St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1945-07-27
Fair Employment Practices

Our Washington grapevine tells us that the Fair Employment
Practices before Congress during the current
session. form another has been presented to
many legislators will probably not before Congress
adjourns. the social security bills, however, it be
pected further consideration later New York
State enacted similar measure into law and Illinois found that
put lot behind it, although it failed of
enactment.
We think those representing minority groups
pressing legislation this kind well meaning but also
that they do their people dservice in attempting
to penaze by fine and Imprisonment employers who 90 not
recognize proponate basis of representa-
The only safe rule for business is to employ and advance
merit employment practices made matter of
legislative subordnated the problem
of giving all representation proportion population
addition far from convinced that the way to solve
problems by legislation, and this essentially social
problem there is racial prejudice which denies employment
the task educate the majority and
barriers prejudice not acceptance of
policies for which neither employers the public prepared
Prohibition noble experiment. but failed because the public
ready for it.
employers recognize the important principle involved in
employment practices and working toward the goal of
will be fastened through education rather
than compuson.
There you have arguments against FEPC
Here is Mr. Laws cogent reply:
To the Editor It's interesting to see your
wandering touchy field fair employment practices
I'd like how and why usually hardheaded COM
like yourself goshawfuly naive about dyna-
mite-oaded topic like this
guess of those "we meaning representatives of
minority groups" whom write off doing disservce to
their Anyway Pm sort OF public relations counsel to
cty No nterraa organization and I've had feet wet
neck for quite May therefore raise
few questions-al based your editorial?
"The only safe rule for business is to employ
merit Obviously right! But isn't that where the
whole trouble begins? Negroes example, actually
poyed merit would thinking about
Fair Employment Practices Act How in the world
bhey aside the terrific pattern of discrimination and
cation which exists?
You say eff there racial prejudice the task educate
majority, compel acceptance have been spending
time quite few years. trying to help do just that
about the toughest educational job
such long substitute for
immediate action is certainly naive concept, at best
mighty strange to have researchmnded organ
like ADVERTISING AGE that forced acceptance of
proper employment standards doesn't would take
only very little research right here in Chicago to show that it
does beautifully
Force as wartime manpower shortage, and
embodied FEPC activities during the has been out
standngy Successful particularly in the that
plants began employ because they couldn't help
themselves have to learn that nearly all those anticipated
just materaze There exceptions of
situation has been ntegenty handled the record
almost unanimously Probably greatest
the field of relations has been the
very simple letting millions of white workers find for
themselves by direct daily contact that Negroes human beings
and mighty ikeable ones at that
You say "Most employers working goal
justice ALL" Will you please how translate that
phrase capable Negro friends who looking
forward the of the war with thought always
in their mind-the good old of "a hired fred
When business dispose of this problem with
of the hand phrases they only kidding themselves
and side-steppng their basic responsibilities Pm ADVERTIS
ING AGE not of those who covering lot Of vicious
prejudice with those certainly giving
aid comfort 20 those who do.
&c. may ask that you go back to your own statement that
he only safe rule for business employ and advance
mrand then tell what methods short of legislative
pulson wosewi to evils and head
off the terrific tragedy which lies just ahead
millions of perfectly good American citizens?
B. Law, Advertising Chicago.
again coIored pupils
in is