Weekly Report

OUTSTANDING EVENTS AND PROBLEMS

In company with the Deputy Chairman and Mr. Ernest G. Trimble of the Hearings Division, I appeared before the Sub-committee on Production in Shipyards [Shipbuilding Plants] of the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. The Sub-Committee was interested in obtaining information on how discrimination in West Coast shipyards may affect production.¹

A strike occurred at the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company’s Indiana Harbor Works in Region VI this week. Mr. Elmer Henderson, Regional Director, has been active on the case because racial issues were involved in the walkout. Mr. Henderson reports that the parties involved have reached an agreement, and he will send in a final report on it when this agreement is consummated.² 

Region X has raised a number of questions in connection with discrimination by oil companies in Texas. These cases now appear to be at the point where further field action on them will bring us no results. I am reviewing them for the purpose of recommending action by the Committee.³

For some weeks, we have been negotiating with the War Manpower Commission on a problem raised by Region IV. The problem is that the WMC Regional Director refuses to give FEPC access to USES 270 Reports. The WMC office also does not submit 510 or Form 42 Reports, as provided for in the FEPC-WMC agreement. After a conversation with Mr. Glenn Brockway’s office this week, I have reached the conclusion that further negotiations with anyone below the level of Mr. McNutt or Mr. Appley will be a waste of time. Accordingly, I have prepared for the Chairman’s signature a draft of a letter to be sent to Mr. McNutt on this matter.⁴

IMPORTANT CONTACTS WITH REGIONAL OFFICES, OTHER DIVISIONS, AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

All regional offices have been requested to send in copies of their operating agreements with the War Manpower Commission. These will be assigned to Mr. Bloch for analysis and recommendations.

Regional Directors and Dr. Carlos E. Castaneda, Special Assistant to the Chairman on Latin American Affairs, have been notified that a meeting of directors will be held in Washington February 10, 11, and 12. Notice of this meeting is being sent to other divisions with the request that any matters to be included on the agenda should be submitted by February 1.

On January 7, Region IV submitted a memorandum concerning discrimination in the lunch room located in the Standard Oil Building.⁵ Since this matter involved the Administrative Office, I referred it to Mr. Jones. Subsequently, I talked with a member of the Legal Division. I then referred the matter to the Deputy Chairman because of legal questions raised. Region IV has also requested that the copy of the Lunt Report be sent to them for their review. However, I have not seen a copy of this report myself. As soon as it is obtained, I shall transmit it to the regional office.⁶

A request from Region VII concerning the Atlanta Journal has been referred to Mr. McKnight, Director of Region V. Also sent to Region V was a recommendation in connection with the case of Charles Schwab, 5-BC-1215. Memoranda setting forth central office recommendations in connection with WMC placement programs and strikes based on racial problems were sent to Region V this week.⁷

In further reference to questions concerning paid pre-employment training for the Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company, a statement of Maritime Commission policy was sent to Region VII.⁸ Also, at the request of the Director of Region VII, a statement of Committee policy on the post-employment records of the General Motors Company was sent out.⁹

Recommendations that Corpus Christi Latin American cases be closed were transmitted to Region X this week. Also, the War Department has been requested to give further information in connection with the Engineers Exchange, 10-GN-158.

The full report on the current status of the Western Cartridge case has been requested from Region VI.¹⁰

Further action on a complaint involving the Marine, Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders, and Wipers Union has been requested by Region XII. A letter has been sent to Admiral Land, of the Maritime Commission, on this matter. Also, Region XII’s request for information on alienage and compliance matters has been answered.

ASSIGNMENTS TO CENTRAL STAFF.

Mr. Bloch:

Complaints against Railroad Retirement Board in Region II.

Mercedes Reid vs. Civil Service Commission, 2-GR-195.

FDR’s assigned:
Region I—3
Region II—23
Region III—21

As you requested, I asked Mr. Bloch about the status of his memorandum on important regional cases. I have not received this as yet because he is working on other matters assigned by you.¹¹

Mr. Metzger:

Chevrolet Division of General Motors, 9-BR-135.

Ruling from Deputy Chairman on General Chemical Company.

USES, Richmond, California, 12-GR-6.

(For Mitchell) U. S. Army Air Force Depot, 5-GR-211–15.

Follow-up action on strike at Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company, Indiana Harbor Works.

FDR’s assigned:
Region V—24 (For Mitchell)
Region VI—9
Region XII—7

Mr. Mitchell:

The following important assignments are not yet completed:

1. Status of DFO cases.
2. Agendum for meeting of regional directors.
3. Memorandum on important oil cases in Region X.¹²

Assignments completed are attached or included in this report.

I have reviewed and taken action on questions raised in Weekly Reports other than those being handled by Mr. Metzger.

NEW R. D.'S OR FIELD INSTRUCTIONS

I have prepared and sent out the following R.D.’s:

1. Administrative Order No. 18, OPA—No. 52 
2. Monthly Reports from Companies—No. 54 (For R&A)
3. Editorial Comment on the FEPC—No. 55
4. Case Action Forms—No. 56
5. Pushing Employment of Negroes—No. 58

Field Instruction No. 31 on Tension Areas has been submitted to the Administrative Office for duplicating.¹³