ALS signed “G. W. Carver,” one page both sides, 8.5 x 11, Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute letterhead, September 6, 1930. Letter to Henry Overton. In part: “Your splendid letter reached me today and I have been greatly interested in its contents. Our hot days are still with us we had a few cool days last week. It is also very dry. We are having just about such a political tirade as you describe. Of course I take no interest in it as my work consumes all of my time and strength. People in many sections of the south are suffering now, Colored people in many instances are being replaced by white people, This winter is going to bring untold suffering to many. I hope God will be able to carry out the best of the two places proposed, they are both good. I hope Mr. Nettles will realize something out of his invention I remember him very well. I wish he could dispose of it on a royalty basis. It may be something that can be changed slightly and made even more valuable than it is now…. $5,000 these hard times would come in pretty handy. I hope he can get the $5,000.00 and royalties as well.” In fine condition, with intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, and a uniform shade of light toning.
The Great Depression was not yet a year into its grasp on America—and the world—when Carver painted this picture of life in the Southern United States. “People in many sections of the south are suffering now,” writes Carver, adding that “Colored people in many instances are being replaced by white people.” The latter reference may be to increased competition for placement in Works Project Administration (WPA) jobs. The placement of white applicants over black applicants shed light on racial inequality, even at the government level. Since the WPA required that eligible employees not have refused any private sector jobs at the ‘prevailing wage’ for such jobs, African-Americans (who were paid less on average then whites in the South) might be refused WPA jobs. The problem was further complicated by a Department of Agriculture policy to withdraw land from production, leading farmers to displace hundreds of thousands of tenant farmers, the majority of whom were African American. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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