The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1942-10-31


articles on the Important part
being played by the Negro In
the nations war effort In the
factories and the armies OF the
United States.- reprint from
Chicago SUM.
Demands Of the about war ef-
fort have so increased employ
ment that today more than 1000
Negroes are working at the South
Works OF the Carnegie-Illinois
Steel corporation. a survey dis
closes These Negroes are 10 per
cent OF the total number OF per-
sons on the payroll at this huge
steel mill.
Ali along the company has had
nondiscrimination as its official
policy. 1t didn't take the emer-
gency or government urging to get
jobs for Negroes at South Works.
for many have been employed
there for years. The expansion
engendered by the war has found
Negro employees increasing in the
same proportion as all others.
which indicates the plant long has
had Negroes composing 10 per
cent of its force.
In fact. one Negro, Ward Fish
or. a laborer at No. ? Structural
mill. has been working for the
United States Steel corporation.
OF which Carnegle-Illinois is
subsidiary. for more than 81 years.
He started az the Tennessee. Coal,
& Railroad company in December,
1900. and was transferred TO
South Works in June. 1929. Now
81, he also has worked for the
company as gashouse fireman
end gas producer man.
Hold Skilled Positions
But Negro employment at South
Works Is not limited 10 common
labor nor the unskilled category.
Negro workers are found In such
skilled classifcations as switch
tenders. gang leaders. locomotive
operators. blacksmiihs. mill
wrights and maintenance men.
The semi-skilled listings include
second helper. locomotive hostler'
clipper. scarfer stamper. brick
layer helper. locomotive crane
switchman and hooker The rest
OF the employees. such as jan
itor. scrap man, gag press helper
bottom maker helper and laborer.
are classed as unskilled.
Many skilled and semi-skilled
workers have been at South Works
for long periods. Since November.
1919. Jake II Horton has worked
in the hlacksmith's shop, Robert
A. CLANCY has been locomotive
crane swiichman for the four yearS
after starting as laborer In
1896: since 1892. Willie Grandv
has been boilermaker helper for
the preceding nine years.
On Power station Stan
A 1903 graduate OF Syracuse
university with degree in cleo
tricai engineering. Charles Car
Ter Robinson started at South
Works in April. 1907, as a line
man in the electrical department
six months later he was made a
motor operator in the ran mill
and in April. 1908. a sub-staiicn
operator. He advanced through
various positions until November.
1889. when he was made operator
OF No. 1 switchboard in the No
3 power station.
Holding similar position as
switchboard operator in the No. 4
power station is Elmer n, Wilk'r-
son. who began at South Works
in April, 1912. as sub-,'ation
operator in the electrical Depart
ment. being advanced 10 mo'r
operator. then motor house ten
der and power station operator.
before receiving his present job
in 1899.
These and all other Negro en-
ployees are integrated throughout
the plant. working beside whites
without friction. South Works Of
ficials saw they know OF no trou-
bic caused at any time by the two
races working together. This pol
lev OF indignation Is carried over
into the use Of all plant facilities.
No separation Is practiced in lock-
or room and similar accommoda-
tions.
The workers themselves have
voluntarily crossed color lines IN
The Good Fellow club. an indie
pendent employee organization not
sponsored nv the plant. Many Ne
eroes are members OF this club
and take full part In the athletic
activities. welfare functions and
other organization programs.
Solve Labor Problems
Many belong 10 the union. with
some serving on labor commit
tees. including the United Steel
workers Grievance committee and
The Joint Labor Management War
Production Drive committee.
These facts indicate that the
hiring Of Negro labor is not an
experiment AT South Works and
that Negro and white will work
tremendously together. not only
or the job but in outside activi-
ties. As for officials OF Carnegie
Illinois steel. they state they are
satisfied with their Negro en-
ployees. whom they find TO be
'loyal and efficient workmen.'
The Pressed steel Car company.
one OF the biggest OF the defense
plants In the Chicago area. has
learned the value OF Negro labor
IN the manufacture Of medium