Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1942-04-25
LABOR and
INDUSTRY
Nv GEORGE r. McCRAY


If YOU think the Presidents
Committee on Fair Employment
Practices Is a unified, hard hitting
champion Of the right of all citi-
zens to participate equally in the
defense program, prepare to
change your mind. The committee
in spite of the specific language of
Executive Order 1902, Is no such
animal.
1t should be noted, however.
that some of the members of the
committee are doing their utmost
to break down race. nationality and
creed barriers to defense employ
ment. Despite this the committee
as whole seems to be divided over
the Interpretation of Executive
Order 1902 and the manner of APP
plying the ron-oiscrimination pol
Icy to the realities of American
race prejudice.
OPEN CLASHES
Open clashes between members
of the committee marked the pub
lie hearings in Chicago and New
York. In Chicago members of the
committee openly disputed the
soundness of each others views on
the question as to whether evil
oence was sufficient ID warrant
even Inviting an employer to give
information to the committee
Even more spirited wes the clash
over the question as to whether
closed shop contracts held by
unions that discriminate against
Negro labor constitute denial of
equal opportunity TO get defense
jobs.
Within the committee, on the
basis of reports reaching me, there
Is a strong feeling that there is no
need to press discrimination
charges on behalf of Negroes so
long as an adequate supply of
white labor Is available. Several
members have assumed the role of
protector within the committee of
the special interests with which
they are connected. One Is said to
have complained to President Roo
sevelt that the committee is likely
to become troublesome; while an
other openly advises witnesses how
to testify to avoid Inflammation
before the committee. 1t would
seem on the basis Of the reports
that the effectiveness of the COM
mittee is in grave danger
SIMPLE DUTY
The committee receives and in
vestigates complaints of discrin-
ination and is authorize! to rake
steps to redress grievances AMI to
fecomn1end to the several depart
ments and agencies Of the govern
ment including the President, all
measures which may be deemed by
II necessary or proper to effectuate
the provision of (the) order"
NATIONAL POLICY
e.. Il do hereby affirm the
policy of the United states that
there shall be no discrimination In
the. employment of workers in de-
Tense industries or government be-
cause of race, creed, color, Or ma
tional origin, and I do hereby de-
clare that it is the duty of en-
ployers and of labor organizations
In furtherance of said policy and
of this order, to provide for the
full and equitable participation Of
all workers in defense industries,
without discrimination because of
race, creed, color, or national orig
In. ="
EXCEL ENT STEP
Now the race problem In the
United States has definitely hamp-
cred our national defense effort. It
has prevented the maximum, utili-
cation Of the total labor power Of
the nation, it has caused wastefuI
migration and production delays.
It has danpene5 The patriotic fer
vor OF l3 million American citi-
Gems and turned their energies in
to a struggle against their country
men instead Of wholly against mall
treatment Of Negroes in the Unit
ed States to discredit the United
States and England with darker
people in Asia and Africa.