Eisenhower Names Jewish Leader to Head Anti-bias Committee

President Eisenhower today appointed Maxwell Abbell, Chicago Jewish leader, as chairman of a newly-created five-member committee to prevent discrimination in hiring and firing procedures against government workers on a basis of religion, race, or national origin.

The formation of the new committee was announced by the White House today. A Presidential order directed the committee to report directly to the President. The new unit replaces the Civil Service Commission’s Fair Employment Board which reported to the Commission.

A White House statement said the committee to be headed by Mr. Abbell, established at a Presidential level, will have increased stature over the old Fair Employment Board. James C. Hagerty, White House Press Secretary, said the “increased stature” would result from the new group reporting directly to Mr. Eisenhower. The Fair Employment Board abolished by today’s order was created by President Truman in July, 1948.

Mr. Abbell is a former president of the United Synagogue of America, central organization of the Conservative movement, and is vice-president of the American-Palestine Trading Corp. He supported the candidacy of Mr. Eisenhower in the 1952 election campaign. Other members of the new committee include Archibald J, Carey, Jr., vice-chairman; and J. Ernest Wilkins, Assistant Secretary of Labor; W. Arthur McCoy, Civil Service Commission, and Charles Kendall, general counsel of the Office of Defense Organization.

The executive order extends authority to conduct investigations and advise Mr. Eisenhower on how the various Federal agencies conform to the non-discrimination clause set forth. The order directs all Federal agency heads to carry out the non-discrimination policy within their organizations, appoint an employment policy officer for each Federal Agency, and to report to the Presidential Committee all complaints regarding the Department’s action under the policy and disposition of them.