A sharp rise in discrimination against Jews, including Jewish veterans of World War II, was revealed in a report issued today by the National Community Relations Advisory Council. The report is based upon a survey conducted in 15 major industrial centers at the request of the FEPC.
Discrimination was shown to be widespread in all the cities surveyed. The lowest incidence of discriminatory practices was found in New York where a state law prohibiting discrimination has been in operation. Apart from any consideration of administration therefore, it seems clear that the very existence of a FEPC statute has served as an effective deterrent to overt discrimination. Major findings for the country as a whole contrasted with data from New York follow:
1. A comparison of discriminatory religious specifications in newspaper help wanted ads showed an increase of 195 percent in 1946 over 1945 – despite a decline in the total volume of advertising. No discriminatory ads were published in New York City newspapers.
2. Ninety-three percent more complaints of employment discrimination were filed with Jewish agencies in the six months following V-J Day than in the corresponding period a year ago. There was a decline of six percent in the volume of complaints in New York.
3. Of 241 private employment agencies, 89 percent required applicants to state their religion and lineage. The corresponding figure in New York was two percent.
4. Of 1,251 Jewish job seekers, 60 percent were asked their religion in interviews with one or more firms. The corresponding figure in New York was 15 percent.
5. Of 651 veterans applying for jobs, 47 percent were asked their religion. The corresponding figure in New York was 19 percent.
6. Of all business firms approached 34 percent requested information about applicants’ religion. The corresponding figure in New York was eight percent.
7. Of the applicants, 15 percent indicated they were refused jobs solely because of their religion. The corresponding figure in New York was seven percent.
Agencies contributing data for the survey were the American Jewish Congress, the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S., and local Jewish community relations councils and vocational services.
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