Paragraph 1 - Randolph's leadership in Pullman Co , largest co of US employing Black labors , named Brotherhood..... , helped transformation of the attitude of the blacks towards them.
Paragraph 2 - Obstacles faced in the process - (a) Blacks skepticism towards Unionism (b) support for independent identity
Paragraph 3 - Breakthrough strike against Pullman Co attracted porters for the common cause which also affected them.
Paragraph 4 - Randolph brought it to other 105 unions to exert pressure against unions practicing Race restrictions. Finally such restrictions were declared unconstitutional.
1. In using the word “understandable” (line 14), the author most clearly conveys
Go through the passage - " In the Pullman contest Randolph faced formidable obstacles. The first was Black workers' understandable skepticism toward unions, which had historically barred Black workers from membership. "
The following line talks about an obstacle and the reason for the skepticism , since it barred membership of Black workers.
(A) sympathy with attempts by the Brotherhood between 1925 and 1935 to establish an independent union
Not relevant
(B) concern that the obstacles faced by Randolph between 1925 and 1935 were indeed formidable
Possible
(C) ambivalence about the significance of unions to most Black workers in the 1920’s
Not true since the black workers are doubtful ( according to the passage ) about the formation of an Union for the black , since they were barred from membership in such Unions.
(D) appreciation of the attitude of many Black workers in the 1920’s toward unions
The passage doesn't mention it , rather they were skeptical.
(E) regret at the historical attitude of unions toward Black workers
There isn't any evidence of regretting in the passage .
Hence (B) is the best option.
2. The passage suggests which of the following about the response of porters to the Pullman Company’s own union?
Check the passage -
" In 1928 he took the bold step of threatening a strike against Pullman."
" In addition, the porters' very isolation aided the Brotherhood. Porters were scattered throughout the country, sleeping in dormitories in Black communities; their segregated life protected the union's internal communications from interception. That the porters were a homogeneous group working for a single employer with a single labor policy, thus sharing the same grievances from city to city, also strengthened the Brotherhood and encouraged racial identity and solidarity as well. "
(A) Few porters ever joined this union.
The passage talks about the support of the porters against the practices of the employers and it is well expected that many joined the Union.
Further the author states -
"........eventually allowed the Brotherhood to become recognized as the porters' representative. "
Which clearly contradicts , hence this option can be negated.
(B) Some porters supported this union before 1935.
Nothing is explicitly stated in this regard , however the author mentions that Randolph took a bold step to strike against Pullman in 1928 which gained support of the porters as well later on.
So , this option might be possible - Let's keep it for now and check the other options as well to determine the best one.
(C) Porters, more than other Pullman employees, enthusiastically supported this union.
Porters supported the Union but the author didn't mention who supported more. This can be rejected straightaway.
The author simply mentions -
"But it was only in the early 1930's that federal legislation prohibiting a company from maintaining its own unions with company money eventually allowed the Brotherhood to become recognized as the porters' representative. "
This statement can not be used to prove that the porters supported more since it was caused by Federal Legislation.
(D) The porters’ response was most positive after 1935.
Porters response were positive after the first strike by Randolph against Pullman against Pullman Co in 1928.
(E) The porters’ response was unaffected by the general skepticism of Black workers concerning unions.
Not at all true the author mentions obstacles which Randolph faced in the following lines -
"In the Pullman contest Randolph faced formidable obstacles. The first was Black workers' understandable skepticism toward unions, which had historically barred Black workers from membership."[/i]
Hence B seems to be better than the other available options...
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