Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1948-06-04
American Business Making Progress
In Human ReIotions; Telephone
Company Cites Firm Policies

SLIM trim young stood She faced banquet audi
500 On her head modelled newtype lightweight
phone operators headset and mouhpece photographer flashed
her picture
telephone company employees up
telephone shop talk the diners The orchestra played
The Bell Waltz theme Of the radio Telephone Hour
Dapper. greyhared Mccorkle president Illinois
Bell Telephone Company left his place speakers
made the rounds Of tables He chacd with old friends and
associates.
particular
big happy family affairs by large companies the fact
wasn't company dinner was staged by the Chicago Defender
Negro Most Of the guests and telephone workers
Negroes.
McCorke Of the annual Robert Abbott Memorial Award for
nhant contributions to civic and Abbott
founder Of the Defender.
has had program migrating Negroes into its structure
LAST fall began program Of employing Negro girl operators
plainly apparent good fellowship
and white workers. who broke bread together
companies might profit by studying Sidney
Williams executive secretary Of the Chicago Urban League
discrimination by employers the nations business 81 bill
lion annually Illinois Bells MCCorke puts IL this way:
His give the best possible service by hiring the best
possible employees And that means must hire the possible
the particular Job without regard creed color
It's good buSneSs well good corporate citizenship In
tce that means tough hiring practice Most antswhe
NegrO-get turned One Of six interviewed
Is hired One out Of ten makes the grade.
companies employees without regard
wonder whether older employees will get
along with qualified workers who Negroes Jews Catholics
Italians other nstonaes cecds The
by statute company edict
That's But the argument also Of citizens
racial pejudces Experience the Illinois Bell has
shown that isn't necessarily
accepting Abbott McCorkle told his mixed audi
incident which furnished his
happened shortly after telephone operators
hired and trained customer placing long distance call Nc
Corkle related:
AFTER operator called number
toner asked you like working with those eper
at0rsT why all right said the operator You See- AM
NegrO'"
The audience laughed but MccOrkIe silence
That's point" The point d. she wasn't
NegrO white opinion, this emplOye
acting good stlIen should though I'm admit she
stretching the rules Bit BY talking with customers hut she
STRIKING personal blow against selfish prejudice
|
long human relations when the president
public utility tell story like that He gives all
kind Of test Of good citizenship
complete citizen who does than his taxes and
stay out trouble good understands help
community better place in which to live He knows
be good place for HIM ONE unless good place
for EVERY
cannot good place in which raise family Ci-
ren are their talents and Sk vng
because different from the majority.
waste its most precious
ple-by failing o. refusing TO them
Of economic and civil rights operate only the
people Of community operate There that
people Chicago coming realize the importance Of such
| q program 10 everyone.
Il long process Mccorkes experience eonynCes him
takes patience understanding policies bring the
kind Of progress lasting Stories about such do
accomplishing human relations viii be one Of the big stories of Ou