The Phoenix index., 1941-08-23
CarmodyGoes To Aid
OF Barred Workers:
Carpenters Get Jobs
Skilled Men
Finally Hired
In Mobile, Ala.
Administrator
Sends Telegram
To White Local

~ w 4A4A& A-A0A~oI
WASHINGTON, D. c.
(SNS-As the result of the
direct intervention O Fedora
Works Administrator Johr
M. Carmody, Negro carpen-
ters are working on the 500.
unit defense housing project
which the Public Buildings
Administration is developing
in Mobile. Alabama, at a cost
of ST, 100000.
Informed that the contractor had
not employed the required percent
age of Negro labor o12ly because
White carpenters Threatened tc
Walk off the job if Negro carpen-
ters were employed, MI. Carmodv
sent telegram to the business
agent of the white local citing the
Presidents n-discrimination or
der and the non-discriminatio
policy of the Federal Works Agen-
cy, and called upon the union to
state its position. Both Negro and
white carpenters belong to the
same union but are organized in
separate locals.
SENDS AGENT
Failing to receive a satisfactory
answer to his telegram Mr.. Car
mody sent FWA labor relations
representative into Mobile 70 eff
fect settlement Meanwhile. Will
liam j. Trent, Jl'.. FWA Racial Re-
lations Officer, was in contact with
the business agent of the Negro
local and with other leaders of the
Negro community. These efforts
resulted in the breakdown of racial
discrimination on this Job.
In accordance with the FWA
Regulation, the contractor was re-
quired to pay % percent Of the
payroll for skilled workers and "a
percent for the unskilled payroll to
Negro workers as evidence of non
discrimination While Negro ce-
me1t finishers and other skilled
workers had been employed in the
construction of the project, Negro
carpenters had been refused jobs
until Mr.. Carmody intervened.
TEXT OF WIRE
The complete text of Admins
traitor Carmody's wire to L. M
Cooper, business agent of the Whit
local fellows.
Because of their violation of
the terms of their contract with
respect to on-discrimination ir
the employment of workers on our
defense housing project in Mobile
we have recently been having con-
versations with Kenneth Giddenc
and j. F.. Pate Construction Com
pany. They are fully aware of
their responsibilities, and they arc
fully aware. too, of the proclama-
tions of the President of the Unit
ed States with respect to refrain
ing from discrimination against
Negro workers on defense jobs.
They inform us that they are
ready and willing to comply with
the terms of the contract and with
the provisions for defense employ
ment set up by the president. But
in Mobile they are unable at pres
ent to do that because they are in
formed that if they employ Negro
carpenters. as was cCnremplated
On that job and as is being done
on hundreds of other defense
Jobs, you will order the members
of your local to withdraw from the
job and use your influence to
have other trades withdraw with
you If this is true. it would, of
course, jeopardize the completion
of this important defense job r
understand, first that there are
separate locals, one Cor white car
penterS and one for colored car
penters, both organized and recog-
nized by the International. l have
been informed that the colored To-
cal is the oldest carpenters local
in Mobile. I understand, also. that
members of both locals have al
ready worked together on a slllm-
clearance housing project in Mo-
t!le within the past stwo years. 7
have not hear your side of the
story. never like 20 pass judg-
rent until I have heard all sides.
Recause we are under terrific pres
sure to- get these defense housing
lCbs completed and ready for &C.
Cupancy I shall appreciate your
advising me as soon as possible
how we can comply with the Presi-
dents request to desist from dis
elimination and arrange for the
contractors to comply with the
terms of their contract with us.
have been told that you will throw
telegram in the wastebasket. I do
not believe it I think you will take
this telegram in the wastbasket. do
seriously, submit it to your local.
and advise me what can be done
to relieve this situation
(Sgd) John M. Carmody.