The Phoenix index., 1941-10-25
Race Builder
Breaks Record
In Construction
Erects Housing
Unit for Whites
In Louisville
By WILLIAM WARLEY

LOUISVILLE-(A N P)-Presi-
dent Franklin D. Roosevelt's
executive order demanding that
Negroes be given employment on
all government projects and In
factories where government con-
tracts are being filled has been
given great impetus by the success
of Samuel Plato, Louisville'S con-
tractor and builder.
It was a 100000 proposition,
calling for 81 buildings with 8S
family units, for white people, to
be completed in 100 days. When
Mr. Plato started to work, the site
was a virtual wooded swamp. He
cleared it and now it is minia-
ture city with all public utilities,
lighting, water mains and sewer
age. Mr.. Plato has practically
finished the job in 80 days. Ex-
actly SO days after he started
work. all buildings were under
roof. Actually there were only 76
days of actual operation
400 EMPLOYED
Under Mr.. Plato, at the peak OF
the work there were 400 men
employed. As percent of whom
were colored-plumbers, carpen-
tiers, civil engineers and colored
men in all capacities. Fifteen per-
sons were employed in the office,
nearly all colored including local
Young men and women. Streets
have been made; yards sodded, every
' home complete even with mirrors
in the bath room, mail boxes on
the front and metal house num-
berS.
That the authorities in Wash
ington who awarded this big con-
tract to Mr.. Plato are pleased
and perhaps amazed is proved by
the fact that they have awarded
him a $1,O5O, 900 contract to build
even larger settlement for color
ed men in Baltimore. That prof.
ect, to be built on 68 acre site, is
to have Ga building, all brick, with
$50 family units.
PLANNED BY ROBINSON
It has been planned by Hilliard
Robinson, an architect who has
made good in drawing up U. S.
government buildings at TuSkegee.
Mr.. Woodson of Washington L
civil engineer on the job. The
work is to be completed in 125
days and about 1900 men will be
given employment, all crafts In
the building trades more or less
will be required in the execution OF
this work. About 25 people will be
employed in professional lines
end office work, such as civil
stenographers, typists, clerks ano
material clerks, time keepers
engineers, craftsmen, accountants
expediters.
Government officials have beer
very fair with Mr.. Plato in award
ling him these contracts. They
have disregarded color lines anC
only ask that he meet the term!
of the contract and furnish the
necessary bonds Mr.. Plato ha:
more than made good and officials
at Washington seem to be pleased
because he has vindicated them ir
their demands that the Negro be
given recognition in all work in
which the United States govern
anent ia conce11ed.
DOOR IS OPEN
Contrary to the general opinion
among Negroes in the field Of
building, industry, Mr.. Plato
claims that the door is open fol
any who wish to do government;
construction work and that for the
past several years, he has had the
encouragement of officials, men In
high places in finance and busi-
ness world as we'll as 100 percent
support from the American Fede-
ration of Labor including al
crafts. White men and colorec
men work together and get along
well with each other. Colored men
are respected In supervising capa-
cities when they know their busi-
ness in whatever line of work they
are engaged