The Phoenix index., 1941-11-01
Admit Only
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about an order posted in North
Americans Kansas City plant to
the effect that no Negroes would
be hired, except for janitor work.
"Since the president ordered
nondiScrimination in defense in
dustries, you have changed that
policy, I believe. How about MAX
ing a public statement now that
you are hiring Negroes for all
positions, if they fulfill qualifica-
tiCns?" he challenged
eve haven't done that yet"
Taylor said.
Most Negroes at any air plant
here are employed at the Lock-
heed-Vega Company, testimony of
its director of industrial relations,
Randall Irwin, revealed.
Out of $4,000 workers there, 81
are Negroes. Of this number 80 are
mechanics, 10 are custodians and
five held miscellaneous positions.
Irwin also told the committee
that the personnel department at
Lockheed hires without regard for
race, creed or color.
Rodney Edward Van Devanter,
special management representa-
tive of the Bethlehem Steel cor
poration, said the payroll con-
tained two Negroes hired last
week.
Van Devanter said his plant
was served by union hiring halls
and that no Negroes had been
sent to jobs there previously.
He said there were no racial bar
riers to employment there and was
snmecFately challenged by Mike
M. Masoka. of the Japanese Amer
lean Citizens league.
Masoka said he would file with
the committee an affidavit from a
Japanese who wa turned down oe-
cause Of his race.
Walter F. SprecKels, labor Iela-
tions counsel for the Hercules
foundrieS, told the committee that
40 per cent of the men working for
Hercules are MeXicans or Negroes.
ct has been the intention of
the company TO advance these men
from the lower jobs to the classi-
fications of moulders and core
makers" Spreckels testified.
"White workers in these cIaSsi-
fications threatened to walk off
their jobs if we promoted the Ne
groes and MeXicans.
I'VE have taken the matter up
with the union, however, and I be-
lieve these obstacles will be sur
mounted"
Testimony of many of the, wit
nesses was interrupted by men who
claim that racial discrimination
has kept them from jobs.
The hearing was opened by
chairman Ethlidge, who q'loted a
memo from Roosevelt to William
s. Knudsen and Sidney Hillman
cf OFM.
Too, Ethridge quoted ali exec
utive order from the President
which followed the original memo
and which was designed 70 reaf-
firm, "the policy of full participa-
ton in the defense program by all
persons, regardless of race. creed
color or national origin anG Greet
ing certain actions in furtherance
of said policy"
Ethridge outlined the functions
Of his committee, and said:
I'VE cannot afford to play Hit
ler's game of indulging in racism
and prejudices while we are at.
tempting to destroy him."
He said the committee, which
ordinarily meets in Washington,
came to Los Angeles because it is
a defense industry center. and be- J
cause it is an area Of diverse racial
groups.
Also, he saiG, the committee has
heard a number Of complaints of |
discrimination originating in this
area.
This is in no sense a trial" re
emphasized, adding, "This hearing
Is an effort on the part of the
committee to get the true picture {
OF the employment situation in
California, particularly as it re-
lates to the national policy.
First to speak as representa-
tive of a group was the Rev. J. L.
CASTOR OF the BAPTIST Ministers
Union.
He outlined to the committee
in the assembly room of
embassy auditorium, researches
which, he said, showed that Me-
gro workers were barred from Jobs
IN defense industries, particularly