The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1948-03-25

HAZEL
EYES
BY Huzel Brannon

gram and the FEPC which it favors
establishing.
Few Americans realize just exactly
what the FEPC means and what eff
feet it has had in some of the few
states enacting it.
New York is one of the states hav-
ing the FEPC laws on its books. Ac-
cording to u information the peo-
pie of New York were not consulted
before the legislation was enacted
and it is said to be driving industries
out of the state and doing more to
disturb business conditions than any
other measure with which they have
ever been afflicted.
1t is significant thot the FEPC hos
been defeated in every state in which
it has been submitted to q vote of
the people. including the great state
of Pennsylvuniu.
In order for us to understand just
what theFEPC is and how it works
in New York we refer our readers to
a radio address made over the mu-
tual Broadcasting system by Hon.
John z. Rankin, Congressman from
Mississippi. Absolute veracity of this
information is obtainable through the
Congressional Record as well as
other sources.
Here, taken from the record, is
how the FEPC works in New York:
Here is the first unlawful practice
set out in the regulations under the
laws of the State of New York: 1t is
unlawful to make inquiry into the
original name of the applicant for
employment, whose name has been
changed by proceedings or other
wise"
That expression is taken verbatim
from the regulations adopted and
put into force under the law of the
State of New York.
Here is the next unlawful practice
set out in these regulations: 1t is UNI
lawful to make Enquiry into the
birthplace of the applicant for en-
ployment, the birthplace of the par
ents, spouse, or other close relative
Now remember, this is not Russia
we are talking about. This is the
State of New York.
II such a law had been on the sta
tute books of this nation 2 years
ago., our enimies might have had
their spies in every defense plant
in the country at The time Pearl
Harbor was attacked.
II Ia an unlawful practice, under
these regulations. In the State OF
New York to require that the APP
plicant for employment produce a
birth certificate or baptismal GER
tificate."
It is unlawful in New York, under
this law, to make inquiry into the
religious denomination of an appli-
cant or employment, his religious
affiliations, his church. parish pas
tor, or religious holidays observed, or
inquiry into whether an applicant
for employment is an atheist"
An employer cannot make such an
inquiry even though the firm involv-
ed may be publishing religious litera-
ture.
Under the law in New York, it is
unlawful to tell ian applicant for en-
ployment that this is a Catholic, Pro-
testant, or Jewish organization"
Under the law it is unlawful prac-
tice in New York to tell IAN appli-
cant for employment that the fol-
lowing holidays will be observed by
the firm and no others, naming the
holidays, e. G., Decoration Day and
July Fourth, etc"
Now remember the language quot
ed are the words written into these
regulations by the authorities charg-
ed with enforcing this law in the
State of New York.
1t is an unlawful practice under
this law and these regulations in the
State of New York to make inquiry
into the complexion of an applicant
for employment"
If you should inquire into his com
plexion you might get tangled up
with the law of the State of New
York.
Here is another unlawful practice
under the laws of New York. 1t is
unlawful to require that an appli-
cant for employment annex a photo
graph"
You can't even ask for his picture so
you can tell what he looks like.
1t is unlawful to make inquiry
whether an applicant for employ
ment is a naturalized or native-born
citizen; the date when the applicant
acquired citizenship; whether the ap-
plicant's parents Or spouse are ma
turalized or native-born citizens of
the United States; the date when
such parents or spouse acquired citi-
zenship."
You cannot inquire into these
questions under the FEPC law in
the State of New York, even though
YOU may be manufacturing materials
for national defense.
It is against the law, or the re-
gulations in New York, to require
that an applicant for employment
produce his naturalization papers Or
first papers"
He may tell you that he is a natur-
allied citizen but you cannot ask to
see his citizenship papers, or his first
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