Evening star., 1943-05-16

tAAS utiAOOI cuSCe1VSLlcSS, BOOu Will,
tact and forbearance."
Mr.. Merrill concluded with an
appeal for cooperation. He pointed
out that transit service was ESSEN
tial to carrying on the war"
I'VE therefore realize" he said,
that our duty lies in maintaining
this service at the expense of what
ever discomfort and irritation may
arise from the usual conditions
brought about by the war. -.
GAS Employees in Services.
There are some Gas employees of
this company on leave serving in
| the armed forces. I understand that
two have already returned with scars
of battle. We will, here in our jobs,
OF course, hold up our end of the
war effort while these men, our COM
panions while they were here, and
our future fellow employees when
they return, hold up their tremen'-
dously more difficult and painful
part of the effort.
Il am told that some of our fell
low employees are on the African
front, and read in the paper re-
Gently that Senegalese warriors,
French Colonial troops, had taken
sides with our forces in that area.
Most certainly we welcome such help
regardless Of race, creed or color"
The next day public announce
ment was made by Mr.. Merrill that
the company would conform with
the FEPC order and formal printed
statement was sent to all employees
explaining the situation. I'VE will
abide by the Presidents order as is
sued by the committee" he told
the workers.
Mr.. Merrill then notified the
transit union of the action taken
and asked full cooperation of
your organization and of all of the
individual employees of the COM
pany in efforts to comply.
In an official report to the FEPC,
Mr.. Merrill reported of the action
taken, instructions issued to en-
ployees. He said he previously had
submitted figures on employment OF
Negroes at their skill levels.
Union Leader Quoted.
Following this, the War Man.
power Commission issued an official
release on the decision of the
transit company, and called atten-
ton to the no-discrimination policy
OF the Amalgamated Association of
Street, Electric Railway and Motor
Coach Employees of America. w. D.
Mahon, international president of
the union, an AFL affiliate, was
quoted by the official release put
out through Owl as writing to
President Bigelow of the local union
in part
Il again would call your attention
to the fact that it is a serious mat
ter. realize how some of your
membership, being Southerners,
feel on this matter, but you must
take into consideration the fact
that We are now engaged in a war
IN which the colored man is called
upon to do the same line of duty
that the white man is called upon
TO do, and any discrimination that
would attract public attention at
this time would be very detrimental
and especially coming out of Wash
lngton. So I would suggest that
your members realize the situation
and try to meet it in line with the
policy of the organization.
The incident which proved to be
an important turning point in the
case took place February 3, when the
company put Negro employe on a
Streetcar as trainee.
Records in the case show he was
Bernard Simmons, who then lived
In the 1900 block of Bennett place
NV. who had been for several years
a private chauffeur.
Statement by Simmons.
The story was told by Mr.. Sim
mons in an affidavit obtained bv the
star from the National Association
for Advancement of Colored People.
1t follows: Il filed an application
with the Capital Transit Co. of the
District on January T. 1943. On
January 29th, I was called in for a
physical examination, which I
passed. I telephoned the Office of
the Capital Transit Co., on Satur-
day, January 80, and was told by
the employment manager to report
for training Monday, February l.
Il went to classes Monday and
Tuesday at the Fourteenth street
training center. After the compile
ton OF Tuesdays class 1 was given
an assignment to go to the Benning
car barn Wednesday morning for
training.
"At the carbarn, I met an in
structor and we boarded the car.
The conductor asked him what have
you here?'
He said, I have student for you.
THE conductor said, Not for me,
I refuse to work with black man.
After considerable argument, the
conductor walked off the car. We