The Omaha guide., 1947-07-26
.Snowden Talks
to State Babtisfs
in New Orleans

IN New Orleans
new ORLEANS = Economic
insecurity. the failure to have a
JOB or to be secure ii it is one Of
the most dei-onralizing facts q
MAJ al comprehend, said Or.
George Snowden, liaison officer
Of TIE A@sicaa Federation Of
Labor. addressing the 36tn IN
nual Convention Of the Louisiana
Ba9tists. in Lake Charles. La
las week.
Crgonized labor has changed
America from a nation where the
wealth was concentrated in the
hands of a few to a land where
the worker can reap the benefit
of his handiwork, Snowden cen
tinued. He asserted organized la.
Dor has just begun its work to
secure the blessings Of our gresat
country for its people and when
it is successful, poverty will De
unknown.
THE NEW FECP BILL
Evidence has been piling up
which proves conclusively that
discriminatory practices in en-
ploynent since the end Of the war
are on the upswing. These un
wholesome practices, if permitted
to continue unchecked, will prove
to be most costly in terms Of low
erlng the standard of living, of
combining millions of Americans
to second class citizenship, and of
undermining the very foundation
OF our democratic society. Be
cause discrimination in employ
ment takes place in almost
every section of the country, only
national legislation illegalizing
these practices will prove effect.
i've.
The need for a national act a
gainst discrimination in employ.
ment is supported by the findings
of the Fair Employment Practice
Committee which functioned for
five years during and after the
war. In its final report to the
President, the Committee con
cluded that legislation is required
to insure compliance in those
cares where employers or unions
refuse, after co~nciliatory methods
have failed. to eliminate discri
minatory practices.
Legislation against discrim;
nation is essential not only b
cause if allowed to continue IN
checked it will demoralize our
whole economy, but because at
the present moment these prac-
tees are a cause of real en-
barrassment to the United States
in it's relations with other
governments. During the war.
both Germany and Japan cited
cases of prejudice in the United
States for propaganda purposes.
Clearly, we cannot deny to our
own citizens the basic democratic
rights which the people of all the
world, including America, are en-
titled to enjoy by the provisions Of
the Atlantic Charter. Professions
of faith in democracy when such
restraints exist r meaningless.
Legislative augmentation is re-
quired to secure compliance with
constitutional provisions safe
guarding civil rights.
Senate Bill 984, on which hear
ings in Washington were recently
closed, is a measure which meets
this issue of discrimination in O
most direct form. 1t prohibits
racial and religious discriminat-
ion in employment affecting in
terstate Or foreign commerce, in
Federal employment, and under
government contracts. The Bill ex-
empts those employers having in
their service less than so individ-
uals and excludes from its cover
age non-commerical organizations
and business enterprises confined
to intrastate commerce. The Act
would be administered by a board
OF seven members to be appointed
by the President with Senate ap-
prevail.
Under it's provisions the board,
in the first instance, is charged
with the responsibility the
utilizing the techniques n
ference, Cancellation and las
ion in the settlement asses
"iicn cone before 1t. N the
contingency that tn ethods
fail is the board authorized 10 in
woke the procedures outlined for
WDl CONGRATULATES