City and Inter-State Migration 129 



is relatively the same in towns of all sizes, while, in towns 

 such as Albany, which are surrounded by large Negro popu- 

 lations there are relatively more colored men in the building 

 trades and on odd jobs such as drivers and porters. There 

 is also additional opportunity in these towns surrounded by 

 large Negro majorities for Negro merchants and profes- 

 sional men. In Upper Piedmont towns, such as Gaines- 

 ville, surrounded by a majority white population, the odd 

 jobs and skilled trades are occupied to a greater extent by 

 white people and there are relatively fewer opportunities 

 for Negro merchants and professional men. 



As the small town or village is the first stop ping place 

 for many rural Negroes who eventually find their way in to 

 t he larger towns and cities, th e sou ndness of the smal l town 

 i nstitutions is of strategic influence in their training for 

 cit y life. A s tne Ne groes in the small towns are the inter- 

 medianes through which ideas and institutions from the 

 pity rea.cn {he large rural populating they are in a position 

 t o exert an influence on the surroundin g rural gro ups all out 

 of proportion to their number. This, intermediary function 

 is theirs : 



1. Because the activities and institutions of Negroes in 

 small towns are based on the surrounding rural areas and, 

 a wisely governed town adds to its own prosperity by stim- 

 ulating the general prosperity of the surrounding rural areas. 



2. Because colored people in small towns are in closer 

 contact with the local white leaders and are, therefore, in a 

 strategic position in race relations. 



3. Because the ideas, ideals, and institutional models, 

 which for the most part, radiate from large centers, are 

 transmitted to the rural Negro through the medium of the 

 small town or village. 



I 4. Because, as a more compact and highly organized 

 population group, towns are able to accomplish co-operative 

 / and institutional enterprises which are out of the reach of 

 / the scattered, unorganized rural communities. 



