St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1951-02-09

1Nc Nicc preSiuellt OF Jne Nj
stated the sole purpose OF the
proposed legislation was to COM
pei business man TO hire or pro-
mote someone he doesn't want or
keep him from firing someone he
feels should be fired. His attack
on the bill was vicious.
Christensen said this bill was
substantially the same one which
had been proposed in the U. S.
Congress for the past ten years
and was regularly defeated. He
said. ut Is also the same bill
which has been presented TO our
state legislature and been de-
feated for the past six years"
Race Identification
Christensen read several pas
sages from the proposed legisla-
ton which the opposition. accord
ing to him, felt was unfair and
gave too much power to only
few.
One of the most vicious parts
Of the bill said Christensen was
the adjustment Of race identifi-
cation. He told the labor group,
according to the bill Il was IL
legal to ask man II he was born
in this country; whether he was
U. s. Citizen; questions about
his birth, race. color, nationality,
religious preference, parents
birthplace. his or her past ex-
perience, any police record, or
political affilation. you can't
even ask II he ever served in the
Russian Army" he said
In furthering his argument
against the bill. Christensen said
that under the bill, freedom of re-
ligion would be exempted and
that businessmen wanted that
same freedom.
Use Of Negro M.D.'s Cited
The opponents spokesman used
the Mayo Clinic in one OF his OBJ
jections to the bill. He said the
Mayo Clinic had patients from all
over the world come here for
treatment and that in the u. S.
most of the patients came from
below the Mason-Dlxon line.
He said, Southern white
women do not want 10 be ex-
amined by Negro doctors nor do
they want their children exam
lned by them" He stated the
clinic had even tried doctors
from India, but even this
wouldn't work.
AS for the upgrading Of en-
ployees, Christensen told the
committee that companies wanted
the privilege of upgrading the
people who had the best qualifica-
tons and would create the best
harmony among the employees.
According 10 Mr.. Christensen,
foremen would be walking
along the line helping the work
ers with their tasks and lean.
ing over them. He said, "Some
white women would not like n
Negro bending over them and
helping them"
One phase Of Christensen's
testimony was questioned vigor-
ously by n member of the commit
tee. Christensen had previously
stated what would happen to the
community Of Sacred Heart,
which. according TO him, was all
Catholic, and operated saw mill.
He said, IF a Lutheran was sent
into this community, II would ruin
the business"
Little Drastic
Labor Committeeman w.
Holm from Tyler, MIMI, told
Christensen he had been In bust
ness with n concern I'm n Cath
Ollie community for forty years,
and that he had not ruined the
business. Christensen then
stated that maybe he had been
"a little drastic" in his state
ment.
Minnesota Mining Against Bill
The opposition also presented
several witnesses. One of the
largest turnouts against the bill
was from the Minnesota Mining
Company who had several repre-
sentatives present led by Ivan
Lawrence, vice president Of the
personnel division of that COM
pany. Mr.. Lawrence said that the
proposed legislation provided adj
ditional Disadvantages to Miune-
sofa business. He cited the pro-
gress of his firm in the field of
minority employment with coop
GRAFTON of the st. Paul Urban
League. Through voluntary
means, you win see more lasting
results than with legislation" he
said.
Gamers Opposed
Another important witness for
the opposition. was Edwin Kraus,
Canning executive from orion
vile, MINI. who said that the
canning industry was opposed 10
The bin In principle. I'VE believe"