The Omaha guide., 1941-03-01
OF NEGRO IN
NATIONAL
DEFENSE

Determined to protect if possible
the interests of Negroes in the ma
tional defense program, Sen. War
rem w. Barbour, of New Jersey in
troduced a resolution in the senate
on Wednesday asking a special
committee be appointed with a
fund of $3.50 to investigate The
Anticipation of all Negro citizens
in all industrial and other phases
of the program.
In cooperation with Sen. Wag-
ner of New York, Sen. Arthur
Capper of Kansas and Sen. Prem
tiss M. Brown of Michigan, the re-
solution, known as Senate Resoiu-
ton rs, reads as follows:
Resolved. that a special
ittee of eight senator's, to be ap-
pointed by the president of the
senate, is authorized and directed
to make a full and complete in
vestigation into the participation
of Negro citizens in all industrial
and other phases of the national
defense program, including all ed
ucational courses and apprentice
training. The committee shall re-
port to the senate, as 500 as prac
ticable, the results of its study and
investigation, together with its
recommendations for legislation or
other governmental action design
ed to integrate Negro citizens into
the national defense program with
out discrimination as to race or col
or.
| "For the purpose of this resoiu-
ton, the committee. or any duly
authorized subcommittee thereof,
is authorized to hold such hearings
to sit and act at such times and
places during the sessions, recess
es and adjourned periods of the
18th congress, to utilize such vol
ubtary and uncompensated ~servic-
es, and to employ such experts and
clericla, s.enographic and other
assistants, as it may deem ces
airy. The committee may utilize
the services. information, facilities
and personnel of the various de-
partments and agencies of the gov
eminent.
1.-THE committee, or any duly au-
thorized subcommittee thereof,
shall have the power to require by
subpoena or otherwise the attend
ance of such witnesses, and the
production of such books, papers
and documents, to administer such
oaths, to take such testimony and
to make such expenditures as it
may deem advisable. The cost of
stenographic services to report
the educational material, data and
testimony taken at such hearings
shall not be in excess of 25 cents
per 100 words.
1.-THE expenses of the committee
which shall not exceed $4,000,
shall be paid from the contingent
fund of the senate upon vouchers
approved by the chairman of the
committee"
Immediately upon introduction,
the resolution was referred to the
committee on military affairs. ?
Morris Sheppard, Democrat of
Texas, is chairman of this comm
ittee, which also includes Senator's
Reynolds, N. c.; Thomas, Utah;
Johnson of Colorado; Lee of Okla
homa, Schwartz, Wyoming, Hill,
Alabama; Downey, California;
Chandley, Kentucky and Smathers
Of N. J. as the Democratic group
The Republicans on the committee
are Warren R. Austin, Vermont;
Bridges, New Hampshire; Furney
South Dakota; Holman of Oregon
and John Thomas of Idaho.
The sponsors are asking immed.
late action by the committee OF
the resolution and it is hoped thai
favorable action will be taken il
behalf of the act. This resolution
would bring to light and to the at
tention of congress the failure o.
many concerns operating undel
! government contracts to hire Ne
gro workers in the skilled labo
~classes heretofore they have beel
: pitifully Disseminated against.
,