The Phoenix index., 1941-09-20
Plea Is Made
By DR.. Bethune
In Washington
Not Taking
Advantage OF
NYA Glasses

WASHINGTON, D. C.-(SNS)--
Much of the burden of prepared
ness for Negro participation III
the national defense efforts VI
this country rests on the siloulo-
ers of the Negro himself, declai-
ed DR.. Mary Mcleod Bethune, IN
statement issued from her Oh
flee as Director of Negro Affairs
of the National Youth ADMINS
tration. A.,
"The efforts being made by the
National Youth Administration ano
by other governmental agencies to
see that equitable opportunity Is
given Negroes for experience aIu
training for defense occupations Will
hear fruit only as the Negroes
themselves take advantage of the
onnortl1nities offered" said Mrs
Bethune.
NOT TAKING COURSES
81 have lust come from trip
through large part of the country
she declared, "and am impressed py
the fact that our youth are not
taking advantage of the WORK ex-
nerience opportunities OF the MAJ
ional Youth Administration. Many
Of the youth have not been proper
Iv advised and apprised OF the 1u-
ture employment posslolltles Il,
national defense industries ailo
msnv more are not aware OF the
possibilities for taking defense
training"
The increasing tendency on the
mart of many of the defense con-
tract holders to hire Negroes, ano
the fact that all future contracts,
in keeping with the Presidents Exc
c,Itive Order, will contain mo dis
examination" clauses, stated MRS
Bethune, removes any existent rea-
sons for Negroes not taking full ad-
vantage of every training oppor-
tunity.,
This tendency to hire Negroes has
been noted in practically every Sec
ton of the country. Striking exam
pies can be found in the aviation
industry, the ship building indus
try, the construction industry, ano
in orgnance work. These industries
demand machiniSts, welders, sheet
metal workers, forgers, electricians
in ever increasing numbers. 1t is
estimated by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of the Department Of
Labor that by 1912, $4,000 new
workers will be needed by the ship
building industry and over 100000
by the aviation industry. Already
ordnance plants throughout the
country have indicated the inten-
ton of hiring over 1000 Negroes
in the next few months.
NO DISCRIMINATION
"The National Youth AdminiStra'
ton is offering work experience anc
training in sheet metal work, weld
ing, machine shop work, forging
radio, electricity, wood work, avla-
ton mechanics, automobile mechan'
les, and power sewing through itE
projects throughout the country
The opportunities for training ir
these fields is open to eligible citi'
zens between the ages of II anc
% regardless of race, creed, color o.
national origin" declared Mrs
Bethune.
A large part of the burden fol
acquaiQting youth with the oppor.
tunities available through the NYA
and other defense training source!
belongs, says Mrs. Bethune, upor
the shoulders of the masses of tht
various communities. She urged tht
churches, schools and colleges, clubs
community agencies and the pres.
to use every influence to get Negro
youth to take full advantage of NYE
opportunities in order to help builc
up q reservoir Of experienced ant
trained Negro workers to be ready
for the present and future demands