Memorandum on Illinois Ordnance Plant Strike, Herrin, Illinois

In keeping with our conversation, I have drawn up this memorandum on the above-mentioned strike.

Mr. Charles T. Estes, of the Conciliation Service, U.S. Department of Labor, called on Friday, January 7, and informed you that a strike was in progress at the plant. He stated that the disturbance began when one Negro Inspector was employed on the production line. At that time, forty-five whites left the job and were discharged. Later, only four of these whites returned when those discharged were offered reemployment, Mr. Estes stated, and some 2,000 went on strike.

The company is a Government-owned, contractor-operated establishment. The Sherwin Williams Company is the contractor. Apparently, it has a contractual relationship with District 50 of the United Mine Workers.

A call was made to Mr. Charles Fell, a member of the International Executive Board of District 50 of the United Mine Workers. Mr. Fell stated he would check on the situation.

We informed Mr. Henderson and Mr. Ross in Chicago of our actions here. They stated that Miss Joy Schultz, of Mr. Henderson’s office, was to be assigned to investigate the situation in Herrin. Mr. Henderson also stated that he had talked with War Department representatives concerning the strike.

Later, Mr. Fell called you to say that he had talked with his representatives in the locality, who stated that there was no race problem involved in the strike. Mr. Fell’s representative stated that the company had two Negro Inspectors on the production line and that these individuals went beyond their line of duty to give orders to white persons in another section. The individuals receiving the orders were women, expressed resentment, walked off the job, and were discharged. Later, they were given an opportunity to return to work. Four of them did so. Mr. Fell was optimistic about possibilities for settling the whole matter.

Mr. Estes was advised of the Union representative’s version of the controversy and reiterated his version that the employment of the Negro as Inspector was the cause of the work stoppage. He stated that he had suggested to company officials that segregation might be the solution. He stated further that he may have “muddied the waters” by this suggestion, but pointed out that race relations were very bad in the area. Mr. Estes was advised that the Committee had never recommended segregation as the solution to discriminatory employment problems.

A teletype message from Mr. Henderson, dated January 8, stated that the strikers had returned to the plant and that a full report would follow.