Memorandum on Discriminatory Practices in Standard Oil Building

TO: Mr. Theodore A. Jones
Administrative Officer

FROM: Clarence M. Mitchell
Associate Director of Field Operations

SUBJECT: Discriminatory Practices in Standard Oil Building

DATE: Jan. 21, 1944

Attached is a memorandum from Mr. Frank E. Hook, Director of Region IV. You will note that it makes certain statements concerning facilities in the building.¹

I am referring his memorandum to you for appropriate consideration.

Attachment

For responses to this case, see Clarence M. Mitchell Jr., weekly report, 1/22/44; George M. Johnson to Will Maslow, 1/22/44, filed with this text.

MS: LH, DI, HqR83, Correspondence Relating to Cases. (A–K) Discriminatory Practices in Standard Oil Building.

1. Frank E. Hook reported:

The Government agencies including the FEPC has leased space on the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors of the above mentioned building.

A lunch room counter is operated in the west end of the building on the second floor. The proprietress of the lunch counter is carrying on discriminatory practices against colored people and especially employees of the Government agencies located in the building.

I have been informed by the PBA that the contract leased for the Government space in the building does not contain a nondiscriminatory clause, even though it has been ruled to be mandatory. There have been recent renewals and amendments to the contract lease.

The question of our jurisdiction has arisen. I do not have copies of the lease. They can be obtained, however, from the PBA. The situation is becoming rather intense and is a matter that should be determined without delay.

In addition to the discriminatory practices of the tenants occupying the lunch room space, the Standard Oil Company is practicing further discriminatory practices by locking the toilet facilities on the second floor and giving keys out to only white occupants of the second floor. These toilet facilities were opened and available until the FEPC moved into the building and until colored girls commenced using these toilet facilities.

I have taken the matter up with the PBA and they advised me that it is a legal question. I, therefore, respectfully request that some members of the Legal Staff be assigned to make a research of the provision of the lease and determine the question of jurisdiction. (Hook to Maslow, memorandum, 1/7/44, HqR83, Correspondence Relating to Cases. (A–K) Discriminatory Practices in Standard Oil Building.