St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1953-02-20

Denait on the Dill.
Jensen. who Is vice president Of
the Scott-Atwater Manufacturing
Co. and president OF the NIinneap-
oils school board, said he was
speaking for the members OF e5
organizations associated with the
council.
Robert C. Mcclure, professor Of
law, University Of Minnesota,
opened the testimony by explain
ing the various provisions Of the
bill for the committee.
Jensen then went into the rea-
sons why the bill was necessary
and, II passed, It would be sound
legislation.
He pointed out that Job discrim-
nation was morally and officially
wrong:
The law states basic prin-
ciple Of good business manage
ment to employ those best quail
fled TO do the work required"
In reference 10 the enforcement
section Of the bill Jensen stated
that In the event a case should
come to the courts. the penalty
imposed us not for discrimination
in employment policy but for def
ance of our district court"
Some Of the opponents" Of the
bill In past sessions of the legisla-
ture have tried to intimate that
employment on merit is Com
munist inspired idea,' Jensen said.
Jensen said that the Reds do
not want American free enter
prise to solve the problem Of em-
ployment discrimination"
He said that when President
Roosevelt established the wartime
FEPC the G 10 m m unists were
among the loudest opponents"
Jensen also referred TO the rec
ords Of the seven states and three
cities which have FEPC laws ana
ordinances which show I'm over
5000 cases that have come to the
attention Of the states and cities.
there have been only two that
have gone TO court.
In each case Il was to test the
constitutionality Of the law. And
only seven have gone 30 far a. TO
require public hearings.
The bill, as proposed IN the SEN
ate by Sen. Gerald Muilin. Mime
apolis, sets up a body 10 examine
the facts in a dispute concerning
Job discrimination and provides
for Cancellation and education"
where the facts warrant.
II the Cancellation fails, a spe-
cial governors review board Is
called upon TO help out, and II that
fails, then the case IL settled In
district court.
Jensen also said that Job dis
elimination weakens the nation
politically and economically.
TT should be clear that where
lack of opportunity exists-as II
does exist for those who fall be-
hind the discrimination curtain
TO that extent we reduce the abil-
ity of large numbers Of our most
productive citizens to participate
in our free enterprise system,
which requires that every worker.
even as every entrepreneur be free
to work TO the extent Of his capac-
ity and resources 30 that he may
be both a producer and a consum-
err. To deny a man job when he
Is able TO and willing to work Is to
undermine his faith in our system
Of free enterprise"
The speaker pointed out that
FEPC involves more people than
the Negroes in the state. He said:
I'VE are not advocating q bill
simply to improve the employment
opportunities Of our 10000 Negro
citizens. There can be little ques-
ton that they are victims Of a
pattern Of vicious discrimination
and consequently our entire soci-
ETY. is victimized.
Even more severely discrimi-
mated against are an even larger
number of American Indians, Nv
ing In our cities and towns, in
rural areas and on graveiy de-
pressed reservations.
"And there are other racial and
ethnic minorities who suffer from
our pattern Of employment dis
elimination. Religious discrimina-
ton, too. is a serious problem In
employment"
Jensen assured the senators that
'1f race or religion Ia legitimateiy
related to competency In any CIV
en- job. then one does not discrim-
mate II the employer insists that
these criteria be met"
After Jensen finished his testi-
mony he introduced eight other
speakers who spoke briefly In sup
port Of the bill
Stuart Lecl. president Of the
James Leck Co, top night con-
tractors, said the BIN would BE-