Evening star., 1942-12-09

Foir Practice Committee
Orders Compliance,
Rops Union Attitude
The Capital Transit Co. today was
confronted with an order from the
Presidents Committee on Fair EN-
ployment Practice to proceed with
out further delay to make posi-
tions AS bus and streetcar operators
available to members of the colored
race.
E. D. Merrill, president of the
company, had asked postponement
of the order, which was due origin
ally to become effective December
S, telling the committee that I'VE
have good reason to believe from
definite information that many OF
our present employees may resign
their jobs should the order go into
effect"
The company declined to COM
ment after the committee-an ad-
junct Of the War Manpower Com
mission-last night announced that
rejection of the request for delay
was voted Monday, and communi-
Gated yesterday to Capital Transit
by Lawrence w. Cramer, executive
secretary of the committee.
Union Attitude Hit.
At the same time, the committee
placed responsibility for the re-
puted attitude Of white bus and car
men on Division $50, Amalgamated
Association of Street, Electric Rail-
way and Motor Coach Employees of
America, unit of the American
Federation OF Labor.
The committee said that there is
no indication that your request is
intended to accomplish the effectua-
ton of the provisions" of President
Roosevelt's order creating the Fair
Employment Practices group to end
discriminatory employment prac-
tices in industry. On the contrary,
it was added, the committee believes
that this request is intended to
postpone the date when the employ
ment practices of the Capital Tran
sit Co., will be modified to conform
with it's obligation to employ per-
sons solely on the basis of their
qualifications and without regard to
race, creed, color or national orr
gin" In particular, the committee
called attention to the fact that
J. G. Bigelow, president of the union
and Seton Darr, counsel, had joined
with the company urging that the
present restrictions governing en-
ployment of colored workers be con-
tinued, and had said that they were
not appearing as union represent
tives. but as citizens of the United
States and residents of Washing
ton"
Prompt Action Advised.
Asking to be promptly advised"
Of the company's compliance, the
committee told the company:
LAS stated in its letter of Novem-
Der %. it Is the committees view
that the apprehensions which you
express with respect to the loss of
many Of your present employees
should the committees order 60 into
effect can be removed if the officers
OF Division 689, Amalgamated Asso-
clation of Street, Electric Railway
and Motor Coach Employees of Amer
lea were to assume their full
responsibility in this matter.
The committee has called atten-
ton to the fact that Mr.. Bigelow.
president of Division $50, and Mr..
Darr, counsel for the association,
when they appeared before it and
joined with you in urging a con-
tinuance of your company's policy
to refuse to employ Negroes as bus
and streetcar operators solely be-
cause OF their race and without re-
gard to their qualifications, stated
that they appeared not as officers
OF the union, but as citizens OF the
United States and residents of
Washington, D. c.
THE committee is aware of the
TACT tnat the Amalgamated Associa-
ton OF Street, Electric Railway and
Motor Coach Employees of America
prohibits discrimination against per-
sons because of their race or color.
IL understands that the $50 Negroes
now employed by the Capital Transit
20. are members OF this union and
through their payment of dues con-
tribute to the salary and compensa-
ton OF union officers. It believes
that the Messrs. Bigelow and Darr.
In their appearance before the COM
mlttee. divested themselves of their
omclal status with the union because
OF their recognition of their re-
sponsibility to the union and to all
OF its members.
THE committee firmly believes
that these officers and other officers
OF the union will assume their full
responsibility to the international
union organization. to all of the
members of division $50, as well as
for their specific obligation under
executive order 1902, to prevent an
interruption of the transit company =
operations when the company takes
the steps outlined in the committees 4
directions OF November 28.
IN keeping with your action in
irving out to the newspapers the in
ormation contained in your letter
Il December 5, the committee is
living out for publication the SUBJ
stance of this letter."