Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-13
McNuH Unit PROBING
Racial Issue in Jobs
May Be 0verhauIed
Fair Employment Group
Functions Declared Due
For 'CooIing-Off' Period
BY JESSE o. IRWIN.

" StuVO
BY JESSE o. IRWIN.
The War Manpower Commissions
Fair Employment Practice Commit
tee Is slated for a thorough over
hauling and until this is perfected
its functions are to be subjected to
a cooling of" period, it became
known today.
Decision to reorganize the COM
mittee, which has been investigators
war industries allegedly HAVING
racial discrimination policies. is said
to have emanated from the White
House.
Authoritative sources said that
was the reason behind the an
nouncement by Manpower Chair
man Paul v. McNutt indefinitely
postponing three-day hearing the
committee had scheduled for Janu-
airy rs, at which the railroad indus
try and labor unions were to answer
charges Of discrimination against
the employment of colored workers.
The committees recent decision
against the Capital Transit Co. and
Its extensive preparation for the
railroad hearing, which was to be
preceded by mass meeting of lib
eral and colored groups, were said
to have caused the White House
considerable concern.
Showdown" Indicated.
Mr.. McNutt was reported to have
been notified by the White House
last week to call of the hearing.
He transmitted this notice to Law
renee Cramer, the committees Sec
rotary. It was said the reason given
was not satisfactory to members,
and Mr.. Cramer refused to act. Mr..
McNutt then assumed full RESPONSE
bility.
Mr.. McNutt's brief statement to
newspapermen was to the effect
that the Manpower Commission
would intensity its activities in or
der to have full utilization of man
power on the railroads, possibly
through the ONCE Of Defense
Transportation. He said he had
not consulted with members Of the
committee.
Mr.. McNutt's announcement Gre
ated considerable stir among COM
mittee members and the committee
is reported planning to meet at an
early date to demand q SHOW
down" over its future. At this
meeting, informed sources said,
members will be told that their func-
tions would be shelved pending q
reorganization.
One committee member, Milton
P. Webster, an Official OF the Broth
erhood Of Sleeping Car Porters, said
fnal plans for the railroad hearing
were made at the last committee
session and there was no indication
Of any opposition.
Role Of Unions Cited.
Other committee members, who
declined to be quoted, were inclined
70 ascribe Mr.. McNutt's action to
tho strengthening Of influence Of
the Southern congressional mem
oers with the administration since
the last election. They felt, too,
that industries and labor unions,
which have been cited by the COM
mittee for discriminatory practices,
also played q part In the decision.
Mr.. McNutt refuses, since issuing
the statement Of postponement, to
elaborate on the reason. However,
1t Is known that some activities of
the committee have caused the Man
power Commission considerable en-
barrassment, and reports coming
into the commission tend to show
that these activities were stirring up
more trouble than they were allay-
ing.
The State Department several
months ago requested the commit
tee to postpone hearings In the
Southwest called for the purpose Of
examining charges Of discrimination
made by alien Mexicans against
smeltering and refining companies
Hearings scheduled next month in
Detroit were called of at tho re-
quest Of the Navy Department.
The committee, originally known
as the Presidents Committee on
Fair Employment Practice. was
transferred to the Manpower Com
mission last July. Enjoying their
independent status, committee men,
bers vigorously protested the trans
fer, and the White House was called
on to intervene. It was agreed that
the committee would continue its
independent status and would absorb
the functions Of the Negro man
power division of the commission.
However, its decisions were subject
ed to Mr.. McNutt's approval.
The National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People
made public yesterday telegram
1t said it sent to Mr.. Roosevelt, in
which it was stated that If Mr.. Nc
Nuts decision was allowed to stand
si1e committee would be robbed of
Its last vestige of justification for
its existence"
The Negro Victory Committee
also made public its Geographic pro-
test to the White House.