The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1932-10-13
Secures Pledge
OF Square Deal
CONTINUED from Page II

construction of Federal Buildings
under the control of the Treasury
Department:
October 4, 1892.
ITO District Engineers; Inspection
and Construction Engineers:
"The Department has from time
to time announced its policy in the
construction of public buildings and
public works under its control that
in the employment of mechanics and
labor preference to be given to local
labor to such extent as it is avail
able and competent, and that there
be no discrimination exercised
against any person because of color
or religious affiliation.
you are directed to bring the
above stated policy to the attention
of all contractors and subcontrac-
tors and their representatives whose
work comes under your superin-
tendence, coupled with the request
that they cooperate with the De-
partment in carrying such policy
into effect, and you will notify the
Department promptly of any depar-
ture from or disregard of such
policy by any such contractor, sub
contractor or representative thereof.
Respectfully,
! (Signed) OGDEN l.. MILLS,
Secretary of the Treasury 3"
Mr.. Mills letter, stating his posi-
ton, and inclosing copy of the
above Institutional letter follows:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Office of the Secretary
Washington
October 4, 1892
1.-THE National Urban League
1913 Broadway
New York, N. Y.
Attention of Mr.. T. Arnold Hill
My dear Sir:
I'm response to your letter of re.
cent date, | wish to state that this
Department is not aware of any in
stances of contractors erecting Gov
eminent buildings refusing to en-
ploy Negroes because of their COL
or. However, acting upon your
communication, l am dispatching a
circular to all Construction Engin.
GERS in charge of the construction
of Federal Buildings under the
control of the Treasury Department
reiterating the policy of the Depart
ment and giving the necessary in
structions relative thereto. A copy
of this circular is attached.
Sincerely yours,
(Signed) OGDEN L.. MILLS,
Secretary of the Treasury
Mr.. Hills letter to the Secretary
was based upon instances reported
to his office from various parts oil
the country indicating that Negroes
had been refused positions on &C
count of their color. His letter
dated September 20, 1882 is as fol
lows:
Honorable Ogden L. Mills
Treasury Department
Washington, D. C.
MY dear Sir:
I'm my work as Director of the
Department of Industrial Relations
of the National Urban League, ar
organization working to secure EN-
ployment for Negroes, l have hat
brought to my attention many in
stances of Negroes refused positions
on construction work carried on b,
the Federal Government, because oil
their color.
my attention has been called Il
this alleged discrimination, and
am therefore calling 1t to your no
tice. 1t should certainly not be tht
policy of the Federal Government
to countenance such practices. Ac
cordingly, l am respectfully request
ing that you make such provision
as may be necessary to insure
against racial discrimination occur
ring on any construction work witt
which our Government is connect
ed.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) T. ARNOLD HILL,
Director, Department o
Industrial Relations Ma
tional Urban League.