our work in the enforcement of the Oregon Fair Employment Practices Act. Many of the cases arising under the Oregon statute have involved companies and labor unions with operations throughout the United States. If a Federal fair employment practices statute was in existence these cases could have been dealt with much more effectively. It is my understanding that there is little likelihood of the enactment of a Federal fair employment practices act at the present time, but I do hope that the hearings which you are now holding will make clear the need for the elimination of discrimination in employment throughout the United States, and hasten the day when this legislation can be enacted. I should be interested in receiving any reports which your subcommittee may publish as a result of these hearings. Very truly yours, WILLIAM S. VAN METER, Deputy Commissioner of Labor, Fair Employment Practices Division JEWISH WAR VETERANS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Hon. HUBERT H. HUMPHREY, Chairman, Subcommittee on Labor and Labor-Management Relations, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR HUMPHREY: Continuously the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America has supported legislation which will do away with discrimination in employment based on differences in creed, nationality, and race. That support has been manifested in resolutions passed at our national conventions. Following is the resolution passed at our convention held in Monticello, N. Y., in September 1948, just prior to the last presidential election and which has been regularly reindorsed at succeeding annual encampments since that time. Whereas our great country has been developed by the efforts of men and women of all creeds, nationalities, and races, who have contributed to our material and spiritual growth and to our defense in time of peace as well as in war and danger; and Whereas their unstinted, united efforts are essential to meet the problems ahead; and Whereas there have been un-American manifestations of discrimination in the employment of men and women because of race, color, or creed, despite the fundamental tenet that all men are created equal; and Whereas the President of the United States has issued an Executive order (No. 9980) establishing FEPC in Federal employment; and Whereas the Eightieth Congress has neglected its duty and failed to pass legislation which would permanently eliminate discrimination in employment: Now therefore be it Resolved That the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, in convention this 16th day of September 1948, calls upon incoming Eighty-first Congress of the United States to enact legislation which will set up a permanent National FEPC. Ex Since 1948 some progress has been made in several States toward the end of discrimination in employment through fair employment practices acts. perience has proved that such legislation is practicable. It should be needless to amphasize to any American who believes in the Declaration of Independence that discrimination in employment on the basis of creed, nationality, or race is inhumane and unfair as well as a negation of our basic philosophy. There is, today, a further practical consideration for the elimination of discrimination. Our manpower supply is strained to the utmost to meet the needs of preparedness and defense. Our young ment are called into our armed services, without regard to their race, nationality, or creed, to deter Communist aggression and if need be to serve on the firing line to fight that aggression as so many hundreds of thousands are and have been fighting in Korea. Meanwhile on the civilian front, the utmost efforts of labor are required to produce the material and the other supplies for defense while at the same time satisfying the needs for our civilian economy and, in addition, to aid our allies in the conflict with communism. With such circumstances, can we do anything less than to lift from the people in our minority groups who have been discriminated against, the burden of that discrimination which is a psychological check upon their full efforts toward the goal for which we all aspire? Despite this handicap, the people in our minority groups have responded nobly to every call on both the civilian and the military front. But world communism, our mortal enemy, has not ignored our discrimination. Indeed, they have capitalized it to the full to our great disadvantage. A great part of our difficulty in Asia has been due to the natural reaction of the colored peoples of that continent to the discrimination practiced here. The Communists have made the most of that situation. Our failure to eliminate discrimination adds immeasurably to the burden of the present threatening world situation. It detracts from the prestige of the world leadership which nations of the free world gladly accord to us. We hope that your committee will frame legislation which will bring to fruition the famous phrase of our founders, "All men are created free and equal." Respectfully submitted. BERNARD WEITZER, National Legislative Director. TRADE UNION COUNCIL OF THE LIBERAL PARTY OF NEW YORK STATE, SENATOR HUBERT HUMPHREY, Senate Subcommittee on Labor Relations, Senate Office Building, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR SENATOR HUMPHREY: In connection with the hearings of FEPC legislation, I should like you to know of our continuing firm support of proposals which would create a permanent governmental body to act against discrimination in employment because of race, creed, color, or national origin. Likewise we will continue to fight against discrimination in health, housing, education, and citizenship rights, and to act in behalf of the civil rights of all citizens. A resolution to this effect was unanimously adopted last Thursday night, April 24, at the annual conference of the Trade Union Council of the Liberal Party, held in New York. There were 550 delegates present, representing 220 local A. F. of L., CIO, and independent unions, with memberships totaling about half a million organized workers. A copy of the resolution is enclosed. We should be pleased to have you make this communication a part of the official record. Sincerely yours, CHARLES S. ZIMMERMAN, Chairman. STATEMENT ON CIVIL RIGHTS ADOPTED AT THE MEETING OF THE TRADE UNION COUNCIL OF THE LIBERAL PARTY, THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 1952 Violations of civil rights in the United States continue to plague this Nation as a source of internal weakness as well as a source of international embarrassment. Where civil rights are violated, the very spirit of our democratic ideal is violated. Group friction means friction within the Nation, thereby injuring the great unity America needs at this hour. Violations of civil rights, especially where directed against minority groups, serve as dramatic examples to the rest of the world that America's protestations of freedom and equality are hollow phrases. Within recent months there have been several shocking cases of civil-rights violations directed against colored citizens. Although the bombing of the home of Dr. Harry Moore, resulting in his death, was committed in Florida and hence is assigned to the traditional enmities existing in the South, we must not forget that the Cicero riots and the cold-blooded murder of two Negroes in Yonkers by a policeman are events occurring north of the Mason-Dixon line, and, in one case, in our own State. These ugly examples remind us that the fight for civil rights is not a fight conducted by one section of the country against another. The fight for civil rights must begin at home, in our very own backyard as well as throughout the country. This conference wishes to record its sentiment that the trade-union movement belongs in the front rank of those fighting for full civil rights for all, a fight to be waged through education, through State and Federal legislation, through energetic prosecution of violators by administrative agencies and officers. We reiterate our determination to fight for a permanent FEPC, against discrimination in health, housing, education, and citizenship rights, and for civil rights to all citizens, irrespective of race, color, creed, or national origin. [From the St. Paul (Minn.) Recorder, April 11, 1952] LABOR AND BUSINESS LEADERS PRAISE MILL CITY FEP COMMISSION Ten Minneapolis business and labor leaders joined in praising the Minneapolis Fair Employment Practices Commission and its usefulness in a new brochure which was issued this week by the Minneapolis agency. The brochure, a readable handsomely printed 16-page booklet, has a foreword from Eric Hoyer, mayor of Minneapolis, addressed to Amos S. Deinard, chairman of the commission whose other members are Raymond W. Cannon, Andrew T Jones, Stuart W. Leck, and C. William Sykora. A section is devoted to answering the question: "What is FEPC?" WHAT LEADERS SAY Harry A. Bullis, chairman of the board of General Mills, Inc.: "For some years now I have been observing the administration of FEPC in Minneapolis. During this period nothing has come to my attention that would give substance to fears that business could not operate freely and efficiently under it." Robert I. Wishart, president, Hennepin County Council, CIO: "On behalf of the Hennepin County Council of the CIO, I am proud to say that we played a part in securing the adoption of the Minneapolis fair employment practice ordinance in 1947. The experience of the past 5 years confirms our prediction that this ordinance strengthens the unity of labor, at the same time bringing benefits to employees and to the community as well. Continued vigilance is needed to maintain and extend the progress that has been made. "We pledge to do everything in our power in the future, as we have in the past, to make fair employment practices a complete reality in every industry in this area." Donald C. Dayton, president and general manager of the Dayton Co.: "We have been operating with people from many minority groups for some time. The difficulties of integration which we feared might arise just never did. Both the public and our own employees seemed to receive the plan with hearty approval." Walter Cramond, Jr., president, Central Labor Union, AFL: "The Minneapolis Fair Employment Practice Commission has worked with the unions in opening up opportunities for all workers on the basis of their skills, and without discrimination because of color, religion, or national origin. "Building_better relations between the members of diffeernt groups also has strengthened the unions themselves by overcoming causes for conflict and building unity. The unions affiliated with the American Federation of Labor are glad to have had a part in securing the passage of the FEPC law in Minneapolis. "We call upon our members to give their full support to the principle of equal opportunity for all workers, both within the unions and on the job. We ask them to call problems of discrimination to the attention of the commission, and to cooperate in solving these problems." ANSWER QUESTIONS Several public figures answered questions posed by administration of the FEPC in Minneapolis. Among the questions and answers were these: WHAT HAS BEEN THE EFFECT ON LABOR UNIONS? A. P. Eberl, former president of the Central Labor Union, says: "Union members have learned that conflicts over race and religion reduce union strength and lower labor standards. Since the adoption of the ordinance, which was supported by the Minneapolis Central Labor Union, employment opportunities have been expanded and union membership has increased. Members of different racial and religious groups, coming into the union for the first time, have been fully accepted by their fellow members on the basis of their individual merits. Our democracy definitely stands for equal rights. We must live this democracy in our country, if we expect the rest of the world to accept it as a way to live free." WHAT HAS BEEN THE EFFECT ON EMPLOYERS? George M. Jensen, vice president of the Maico Co., Inc., says: "A number of employers have expressed to me the conclusion that the ill effects expected from the legislation have failed to develop. It is my opinion that employers, employees, and citizens of our community at large, have benefited from the salutary effects." D. W. Onan, chairman of D. W. Onan & Sons, Inc., says: "The beneficial effect of FEPC legislation, wisely administered, is to open more minds to the point of trying an open view, actually employing members of minority groups. Our company has had a successful experience in doing that during the past 15 years." WHAT ARE THE ECONOMIC EFFECTS? Bradshaw Mintener, vice president and general counsel of Pillsbury Mills, says: "We cannot afford the luxury of discrimination. I cannot see how we can ever realize our full measure of economic well-being until every man and woman is permitted to work at whatever he can best do, regardless of color or religion." HOW DOES THE LAW STRENGTHEN AMERICA'S POSITION IN WORLD AFFAIRS? Abbott Washburn, executive vice chairman, Crusade for Freedom, says: "The best answer to Communist slander is making democracy work better at home. One of the best ways to do this is to pass sound social legislation of the fair-employment type, legislation designed to strengthen our democratic freedoms. Such action strengthens our own country. It heartens the free world." THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE SERVICE, AMERICAN LAW SECTION, Subject: Action by Congress on FEPC. Washington, D. C., March 20, 1952. The now defunct Federal Fair Employment Practices Committee was created pursuant to Executive Order No. 8802, June 25, 1941, and was continued by Executive Order No. 9346, May 27, 1943, and Executive Order No. 9664, December 18, 1945 (Federal Register, vol. 6, p. 3109; vol, 8, p. 7183; vol. 10, p. 15301). An appropriation for the Committee on Fair Employment Practice, amounting to $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1945, was made by the Seventy-eighth Congress, second session, the appropriation being contained in the National War Agency Appropriation Act, 1945 (58 Stat. 536), June 28, 1944; H. R. 4879, (Public Law No. 372). An appropriation for completely terminating the functions and duties of the committee, amounting to $250,000 for the fiscal year 1945, was made by the Seventy-ninth Congress, first session, the appropriation being contained in the National War Agencies Appropriation Act, 1946 (59 Stat. 473b, 486, § 102, July 17, 1945; H. R. 3368, Public Law No. 156). However, beginning with the Seventy-seventh Congress bills have been before Congress looking toward the establishment of a permanent Federal Fair Employment Practices Commission. Only one such bill has been able to pass either branch of Congress. H. R. 4453 passed the House February 23, 1950. Prior to passage, on February 22, 1950, the House had voted 221 to 178 with 32 not voting, to substitute H. R. 6841 or the McConnell amendment for H. R. 4453. In the Senate no FEPC bill has come to an actual vote. During the second session of the Seventh-eighth Congress, on January 17, 1946, on a motion by Senator Chavez that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. 101, an FEPČ bill, the vote was: Yeas, 49 (26 Republicans, 22 Democrats, 1 Progressive); nays, 17 (2 Republicans, 15 Democrats); and not voting, 30 (11 Republicans, 19 Democrats). Again in the Senate on February 9, 1946, a vote was taken in the Senate to invoke cloture to limit debate on S. 101 and the motion failed of the two-thirds majority required to so limit debate. The vote was: Yeas, 48 (25 Republicans, 22 Democrats, 1 Progressive); nays, 36 (8 Republicans, 28 Democrats); and not voting, 12 (7 Republicans, 5 Democrats). Again on May 19, 1950, a vote was taken on a motion [adequately signed by a sufficient number of Senators] to close debate on Senator Lucas' motion to proceed to the consideration of S. 1728, an FEPC bill. Under the rule the votes of 64 Members or two-thirds of those duly elected and sworn are required to invoke cloture. The vote was: Yeas, 52 (33 Republicans, 19 Democrats); nays, 32 (6 Republicans, 26 Democrats); and not voting, 12 (3 Republicans, 9 Democrats). The effort to bring to a close by cloture motion the debate on the motion to consider the FEPC bill thus failed, being 12 short of the required 64 votes. The legislative histories of the bills introduced in Congress designed to establish an FEPC Commission or otherwise to eliminate discrimination in private employment are given below. H. R. 7412 SEVENTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS To prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, or citizenship. Introduced by Mr. Marcantonio; referred to Committee on the Judiciary, July 20, 1942 (Congressional Record, vol. 88, p. 6423). S. 2048 SEVENTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS To prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, or ancestry. Introduced by Messrs. Chavez, Downey, Wagner, Murray, Capper, and Langer; referred to Committee on Education and Labor, June 23, 1944 (Congressional Record, vol. 90, p. 6593). Hearings held on August 30, 31, and September 6, 7, and 8, 1944. Reported back (S. Rept. No. 1109), September 20, 1944, (Congressional Record, vol. 90, p. 7973). H. R. 1732 To prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, or citizenship. Introduced by Marcantonio; referred to Judiciary Committee, February 5, 1943 (Congressional Record, vol. 89, p. 1732). [Uses committee established under E. O. No. 8802.] H. R. 3986 To prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, or ancestry. Introduced by Mr. Scanlon; referred to Committee on Labor, January 17, 1944 (Congressional Record, vol. 90, p. 297). Hearings held jointly on H. R. 3986, 4004, and 4005 on June 1, 2, 6-9, 13–16, and November 16, 1944 (pts. 1 and 2). Reported back (H. Rept. 2016), December 4, 1944 (Congressional Record, vol. 90, p. 8789). H. R. 4004 To prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, or ancestry. Introduced by Mr. Dawson; referred to Committee on Labor, January 18, 1944 (Congressional Record, vol. 90, p. 368). Hearings held jointly on H. R. 3986, 4004, and 4005 on June 1, 2, 6-9, 13-16, and November 16, 1944 (pts. 1 and 2). H. R. 4005 To prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, or ancestry. Introduced by Mr. LaFollette; referred to Committee on Labor, January 18, 1944 (Congressional Record, vol. 90, p. 368). Hearings held jointly on H. R. 3986, 4004, and 4005 on June 1, 2, 6-9, 13-16, and November 16, 1944 (pts. 1 and 2). S. 101 SEVENTY-NINTH CONGRESS To prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, or ancestry. |