Ten large industrial corporations in the mid-West engaged in defense work were instructed to immediately cease discriminating against Jews and Negroes when hiring employees, in an order issued last night by the President’s Committee on Fair Employment Practices. The committee said that its orders were based on hearings held in Chicago on January 19 and 20. Similar public hearings were held in New York in February. It is expected that further firms will be cited by the committee at a later date.
Committee officials said failure of the companies to comply with the order could result in claims of contract violations and fines or, in severe cases not involving vital war materials, suspension of the contract.
Companies involved in the Chicago area are the Stewart-Warner Corporation, the Buick aviation plant at Melrose, Ill., the Bearse Manufacturing Company, the Simpson Manufacturing Company and the Studebaker branch factory. In the Milwaukee area are the Nordberg Manufacturing Company, A. O. Smith Corporation, Heil Company, Allis-Chalmers Corporation and the Harnischfeger Corporation.
Dr. Malcolm S. McLean, of Hampton Institute, head of the committee, said that “the findings and directions will give the committee a continuing jurisdiction over the employment practices of those industries which hold contracts for war implements and material, as each concern has been asked to file reports with the committee showing the extent to which steps have been taken to bring the company’s employment policies and practices into line with the national policy.”
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