Federal legislative action to eliminate discrimination in jobs created by public funds was urged by the American Jewish Congress at a public hearing held by a Congressional subcommittee here this weekend.
Appearing on behalf of the American Jewish Congress, Will Maslow, executive director of the organization, said that discrimination in employment against Jews is “far less serious” than anti-Negro job bias but that there is “continuing evidence of discrimination against Jews in the employment market.” He cited one recent study indicating that numerous larger corporations–many of them holding Federal contracts–“absolutely exclude Jews” from upper-echelon positions.
Another survey, dealing with engineers, showed that while anti-Jewish “barriers” that formerly existed in initial employment as engineers have been greatly reduced, “discrimination becomes more prevalent when promotional and administrative posts open,” with the Jewish candidate for the position often passed over “unless he possesses extraordinary abilities,” Mr. Maslow added.
Other studies indicated anti-Jewish discrimination in the banking and insurance industries, the American Jewish Congress spokesman said. He told the hearing that in addition to recommending measures to strengthen anti-bias efforts in Federal employment and on government contracts, the special subcommittee should also support a Federal fair employment practices bill that would outlaw discrimination in private employment based on race, color, creed or national origin.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
