Memorandum on Important Activities and Trends Reported by Field Offices

JURISDICTION OF FEPC

Regional offices continue to report various visits made to plants, or to our offices by parties charged, in connection with the processing of cases. So far, the question of FEPC jurisdiction over these companies has not arisen.¹ It was particularly impressive to read the following sentence in a report from the West Coast: “Mr. B. L. Winslow, general employment manager of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company, in a visit to the office, said that Mr. Hambrook, vice president and general manager, ‘was so impressed with the friendly and positive approach made by Kingman that he sent me here to lay our cards on the table and try to work things out.’”

Miss Joy Schultz of the Chicago office visited the Indianapolis area recently and conferred with management representatives of eight firms. In all of these cases she was able to obtain information on some of the future plans of these companies.²

In Washington, through the War Production Board, we have been in touch with the Continental Can Company in East St. Louis, and directly with the Washington representative of the National Lead Company. Neither of these firms questioned our jurisdiction. All of this tends to support the belief during this interim period that we should carry on an aggressive program with the hope that we can make the most of what voluntary cooperation we can obtain.

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT

My report of August 25th stated that the Detroit office reported that many Negroes had received low efficiency ratings and now face layoffs. A similar problem is before us in Los Angeles where colored employees of the Naval Dry Docks at San Pedro have visited our office or called to allege that their efficiency ratings have suddenly dropped from the high 80’s and low 90’s to the low 60’s.

PRIVATE INDUSTRY

Region I reports that sharp reductions have taken place in the employment of Negroes in small arms and ammunition plants. At Winchester Arms, which formerly had about 2,300 Negro workers, there are now only 500; Remington, which had about 800, now has 100. Three hundred Negroes were laid off in Hartford at the Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Company. The regional director feels that many of the Negroes who migrated to New England from the South are returning to their homes.

On the constructive side of the register, Region I reports that the New England Telephone Company is interviewing colored girls for jobs as operators. The agreement to employ these girls came largely as a result of the work of Examiner Madison Jones. Although none of the girls were employed as of September 18th, Mr. Lawson feels that they will soon be on the job.

Region III reports that the Telephone Company in Philadelphia called in several persons who had previously filed applications for jobs as operators and gave them jobs as clerks. The region is continuing in its effort to obtain employment of Negroes as operators.

Region III also reports that W.A. Briggs Bitumin Company promises that in its new peacetime operations its policy of non-discrimination will be made known to all of its employees.

Region VII reports growing tensions in Southern communities.

The St. Louis office states that 35,000 persons have been laid off in the St. Louis area since August 14, 1945. Seventy thousand persons have been laid off in the last six months, and to date there have been only 10,102 job openings, most of which pay comparatively low wages. Unemployment among Negroes is described as critical. The Scullin Steel Company, with approximately 20 per cent Negroes, has shut down its South Plant, resulting in the layoff of 2,200 colored persons.