Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-10-13


Other proposals in the CT
ment would outlaw discrimins
presidential power to prohibit
bias in the armed forces re-
serves and National Guard.
The proposed statutory agen-
cy would replace President Ken
nedy's Committee on Equal
Employment Opportunity,
which was established by exec
utive order. Legislative status
would enhance the new agen-
cy's power and financial re-
sources, the commission said.
Jobs Goal Not Attained
Although Negroes have made
progress during the last 20
years, the commission said, the
goal of equal job opportunity
still is far from attainment in
both public and private en-
ployment. The commission said
Negroes are concentrated in
less skilled jobs, and have much
higher unemployment rates
than whites.
Before the employment status
Of Negroes can improve much,
the commission said, they must
obtain freer access to voca-
tional education and training.
Past efforts by the Federal
Government to reduce job dis
elimination have been largely
ineffective, the commission
said. President Kennedy'S new
anti discrimination committee
can achieve faster progress, the
commission said, but it also has
weaknesses.
Like FEPC Group
The recommended new agen-
cy would resemble - in limit
ed form - a fair employment
practices committee. Most
FEPC proposals would cover all
employment in interstate COM
merce, while the commissions
proposal would be limited to
employment supported by Fed
eral funds.
It would go beyond the exist
ing presidential committee by
enforcing n-discriminatory
policies in all programs fl
nanced by Federal grants-in-
aid-such as public works con-
struction. The presidential
committee deals only with en-
ployment by Federal agencies
and Federal contractors.
The existing committee works
mainly through persuasion, but
can order cancellation Of con-
tracts in fragrant discrimina-
ton cases. 1t has no real au-
thority over labor unions.
AS proposed by the commits
sion, the new agency would bar
discrimination in labor unions
working on jobs financed with
Federal funds. 1t also would
prohibit discrimination in Fed
orally financed training pro-
grams and State employment
services.
Separate legislation would
amend the Landrum- Griffin la
Dor reform law to prohibit
discrimination by any labor
union. regardless Of Federal fl
nancing. The commission said
discrimination is especially
widespread in building and con-
struction unions.
List of Proposals
The commission proposed
presidential action to reinforce
the new agency's efforts by:
/. Bannin g discrimination
and segregation in the Nation
al Guard, armed forces reserve
units and military training on
campuses. The commission re-
,jected Pentagon contentious
that the States control racial
policy in National Guard units.
2. Extending non-discrimina-
ton policies beyond Govern
Lnent contractors to encompass
all employment supported by
Federal funds.
8. Opening vocational educa-
ton programs to Negroes in
skills additionally limited to
white workers.
4. Publicizing training and
employment opportunities for
Negroes in occupations that
have been almost monopolized
by whites.
S. Changing the formula for
financing State employment Of
fees, to provide incentives for
them to push hiring Of Ne
groes.
6. Withholding funds from
State employment offices that
accept or process discrimina-
tory job orders.
In addition, the commission
recommended expansion Of Fed
eral assistance for vocational
education and job training,
The six members of the COM
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