Agricultural and Technical College,

Greensboro, N. C., May 18, 1917

Dear Friend:

In sending our April report, I am sure you will be pleased to learn that our Spring Term attendance is much better than usual. Necessarily, some students must leave in the early spring on account of crops; but fewer, by far, are leaving this spring than usual. This means far better work for all our classes. It retards progress very much where students enter late in the session or leave before the Spring Term Examinations.

Now, as we are nearing the Commencement, permit me to suggest that the indiscriminate exodus of Negroes to the North will prove very hurtful to the race. We are in great danger of losing our standing in the Southern labor market and at the same time of shutting the doors of Northern opportunity. The shiftless, the rowdies of our race have done us much harm in the South. Please do all you can to prevent this dangerous element from blocking deserving Negroes from northern schools and north labor.

We are busily preparing for the finest Commencement Exercises we have ever had. The exercises begin May 27th and end May 31st We would appreciate so much the honor and pleasure of your presence

Why not come and see what opportunities North Carolina is offering your son and to the Negro youth.

Yours for advancement,

James B. Dudley,
President.

JBD/CW.

A copy sent to each patron of the college.

Enclosed in: 1917, Aug. 6. Dudley to Bickett.