The Omaha guide., 1942-01-10

EMPLOYMENT OF THOUS-
ANDS OF NEGRO WORKERS
Needed To Speed Up Production
Washington, .. C.;....A repre-
sentative segment Of American
industry engaged in manufacture
ing war materials, is now giving
serious thought to how thousands
Of Negro workers "can be utilized
in semi-skilled and skilled occupa-
tons" in order to speed up war
production.
On the basis of their experience
these employers express the be-
lief that Negro skilled and semi
skilled workers measure up equal
ly with skilled and semi-skilled
white workers in ability, skill, pro-
duction, regularity in attendance,
accident record, and general intel
ligence. They also express their
belief that white workers, with few
exceptions, have no objection to
working with Negro workers. and
hat the overwhelming majority Of
labor unions do not discriminate
against Negro workers and well
come them within their member
ship.
The attitude Of these employers
is set forth in an article publish
ed in the December, 1871 issue Of
Management Record, official or
gan of the National Industrial Con
ference Board, one of the oldest
and most respected research insti-
tutions ofAmerican business in the
country.
The article gives the results OF
a survey conducted by the Board
among 402 representative manu-
featuring establishments located
mainly in the New England, Mid
die Atlantic, North Central and
Southern states.
The survey shows that, despite
the business-as-usual attitude ex-
pressed by many employers who
continue to refuse employment to
Negro workers despite the Presi-
dents Fair Employment Practices
Committee, a growing number are
expressing agreement with Gov
eminent Officials, that the num-
Der Of Negro workers in war in
dustry during 1912 will have in
creased by scores Of thousands.
The following statistics present
ed by the survey are significant
in their revelation of the attitude
of 102 employers toward the rank
ing of colored and white employ
ees on comparable skilled and semi
skilled work.
Seventy said the Negro work
er's- ability and skill equalled that
of his white fellow workers. orc
said he had found it better. Eigh-
ty-five said production levels were
equal for Negro and white work
ers. Five said the production of
Negro workers was higher. Sixty
four said the regularity Of attend
ance for both groups Of workers,
was the same; five gave Negro
workers a higher rating.
Eighty-seven said accident rec
ords for both groups were the
same; three said that of whites
was below Negroes. From ninety
nine replies to the question on gen
eral intelligence, forty-nine said
there was no difference; one said
the Negro worker was better.
Before the defense emergency,
the survey revealed, 295 firms u.s.
ed Negroes only as ~janitors or
common laborers, while 107 comp
anies used them in certain skilled
occupations. Since the emerg-
ency thirteen companies have in
creased the number Of skilled oc-
equations open to Negroes; and
v o reporting have opened
up skilled occupations to Negro
workers for the first time.
Che survey article concludes
with this significant statement:
"As a thought in the direction
Of a solution to the entire coloreG
employment situation, a manufac-
turer of fair size, situated in an
area with a considerable colorcd
population proposes that all firms
having suitable work of any nat
ure should make an honest effort
to hire colored persons in proper
ton to the total population Of the
area"
An indication Of the importanca
of the survey in the eyes of the
National Industrial Conference
Board, is seen in an editorial sign
ed by Harold B. Browne, direct
or of the Boards management re-
search division, which appears in
the same issue Of the magazine.
NO PLACE FOR JIM CROW
The editorial says in part:
Equality of opportunity is gen