Weekly Report

OUTSTANDING EVENTS AND PROBLEMS

This week, a strike occurred at the Monsanto Chemical Company in the vicinity of East St. Louis, Illinois. It appears that Negro workers walked out of the plant following a dispute concerning transportation facilities. The issues are not entirely clear at this point since we have not had a written report from Region VI, in which the problem occurred. One serious note was struck when the War Department indicated that a Department of Labor Conciliator is alleged to have stated that the white workers agreed to bring production up to normal without the Negroes. The information concerning the Conciliator’s alleged statement was referred to Mr. Henderson, Director of Region VI, for whatever action it merits.¹

A second problem arose at the Anniston Warehouse Corporation in Anniston, Alabama, when a War Department representative actively discouraged FEPC-Management cooperation. This matter was directed to the War Department on March 16.²

Region VII reported that, in Anniston, the USES seems wholly unaware of the fact that it was acting improperly when it followed discriminatory racial specifications in filling jobs. The Region reports that three (3) 510 Reports were received from the USES in Atlanta on March 10. All were prepared at the request of the Committee’s representatives. This indicates that much is to be desired from the War Manpower Commission in Region VII so far as our operating agreement is concerned.

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

The Exchange and Service Club, 2-GR-141 DFO, was returned to the Region for closing.

Region III was officially advised that the Committee did not intend to hold a hearing on the Pennsylvania Bell Telephone Company case. This information had been given to the region before, but the memorandum was to confirm a previous verbal statement.

Region V was informed that cases against the Hydraulic Machinery Company, 5-BC-1215, and the Hoover Ball Bearing Company, 5-BC-1222, both of which involve Jehovah’s Witnesses, are not within our jurisdiction because of action taken by the Committee at its meeting of March 4.³

Region VI was advised that a question raised by the Director concerning the Central Soya Company, 6-BC-38 DFO, was not within the jurisdiction of the Committee. This case, also, involved a Jehovah’s Witness who was seeking an appeal of his draft classification.

Questions raised by Region VI in its Weekly Report of February 26 were answered and the answers are attached.

Queries from Regions IX and XI, submitted by Mr. Hoglund, were answered. These involved the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad, 9-BR-132, the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, 11-BR-20, and the Denver office of the War Manpower Commission. Copies of these statements to Mr. Hoglund are attached.

Suggestions and information on matters in his Weekly Report of March 11 were submitted to Mr. Brin, Director of Region X.

Information was sent to Region XII, at its request, on the following matters:

1. Los Angeles Street Railway case 12-BR-1160.
2. Mt. City Copper Company, 12-BR-25.
3. Information on memoranda sent to the Region.
4. Oakland Port of Embarkation file.
5. In response to a request by the Examiner-in-Charge [Robert E. Brown] of the Los Angeles office, information was sent concerning the Boiler Makers case.

The Director of Region XII [Kingman] mentioned that a special investigation is being made by the Army at Pasco, Washington. I requested that an extra copy of this report be sent to us when it is completed.

DFO CASES

We began the week ending March 18 with thirty (30) pending DFO cases being handled by our examiners and eight (8) additional cases being handled by the Legal Division. Of the cases being handled by our examiners, two (2) were returned to the regions for further action (Retail Credit Company, 3-BR-524, and Sinclair Contractors, 11-BR-21). Of the cases being handled by the Legal Division, one (1) was dismissed for no jurisdiction (Central Soya Company, 6-BC-38), and Exchange and Service Club, 2-GR-141, was returned to the region with closing recommended. This leaves a balance of twenty-eight (28) DFO cases being handled by our examiners and six (6) being handled by the Legal Division.

ASSIGNMENTS TO CENTRAL STAFF

Mr. Bloch:

Completed Assignments:

1. Memorandum on major cases.
2. Memorandum on Civil Air Regulations Affecting Aliens.
3. Railway Mail Service, 2-GR-558 DFO.
4. Miller Printing Machine Company, 3-GR-72 DFO.
5. Memorandum re. Requirements for Citizenship in Shipping.
6. The following FDR’s:
   Region I—2
   Region II—18

New Assignments:

Mr. Bloch has two new field assignments, one in Dallas, Texas, and one in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is leaving the office today.

Miss Kahn:

Completed Assignments:

1. Memorandum on Jewish cases.
2. Memorandum on outstanding cases.
3. Summary of file on Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders and Wipers Association, 12-UR-118 DFO.
4. The following FDR’s (under my supervision):
   Region V—46
   Region VI—14
   Region IX—1
   Region X—6
   Region XII—25
5. Report on Regional Directors’ Conference (being typed).

New Assignments:

1. Review of file on case of Laura Hooper et al.

Mr. Metzger:

Mr. Metzger is out of the office on a field trip.

Mr. Mitchell:

Completed Assignments:

1. Recommended closing of Exchange and Service Club, 2-GR-141 DFO.
2. Reviewing and acting upon Weekly Reports from regional offices.
3. The following FDR’s:
   Region VII—36
   Region X—6