TO: Mr. George M. Johnson
FROM: Clarence M. Mitchell
SUBJECT: Employment of All-Negro Deck Crew by Texas Oil Company
2-BR-423
DATE: 1-12-44
Mr. Edward Lawson, Director of Region II, states that the Texas Oil Company has asked the War Shipping Administration for all-Negro deck crews to man some of its tankers.1
I understand that, when Mr. Ross was in New York, he discussed this situation with Mr. Craig S. Vincent, Atlantic Coast representative of the War Shipping Administration. It is also my understanding that Mr. Vincent does not believe the idea a good one.
I shall appreciate it if you will give us a ruling on whether we should inform Mr. Lawson that this plan is discriminatory.
MS: HqR39, Central Files. (entry 25) Memoranda, Region II.
1. On 2/9/44, Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. responded to Edward H. Lawson that, in sum, the Committee believed the plan was discriminatory. The FEPC had no authority to attack segregation, only discrimination in employment. Nevertheless, as a result of its bitter experience in the Alabama Dry Dock case in 6/43 (see Ernest G. Trimble/Mitchell report and notes in appendix 1), where it accepted segregated ways in order to end the violence there, it adopted the policy that “in cases of segregation, the staff should eliminate discrimination, and then refer case to the Committee for final disposition.” HqR4, Office Files of George M. Johnson. Policy. See 1/12, 1/29/44; headnotes on Jurisdictional Issues, on Relationships with Federal Agencies (section on the War Shipping Administration), and on the Oil Industry.
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193-194
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HqR39, Central Files. (entry 25) Memoranda, Region II.