The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-01-04
Michigan in
Washington
ny ESTHER V. W. rUFTy

happen TO such war-swollen com.
munities as Willow Run and Mus.
kegon? The city fathers in those
two Michigan areas would like 10
know II the workers who migrated
from other states will 90 back
home or stay. The federal fathers
would like to know II such perman-
er. relocation Is desirable from the
broad national point Of view. For
example, the great shift OF negro
workers to Detroit and Willow
Run.
Both recognize that the good ma.
tured adaptability OF these new
Michigan residents under wartime
deprivation will not carry over very
far into the postwar period. Tenn
porary housing is all right only for
an urgent time.
The former Grand Rapids man,
Corrington Gill, who has been the
No. man in directing federal aid
10 Is congested production areas.
set out to get some answers. AS
director Of special committee. he
had a sample census taken OF ten
areas. Some surprising facts
emerge that may guide the plan
ming OF city fathers.
To begin with, the majority of
war workers want TO stay. Espec-
tally minority groups who find even
their temporary living arrange.
ments better by comparison with
those left
But do communities want them
to stay? According 10 the sample
taking, Los Angeles, equipped to
accommodate large increase.
takes for granted the newcomers
will stay. In San Diego, they want
them to leave. Between these, lies
DetrOit-Willow Run, where ~ the
industrial prospects for the future
are as bright as all are agreed they
should be then all of those present
and more besides are not only
wanted but are necessary"
Other scattered facts came out
OF the sampling. Resident popula.
ton increased in Muskegon IA per
cent from 1910 to 1914; in Willow
Run nine per cent. (The lowest in
all the 10 areas.)
The increase in non-white popu.
lation in Muskegon was 1856 per
cent, In Willow Run AZ per cent.
In both Michigan areas, the mum.
Der OF women has increased to a
ratio of SO per cent women to AZ
per cent men in Willow Run, and
50 to As in Muskegon.
Muskegon and Willow Run differ
widely in the distances travelled
by their migrants. Some 81 per
cent came a long distance" to vii.
low Run jobs, and So per cent came
a short" distance to Muskegon.
Corrington Gill in submitting the
reports to Chairman Harold Smith
OF the Committee for Congested
Production Areas, said the sampl-
ing, taken by bureau OF census, Ia
the first Of its kind and will prove
valuable to federal, state, and local
agencies dealing with problems Of
war time congestion"
Despite rumors to contrary. the
recruitment OF WACS will continue
in 1915.
Recruiting officers in Washington
say .." Michigan is steadily climb
ing and now holds goth place In the
43 main districts"
Some recruiting centers are more
active than others. On the list
are: Grand Rapids, Jackson, Kala-
mazoo. Saginaw, Lansing, Marqu-
cite, Pontiac. Consolidation of
some OF these may occur depend
ing largely on the results OF early
recruiting in 1915.
Two Michigan WACs are con-
sidered shining examples. Major
Dorothea Coleman OF Kalamazoo.
holds one of the top Jobs. She is
stan director In the Mediterranean
Theater Of Operations which means
all the WACs in Italy and North
Africa are under her supervision.
Technician 3rd grade Jane f.
Halcott, Of Jackson, now In Euro
pean Theater OF Operations, has
received citation and certificate
OF merit for her conspicuous per.
Torrance Of military duties during
preinvasion days OF Europe.
T. exact quota for Michigan Is
restricted. But the extent OF
the need is not restricted. Right
now one OF the most urgent calls
is for WACs to come to relief Of
truly serious shortage OF nurses.
Not that they can replace nurses,
but they can help by doing a lot
OF the Office routine demanded OF
nurses.