The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1943-01-09
The Labor Front
By GEORGE T. McCRAY
(for AMP
Negro Workers Gaincd In 1912

Tremendous gains were made
by Negro labor in 1912. a careful
Ohcck-up of important labor de-
,elopments reveals. The work OF
various groups long opposed to
discrimination against Negroes
was aided by urgent need TO mo-
b,nze total manpower TO achieve
maximum production. This situa-
lion caused Negro workers TO re-
ceive unusual recognition from the
government. industry and labor
organizations.
Townsend Went ON Go Board
Perhaps the most spectacular
event OF the year was the plac-
ing OF Willard Townsend on the
ClO's executive board Townsend
became the first Negro to ever
hold such position and his
presence on the board enables
Negroes TO participate directly in
tie formulation OF policies re-
lating TO labor aad the conduct OF
the war.
More than any other individual
Townsend is responsible for the
CLOS no-discrimination policy
with respect to unity negotiations
with the AFL.
fEPC Saved
OF far greater significance
however, was the defeat OF the
attempt OF southern Democrats
and rcactionary employers TO
scuule he Presidents Committee
OIL Fair Employment Practices
The transfer Of the committee TO
Paul v McNutt was definitely
move to put the committee in
cold storage.
This move failed only because
win-the-war groups In the country
sprang to the defense OF the com
nittee demanding that no effort he
made 10 curb i,s effectiveness.
Most Of tho credit for the saving
OF tho committee goes TO the Go
and the NAACP. FEPC now has
larger staff and more adequate
funds with which 10 work II Is
still under the shadow OF McNutD
however.
To date the greatest single
achievement Of FEPC is it, Great
Lakes doctrine: namely that
closed contracts will not be al
lowed 10 prevent the employment
o. defense workers because OF the
race. nationality. religion OF such
workers.
Unions Fight Discrimination
Though the year was marked
bv number OF so-called hate
strikes against the employment
OF Negro workers these demon
strations nv white workers were
exceeded by the large number Of
indictments which FEPC return
ed against defense employers for
similar acts of discrimination
In the face OF these incidents. the
fight against discrimination
made progress on broad front.
The CLIO. on suggestion Of Bill
Townsend. established special
anti discrimination committee:
Philip Murray appointed BOYD
Wilson as his special assistant 10
complete the integration OF Ne
gro workers into the United Steel
Workers ~ America.
The United Automobile Work
ers Of America and the National
Maritime union made extraordin-
arv efforts 10 cement interracial
cooperation and goodwill. These
efforts we're matched by other
Go unions particularly in the
south. The browning result Of
this struggle was the placing OF
mixed crews IN the American
Merchant marine.
Desrite tho fact that A. Philip
Randolph failed 10 get construc-
tive support for an anti-dIscrlmi-
nation program al the Toronto
convention OF the ALL: despite
the fact that the AFL machinists
and boilermakers unions stub
hornlv resisted the emnlovment NJ
Negroes ne skilled workers IN
shin yards. the barriers ~ dis
elimination In the ALL began 10
crumhie
Bill Green and Frank Fenton.