The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-06-27
HOLD FIRST
fEP HEARING
IN The SOUTH
Discrimination, B IL C k
Passing Charges Fly
At Hearings

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-Charges Of
discrimination against two OF the
South's largest shipbuilding com
panies were before the Presidents
Committee on Fair Labor Practice
and members of the committee
we're still probing charges that Ne
groes are not given equal oppor-
tunities to train for defense jobs
as the first southern meeting of the
FEP continued into its fourth day
The Gulf Shipbuilding Corp, and
the Alabama Dry Dock and Ship
Building company, both of Mobile,
and nine other industrial concerns
and defense training authorities and
contractors are accused of not CIV
ing Negroes equal opportunity with
whites in war work and training
for defense jobs.
Charge Buck Passing
The session, which was high
lighted the first day by an assertion
by David Sarnoff. president Of the
Radio Corporation Of America and
a member Of the Presidents COM
mittee conducting the hearings,
that the national defense training
program looks like a fine game of
buck-passing' found members OF
the shipbuilding concerns testifying
on the second day to the effect that
they would use Negroes if it would
mob disrupt production"
SarnoffS charge of "buck passing"
was made after questioning OF sew
eral witnesses failed to reveal who
decides on defense training projects
Even V. j. Douglass, Birmingham
director OF defense training was
unable to give a clear answer when
Sarnoff asked who. in a few words,
actually decides on the projects?'
I'm not being stubborn, Mr.. Sar-
noff," Douglass answered, but that
is a difficult question to answer in
few words"
The training program is admin
istered largely by the office Of edu-
cation. headed by John W. Stude-
baker U. S. commissioner of edu-
cation.
William Y. Bell, executive secre-
tary Of the Atlanta Urban League
I'D chairman Of the Council on De-
tense Training for Negroes, said
Negroes were offered only 70 out
OF LAT defense training courses set
up in Georgia and that they were
permitted only four Of IS courses
given in Atlanta alone.
NJ D. Mobley. Georgia state direc-
tor Of vocational training, said.
however. that 90 courses are in
operation for Negroes although the
program for both Negroes and
whites has been hampered by the
failure 10 Obtain equipment which
has been ordered through the Office
of Education in Washington.
Shipbuilders Testify
Harry Hill. vice president Of the |
Gulf Shipbuilding Corp, denied |
that his company Disseminated in
labor policies but at the same time |
admitted that no Negroes were en-
ployed. He testified that the prob
lem was one for the workers them
selves and said he feared trouble
would develop between the two
races il Negroes we're hired, adding
that he was "inclned TO doubt that
discrimination could be done away
with because Of the attitude Of the
white workers"
B B Kaplan. assistant treasurer
Of the MacEyoy Shipbuilding Corp
Of Savannah. testified that his firm
had a closed shop agreement with
the ALL Building Trades council.
The council, according to J. G
Leon, attorney, had not called on a
local Negro union affiliated with
the ALL. to supply carpenters
Leon said the white ALL. carpen-
ters union was bringing in men
from the outside to work for the
company.
Other developments Of the hear
.ngs we're: II was charged that city
Of Nashville form a bottle
neck" and that Nashville school
W A. Bass is hos
Tile in his attitude" towards train
ing Negroes for war work: S. v
Sanford chancellor Of the Georgia
sent the committee
telegram urging that war industry !