How- ever, the reader will find at the end of this chapter, in tabulated form, the most important facts about our cotton factories, knitting mills, to- bacco factories, and other miscellaneous concerns having a capital stock of $50,000 or more. Taken according to amount of capital in- vested, value of annual output, and number of wage earners, the to- bacco industry comes first. l)ii:iiAM ('ur.Niv: K(<».\i>.M h' and Sociaf. 31 Tobacco Factories The tobacco industry was started on a small scale before the Civil War by Mr. John R. Green, and it has been increased with the rapid growth of the town. In 1915 the total capital stock of our tobacco factories was around $8,000,000. It has been impossible to get the exact figures regarding this industry because our largest plants arc only branch otTices of large corporations. I estimated the capital stock of the W. Duke Sons and Company from the value at whicli the plant was listed for taxation, $4,362,702. letting this tax value represent 65 per cent of the actual value. Tlie estimate, therefore, is $6,711,849, which is probably too much, as tlic book value of a business usually exceeds the amount of the capital stock. In 1915 the tive largest plants in this industry provided employment for 2.650 wage earners, who received $1,027,578 for tlicir work. The manufactured products which they produced were valued at around $35,OOO.lXX). While five companies are included in these totals the two largest ones do more than nine-tenths of the business. In 1915 the largest of these companies, the W. Duke Sons and Company, represented around five-sixths of the capital, two-thirds of the work- ers, and three-fifths of the value of the output. The value of the output given in the table for this factory may not be correct. The value was not given in tlie state report. I calculated that if 903 work- ers for the Blackwell Durham Tobacco Company produced products worth $12,000,000. at the same rate 1.741 workers for the W. Duke Sons and Company ought to have produced products of the same nature worth around $23,136,149. Tliis is used for the value of their manufactured products. The next in importance is the Blackwell Durham Tobacco Com- pany which, in 1915, employed al)out a third of the workers in this industry and produced more than a third of the value of the total output. Considerable additions have been made to this plant witliin the last two years, and the output has been materially increased. Cotton Factories Next in importance, according to capital invested, value <>i output, and number of wage earners employed, come our cotton factories. .•\ccording to the report of the North Carolina Labor Commissioner, the first cotton factory in our county was the Durham Cotton Manu- facturing Company of East Durham, organized in 1884. This was followed by the Erwin Mills, of West Durham, in 1892, the Pearl Mill in 1893, the Golden Belt in 1899, and the Little River Manu- facturing Company in 1906. The date for the Commonwealth, now Duke Yarn Company, is not given. The total capital stock of these eight factories, in 1915, was $5,- 510,000. They gave employment to 1,848 people who received some- 32 Durham Cou^'ty: Ecoxomic axd Social thing over $636,246 for their work, or an average of $344.17 per worker. Included in this number of workers were, of course, many children, which causes the average to be somewhat low. The products which these workers manufactured were valued at $7,926,025. The most important of our cotton factories are the Erwin Mills, of West Durham. These represent about two-thirds of the capital invested in this industry. These mills paid the largest average wages among the cotton mills, but from the value of the products which their wage earners produced, they seemed to get the smallest returns for the money paid out. The figures show that 1,073 workers manu- factured goods valued at $2,450,000 for which work they received $397,836. The wages here are a little over 16 per cent of the value of the products manufactured. The opposite to the above conditions is found in connection with the Golden Belt Cotton Mill. This mill paid its workers the smallest average annual wage in 1915, while they produced the largest returns as shown by the value of the products they manufactured. In this instance the figures show that 262 workers produced manufactured goods valued at $4,647,346. For this work they received $69,072, or an average annual wage of $263.43, which was the lowest average paid by any of our cotton mills. The wages here are only 1.4 per cent of the value of the products produced. Knitting Mills Next in importance come our knitting mills, with a total capital stock, in 1915, of $1,496,227. This was less than a third the amount invested in cotton factories and about a fifth of that invested in tobacco factories. The knitting mills gave employment to 1,297 workers, who received $471,530 as wages, an annual wage of $363.61 per worker. This was a little more than the average for the cotton mill employees. The Durham Hosiery Mills Our largest knitting concern is The Durham Hosiery Mills Cor- poration, which is one of the largest of the kind in this country. This company has over nine-tenths the capital invested in the knitting in- dustry in this county. In 1915 this company employed in Durham 1,121 wage earners who received nearly a half million dollars for their work. The growth of this company since its organization in 1898 has been unusual. From one building in Edgemont at the beginning, it has grown to four buildings here in Durham and five in other towns — two in Chapel Hill, one in Mebane, one in High Point, and one in Goldsboro. The total capital stock is now around $3,000,000. This company spins its own thread and knits it into hosiery, making about DruuA.M ('(»i.\iv: K(«>nomu- and Soiiai. 'V.) 18,000 dozen |)air inT day. For some limr it has hvvu furnishing large government orders, the goods passing without trouble the inspection of the government agents. This fact alone is sufficient proof of the quality of the Durable Durham Hosiery. The success of this company led other investors into tliis industry, and the Chatham Knitting Mill, the North State Knitting Mill, and the Louise Knitting Mill were establislied i)rior to 1915. Since that time all the above have added capital and enlarged their business. Since 1915 ftnir other knitting mills of importance and two or three small ones liave been organized, and some have doubled their capital stock. The largest of these are the Pilot Mill, of West Durham, and the Bowling-Emory Mill in the city. The others are in East Durham. Flour Mills Durham county has a number of small grist mills, but the one of greatest importance is the .-Kustin-Heaton Company in the city. It began business in 1896, with an output of 100 l)arrels of flour per day. In 1910 the capacity was increased to 255 barrels per day, and in 1917 it was raised to 800 barrels per day. This mill is operated day and night, and in addition to the flour, it turns out around 200 barrels of corn meal and 40 tons of feed stuff every twenty- four hours. It has succeeded in placing its products over this and adjoining states, and it is competing successfully with the larger mills of the West. Other Miscellaneous Factories Included under the head of Miscellaneous Factories are 49 plants not already mentioned, which produce about 35 different kinds of products varying all the way from candy and cakes to make one sick, buggies to haul him to the hospital, medicine to administer to him while there, lumber for his cofiin, to a tombstone for his grave. The total capital for all of these, in 1915, was $2,605,893. The number of workers employed was 892, the total wages $275,311. and the average annual wage $295.85. This is a smaller average wage than for the indutrics treated separately. .Among tlic miscellaneous factories, the Golden Belt Bag Mill paid tlie smallest wage and tlic Seeman Printcry paid the highest. (•ains Since 1915 During tlic last two years there has been a tremendous growth in most of our industrial plants. Around three million dollars fresh capital has been applied ; old factories have been enlarged ; five new hosiery mills organized; a large tobacco factory, the Imperial, modern in every particular, l)uilt ; and many smaller concerns started. Figures secured in 1918, direct from the four largest factories in Durham, show that since the 1915 report their combined number of 34 Durham County: Economic and Social workers has increased about 60 per cent and that their pay rolls have more than doubled. These figures do not include the workers in the Duke Yarn Mill, which was idle in 1915, or those of the new knitting mills organized since. The number of employees of the cotton fac- tories in East and West Durham have not increased as much as the workers in the city, but it is a very conservative estimate to say that the total employees in the county have increased around 50 per cent in three years, and the total pay roll around 100 per cent. This would give us at present over 10,030 wage earners, who will receive in 1918 around $4,821,530. And if the value of the total manufactured pro- ducts of the county have increased proportionately, they will be worth this year around ninety-five million dollars ! Opportunities With these things said, it is scarcely necessary to say that Durham offers unusual opportunities to all who are looking for a place to locate. With so much money invested by large corporations our future seems safe, which makes our city an inviting place for the investor. With about the smallest bank capital per capita of any North Carolina city, and next to the largest amount of money to be handled — Winston- Salem alone being ahead of us — we offer unusual advantages to the banker. Our million dollar corporations beckon to the men who are ambitious to become the managers of large concerns. Our hundreds of offices offer opportunity for those who like clerical work. Our various industries offer suitable employment for all classes of work- ers. These create opportunity for the merchant, the lawyer, the doctor, the teacher, the preacher, and all the rest. > -pap|>e 3n|tv\ jj>fju.t\ jj,| |(j|i|.i- Jii|i:.\ |fi<.j_ . 00 '2 — 1^ o- I ^™ ^- ^ i>» o f — r-4 1 OS w ^ 2 Z o t/3 < < "^ * 8 a: M ■Jim-'A JJ?(JOA\ JJ,| •JUM jad 't-161 oj 6061 -o|^ 'Sac |e)0} ui asesjsuj (CJOJ jO IU»3 J3d sjX 9t J9pun uajp|iq3 •JB^OJ }0 JU33 J3(l ■\K\0\ JO juaD jad 'JaAO pue 91 saiep^ -jaquinu aScjaAy jSModasjoq jo jaciiun"^ ■sjoain -qsiiqosa jo jaquin^^ o -f '^- ^' -?■ ~ ~ 00* o -^ >o t^ 1^ 2^ «>. X -r T >/-; 5v -^ O CKfroo«oc>— ^>Ooor>^ — O^ -r o (^i I/-; «o d '^i 00 T — "^i ^ t^ O OC ir, rv) 1^ „ f^ — .0 -^ oc t>. 00 c c^ oc oc »>. "^^ (^1 (^ r»5 iri o 1" ^ 1^ f — " fv J (^ J f^" fvi* iV"^ 00 <^ "-"Tt ^1 OoTxi^J t^ X 00 'O — . SO ^ "^l O O ON 0^ O (^ J '^ «>._ 'O 0C_ "^_ !>. 00 "T — * r>r tv.' oJ T-^ I /~J rv) t' I r, op o' ^-ooosO'^'^i»ro-"'T — t< oJ fvi vo 00 ^ o o\ fvi ^' — i \0 'O Ov vq fM p 00 CT\ •^ 00 o o< <^ "H o ON c^ 00 10 fvi t>I o r^io'^rprvjONr^p^'^oq |^«riiot^r^00O\\Ot^00Ov ob \o, t>._ t>. io_ IN. •«?•_ .* VO* "^ '^' f^J* "Ti* "^ j" CM CLASSIFIED INDUSTRIES Based on 1915 Report of the State Labor Commissioner I f COTTON FACTORIES Commonwealth Golden Belt Cotton Mill Pearl Cotton Mill Durham Cotton Mfg. Co Erwin Alills I Erwm Mills IV Erwin Mills Bleacherv Little River Mig. Co Totals KNITTING MILLS. Chatham Knitting Mill Durham Hosiery Mill North State Knitting Mill Louise Knitting Mill Co Totals TOBACCO FACTORIES. Blackwell Durham Tobacco Co W. Duke, Sons & Co Export Leaf Tobacco Co Imperial Tobacco Co Venable Tobacco Co Totals MISCELLANEOUS FACTORIES Golden Belt Bag Mill Austin-Heaton Co Deal Palmer Company Durham Buggy Company Durham Lumber Company Peabody Drug Company Seeman Printery All Others Total Cotton Factories Knitting Mills Tobacco Factories Miscellaneous Factories Grand Total ^ 125.000 700.000 175,000 450,000 4,000,000 60,000 4,647,346 256,480 501,480 1,200.000 1,250,000 70,715 69,072 53,260 116,078 172,236 171,600 54,000 t 262.2 152.3 361. 463. 473. 137. (36.3) 5,510.000 I 7,926,025 | 636,246 | 1848, I 53,000 I 1,403.000 1 19,165 I 21,062 I 1,496,227 147,212 1,250.000 43,393 30,136 1,470741 1,000,000 12,000,000 t6,711.849 23,136,149 920 I 1,121 2,500 I 6,973 54,852 I 6,000 40,703 412.300 11,027 ^7^500 471,530 275,000 750,000 157 2,421 (2,445 ) 110. 1121. 35.8 30. 1,296.8 903. 1741. 263.43 349.70 321.54 372.00 362.47 394.16 344.17 370.00 367.79 308.01 250^ 363.61 304.54 430.78 314.00 440.18 7,770,101 I 35,150,243 | 1,027,578 '; 2,650. | 3S7.76 1,612,671 188,700 66,522 96,132 60,074 66.082 56,349 459,363 2.605,893 5,510,000 1,496,227 7,770,101 2,605,893 17,382.221 1,487,429 449,732 50,146 87,138 91,370 5,480 43,806 45 2,644 2,667745 | 275,311 116,606 5,224 7,044 (11,433) 22,169 1,352 12,142 99.341 485. 13. 17. 49. 4. 17. 307. 892. 241.41 401.84 414.35 454.28 338.00 71423 323.58 295.85 GRAND TOTALS 7,926,025 1,470,741 35,150,243 2,667,745 47,214,754 636,246 1.848.5 I 344.17 471,530 1.296.8 I 363.61 1,027,578 I 2.650. I 387.76 275,311 I 892. | 295.85 2,410,765 6,687.3 I 360.49 *Idle in 1915. tEvidently there is an error in Mr. Shipman's report for this factory, hence average wage not used. JNot given in Shipman's report; estimated from tax list of 1916. DiKiiAM Coimy: K(i>.\(».\iic am> Sori.vi. ;{7 FARM CONDITIONS W . M. L'jviirHCii The fiKuri's upon wliicli this cliai)ttT is l)ase(l may he found at the end of the chapter. Too Much Idle Land Industrial captains see to it tliat their entire i)Iants are in operation all the time. This is not true of our farmers. I^css than three-tenths, or 29.3 per cent, of our farm lands was under cultivation in 1910. This was about the state average, but our farmers should not be satisfied to be on an average with the state at large, when they have a local market such as few other counties have. They can easily dispose of all products at good prices in Durham. There were only 48.825 acres under the plow in 1910, while 137,415 acres were idle. Fifty-three counties made a better showing. The dead capital tied up in idle farm land in Durham county is more than two million dollars, reckoned on census values ; and more than four million dollars, reckoned on current market values. This amount of dead capital in the best busi- ness in Durham City would wreck it in six months. Elbow-Room for New Farm Families Reserving fifty thousand acres for woodlot uses and allowing seventy-five acres to each family, there is room for 1.165 new farm families. If we count five to the family, this would mean 5,825 more country people in the county. It would increase our farm population nearly three- fourtlis, and the volume of farm wealtii two fold or more. Such an arrangement would, of course, mean smaller holdings upon an average. l)Ut nijt smaller farms in actual cultivation. This would be a distinct social advantage, because it would bring the people closer together and afford an opportunity for greater cooperation. Nor should more farmers even on smaller farms prove an economic dis- advantage. Our rolling land in many |)laces prevents the use of the best labor-saving, profit-producing machinery ; and the nature of our main products, cotton and tobacco, makes a large amount of hand- work necessary. But both the high price of labor and the scarcity mean fewer hired men on our farms. All of these conditions seem to justify intensive rather than extensive farming. Small home-owning farmers are the hope of Durham and every other city-county in North Carolina; and we invite them in from the Xortli and the West. They can secure better land for less money in Durham than anywhere else on the continent. Besides, the local market offers comfortable profits for anything they can produce. 38 Durham County: Economic and Social In 1910 our farms averaged 30.2 cultivated acres per farm. At the same time 665 farms, or rather more than a third of the total, con- tained less than 50 acres each, while 951 contained more, the largest being the Cameron farm in the northern part of the county, which contains more than nine thousand acres. It is the large farms which could be divided to advantage. Certainly we do not need farms re- duced to the small one-horse type, which would preclude the profit- able use of much labor-saving machinery. The need is for. more such machinery, with more and heavier work animals. Small mules and horses and the one-horse plow are among our greatest farm disad- vantages. Farm Implements and Horsepower Effectiveness of effort depends largely on the tools used. Dur- ham county farmers make a fair show in this particular. In 1910 they had $2.14 worth of farm implements for every acre of cultivated land, which was 4 cents per acre above the state average, but 38 cents per acre below the United States average. We ranked fifty-first among the counties of the state in this particular. New Hanover led with $4.40, while Madison was lowest with 84 cents per acre. Our showing in horsepower per cultivated acre was much better. In this particular we ranked 11th in the state, only ten counties mak- ing a better show. On the average we had one horse for every 21.53 cultivated acres. This is much better than the state average, but a little below that of the United States. Dare led with a horse for every 10.81 acres cultivated, but this county is a fishing, not a farm- ing civilization. Caldwell ranked lowest, cultivating 53.44 acres per work-animal. This vast difference is explained by the fact that one county is in the trucking region while the other is in the grain, hay and forage section of the state. We should remember, too, that in the trucking area they cultivate two or three successive crops on the same acre, while in the grain belt they get only one crop and that with little horsepower. On the whole, however, we need more in- tensive farming with better work-stock and more labor-saving ma- chinery, and now more than ever, because of decreasing farm labor. Farm Indebtedness No man can do his best when he is too heavily loaded down with debt. Many of our farmers in 1910 had not been able to free them- selves from debts and mortgages incurred during the preceding years. Of our white farmers 52 per cent owned their own homes and farms and about a seventh of these were covered by mortgages. We were below the state average in the cultivation of farms by owners, but we made a better showing than the state at large in free- dom from debt. Di KiiAM ('or.Niv: KcoNoMK- .\.M> Social .'5!> The negro farmers were of course behind the whites. Only a fifth, or 20 per cent, of these claimed to own their farms ; and more than a fourth, or 26 per cent, were mortgaged. They were not up to the state standard in ownership, but in the matter of mortgage debt they were exactly on a level with their race in the state at large. Because of good prices for products since 1910 it is probable that the above conditions have been greatly improved, but it will be neces- sary to wait until the next census for tlic exact figures. The Evil of Farm Tenancy The history of farming shows tliat no community ever reaches the highest stage of agriculture until the farms are operated mainly by the owners. The average tenant is such because he is lacking either in industry, thrift, or sagacity. Since he moves frequently, he has little interest in soil building or soil preservation, and hence makes little or no preparation in the fall for his next crop. Living on the crop-lien, supply-merchant plan, he is forced to devote his attention to ready- money crops to the neglect of food, feed stufTs and stock. Moving from place to place frecjuently, he lias little interest in beautifying his home or helping to build and maintain good schools and churches. In 1910 nearly three-fifths, or 56.5 per cent, of all our farmers were tenants. The state average was 42.3 per cent. However, during the period from 1900 to 1910 we had a 2.4 per cent decrease in tenants, showing that some of the landless bought farms. There were in 1910 in our county 505 white and 407 negro tenant families. Our landless, homeless tenants numbered about 4,560 souls. This is no thrust at this unfortunate class. What they need is to buy and own farms of their own and to devote their energies to improving them, and this especially in this year of high prices and abounding prosperity in the farm regions. Helping the Tenants to Buy a P'arm When the average renter wislies to buy a farm home, he finds an up-hill job. He is usually unable to pay; but when he has the money, he may not always find a landowner who cares to sell. Both of these difficulties may be largely overcome. In every com- munity there are some landowners who have surplus cash, as well as idle lands. When these realize fully how much better it is to have a desirable citizen permanently located in their neighborhood, they may tender aid to the deserving home-seeker, either as individuals or as groups such as the credit unions. They can lend him the money with which to buy a farm, and frequently they do. There is plenty of land in North Carolina owned by well-to-do absentee landlords living in town or in another county or state, who are holding their lands out of productive use for higher prices. In 40 DuiiiiAM Couxty: Economic and Social such cases where the owners will not sell at reasonable prices a little legislation may help matters wonderfully. A higher tax on land not operated by owners would be a step in the right direction. This tax could be so graduated that the more land the absentee landlord owns the higher tax rate he must pay, as in Australia, New Zealand and some of the Canadian provinces. Such an arrangement would make large holdings not operated by the owners unprofitable, and thus force the land on the market for those who will develop it into productive farms and substantial homes. Farms Too Lightly Stocked Poultry Increase. — As the population of Durham county has in- creased, the supply of home raised meats, with the exception of poultry, has decreased. Our increase in the number of poultry be- tween 1900 and 1910, gave us the rank of 12th in this particular. Dur- ing this period our increase was 37.1 per cent. This was a capital gain, but not commensurate with the increase in population or the de- mand for pouhry. In 1910 there were only 35,311 fowls of all kinds in the county, or around one fowl per person per year. The average demand is thirteen per year per inhabitant. Cattle Decrease. In the number of cattle per 1,000 acres of land in 1910, we ranked 36th, which was a little above the state average. Ashe county led with 81 cattle, and Dare was lowest with 5 per 1,000 acres. Our state average was 23, far below the average of the United States, which was 61. But the small number of cattle was not the worst part. The records show that between 1900 and 1910 the number of our cattle decreased 14 per cent, while the state as a whole increased 12 per cent, and Caldwell county gained 62 per cent. Swine Decrease. — The situation is nearly the same with regard to hogs. In 1910 we had only 28 per 1,000 acres. Sixty counties made a better showing. The state average was 39. The average for the country at 'large was 66, while in Iowa it was 263 hogs per 1,000 acres. In North Carolina, Johnston county was first with 121 hogs and Dare was last with only 8 per 1,000 acres. As with cattle, there was a decrease in the number of hogs from 1900 to 1910, amounting to 9 per cent. Perhaps this loss is not so great as it seems. Along with this decrease in number came a gain in breeds which may have meant an increase in pounds. But the fact remains that we have too little home raised meat, and the price is steadily advancing. In the light of these facts the recent efforts of ex-Sheriff Blacknall to bring a large number of pigs into Durham county, become a pa- triotic service of no little importance. We should give him the praise and encouragement which he justly deserves. DiKIIAM ColMV: I a casual observer needs only to pass through the communities where these schools are located to see the changes they have brought about in farming methods and conditions. What a pity there is not such a school in every corner of the county ! The two Credit Unions at Lowe's Grove and Bahama also rank high among tlie present rural institutions of the county. They not only atlord the farmers opjwrtunity to discuss common problems and to help one another finance their farms on a cash basis, thus saving the extra charges of the supply merchant ; but they are saving still larger sums by cooperative buying and selling. In a single year the l.owc's Grove Union has saved for its members in this way $650 in the purchase of fertilizers alone. This is more than the entire amount they had invested in the Union in membership shares. Besides this, the success which they have had in this work has impressed the farmers with the necessity for co<>peration. made them more self- respecting citizens, created a spirit of thrift, and aroused in them hope and broader vision for the future. Our farmers are learning how to assemble their resources and establish credit machinery — a lesson they have long needed to learn. Our people, especially our farmers, are deeply indebted to the Hon. John Spnint Hill for his efficient aid and direction in establishing these farm credit unions in this and other counties. The Carr Mill authorities have saved their operatives from pawn brokers and loan sharks by the $10,000 they put at the service of their operatives, in small short-time loans at 6 per cent. Otherwise here would be a sit- uation calling for Cooperative Credit Unions in a factory center. An Encouraging Outlook With the start wc now have in modern farming and the continued aid of the above institution and agencies, our future looks promising. Our soil will become more fertile, our fields more fruitful, and our farmers wealthier and better satisfied. Indeed, if our gains in the ne.xt ten years are as great as during the last ten. our fields will be- come veritable gardens! And our chances are now better, three to one. We ought to do our best to make the gains of the future surpass even our greatest expectations. FACTS ABOUT FAKM PRACTICES Duri.am's rank at the left margin shows how many counties make a better showing. 62nd in cotton production, total number of bales. 1914 1.383 In 1917 the crop was only 407 bales. Rolieson and Johnston raised nearly one-ninth of state crop. m,m0mi ^iMm^^ Dlkiiam Cointy: Economic and Social 47 35th in tobacco production in 1910. pounds per acre 582 Carteret county led with 915 pounds per acre. Dur ham county had 3.424 acres planted in tobacco. 1910 census. Total pounds. 1.995.000, rank 23rd. 4lst in non-food crops i)roduced, cotton and tobacco $381,891 Non-food crops produced annually are 49 per cent of all the crop wealth. Food and feed crops produced 51 per cent of all the crop values. States averaKi" <>f non-food crops. S3 per cent. 67th in annual farm wealtli produced $1,013,127 This total covers both crops and animal products. Every three and one-half years the farmers produce as much wealth as they have been able to accumulate in our entire history. Forty-nine per cent of the total crop wealth was produced by non-food crops. The need is for more livestock industries, such as cheese fac- tories, creameries, etc. 43r(l in crop yielding power per acre. 1910 $15.86 State average in 1910, $24.84; in 1914, $20.18. Scot- land led with $42.02; Alleghany lowest, $4.83. 87th in annual production of farm wealth per person, 1910. . $59.50 Scotland county ranked first with $181.10. Dare last with $9.60 per capita. State average, $85; average of French farmers, $126. 96th in food and feed produftion per person, 1910 $17.00 Needed, $84 per person ; deficit, $67 per person. Alle- ghany led with $106; Dare lowest with $9. 57th in food and feed crops, per cent of total crop values.. 51 Alleghany first with 89 per cent; state average, 47 per cent. Alleghany is the richest county in per capita country wealth, $560. Durham county ranks 82nd with only $210 per capita country wealth. 48 DuRiiA:\r Cou^•TY: Ecoxo:mic axd Social STATUS OF OUR RURAL SCHOOLS W. M. Upchurch It is the purpose of this chapter to show the rank of our rural schools when compared with those of other counties. The discussion which follows is based on the tables at the end of the chapter. Ability to Support Schools In the first place we notice that our county ranks 4th in total taxa- ble wealth. Our wealth is, of course, the basis of our ability to sup- port schools. In 1910, on the basis of census values, our per capita country wealth was only $210. The bulk of the wealth of the county is in city properties. When the aggregate of all properties on the tax list is divided by the population, our per capita taxable wealth in 1910 was $758; whites alone $865, negroes $60. In per capita taxable wealth Durham is the richest county in the state. In total school fund for rural schools in 1915-'16, our rank was 5th. In per capita investment in public school properties, Durham ranks 2nd with $10.91 ; but our investment in automobiles in 1916 was $14.64 per inhabitant. Our Willingness to Support Schools The per cent of our wealth which we consecrate to the cause of public education is perhaps the best index to our willingness to sup- port schools. We see, in the first place, that our county ranks third in the total amount invested in rural school property. That is, only two counties outstrip us in this particular. .This high rank, of course, is due in part at least, to the great wealth of the city. In total amount spent on rural buildings and supplies, Wake alone stands ahead of us. If we combine the city and country schools in per capita investment in white school property, we head the list of the counties of the State with $13.97. This is a fine record about which we may rejoice. But let us remember that this represents the school savings, together with the bonds from the beginning of our community, and that at the pres- ent time we have invested in automobiles $14.64 per inhabitant, which is more than our investment in public school property. Within the last fifteen years we have invested more wealth in these machines than has been put into school property since the first settlers came to this community. Sixty-one counties had higher school tax rates than Durliam in 1914. At that time our public school fund amounted to only $4.80 on the $1,000 of taxable property, while little Pamlico, with only a third of our per capita wealth, consecrated to this purpose $8.98 per $1,000. This means, of course, that their burden is more than six times as great as ours. DllMIA.M Col NIV: KroNo.MIC AM> SoCIAI. H> In the ainouiit of money which we spend per capita for our high school pupils, our rank is low; 69 counties do better for tlieir boys and girls. In 1913-1914 we spent only $22.09 per pupil while Jackson county, less able than Durliam, spent $52.63. In this particular we were below the State average, which was $26.47 per high school pupil. Let us remember, too, that this average includes all our backward shore and mountain counties. If we consider school expenditures per $1,000 wortli of property in 1913, we rank 53rd. I-'ifty-two counties did better, while only three counties were really able to do better as shown by their taxable wealth. McDowell county spent $20.85 per $1,000 worth of property while Durham county spent only $7.51. In certain districts our people have come to realize both the condi- tion and need. Be it said to their credit that they have willingly voted extra taxes to provide educational advantages for their children. Of our 30 white school districts, 11 have taken this forward step. In this respect we rank 31st. How We Appreciate Our Teachers I tliink we may safely say that when one works for those who are able to pay, his salary shows how he is appreciated. In the matter of teachers' salaries Durham exactly holds its own. According to the report of the State Tax Commission there are only three counties ahead of Durham in total wealth, and none in per capita taxable wealth; and according to Dr. Joyner's report there were just three counties that paid their rural white teachers better salaries than we did in 1913-14. Our average annual salary for rural white teachers in 1913-1914 was $338. Of our 83 rural teachers 38 had college dip- lomas and 38 normal training. These teachers have spent four or five years in hard study, night and day. and from $1,200 to $1,800, eith- er borrowed or hard-earned coin, preparing for their work. And added to all this the State has now wisely decreed that the teachers must further prepare themselves for their profession by attending summer schools on borrowed money. We pay teachers only for the months they teach, forgetting they have to live and attend summer schools during the vacation. If we divide their salaries into twelve monthly installments, we can see what a pittance it is. It is very little over $1.00 per day for the week days. For the. State at large it was less than $1.00 per day, being only $235.27 per year in 1913-'14. We can get a better conception of this poor pay by comparing it with the average annual incomes of people in other walks of life. Be- low is given such a comparison taken from the University News Let- ter of July 4th. 1917: The Pay They Get The following table of average annual salaries has been construct- 50 Durham County : Economic and Sociat. ed from figures given by Dr. Victor I. Masters in his recent book, The Country Church in the South ; by Mr. M. L. Shipman in the 1915 report of the State Labor Commissioner; and by Dr. J. Y. Joyner in the 1913-14 report of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The average annual salaries are for white preachers in the South outside of cities having 25,000 inhabitants in 1906; for white common school teachers in North Carolina, in 1913-'14; and for wage earners of both races in the State in '1915, supposing that they were steadily at work throughout the year. Public school teachers, white, rural $ 235 Public school teachers, white, city 454 Baptist preachers, white 473 Methodist preachers, white 681 Presbyterian preachers, white 858 Automobile mechanics 469 Wood-workers 479 Blacksmiths 588 Cabinet makers 601 Carpenters 676 Engineers 789 Painters 834 Moulders 861 Electricians 939 Machinists 961 Boiler makers 1,074 Stone cutters 1,095 Plasterers 1,293 Brick masons 1,317 Contractors 1,330 Plumbers 1,408 Think of blacksmiths getting $588 per year, stone cutters $1,095, brick masons $1,317, plumbers $1,408, while the average annual salary of North Carolina rural white teachers is only $235, Durham county rural white teachers $338, and Durham city teachers only $662.11 in 1913-'14, the year the world war began. The purchasing power of these small salaries this year is barely half of what it was at that time because the cost of living has more than doubled since the war began. And for these small salaries what does the public expect of teach- ers? They must teach other people how to earn two, three, or five times as much as they can earn themselves. But this is not all. While they are teaching, the young ladies must not dance, play bridge whist, or entertain company during the week lest they neglect their school work, and Sunday must find them teaching their Sunday scliool classes. DiKiiAM County: Economic and Social 51 With the men it is even worse. They must be all that is expected of the lady and more. They may not chew, smoke, or "cuss" as other men do. In heated campaigns tliey must not take part, but merely look on and smile, lest they create opposition and be dismissed. They must be walking encyclopedias to answer catch questions for the com- munity. Tliey must be organizers, leaders of debating teams and pro- fessionals in athletics. Tiicy must be superintendents of the Sunday schools, teacli Bible classes, lead prayer meetings and preacli for noth- ing while the poorly paid pastors arc away trying to earn a little extra money to live on. In short, teachers must be leaders in the mental, moral and physical affairs of a community, and they must do it for a much smaller annual income than the average day laborer receives. How We Use Our Schools The ideal condition would be, of course, to find every child in the county of school age present every day during the entire term. If tliis were true and all teachers and pupils would do their best, then the schools would be 100 per cent efficient. This would l)o an idea! condition whicii can not be attained; but let us sec liow nearly we ap- proach it as compared witii otlier counties. According to the 1910 census report, rural and city children con- sidered, we ranked 70th in the per cent of white children in school between 6 and 14 years of age; that is. 69 counties made a better showing. Only ll per cent of the total school population appeared on the school roll, to say nothing of irregular attendance; while 27 per cent, or 1.177 white boys and girls, remained out of scliool the entire year. With the negro children the condition was even worse. The rank was the same, but only 60.8 per cent were enrolled in the schools while 392 per cent, or 1,619 children, did not enter school at all. But let us see how well those who did enter attended. According to University files based on Dr. Joyner's report we ranked 62nd in at- tendance in 1913-'14. Macon county led with 90 per cent of those en- rolled regularly in their places. Durham county, on the same basis, rural and urban, white and colored considered, had only 64.9 per cent in daily attendance. But if we take only the rural schools, white and colored, only 54.9 per cent were in average daily attendance. I^et us remember, too, that this does not take into account any children over 14 years of age. If these were included our records would drop much lower. Now a little calculation will show us where we stand as compared with the ideal condition suggested above. Of all white and colored rural children from 6 to 14 years of age, only 65.4 per cent were en- rolled in the schools in 1910. If only 54.9 of these were regularly at school, then we were only 35.9 per cent efficient and 64.1 per cent he- 52 Durham Couxty: Economic and Social low the level of ideal efficiency. Which means that practically two- thirds of our children were out of school in 1910. This is given in no spirit of criticism, for our leader, Superintend- ent C. W. Massey, has devoted his untiring energies to the upbuilding of our schools. The fault, if we may speak of it as such, is with our people. We have not yet come to realize what it means to allow our boys and girls to remain away from the school room. Out of every 100 children from 6 to 14 years of age only 65.4 found time to enter school in 1910. Of the 174 days these children were present 112.9 days and absent 61.1. But there is usually a brighter side. The record of attendance in our rural high sch'ools was better. In this item we ranked 40th having 11^ per cent of these students in average attendance. These ratios are quite of a sort with those of the entire rural south, and they serve to explain the appalling illiteracy among our native born whites in the country regions. What Absences Mean In this brief treatment it is impossible to discuss this topic fully. We can merely suggest and leave the reader to think it over. 1. The child that is allowed to be absent from school when he could possibly be there is establishing a bad habit which will not be tolerated by any progressive business concern. 2. The constant absentee nearly always gets out of gear with the school, falls behind his class, loses interest, and then drops out to re- peat the same thing next year. 3. Absentees retard the progress of the class. When they return they are not able to proceed with the others until the teacher helps them catch up. While she is doing this the other members of the class are making little or no gain. This means that those who come regu- larly lose because of another's absence. For this reason everj^ parent interested in his child's welfare should do what he can to encourage regular attendance on the part of his neighbor's children. 4. Absentees increase the tax payers' burden. If it cost fifteen ($15) dollars a year to carry the average child through the third grade, and some child ,because of absence, spends two or three years in this grade, he is costing the county $30 or $45. This is not just. Our neighbors and tax payers have a right therefore to expect us to see to it that our children are in school regularly. 5. Absences become a tremendous financial loss to the child that is absent. Dr. A. Caswell Ellis, a noted and conscientious educator, after careful investigations and computations concerning the life incomes of educated and uneducated people, concluded that it actually costs a boy $10 for every day that he plays "hookie," truant or "snaps school" to l)i KiiA.M Cointy: Economic and Social 53 go wading. No matter what tlie cause of the absence may be, the loss to the child is the same. Parents should think about this matter of regular attendance at school more seriously, talk it over with the neighbors, and then make up their minds to see :ty: Eco>,o:mic axd Social commission had grown to $2,529.66, an increase of 139.9 per cent in seven years. This amount was more than the salary paid the superin- tendent for looking after the entire county school system and nearly as much as the combined salaries of six average rural teachers including principals. A number of our counties have eliminated this item of ex- pense by allowing some bank or banker to handle the account free of charge. These figurers are taken from the report of the State Superin- tendent of Public Instruction. In Durham county the treasurer is now on a salary basis, therefore does not receive a commission for handling the school fund. All coun- ty fees and commissions go into the Officers' Salary Fund. After the county officers have all been paid, the remainder of this fund is divided equally between the school and road funds, each of which received last year $2,730. But with the city fund the case is a little diflferent. The city treas- urer is paid a salary of $300 per year for handling the school fund. Some cities have no such item of expense. They allow the banks to handle the fund free. Better Equipment In the past seven years we have built 24 new buildings and fur- nished them with patent desks. In 1916 we had only three schools not furnished with modern desks. Modern equipment for domestic science has been added at East and West Durham ; and this and farm life equipment have been provided at Lowe's Grove and Bahama. Better Prepared Teachers Xot only has the number of our teachers increased, but their quality has improved as well. Proper training and experience are the things which count most in the teaching profession. White and colored teach- ers combined, there was a gain of 31.1 per cent in the number having four years experience ; 67.5 per cent in the number having normal train- ing; and 100 per cent in the number having college diplomas. Taken separatel)', the white teachers gained in efficiency 79.7 per cent, while the colored teachers gained 30 per cent. Increases in salary ought to keep pace with increasing professional preparation. Increased Salaries In the seven year period our county board of education was able to increase the salary of our superintendent 59.6 per cent. The average increase for the white teachers was 47.2 per cent, and for the col- ored teachers, 30 per cent. The increase in the salaries of white teach- ers is far short of their increase in quality and efficiency. Teachers' Salaries Fall Behind Within the same period salaries and wages in general have increased from 100 to 200 per cent, farm products and household necessities from DiKiiAM ("ointy: Economic and Sociai. 57 100 to 300 per cent. Had prices in general remained the same, our white teachers deserved a much greater increase than tlicy received l)ccausc of better preparation. They liavc been given notliing liccause of in- creased cost of livinvc a-; havo wage oarnt-rs. yet tin- stale is demanding more of them. Increased Appreciation of Schools W'e show our attitude toward tlie schools by the way we support them financially and allow the cliildren to attend. Let us take the last first. During tlie seven years our enrollment in tlie schools increased from 3.790 to 5.107. or 34.7 per cent; our average daily attendance rose from 2.084 to 3,124, or 49.9 per cent. Not only this, 2 per cent more of our total school population were enrolled in 1915-1916 than in 1908-1909, and 5.2 per cent more were in average daily attendance. These last two, although seemingly small, are the ones tliat really show our growing interest in education. These are the ones we need to keep improving. In September. 1908, only 6 districts were being aided by special tax. In 1916 there were 18 such districts, an increase of 200 per cent. Our people seemed to be aroused and determined to place Durham county in the front rank in an educational way. For a fuller account of the growth in school spirit, we refer the reader to Superintendent Massey's annual report of the public schools of Durham county for 1915-1916. It is an inspiration and everybody in the county should read it. A Growing Tendency The old one-teacher school is doomed in Durham county. Tlie people are coming to realize that a single teacher can not do the work justice and are beginning to consolidate schools, to build larger school houses, and to employ not only a larger number, but also better pre- pared teachers. This concentration of groups makes possible much better grading of children into classes of more nearh* equal ability. Not only this; in the high schools tlie classes are made large ennugh to justify the time of a competent teacher. The 25 per cent reduction in the number of schools with high school subjects is a good sign of progress and better work. Further consolidation may make necessary the transportation of children to and from school, but with good roads this burden is reduced to a minimum, and the benefits derived will far overbalance the cost. A Change of Emphasis The old ideal in rural education was to train the boys and girls to take their places along with city dwellers. We have come to see the error of our way and are trying to make amends. We are now striv- ing to teach the country boy the science and skill of bread-producing, and the country girl the science and art of bread-making and home- 58 DuKiiAM Coukty: Ecoxomic akd Social making. Our agricultural high schools are a credit to any community and should be multiplied until every country lad and lass feels their influence. Private Donations to Public Schools Durham county has no mention in Dr. Joyner's report of private do- nations to the rural schools in either 1908-1909 or 1915-1916 as have many other counties. We are glad to note, however, in Superintendent Massey's report that there have been donations by Gen. Julian S. Carr for rural libraries, and $1,000 each by Messrs. W. W. Fuller and R. K. Smith, of New York, to Lowe's Grove Farm Life School, and a num- ber of smaller gifts. We can see the significance of such gifts when we remember that these reach the masses of the people, while a similar gift to a higher institution reaches less than 5 per cent of the school popula- tion. Let us hope that some of Durham county's successful sons and daughters may remember in their wills the public school systems along with the higher institutions of learning. Seven-Year Gains in Rural Schools 1908-1909 1915-1916 per cent Total school population 5,847 7,641 30.6 Rural white schools, number... 28 ' 32 14.2 Rural white teachers, number.. 61 94 54 Rural colored schools, number 16 20 25 Rural colored teachers 18 22 22.2 Total school fund $49,099.53 $83,156.71 63.4 Spent for administration $1,271.75 $3,411.61 168.2 Spent for teaching and super- vision $22,222.09 $47,976.08 115.8 New school houses built 3 2 *33.3 Cost of above $9,500.00 $4,250.00 *123.5 In 7 years 24 buildings have been erected at a total cost of $77,860.00 Treasurers' commissions on ru- ral and city school funds.... $1,054.44 $2,520.66 139.9 White teachers having normal training 24 47 95.8 White teachers having four years experience 31 43 38.7 White teachers having college diplomas 21 43 104.7 Colored teachers having normal training 13 15 15.3 Colored teachers having 4 years experience 14 16 14.2 DiicMA.M Coimy: Ero.No.MK' AM) Social 51) Colored teachers liaving college diplomas 3 Average annual salary of white teachers .' $302.62 Average annual salary of col- ored teachers $125.73 Total cliildren enrolled 3,790 Average daily attendance 2,084 Per cent of total school popu- lation enrolled 64.8 Per cent of total school popu- lation in average daily attend- ance 35.6 Special tax districts 6 Number white school districts.. 26 Xumber white school districts consolidated 1 Xumber colored school districts 16 Average term in days, white... 161 Average term in days, white lo- cal tax districts 174 Average term in days, colored.. 145 Average term in days, colored, local tax districts 163 Schools having two or more teachers, white . '. 15 Per cent having two or more teachers, white 53.5 Schools having two or more teachers, colored 2 Per cent having two or more teachers, colored 12.5 Schools with high school subjects 24 White school buildings 26 Xumber having patent desks... 26 Colored school buildings 16 Xumber having patent desks 6 Value of school property $46,000 An asterisk (♦) indicates a decrease. $445.60 $163.48 5,107 3,124 66.8 66.6 47.2 30. 34.7 49.9 40.8 5.2 18 200. 29 10.3 3 200. 19 8.7 155 *3.7 169 ♦2.8 133 *8.2 152 ♦6.7 19 26.6 59.3 5.8 1 ♦50. 5. *7.5 18 *25. 32 23. 2,2 23. 20 25. 17 183.3 $144,555 214.2 60 Durham County: Economic axd Social THE SCHOOLS OF DURHAM AND WINSTON-SALEM W. M. Upchurch. Uniform System of Accounts In comparing the school systems of Durham and Winston-Salem I have been fully convinced of one fact in particular. It is difficult to get a comparison of certain items because of the different methods of bookkeeping.. For illustration, take the expenses for administra- tion. The year Durham spent $1,925.73 for this item, Winston-Salem reported only $100. This does not mean that the latter was able to administer its schools for less than Durham, but simply that it charged only two items under this head, treasurer $25 and census $75. There are other similar differences, all of which lead to the inevita- ble conclusion that for the public good there should be introduced, by some means, a uniform system of keeping accounts. However, it is not the purpose of this paper to criticise but to make a comparison of the systems and to draw conclusions. The School Fund and School Efficiency It is evident that Winston-Salem made unusual progress during the five years under review, but it is equally evident that it was a long way behind and simply awoke to this fact. With a little larger school population than Durham in 1908, it had less than one-half as much money with which to run its schools. The teachers were paid only about 62 per cent as much as the Durham teachers, and only 51 per cent of its school population were enrolled against 68 per cent in Durham. This may mean there was some difference in the quality of the teach- ers at that time, and it certainly means that there was a lack of will- ingness to support and to attend the Winston-Salem schools as com- pared with Durham. Again, only 69 per cent of the children enrolled in Winston-Salem were in average daily attendance, as compared with 72 per cent in Durham. Reasons for Attendance Here again we may find a reason which lies deeper than the sur- face. The fewer the children in a room, down to a certain point, the greater the individual help that can be had from the teacher. The more personal attention a child can get every day the more likely he is to be at school. In this respect Durham again had the advantage. It had 54 white teachers while Winston-Salem had only 39 for a some- what smaller enrollment. Facts of this kind should cause school offi- cials to stop and think before they crowd too many children into a l)l IMIAM ('(il.NlV: Kco.NO.Mir AM) SoCIAL 01 room, in order to try to reduce the per capita cost of education. The result of such a policy is to lessen the value of the schools to the chil- dren even when they continue to attend. A poor policy of tliis sort shows in tlic lower per cent of attendance, and this in turn in the larger per cent of repeaters in the j{ra. Repeaters in the (irades What is the effect of repeaters? It means first of all that they cost the town or county twice as much for the grades repeated as does the average child. This, however, is not the greatest objection. In many cases the repeater is too old in his instincts, or likes and dis- likes, for the work of the grade he is in the second year, looks upon it as a joke, becomes the mischief-leader of the room and breeds a careless spirit. Other children decide that it is not so bad to fail of promotion, and so it goes from bad to worse. All this considered, I believe in tlie Durham schools our lowest salaried teachers are really our most expensive in tlie long run. But what is there in tlie systems under consideration to give point to such a study of the two in contrast? Let us look again at the teach- ing forces. The Teaching Forces in 1908 In Durham not only were the teachers much better paid tlian in Winston-Salem, but 49 per cent were teachers with normal training, while in Winston-Salem less than 30 per cent had made any special preparation for their work. There is no record in Dr. Joyner's report of pupils promoted; if there were, I believe from my experience, that Durham would show the higher per cents. We have come to feel that well paid teachers, well prepared teachers, high per cents of attend- ance, and high per cents of promotions go hand in hand. A further comparison shows that 61 per cent of Durham teachers had four years of experience and 70 per cent had college diplomas against 56 per cent and 48 per cent respectively for Winston-Salem. So much for their relative positions in 1908. Let us come now to the five year gains. The rive Year (Jains School population. The total school population of Winston-Salem increased 88 per cent in the five years, perhaps from added territory, while that of Durham gained only 13 per cent. .-Ml other points must increase relatively in order for each town to hold it> own, and what- ever elements exceed these gains for each town mean that much progress. The School Fund ' The school fund for Winston-Salem increased 324 per cent during the five years, which shows added wealth and willingness, while Dur- 62 Durham Couxty: Economic axd Sociat. ham's fund increased only 51 per cent. Much of Winston's gain, however, had to be spent for new buildings and equipment. This item cannot be properly compared because Durham's improvement in this respect has been large additions to old buildings with only one entirely new building, while Winston-Salem has built or taken in seven. The Column of Gains To look down the column of gains in per cents one might judge that Winston had far outstripped Durham, but we must examine more closely. Durham still had a greater working income per pupil in 1913 and a larger per cent of its children enrolled in school. In 1913-'14 Winston-Salem enrolled 52 per cent of its school population and made a 2 per cent gain ; Durham enrolled 65 per cent of its school popula- tion and suffered a 3 per cent loss. Winston-Salem, with an attendance of 72 per cent, made a 3 per cent gain, while Durham gained 6 per cent and had 78 per cent in attendance. This shows, perhaps, more nearly the school spirit and efficiency than any other item compared. This is so closely related to the efficiency of the teachers that it is well to see how the teaching forces compared in 1913-'14. Teaching Forces in 1913-'! 4 and Results In Winston-Salem 46 per cent of the white teachers had normal training in 1913-'14; 61 per cent had four years of experience, and 48 per cent had college diplomas. In Durham 60 per cent of the white teachers had normal training, 80 per cent had four years of expe- rience, and 53 per cent had college diplomas. Here again we find the same close relation existing between the efficiency of the teachers as shown by their training and experience, their salaries, the per cent of the school population enrolled in the schools, and the per cent of at- tendance; and the close relationship of all these to the willingness of the people to support the schools as shown by the per capita school fund and school property. Winston-Salem has made wonderful progress, but it is yet behind; and it will find it more difficult to make such high per cents of in- crease as it approaches more nearly its limit of improvement. School Fund a Vaiiable Quantity Just one other point and that in connection with the school fund. This seems to be a rather variable quantity both in Durham and Wins- ton-Salem, a large increase one year with perhaps a decrease the next. Such a condition is undesirable unless there could be a large fund kept on hand. One year there was a considerable decrease shown in the average amount paid teac'hers, which perhaps came from lack of funds, or possibly from the different methods of keeping the accounts by the new and the old superintendents. The decreases in total funds may be IJiuuAM Cointy: Economic and Social 0:i explained in part by the fact that hotli these towns have large amounts of tobacco stored away, wliicli differ greatly in vahtc from year to year. Overhead Chart's The last point 1 wish lo make is in cunncLtion witli overliead L-harges. Usually the larger concern can carry on its business wiili smaller ovtrhcad charges. In Winston-Salem the schools averaged 409 pupils per building, while in Durham there were 442. The policy of the Durham scliools has been to enlarge buildings as far as practica- ble while Winston has built more but smaller schools. The savings from the policy of enlarging the schools can l)e used to secure more efficient teachers. Comparison Not Complete This is not intended as a comprehensive study or comparison of the two systems. The efficiency of a school system is to be determined by its inner workings rather than by its outer show. The best system is the one that holds tlie largest per cent of pupils for the longest time, and gives them the greatest amount of worth-while training in the shortest time, at the least per capita cost. Dr. Joyner's report does not give the facts necessary for such a comparison. FIVE YEAR GAINS IN DURHAM C ITY SCHOOLS 190S-'09 to 19 1.3-' 14 DETAILS 1908-04 1913-11 ^V«toi*' Raised by local and county tax $46,240.37 $70,074.09 51 Spent on teaching and supervision. .. .$42,587.73 $57,514.96 35 Spent on buildings and supplies $14,359.75 $10,150.34 *29 .\dministration $1,925.73 $3,516.66 83 Total school poi)ulation 4,816 5.436 13 Total enrollment 3.259 3.534 3 Per cent of school po[)ulation enrolled 68 65 *3 Average daily attendance 2.359 2.758 17 Per cent in average attendance 1- 78 6 .Average salaries of white teachers, in- cluding principals $607.18 $662.11 9 School property $200,000.00 $250,000.00 25 Number of white schools '. . . 5 5 Total number of white teachers .^4 66 22 Number white teachers having normal training 2C 40 o4 Number white teachers having 4 year>' experience ^^ 52 aS Number having college diplomas, white 38 35 *8 64 Durham Couxty : Economic and Social DETAILS 1908-09 1913-14 ^^pf/ce^jf' Total number of schools, white and colored 7 8 14 Per cent of teachers having normal training, white 49 60 11 Per cent of teachers having 4 years' ex- perience, white 61 80 19 Per cent of teachers having college di- plomas, white 70 53 *10 * An asterisk (*) means decrease. FIVE YEAR GAINS IX WINSTON-SALEM CITY SCHOOLS 1908-'09 to 1913-'14 DETAILS 1908-09 1913-14 ^I'^J^,'' Raised by local and county tax $23,000.00 $98,581.00 324 Spent on teaching and supervision. .. .$19,890.00 $58,422.78 194 Spent on buildings and supplies $3,010.00 $39,967.07 1,228 Administration $100.00 $191.56 91 Total school population 5,005 9.387 88 Total enrollment 2.543 4,909 93 Per cent of school population enrolled 51 52 2 Average daily attendance 1,769 3,499 98 Per cent in average attendance 69 72 3 Average salaries of white teachers, in- cluding principals 384.61 $459.83 19 School property $145,000.00 $233,000.00 60 Number of schools, white 4 8 100 Total number of white teachers 39 103 164 Number of white teachers having norm- al training 12 47 292 Number of white teachers having 4 years' experience 22 63 186 Number having college diplomas, white 19 50 163 Total number of schools, white and col- ored 5 12 140 Per cent of teachers having normal training, white 30 46 16 Per cent of teachers having 4 years' ex- perience, white 56 61 d Per cent of teachers having college di- plomas, white 48 48 Diijii.wi Col N I V : K«"(i\(t.\iir .\.\i» SoctAi. Dl'HIIAM St. Hl>l»l. I-'U.NDS YEU ^J-* "!i-i^ TOTAL I'HS ■$\A.(l.(o5 $46,239 I'AW 2_>.7«) Mw>J 36.428 1*'I(» 27.425 .56.812 t>A.2i7 191 1 28.M1 .kj.4()5 f)5.1(k. 1912 27.(KK» 3*MKKI <)6,(KK> 191.5 .U474 .V..(.(KI 7().(»74 VVlNST ON SCH(X)I. 1*'UN1)S 18c. 'ZTS^" TOTAL $11.(MMI $12,000 $23,000 12.420 15.250 27,670 14.18(1 41..5(M) 55,480 18.0()() 21.734 39,734 21.0(V) 39.711 60,711 .5(I.(H)0 68,581 98.581 66 Durham County: Economic and Sociau OTHER DURHAM COUNTY INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING W. M. Upchurch The private schools of the city and county should be mentioned here, but no attempt will be made to compare them with other similar institutions as was done in connection with the public schools. The Durham Business School The Durham Business School was organized some five years ago by Mrs. Walter Lee Lednum, a most able*and energetic directress. From the first its success has seemed assured. It was begun on a small scale, but it has grown steadily until recently it became necessary to move the school into larger quarters. This school meets a much felt need by offering to many young men and young women, who have to work during the day, an oppor- tunity to take a business course at night. Students are entering in ever-increasing numbers. Even some of the city school teachers are availing themselves of the opportunities ofifered by this institution. The Durham School of Music This school is the result of the private endeavors of Mrs. Berta Wynn and Miss Daisy Robbins. Early their efforts met with such success as to make it necessary to employ other teachers of talent. The school was incorporated about 1914. It offers opportunity to all who wish to improve their talents in either vocal or instrumental music. The Southern Conservatory of Music Preeminent among institutions of its kind in tlie Soutli stands the Southern Conservatory of Music. With such an institution in our midst there is no occasion for any of our people to go without ad- vanced training in any of the musical arts. The dormitory accommo- dations make it possible for this institution to take care of a large number of young ladies from other counties and states. There is no more popular institution in Durham, and the community watches its effective work and growth with admiration. Trinity College Historical Sketch. — Trinity College is an institution of which Durham county is justly proud. It was started originally in 1838 in Randolph county, North Carolina, and was known as Union Institute. In 1841 it was incorporated by the Legislature as Union Institute Acad- emy. It became a popular preparatory school, and in 1851 its name was changed to Normal College. The nature of the work done that DlKIIAM (yOl'NTY: Kco.NOMIC AM) SoCIAI, 07 >far caused the legislature to autliorizc tins institution to confer de- crees in 1852. The first class, numbering two students, was graduated in 1853. with the degree of A. B. Three years later, 1856, a movement was started to jdace the College under the control of the Mctliodist Kpiscopal Cliurch, South, whicli took possession in 185^. The name was then changed to Trinity College. Thirty years later. 1889. the Methodist Conference in session at Greensboro decided to move the College to a city. Raleigh tried to have the institution moved tiiere, but citizens of Durham oflFered a more attractive proposition, whicii was accepted. In September, 1892. Trinity College opened its first session in the new plant located at Durliam. with 14 ollicers and teachers and 164 stu- dents. From this beginning in our midst the institution has grown rapidly to its present proportions. Last year, 1916-'17, the faculty and officers numbered 59 and the regular students 570. If the Trinity Park High School students and the Durham county teachers are included, all of whom received some instruction from the College, the total en- rolled in 1916-'17 was 805 students. Finances of the College. — The total value of the plant in round numbers is $2,650,000; the annual working income is around $117,000, and the total endowment is about $1,605,000. Perhaps no other south- ern college is better equipped financially than Trinity. Contributions in Leadership. — It would be no easy task to esti- mate the great good accomplished by this institution of learning. For almost a generation it has been sending out its students to be leaders in their respective communities. The teachers and preachers that go out from Trinity College annually arc playing no small part in molding the thought and directing the activities of this and other states. But besides these Trinity has furnished to the nation such men as Senators L. S. Overman and F. M. Simmons, Congressmen John H. Small and H. L. Godwin, Ambassador Walter H. Page, and Commis- sioner of Internal Revenues D. C. Roper. These are men of national reputation and importance, and it is a distinct compliment to Trinity College to have produced them. Natioiiul 'rrainiii^ .School The National Training School was organized in 1910 with Dr. James E. Shepard as president. The purpose of the institution is to train leaders for the colored race. About 1914 this school met with financial reverses, but it was reorganized in 1916 and now seems to be on a sound financial basis. According to the president the plant is now worth $150,000 and is unencumbered; the endowment is $17,000 and the annual income about the satnc ; and the present enrollment is 192 students. 68 DuKHAM Cou>"ty: Ecoxo.mic axd Social HOME-RAISED FOOD AND THE LOCAL MARKET PROBLEM W. M. Upchurch The reader is again reminded that the facts on which this chapter is based can be found at the end of the chapter. A Two and a Half Million Dollar Shortage These figures show that we consumed in the census year over three million two hundred thousand dollars worth of food and feed stuff. Of this amount our farmers produced, in round numbers, only 631 thousand dollars worth, which forced us to send to other counties and states for pantry and farm supplies over two and a half million in cold cash. This was $72.85 each for every man, woman, and child in the county, both white and colored. It left all of us just so much the poorer and enriched the western farmers and middlemen by the same amount. In the same year our money crops, largely cotton and tobacco, sold for only 382 thousand dollars. In other words, our cotton and tobacco crops failed to pay our bills for bread and meat by nearly two and a fifth million dollars. The food bill above covers the standard, staple food and feed stuffs, not extras, dainties and luxuries. The estimates are based on the 1910 census of the United States and the average annual consumption figures given out from time to time by the federal department of agri- culture. The Shortage in Detail This shortage in detail covers 3,514,920 pounds of meats; 1,403,434 pounds of butter; 445,775 dozen eggs; 338,125 fowls; 892,255 bushels of corn; 118,773 bushels of wheat; and 2,379 tons of hay. Other prod- ucts of considerable proportions such as potatoes are not included. From this it is evident that we offer excellent market opportunities for thifty producers of all these products, and especially to farmers from the North and West seeking desirable farm locations in the South. Too Little Home-Raised Supplies From the foregoing it is scarcely necessary to say that our home- raised supplies are too small in quantity. Until we have enough for ourselves and a surplus to market, there will always be too little. We are not on a safe farming basis as a county as long as we are depend- ent on other counties and states for the staple necessities of life. As will be seen in the figures given we were feeding only one out of five of DlUllAM (ulNl^: KiONoMK AM) SotlAI. G'.> our ''0(11)10 anil iltic aiiiinal> on lumic-Krowii supplies in tlic census year. AcconlinK to Kovernmeiit estimates, wc needed M bushels of corn per inhabitant as feed tor man and beast, but we produced only 6 bushels. Of wheat, we needed 4 bushels per person, but produced less than two-thirds or 63 per cent of a bushel. Wc needed 150 pounds of meat per person ; we produced only 7.5 pounds of beef and 32.3 pounds of pork per person. Xinety-six counties in the state did better in the beef production and ninety-five in pork production. .\nd the record was not much better in poultry production. We iiad only 3.41 fowls per person per year, wiiile wc needed 13 to l)e on a level with the country at large. As a result we minced over wings and gnawed bones when we might have been enjoying a short joint or a drum- stick. We consumed nearly 5 dozen eggs per inhabitant in the run of the year more than we raised; either this or we went without eggs. Let us remember, too, that poultry and eggs are necessities that our city dwellers might produce in their back lots with a little attention and exertion. Eighty-seven counties outstrip us in the production of poultry and ninety in the production of eggs. In butter production we fell to a similar low rank. Where we needed 48 pounds of butter per person per year we produced only 8, leaving a deficit of 40 pounds per inhabitant. In brief, we produced in 1909, about one-fifth the corn needed, less than one-fifth of the wheat, one-twentieth of the beef, one-fourth of the pork, one-third of the chickens, three fourths of the eggs, and one-eighth of the butter. With these facts in mind, no wonder our bill for imported food and feed stuffs amounted to a little over two and a half million dollars. Since the census year, we liave undoubt- edly done better in the production of food and feed stuff, but we have yet a long way to go. Why Our Farmers Fall Behind Our county is not self-feeding (I) because more than iialf of our population is made up of non-food producing city people; (2) be- cause of excessive farm tenancy under the supply-merchant, crop-lien, time-credit system; (3) because of excessive attention to ready-money crops, cotton and tobacco; and (4) because of the lack of ready cash markets for home-raised supplies. The fact that city dwellers consume but do not produce food and feed stuffs explains in part why we fall so far short of being a self- feeding people. The seemingly inexcusable fact remains, however, that most of our farmers buy much of their bread and meat. In the census year 774 farms, or nearly half, bought feed for their stock averaging $49.70 per farm. 70 Durham Cou>-ty: Ecoxo.mic axd Social Durham County High Averages We can not justify such a condition on the ground that our soil is not well suited to the grain crops, for in 1909 we ranked ahead of 11 counties in corn, (H in wheat, and 61 in hay production per acre. Dur- ham is well above the state averages in all these crops. And in crop yielding power per acre, all crops considered, we were ahead of 58 North Carolina counties. Our Possibilities We ought to remember in this connection also, that in 1916 our corn club boys, 22 in number, made an average of 62.1 bushels per acre, or over four times the average of the grown-ups in the county at large. At this rate Durham county could have produced nearly enough to supply our needs. At present prices a corn crop of this size would keep about one and a half million dollars at home which we are now sending away to the West. Our farmers must learn to increase their per acre yields as the corn club boys are doing. Now that we must feed our Allies as well as ourselves, the need is greater than ever be- fore in our history. It has become a patriotic duty. The Farm Tenancy Evil The next reason why we are not a self-feeding county is that nearly three-fifths, or 56.5 per cent, of our farmers are tenants. Tenants usual- ly do business under the crop-lien, supply-merchant, time-credit sys- tem, which makes it imperative for them to grow a ready-money crop, such as cotton or tobacco. There is always a cash market for these crops, but to get the best prices for food and feed stuffs a farmer must hold them until the supply is largely used up. This the farm tenant can not do. The supply-merchant is waiting for his money, and his bill covers long profits and high interest rates on the debt. The crop lien must be satisfied before his children may have their winter shoes and clothes. So long as these conditions prevail, the farm tenant will continue to neglect food and feed crops for cotton and tobacco, for which there is a nearby ready cash market. Now while the demands for bread and meat crops are great and the prices are high, tenants need to redouble their efforts to produce more and save more until they become able to buy farms of their own on which they may settle down into stable, sub- stantial citizenship. When a man can sit down under his own vine and fig tree and look out over the fields as lord of all he surveys, then, and then only, can he be his own boss and choose his own crops, to say nothing of the added joy which comes from putting his knees under his own table and saying grace over the bounties grown on his own soil. DlKllAM ( oi \ rv : K(0N0MI( AM) SoCIAl. 71 Farm Owiuts Dt'luded But often our farm owners themselves are slaves to cotton or to- bacco culture. They are fixed in the habit of raising cotton and tobacco and they are slow to change. They think that their only chance for large returns lies in these crops. They arc deluded simply because cot- ton and tobacco bring large per acre returns. They seem to forget tliat these arc hand-made products which, after all, bring only small per worker returns. Our farmers should all tlu' while keep before their minds the fact that in Alleghany county the average farmer, who produces no cotton or tobacco, is worth nearly three times as much as the average farmer in Durham county. They should remember, too, that the per capita country wealth of Iowa, a grain and livestock state, is over sixteen times that of our county. There are reasons for these differences and our farmers must spell them out. They will always need to grow cotton and tobacco, but they must learn to produce these crops with barns, cribs and smoke houses filled with home-grown supplies. Cot- ton and tobacco produced on a bread and meat basis means fatter pocket books and bigger bank balances. Decreasing Food and Feed Stuffs Producing only about one-fifth of our food and feed supply in 1910 was bad cnougli, but this was not the worst. It is of greater import- ance to know whether or not we are moving forward or backward in this important matter of food production. While our population, espe- cially in the city, has increased by leaps and bounds, creating of course increased needs for home-grown products, these products on our farms have actually decreased. For instance, in 1910, our farmers produced 45,129 bushels of corn less than they did in 1900, and 26,150 bushels of wheat less than in 1890, when our population was only half as great. In 1890 we produced nearly 3 bushels of wheat per inhabitant, but in 1910 the average was less than two-thirds of a bushel. Between 1900 and 1910 our oats crop decreased 43 per cent, our hogs 9 per cent, our cattle 14 per cent, and our sheep 63 per cent. With the demand increas- ing and the supply decreasing, no wonder the prices have sky-rocketed into the upper ether. A Step in the Right Direction But every cloud has its silvery lining. While we were losing in the above mentioned products we were gaining in others. For instance, in the same ten years we made a gain of 151 per cent in total hay production, 59 per cent in dairy, and 37.1 per cent in poultry products. We also moved up in Irish potato production from 4,710 bushels to 6.212. and in sweet potatoes from 36,778 to 69,640 bushels. Besides these total gains, there have been important increases in 72 Durham CouisrY: Eco>:omic axd Social our per acre yields due to better methods and more intensive farming. In 1890 our farmers produced on an average 11.03 bushels of corn per acre, but in 1910 they were growing 14.6 bushels on the same land, a gain of 32 per cent. During the same interval the yield of Irish po- tatoes moved up from 75.6 to 85.1 busliels, and sweet potatoes from 72.5 to 103.4 bushels per acre. There were similar gains in the per acre yields of cotton and to- bacco. We were producing almost twice as much cotton per acre in 1910 as we produced in 1890. Our gain in tobacco yield rose from 348 pounds per acre in 1890 to 583 pounds in 1910, about 62 per cent. Durham's Self-Defensive Interest in the Local Food and Feed Market Problems Our farmers are able to dispose of their cotton and tobacco for ready cash at any time, but not so of their food and feed stuffs. Which is to say, we have settled our local market problems for cot'ion and tobacco, but not for home-raised food stuffs. Only this last sum- mer the writer was approached late in the afternoon by a farmer wi*^h a peck of beans which he had not been able to sell after a day's effort. It is needless to say that this was the last truck this man brought to town. That same day our merchants sold us great quantities of the same kind of beans shipped in from distant markets. We paid more for the stale shipped beans than we would have had to pay for those home-grown and fresh; and what is worse, the money went to distant truckers, instead of staying here to circulate freely among our own people. Our farmers are never likely to supply our needs so long as we neglect our food market problem. A Menace to All Growth Along with questions about the schools and churches, intelligent home-seekers of the sort we want nearly always ask about the cost of living. Other things being equal, the town which has most nearly solved the problem of markets for home-produced food supplies is the place they choose for residence. If we lack market advantages the home-seekers go elsewhere, and our real estate men, our bankers, our merchants, our income from taxes, and our social organizations fail to go forward as they might, and our industries suffer for lack of workers. But the factories have still another interest in helping to keep down the cost of living. As living expenses increase, wages must be in- creased. As wages go up, the profits or dividends on the capital in- vested must come down. If wages are not increased with the cost of living, then the wage-earners' standard of living must be lowered. In a community like ours, this means unrest, discontent, labor-unions, and 1)( Kii.vM ('(Mmy: Kconcmk am* So(;iai. 7:J strike situations. I.owcr standards of living may furtlicr mean lower standards of health and strength which mean less eflkicnt workers. Said Dr. E. C. Branson, of the University faculty, sometime ago in an address to the people of Charlotte. "The evil day of wage an.MI( AM» SoiJIAL 76 The City Knd of thi' rroblom "Success in the undertaking calls, first of all, for a genuine market- ing habit on the part of housewives ; for well managed, centrally lo- cated markets with cqjd storage chambers for perishable products ; for credit accommodations on stored products when needed ; for ample market spaces for free, open air trading; for convenient public hitch- ing grounds, camping sheds, and feeding stalls; for indications of city hospitality — rest rooms with lavoratory and toilet conveniences, chairs, tables, books, magazines, and newspapers ; for a free telephone market exchange in tlie city hall or chamber of commerce, operated by a com- petent official whose business it is to acquaint consumers with the sources of neigliborhood supply; and to advise the farmers about the wants, standards and tastes of city consumers, and for co-operative city delivery service." These, says Dr. Branson, are some of the plans and projects that he finds in various alert city centers. What Merchants Might Do Our merchants should learn from our manufacturers that the mot- to, "Big business, cheaper cost of production, and greater profit," may be as true in a grocery store as in a factory. It requires no agitation or argument to get the managers of big concerns to pool their interests, but merchants with small capital oppose one another on every corner. Small concerns might combine with advantage to themselves and the consumers. Buying and delivering in large quantities is much better business than buying and selling in small amounts. Delivery wagons from a dozen stores may be seen in rapid succession on a short street where one wagon could serve the people just as well. The author overheard some leading merchants discussing the mat- ter of co-operative buying in car lots. If the retail merchants every- where would only do this, the wholesale profits would be saved. The small merchants who could not do this on a cash basis would do well to quit the business entirely and become producers of wealth in soine other line rather than continue to be small exchangers of products. What the Banks Can Do Down in Texas the people have a way of doing things rather than talking about doing them. The bankers decided it was bad business policy to continue to allow 217 million dollars to leave the state annual- ly for food and feed stuff which the farmers could grow. They have begun, therefore, to refuse loans to the supply-merchants wlio do a crop-lien business protected by cotton acreage alone. They have a half-and-half system. They stipulate a minimum acreage which must be devoted to food production, and farmers are required to raise a cer- tain amount on this acreage. They are doing this to force the supply- merchants to force the farmers to become self-feeding. Such a sys- 76 Dl'iuiam Couxty: Ecoxomic and Social tem insures a food-producing farm civilization which means farm pros- perit}^ It also means bigger, better, safer business for the time-credit merchants and for bankers. The same system might be used in our coun]^- where cotton and to- bacco are emphasized to the neglect of food crops. We have tried in vain to accumulate farm wealth under our money-crop system of farm- ing. In 1910 our farm population was worth only $210 per capita. This is a small sum to set over against $456 in Mecklenburg, $560 in Alle- ghany, $830 in Oklahoma, $3,259 in Nebraska, $3,386 in Iowa, and $994 in the United States. The Farmers' End of the Problem Our farmers need to understand the full import of the figures above. They need to realize the mutual dependence of the city and the country. The farmers depend upon the city for market and credit accommodations. The city depends upon the farmers for products. Neither can get along without the other. They should, therefore, get together and have a common understanding, and the farmers should meet the city half way. It is not enough for the ladies along in July to decide to visit the open air market places with baskets. If the farmers do not know of such a plan before planting time, they will not be ready. Nor is it enough for the farmers to determine among themselves to supply the local markets. If the people and merchants of the city do not know about this, they will be supplied with products shipped in from other markets the day before the farmers get to town. The producers and consumers should bargain together. The vegetable and meat pro- ducers should be regular visitors at certain citj' doors as is the milk man, and there might be an understanding about what is to be brought each day. It is discouraging for the farmer to bring cabbage to town the very day that every house-wife seems to be determined on beans, and then return the next day with beans only to find they all musit have cabbage for the sake of variety and a well balanced ration. In short, the farmers must keep up with market demands. They must not dump all the perishable products on the market at once, but must plant so as to have a steady, continuous, reliable supply at all times and be ready to satisfy the wants on short notice. What they bring, too, must look as good and taste as good as the products offered by their competitors abroad. FACTS ABOUT FOOD AND FEED PRODUCTION The Durham county rank at the left margin shows how many coun- ties do better. 74th in corn production, 1910, total crop, bushels 201,301 Robeson ranked first with 1,142,060 bushels. Ten-year Ul KIIAM CoINTY: K«<».\<»M1C AM) SuCIAI. 77 decrease in corn production, ly(HI-1910, in Durliam county was 18 per cent, or 45.129 l)usliels. Thirty- eight counties showed increase ; 60 showed de- crease. 93tli in corn production per pcrM.n, 1910, l)nslu-ls 6 Needed per person per year 31 bushels for man and animals; deficit per person. 25 bushels; total defi- cit for Durham county 892.250 bushels. State av- era^je production, 15 bushels per person. 23rd in corn production per acre, bushels 14.6 State average 14.3 bushels per acre. Dare ranked first with 28 pushels per acre. A- not mean that there is no room for improvement in the city of Durliam. I-'ifty years ago tlic farmers of Durham could not tiiul a market for their products. Today the city of Durliam sends away annually for food supplies alone over two and a half million dollars. .Although we are behind in food production, we arc ahead in many other particulars. .\ shining example to the other counties of the state is our investment in public school property. Durham county stands at the head of the list in per capita investment in white school property. In 1914 it was $\3J7 per person. Our children are well cared for by efficient and cfTcctive schools. Only three counties in the state pay their white rural teachers more than we do. Our average in 1914 was $338. This is not enough to boast of. Nevertheless, it is more than ninety-six otlier counties paid. Kdgecombe led with an average of $358.80 per year. We have abundant, well managed rural schools, 51.2 per cent having two or more teachers. On the whole, and also in specific detail, our school systems arc modern and praiseworthy. Though Durham is not a large county in size, eighty counties being larger. \et only fourteen have more inhabitants. When the 1910 census was taken, we had 35,276 people. In 1914 only nine counties had a higher marriage rate per l.(KK) population. Fourteen out of every 1.0(X) marry per year. In keeping with our lead in wealth, Durham county in 1916 sto.nl at the head of the list in the per capita taxable wealth of whites with $764. In the per capita taxable wealth of negroes we fell to the thir- teenth place. Our negroes are worth on the tax books only $60 a piece, on an average. The next most important improvement is our roads. In 1914 Dur- ham county had 144 miles of improved roads, (^nly 19 counties had improved a larger per cent of their public roads mileage. Our most pressing need at present is to keep our roads in good repair and to build some streets in the city of Durham. Let us now go out one of our main streets and after bumping over this tlioroughfare, glide over one of .ur country roads towards Social 15th in population. 1910 census 35,276 19th in total white population 1910 22.893 18th in total negro population 1910 12,3S3 31st in decrease in negro population, per cent 2.1 10th in marriages per 1,000 population, 15 years and over.. 13.4 17th in homicides, average rate per million inhabitants.... 43 2nd in suicides, average rate per million inhabitants 1 2nd in female workers in mills and factories, No. in 1915 2,759 4th in total taxable wealth in 1914 $26,590,484 1st in per capita taxable wealth $753 1st in per capita investment in white school property 1913-'14 $13.37 18th in investment in automobiles 1915 $151,800 7th in amount spent on school buildings and supplies, 1913-'14 $41,232.85 4th in salaries paid white rural teachers $338.00 6th in total revenue from local school tax districts 43.325.81 14th in native white illiterates, 10 years and over, per cent 8.2 14th in native white illiterate voters, per cent of all voters. . 9.7 8th in rural white schools with two or more teachers, per cent 61,2 38th in tax rate, state and county, on the $100 valuation... 91 2-3 4th in farm lands taxed according to census values, per cent 109 6th in income taxes paid, 1914 $4,143.35 6th in professional taxes paid $505.00 20th in improved roads, per cent of total 20 2nd in taxes paid into state treasury in excess of pen- sions and school money received $80,467.00 12th in poultry increase, 1900 to 1910, per cent 37.1 11th in horsepower, average acres cultivated per work animal 21.53 23rd in tobacco production in pounds, 1910 1,995,807 22nd in total crop wealth in 1910 $774,701.00 23rd in corn production per acre, bushels 14.6 33rd in wheat production per acre, bushels 8 6th in boys' corn club enrollment in 1916, boys reporting.. 22 13th in girls' canning club, girls reporting, 1915 52 WHERE WE LAG 95th in rural population increase, per cent of decrease 9.6 90th in death rate per 1,000 inhabitants 15.5 84th in birth rate per 1,000 inhabitants 25.4 62nd in church membership, per cent 49 67th in paupers, 1914, rate per 100,000 inhabitants 298 Dl KIIA.M C'ul.NTV E C().\C»MH SuClAI, »0 7Jnd (i2in\ 6Jiul 70tli 7(>tl. 62iui "Utli 87tli 81st 61st 791 li 87th 87th 95tl> 77th yiiid 96th 95th 88th 91st 79tli 65th 96th in bliiul. 1914, rate per 100.000 iiilial)itams 34 in local school tax rate on tlio $1.000 4.80 in school exiK-nditurcs per $1,000 wortlj of property.. 4.80 in rural white school attendance. 6 to 14, per cent 73 in rural colored school attendance, 6 to 14, per cent.. 39.2 in school attendance on iiirollineni, rural and urhan, white and colored, per cent 64.9 in average expenditures i)er iugh school pupil enrolled $22.11 in per capita country wealth, 1910 $210.00 in negro farm owners, per cent of negro farmers 20 in hogs per 1000 acres 28 in farm tenancy, per cent of farmers 56.5 in amiual farm wealth produced $%,152.00 in annual farm wealth produced per person $59.50 in corn production per person, bushels, 1910 6 in corn production, 1910, total crop, bushels 210,301 in per cent of farms buying feed 58 in beef production per person, pounds 7.5 in pork production per person, pounds 32.3 in poultry production per person, fowls 3.41 in egg deficit, dozen 445.800 in increase of farm sales of dairy products 1900-1910, per cent 59 in livestock products per person $14.00 in bill for imported food and feed supplies $2,559,000 86 Durham County: Economic and Social OUR PROBLEMS AND THEIR SOLUTION W. M. Upchurch With most people it seems to be a natural impulse to offer free ad- vice. The city man enjoys telling what the farmers ought to do; the farmers like to advise the business and political world ; the illiterate pa- rent wants to decide on his child's course of study in school; we all advise the preacher what to talk about, and the ungodly make recom- mendations to the church; even old maids delight in telling young mothers about the effects of paregoric and catnip tea, and in advising them how to train their children properly. The fact that a kind and indulgent public is already educated to listening to unsolicited advice without being much influenced by it is my justification for offering this chapter to the public. It would be easy enough to point out the particulars in which Dur- ham and Durham county rank low, but to tell just how such things may be improved is another and a more difficult problem. Improve the Farm Lands It is a self-evident fact that improved farm lands will help the country people, but some of our city population may not see just where this will help them. Thinking economists are now preaching that a large city can not forever grow fat on a lean country-side. That is, the city needs to be surrounded by a thrifty, well-to-do farming people who will grow a surplus of food and feed, which they can sell to the city in exchange for the necessities which they do not produce. The figures in a previous chapter indicate that our rural popula- tion failed to increase in the census period from 1900 to 1910. These figures show an actual loss of 9.6 per cent of the rural population durng this period. Such a condition is partly explained by the fact that the city limits were extended to include many of the people in the suburbs who were formerly counted among the rural population, still the farming communities did not build up in proportion to the market demands of the city. One great obstacle in this, as in other farm sections, was the lack of soils fertile enough to produce large returns for labor. Increasing the fertility of the soil will multiply its yield, attract more people to the farms, give them more to spend at the stores and to deposit in the banks, and make them better able and more will- ing to build roads and support schools and churches. The Starting Point Our farm demonstrator says that many of our farmers are not starting in the right way to build up their soils. They try to begin with clover on land not fertile enough to produce it. They should be- DlKllAM Cor.NTY : Ec(»N(>Mlt: AM) SociAL 87 gin with rye, follow first with peas and later with clover. These crops when not necessary for feed should be ploughed under to furnish the humus which the soil needs. In addition to growing these legumes, many of our farmers need to take much better care of their barn lot manures. All stock should be kept in stables or under good slieltcrs where the manure will be protected against the weather until it is spread on the fields. This amount saved at home should be supplemented from the city. There is a large amount of manure and other decaying matter around the city which endanger health here, but would enrich the farm lands of the county. Another great source of soil fertility is the large amount of to- bacco stems which the tobacco factories are shipping out of the county annually. Our farmers buy back many of these in commercial fertili- zers at a considerably increased cost. Some arrangement might be made by which these could go direct from the factories to the farmers at a profit to both. When our farm lands produce more hay, peas, clover and grains, then will our farmers move up into the higlier level of stock farming; and this will furnish more meats and dairy products for the local city market. Such a condition will come; but unless we talk it and preach it persistently, it may come altogether too slowly. Stock farming is sure to gather momentum when it is well begun. The stock will fur- nish the manure to enrich the soil. The fertile soil will produce larger returns for man and beasts. Let us hasten such a condition, for when it comes the two and half million dollars or more which we are now sending away annually for supplies can be kept at home to make us just so much the richer. Then in a measure the local markef problem will be solved to the benefit of farmers, merchants, and bankers — producers and consumers alike. County-Wide Chamber of Commerce Our Chamber of Commerce is establishing a reputation for doing things. It might extend its membership and influence to the county. The interests of our county and city are so intermingled that the suc- cess or failure of the one must affect the other ; hence we shall do well to develop a county unit feeling. A county chamber of commerce with city and farmer folk both working together could do much to spread the doctrines of co-operative ownership of the best farm machinery, di- versification, rotation, permanent pastures, improved livestock, win- ter cover crops, etc. Many questions, such as "What to Plant and When", "Markets and Marketing" and many others could be discussed to mutual advantage. By co-operation something might be done to bring some progressive livestock growers from the West to use and build up our 137.415 idle acres. These would be a valuable addition to 88 Dur.nA.M Colxty: Eco-\u:mic and Social our farm population. We have room for 1,500 such families on land that needs to become productive. Many other questions would arise to challenge the united thought and effort of all. Country-Minded Teachers and Preachers In any community one of the greatest assets is thoroughly equipped leaders. One great need in all rural communities is the right kind of teachers and preachers, those who are genuinely in love with country life and farming people. These should be settled in comfortable homes around the schools and churches where they may take a leading part in commtmity life. They should be leaders in the social and farm-life activities as well as in education and religious work. The boys and girls need to be trained to take their places on modern farms rather than educated away from them. The ideas of soil improvement and intensive farming should be kept constantly before the boys, and domestic science and art should be taught every girl. Along with these the teachers and preachers should advocate good farm papers, maga- zines, and libraries ; good roads, water works, telephones, and some kind of improved lights. These things are essential to make country life efficient, wholesome, and satisfying. The community which in- troduces them will have little trouble in keeping its boys and girls at home. No back-to-the-farm movements will be necessary. The boys and girls will stay, and they will develop the community instead of turning it over to tenants. Tax Problems Another problem of vital concern to both city and country people is that of getting all property in the state on the tax books at a fair valuation. In the past our state tax commission has not been able to do this. In the chapter on Wealth and Taxation attention was called to the fact that Durham county is bearing much more than its part of the state tax burden. Our tax assessors, state tax commission, and legislators should not rest until this matter is righted. It is not right for an acre of land in Durham county to pay much more state tax than an acre in any one of the adjoining counties, and eight times as much as an acre in Alleghany county. Roads and Streets We rank fairly well among North Carolina counties in the per cent of our surfaced roads. We need to keep these repaired and to build other improved roads as rapidly as we can. Our streets, however, need attention as soon as practicable. They are certainly not up to the standard set by other cities of our class. Yet, it may not be advisable to let contracts for much of this work during the present crisis when everything is so high. The same money Dl KllAM (' a Near or iwo licncc luinlil Imilil coii>i(lcral>lv moa- streets. Tliis is one of the problems our leaders must solve. Anotlier problem is. what to do about tlie streets in our sul)urban districts. If the property owners are slow to petititin for better streets in these rented districts, tlie delivery wagons will continue to cover our thorouKh fares witli mud brousht from such places, and the poor people will scarcely be able to get to and from their places of al)ode. These are the people, too, who need good streets, for many of tliem go to work I)efore daylight and get back after dark. In many instances it may require outside help to get sucli improvements. Perhaps renters may refuse t(t live on sucii streets when they can do any better. Teachers' Salaries in a previous cliapter 1 gave the average aiunial income of teachers compared witli tliose of workers in otlier walks of life. These figures were collected before tiie great advance in wages during 1917. The dif- ference at present, therefore, is much greater tlian those figures si^ow. Wages increased in 1917 more than teachers' salaries have increased in lit teen years. The result is that many good teachers are tempted to quit the profession and enter other lines of work. Just the other day ten or more teachers in Winston-Salem wiio were getting around $40.00 per month resigned because they could not live on their incomes. I understand from a reliable source that all of them were immediately given positions l)y a large banking corporation at $70.00 per month, an 87 1-2 per cent increase. This is as much in- crease as the average teacher by doing summer school and institute work is able to get in a life time. But we need not go so far away from home for illustrations. The monthly check for my colored janitor at the Edgemont School is al)out as large as that for any teacher in the building. It should be said, how- ever, that the janitor gets his pay in ten monthly installments while the teachers get theirs in twelve. But to put it on an annual basis, he gets nearly as mucli as my highest salaried and most experience 1 teacher is paid, far above what the lowest paid teacher receives, and somewhat above the average for the regular teachers of the building. And this, notwithstanding the fact that he has spent no time or money in preparation for his work, while the teachers have invested years of time and hundreds or thousands of dollars in preparation for their work. Besides this, the janitor has his summer months in which to earn e.xtra money, which is not so true of the teachers. The state re- quires them to attend summer schools for tcacliers every other year, which takes all money they are able to save the previous vacation, and more. Tlie reason for the janitor's high average is not that he is more effi- cient in his work tlian are the teachers in tlicir work. Indeed, I can 90 Durham Coukty: Economic and Social not say that he fills his place any better than my weakest teacher fills hers. The simple fact is, teachers' salaries have not increased while wages have nearly doubled. Figures on file in the office of the superintendent of city schools show that the salary of the highest paid teacher in the Edgemont School has increased 11 per cent since 1914, that the salary of the low- est paid teacher has decreased 11 per cent, and that the median or aver- age salary for the teachers of the building has increased only 5 per cent. And this is for teachers who have been spending extra time and money trying to become better teachers. We should remember, too, that tlie purchasing power of a dollar in 1918 is only about half what it was in 1914. The figures show also that the wages of the janitor since 1914 have increased about 87 per cent, and it has not been an easy matter to keep good janitors even at this increase. These things may sound strange to the reader, but they are facts which we must face, and they present problems which need to be solved. Conditions of this sort will not encourage our boys and girls to stick to their school work until they are well prepared for life. There are probably teachers who will continue to teach at present salaries, but Durham and Durham county can ill afford to employ them. They are like cheap shoes, most expensive in the long run. Many of their pupils would fail to be promoted, which would cause the city and the county to pay for teaching them in the same grade two years. If we should eliminate our weakest teachers, place more children un- der the care of the strongest ones and increase their salaries, the same results as above would follow. No teacher can do as well by sixty pu- pils as she can by thirty-five or forty. The fact seems to be that we must have more money to run the schools successfully. Without it we shall lose many of our most competent teachers and either halt in our educational progress or go backward. How to Raise the Money How to raise money is always a problem. Certainly if we do it, we must do it by taxation. The question is whether we shall increase the school tax rate or put our property on the tax books at more nearly its actual value. In many states the latter method is followed. if our property were listed at actual value, this would give, at our present rate, all the money the schools would need in the near future. This method would nearly double our taxes for all purposes and would therefore nearly double our tax burden. On the other hand, we could vote an increase in school tax of ten or fifteen cents on the $100 worth of property and scarcely miss the extra tax we would pay. We could vote this increase and still our school tax rate would be much below the average for towns and counties like ours. But the strange thing about an election to increase the school tax DrunAM CoiNTY : Economk" and Social 91 is that nearly all large corporations and wealthy people who pay prac- tically all the tax, vote for it, while the man living in a rented house, who would possibly not pay twenty-five cents extra tax per year, but has five or six children to be educated, votes against it. This was true in our last election of this kind, even when we had a school building burned down and there was not room to take care of the children in other buildings. Let us hope we shall have few such men the next time. A Home for Wayward Youths Into a growing community like our city there are constantly coming some boys and girls who are criminals already or inclined in that direction. It is not best for these to roam the streets and woods with other children whose morals, habits, and ideals arc not fully estab- lished. The so-called bad boy is not mean by nature so much as full of energy that only needs to be controlled and guided into useful ac- tivity. To do this the boy should be taken in time and put under the care of a strong man who can prevent his getting into trouble, lead him to do the right until it becomes a habit, and then turn him out in the community to be a useful citizen. There are such institu- tions, and it would be a great thing for Durham if we could some time develop one. We had better spend a little in formation than after it is too late to spend much in reformation. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Directed Gardening a Substitute It would take time for such an institution as that di.scussed above to be perfected. We need something immediately to employ the minds and the time of many of our boys and girls, both good and bad. Most children like to work with their hands. Most have inherited a liking for digging in the soil and handling plants. They like to have a gar- den which they may care for and call all their own. And we may be sure that while they are working with the vegetables, they are becom- ing mentally, morally, and physically stronger. The mind all enthused over growing vegetables has little room or time for evil suggestions to take root and grow. Besides this, the garden work will furnish a fine basis for language and number work. For these and other reasons the city schools are just now planning to introduce this work during the spring, and to have some one direct it during the summer. The Chamber of Commerce, also, is squarely be- hind it. Every parent who has a child large enough to work should en- courage him to take part. If the child fails to produce vegetables, the effort will be training worth the trouble; and if he succeeds in grow-, ing anything to eat, the grocery bill will be materially reduced and Uncle Sam caused to smile. If for no other reason, we should do it as a patriotic duty which we owe our country in the present crisis. 92 Dleiia.m Couxtv: Econo-mic a^d Social Playgrounds For the children who are not large enough to take an active part in gardening or other profitable employment, we should extend and main- tain playgrounds, well equipped and supervised. We have made a good beginning which we can afford to go on with. There is genuine value and training in the right kind of play. Certainly we want to help our homes and our country by directing all idle and wasted energy into growing vegetables the year round, but we must not forget the old maxim, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Library and Y. W. C. A. Buildings Our efforts for a Carnegie Library now savor of success. This matter should be pushed until the building is a reality and provided with a sufficient number of the best books, magazines, etc. Our peo- ple are a working people, and we need to do all possible to create and maintain high standards in taste for good reading and wholesome amusement. So far there has been nothing done toward securing a Y. W. C. A. building for our j'oung women. Other cities of our size have seen fit to build such an institution. Durham, too, is in need of one. If we had such a building, many of our young women would probably be found there instead of in unfit places of amusement. The building could be made a home for the girls who settle in our city, but who have neither relatives nor friends here to show any interest in them. We should extend every courtesj- and help to these young women. These are by no means all of our problems. There are many others that challenge our attention and efforts. Wherever our rank in an im- portant particular is low,^ we have a prablem. My hope is that the people of Durham and Durham county will study the figures at the end of the various chapters and will decide for themselves what things need our immediate, unselfish, and combined attention. SOURCES i'ross I'.ullitin .\iiiiil)(.r 117— Xortli Carolina (k-Dlo^ical and lu-onomic Survey. Biennial Kei)ort.s— Suporintcndt-nt of Public Instruction of Xortli Car- olina. United States Census Reports for 1880, WX). 1900, lylO. History of Durham County— E. \'. Paul. Clay Products Rejiorts— North Carolina Gcolojjical Survey. Xortli Carolina Credit Unions — John Sprunt Hill. Reports of North Carolina Department of Labor and Printiny— 1914 and 1915. Files and Club Studies in I.ab.iratory of North Carolina Club at the University. The Federal Census of !n(In>trii->. 1''14. ^&J^ •§^*^- WiSXi