Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1945-07-27
Fair EMPLOYMENT Practices

Washington grapevine tells that the Fair Employment
before Congress during the current
and which form another has been presented to
many legislators will probably before Congress
adjourns the security bills however it be
pected for further consideration later New York
enacted similar into law and Illinois found that
its advocates lot of behind it, although it failed of
representing minority groups who have been
pressing legislation this kind well meaning also
they do their people dsservice attempting
penaize, by fine and imprisonment employers who do not
recognize minority proporonae basis of representa-
The only safe rule for business employ and advance
merit but fair employment practices made matter of
legislative dc would have be subordnated the problem
Of giving all groups representation proportion population
In addition convinced that the solve
problems legislation and this essentially social
problem there is racial prejudice which denies employment
opportunities the task to educate the majority and
barriers prejudice compel OF
policies for which neither employers nor the public are prepared
Prohibition noble experiment but failed because the public
ready for it.
Most employers recognize important principle involved
employment practices working toward the goal of
justice progress will be FASTENED through education rather
than compulsion
There have of the stock arguments used against FEPC
Here is Mr. Laws cogent reply:
the interesting your editorial columns
wandering ouchy field fair employment practices
I'd like ask how and why usually hardheaded COM
like yourself gOshawfuly naive about dyna
mte-loaded topic like this
guess I'm of those well meaning representatives of
minority groups" you off doing disservce" to
Anyway Pm public relations counsel to
citys organization and I've had feet
my neck for quite May therefore raise
few questons-aU based on your editorial?
THE only safe rule for business is to employ
Obviously right! But isn't that where the
whole trouble begins? Negroes for example, actually sem
poyd advanced merit would be thinking about
Employment Practices Act. How in the world
bhey aside the terrific pattern of discrimination and segre
cation which exists?
say Il" there racial prejudice the task to educate
majority have been spending
for quite few years trying to help do just that
just about the toughest educational job
anyone could conceive Of such efforts
immediate action is certainly naive concept at best
1t mighty too to have minded organl
ADVERTISING AGE say that forced acceptance of
proper employment just work would take
only very research right here in Chicago, to show that
does work beautifully
Force as embodied manpower shortage and
activities during the has been out
standngy successful particularly the that
plants which employ Negroes because they couldn't help
gone that nearly all those anticipated
difficulties didn't materae There exceptions of course
ntegeny handled the record
unanimously favorable Probably the greatest educa
job done in the field of relations has been the
very simple of letting millions of white workers find out for
themselves by direct daily contact that Negroes human beings
and mighty ikeable Ones at that
say Most employers working toward the goal of
justice all" Will please tell how translate that
phrase capable Negro friends who looking
the with thought always
good old of ast hired and fred
When business dispose of this problem with
of the hand and few phrases they kidding themselves
and sdesteppng their basic responsibilities Pm ADVERTS
ING AGE of those who covering lot of vicious
prejudice with those phrasesbu certainly giving
aid and comfort to those who do.
&c. may that you go back your that
he safe for business to employ and advance
merand then tell what methods short of legislative
puson worewi to present evils and head
the terrific tragedy which lies just ahead for
millions of perfectly good American citizens?
H. B. Law Advertising, Chicago
"