The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-05-12

OUR FIGHT FOR MICHIGAN
FEPC LEGISLATION this term
is about over and we may as well
concede defeat. But can begin now
to prepare for more vigorous
fight AT the next session OF the
State legislature.
We might have won this time
had not two things hampered our
best efforts. the first was the woe
full lack OF knowledge and the mis-
conceptions on the part of many
fair-minded people as 10 just what
this legislation was intended 10
achieve; and the second was sim
ply the failure on the part OF you.
and you. and you 10 write 10 Lans-
ing demanding action.
II is we'll, we think. 10 give YOU
a brief summary Of Michigan's
FEPC bills and the manner in
which they were killed. You might
want 10 keep this for future ref
erence when these senators and
representatives come seeking your
support again in l946.
A Report On Proposed Michigan
FEPC Legislation
Bills which would have created
a Michigan Fair Employment Prac-
tice Commission were introduced
and died-in both houses OF the
Michigan legislature. In their basic
provisions the bills we're the same
Neither bill reached the floor FOR
vote.
IN THE HOUSE: House Bill No
1872 was introduced on Feb. I by
Representatives Ellstein. Becker
and Graves and was referred TO
the House Committee on State Az
fairs The members OF this commit
tee are
Maurice E. Post, Rockford Mich;
Bert j. Storey, Belding, Mich
John w. Thompson. Midland.
Mich; Joseph F. Nagel. Detroit,
Mich: Ural S. Acker, Kalamazoo.
Mich: Carl c. Lindquist, Iron
River. Mich: Michael j. O'Brien.
Detroit. Mich; John P. Schuch,
Saginaw. Mich. and Louis n. Freye,
Muskegon. Mich.
The House bill contained a
findings and policy sect to the
effect that the welfare Of g state
demanded such legislation; and it
also declared that opportunity to
obtain employment without dis
elimination because Of race, color
creed. sex, national origin or an
cestry. is civil right OF every
Michigan citizen.
Its provisions applied 10 labor
unions as we'll as employers, but
excluded persons in domestic ser
vice and social clubs, fraternsl,
educational. charitable and rellg-
ious associations. etc.
The House bill provided for a
thrce-man commission, on a per
diem basis. in the department Of
labor and industry, and full-time
executive director for the commits
sion.
II defined unfair employment to
include:
(a) Discrimination against any
employee. or applicant for
employment, in regard To
hire. tenure. terms of con-
ditions OF employment be-
cause Of race, creed, color,
etc.
(b) Discrimination in un o n
membership.
(c) Discrimination against per-
sons who insist upon OBJ
servance Of this Act;
(d) Discriminatory help-want-
ed ads: and discriminatory
specifications in employ
ment application forms;
(e) Discrimination by employ
ment agencies.
All complaints OF emplovment
discrimination would be filed with
and investigated by the Commits
sion. II substantiatcd by compe-
tent evidence al public hearing.
the Commission would issue a
cease and desist order and might
also require such Affirmative action
as would effectuate the policies OF
the Act. Refusal 10 obey an order
~ the commission would subject
the offender TO enforcement pro-
ccedings i'm a circuit court The
final order OF the courts might be
enforced by contempt proceedings.
The bill also contained the usual
clauses on subpoenas. protection of
witnesses and agents from intimi-
nation. and provision for appeal 10
the courts nv any aTo~rovcd ncr-
son. And finally, the bill author
lied the Commission 10 inquire