The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-12-25
Ask Water Commissioners To
Remove Jim Crow Facilities

Charges that separate toilets ard
locker rooms are maintained for
Negro and white workers at the De-
troit Sewerage Disposal plant. To-
Gated al $500 West Jefferson avenue,
and that other discriminatory poll
cies exist in employment practices.
were lodged in a complaint 10 the
Board OF Water Commissioners in
letter from Gloster B. Current,
executive secretary OF the Detroit
NAACP. this week.
Acting on complaints reported by
Negro workers TO the association.
the NAACP asked for a complete
invests oation OF all charges by the
commission and a full answer TO
alleged discriminatory policies.
Jim Crow toilet and locker facil-
tiles, as we'll as unsanitary condl-
tons were disclosed by an NAACP
investigation conducted by II. B.
Sabbath. Specifically named in the
complaint was Mr.. G. Remus, plant
superintendent: John Ward. senior
operator, and J. H. Engle. Other al
legged discriminatory conditions un-
der protest were orders to Negro
workers 10 carry samples OF sewer
age TO the laboratory on their way
home; refusal Of white workers to
work with Negro workers who were
upgraded. and failure OF plant SUI
pervision to remedy this condition.;
discrimination in upgrading TO bet
ter Jobs; and Negro workers or
dered TO do more work than white
workers formerly did on same class
ification, without commensurate In
crease in pay.
Text of Letter And Charges
Board Of Water Commissioners
735 Randolph Street
Detroit 70. Michigan
Gentlemen:
1T has come to our attention that
alleged discriminatory policies are
In effect relative TO the use OF lock-
er and shower rooms and employ
ment practices at the Detroit Sew
erage Disposal plant, located at $500
West Jefferson avenue.
!. It is alleged that white work
ers and non-white workers nave
separate locker and shower rooms.
The facilities set aside for use by
non-white workers are kept in an
unsanitary manner. The white lock-
er room has janitor service. and a
sanitary foot bath: while facilities
designed for non-whites are not
equipped with these conveniences.
2. The non-white employees in
the sedimentation tank department
complain that they have been or
dered to carry samples OF the sew
erage TO the laboratory on their
way home. They feel that this is
detrimental to their health. due TO
inability to wash their hands al
forwards. On the other hand. 1t is
alleged that when white employees
were operating these tanks, work
ers specially assigned to this duty
picked up these sewerage samples
and delivered them 10 the labora-
tory. We are informed that the or
der under protest by non-whlte
workers was written by Mr.. J. H
Engle. and approved by supervision
on or about November S. l943.
3. II is alleged that a non-white
employee was sent TO work in the
pumping station on the midnight
shift on December 2, l943. When he
arrived at the job assigned. the
white workers refused 10 WORK
with him. Supervision did nothing
to retain this man on the job as
signed. but placed him in another
department. The compla al L:
charged that this is discrimination
and il true, according to the man
date OF the Presidents Executive
Order No. 9346. il could be con
sidered discrimination. ~
4. II Is alleged that there Is dis
elimination in elevation and up
grading TO better jobs. White work
ers may be hired on low payini
Jobs. but are promoted rapidly tt
better and higher paying jobs. Or
the other hand. non-white workers
regardless OF ability or quslifica
| tions, have not been given equa
opportunities for higher paying jobs
although there are men available
who possess proper qualifications.
| S. II is alleged that non-whit'
workers are doing more work thar
was formerly done by white work
ers of the same qualification. Wher
white employees were operating tn
| sedimen;ation tank division ther
were ianitors 10 do the cleaning
Non-white employees who are nov
operating the sed.mentation tanl
division have been ordered TO d.
the jsnitor work themselves wit
no corresponding increase in pay.
In the matter of separate toile
and locker room facilities. non
white workers have on numerou
occasions been told by the super
intendent, Mr.. G. Remus, and MI
John Ward, senior operator, tina
they are 10 use the wsshroom an
laboratory assigned 10 non-whle'
submit that IL our charges ar
found 10 be true, that the separat
facilities should be removed at once
and sanitary facilities provided 70
all workers regardless Of race
creed. or color There is nothing d
the City Charter or Michigan La,
which sets up any type OF fsciliiie
based on race. creed or color. an
We maintain that such Q policy.
Il exists. should De changed TO con
form with established Mich 90
practice.
We respectfully call the s'ore
mentioned charges OF Discriminate
10 your attention hoping that you
honorable body Will launch an ~
mediate Investigation and susUo
our charges II u is deemed me-