Memorandum on Current DFO War Department Cases

Pursuant to our discussion in your office, I am submitting the following current cases which we are handling with the War Department:

Richmond Army Service Forces Depot

The principle complaint in this case centers around the discriminatory policy of the Depot which confines Negroes to certain jobs. We have a specific complaint from a colored woman who apparently was mistaken for white and hired as a checker. She contends that when it was discovered that she was a Negro, she was removed from her job and rehired as a janitress.

This case has been in the office of the Civilian Aide [Truman K. Gibson] since July 14, 1944. We have received an unsatisfactory report on it on October 16, after sending two follow-up letters in July.

In two other cases against this same establishment, the complaints have been withdrawn because of the delay. In a third case, the complainant is seeking a release from the establishment because the War Department held a hearing on his case which he considered of no value. We have asked that we be notified of this hearing but our only source of information on it so far, has been the complainant.¹

Mt. Ranier Motor Base

This case has been before us since 1943. At one point, we dismissed it on merits because of information received from the War Department. It was reopened when the individual who was a party to the discrimination against the complainant filed an affidavit with our San Francisco office. This affidavit sets forth the manner in which the complainant was discriminated against. We referred it to the War Department on July 25, 1944.

Although the War Department itself admits that the complainant was denied the job because of his race, it is contended that the individual who denied him employment was not authorized to take such action. In addition, the War Department seeks to place the entire blame on Mr. Gordan Hanson, the individual who filed the affidavit with us.

District Engineer - Miami, Florida

On December 4, we communicated with the War Department concerning the District Engineer, Miami, Florida. In this case, a Negro was hired in St. Paul for work on a project outside of the country under the direction of the Miami, Florida District Engineer.

We have photostatic copies of the contract which he signed and photostats of letters indicating that preparations were being made for a pay allotment to the complainant’s wife. Since this case has been referred to the War Department only recently, it is not possible to say what will be the result. However, I cannot expect that much will come of it in view of our past relations.

Consolidated Vultee Aircraft, Ft. Worth, Texas

We have a number of complaints against the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft, Ft. Worth, Texas. Because this is a Government owned privately operated establishment, the War Department was requested to assist in the adjustment of complaints.

On September 18, I sent a letter to the Civilian Aide concerning the problem and asked that some attempt be made to correct it. On December 11, I met with the War Department representatives and learned that although there had been many endorsements by War Department officials, our request for action had not produced any results.

The Civilian Aide interposed a new suggestion asking that the Committee contact the company’s top officials in San Diego. Although we will take this action, I believe that it will not produce results, unless the War Department takes steps to make the contractor comply with the non-discrimination clause in his contract.