The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-08-05
HILL FACES OPA
CUSTER SOON

WASHINGTON - (NNPA) - The
OPA this week is faced with .
dilemma in meeting the mandate OF
Congress in its recently granted
budget to broaden its field functions
with no increase in funds.
II has decided as one step in this
direction to discontinue its race re-
lations Office. but is frantically try
ing to avoid any appearance or sug-
gestion at this politically important
time OF curtsiling its program OF
fair-dealing and its interest in the
success OF its program in Negro
communities.
Standing out like a sore thumb
in the picture is T Arnold Hill. who
on July IS OF last year was named
special assistant to the OPA admin
istrator to handle race relations. by
Prentiss Brown, then heading the
OPA. Hill was formerly assistant
director OF the Office Of Negro Az
fairs in the National Youth Admin
istrstion under DR. Mary Mcleod
Bethune. and prior to that had spent
Is years with the National Urban
league.
Hill has been advised by letter
over the signature Of Chester
Bowles. present OPA administrator.
that after review of the functions Of
the various Offices in the national
headquarters and the need for cut
ting out 300 positions, il has been
decided to transfer the functions Of
his office TO the operating divisions
and the field. Mr.. Bowles says he
and his staff will assume full re-
sponsibility for policy. The change
is TO go into effect August Is
Plans Appeal
An offer OF aid TO Mr.. Hill and
members OF his staff to obtain other
jobs for them has been refused by
Hill, who asked that such efforts be
held in allegiance until he could ap-
peal TO the administrator. who has
been out OF town. for reconsidera-
ton OF the decision.
In the meantime. Hill has sought
the support OF various groups in an
effort to bring pressure on the ad-
ministrator and TO show him the
lack Of political wisdom in taking
such move at this time. Hill de-
clares that his interest is not in his
personal welfare. but in the future
of the OPA program.
But the labor groups. both AFL
and Clio, and the politicians are OPP
posed TO Hill They have turned a
deaf ear to his pleas and are urging
the OPA to turn over the functions
-
employed in the consumer division
Of the agency.
1t is reliably reported that dissat-
isfaction on the part of the labor
boys with Hills performance and
attitudes had considerable bearing
on the OPA decision to abolish his
Office in the necessary staff curtail-
ment. This would seem supported
by the statement OF William Alex
ander. representative Of the AFL
Joint Council OF Dining Car Wait
ers. whose president. Scion Bell, is
a member of the OPA Labor Advis-
DRY committee. Alexander told the
NNPA:
I'VE are recommending that
Frances Williams be directly re-
sponsible to the administrator on
these functions We think il should
not be under the title of race rela-
tons. The rent division. the price
section. the rstioning section, and
the section on local boards are all
equally important
ut isn't whether you have a race
relations Office he said. III is how
many people you can get to work
for the principles. We think that is
Bowles' point of view. He feels it
is everybodys responsibility on his
staff. We think it far more import
ant for Bpwles. the administrator. to
carry the responsibility than for
any Negro we could think OF in a
lesser position"