St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1955-10-07

report indicated only 40 eases of
Job discrimination had been ham
died by his office during the past
year. As a result on the first hear
ing two OF the three members OF
the committee, Monday. Oct. 3,
voted against giving any funds to
the FEPC Ger next year
During the past two years there
has been an undercurrent OF
criticism at the inactivity and
lack of results by the Minneapo-
lis FEPC and Its executive direct
or, Leland. because job discrim-
nation was still rife In Minneapo-
lis.
The dissatisfaction resulted In
Minneapolis NAAcP president
William Cratic: Urban League
secretary shelton Granger and L.
Howard Bennett Of the NAACP
meeting several month ago with
the commission TO complain about
the commissions inactivity and
ineffectiveness, especially Its fall
ure TO halt discrimination against
Negro applicants for cab driver
| Jobs by Minneapolis taxi firms on
| account OF race.
Commission Makes Speedy
Selection
The precipitate selection Of a
state FEPC director Friday by the
commission caused considerable
surprise II was expected that fin
al selection would require n week
or ten days because OF the calibre
Of some Of the applicants.
At It's first meeting on Sept. 20,
when the commission was organ
lied, most members received their
first glimpse OF the applications
OF list OF ten candidates.
The applications were read by
each member. Letters OF recon-
mendation from large number OF
individuals endorsing various APP
plIcants were passed around and
rather hurriedly read because Of
the press Of time.
Unusual Procedure
No reproductions OF appllca-
tons Of candidates with their
background. training, experience
were distributed TO the commits
sion. Members, however made
notes Of the various applications,
and the accompanying recon-
mendations and endorsements OF
various persons.
Usually when n number OF APP
piicants are 10 be considered the
application and letters Of recon-
mendation are reproduced either
by mimeographing or some other
process so that each commission
member may have copies Of the
material for individual study,
This was not done in this case,
the commission chairman Eugene
Anderson said, because Of the ex-
pense involved. No commission
member demurred over the I'M
usual procedure.
Commission Interviews 10
Applicants
Friday, Sept. 30. the commits
sion interviewed 10 Of the II APP
plicants for the job. John +.
Thomas. who Is stationed In Gene
va, Switzerland, did not come for
an interview.
Zach Of the 10 persons were
given Is minutes to answer
questions Of the commission and
state their qualifications for the
post
II was assumed that II the COM
mission planned 10 really go INTO
the qualifications Of the various
| applicants and the majority had
not already made up its mind. a
full discussion at another meeting
would make the selection.
However. Immediately after the
last applicant was interviewed
late Friday afternoon. commits
sion deliberations began which re-
suited In the naming Of Leland to
the post
Observers say this bore out
the rumor circulated weeks ago
that Leland's appointment was
oertain-no matter who ap-
Piled.
Discussion OF the applicants for
the post consumed about two
hours ending about Q p. m Be-