The right of the New York State Industrial Commissioner to subpoena the books of two private employment agencies charged with discriminating against Jews and persons of foreign ancestry when advertising for employees for war industries was argued today in Supreme Court here.
Frieda Miller, State Industrial Commissioner, demanded the right to exempt the records of two private employment agencies. The Williams Agency and the Maulenox Personnel Agency – which inserted advertisements for “Christian” and “American” workers for employment in war factories. The agencies refused to surrender their records on the ground that the Commissioner had no authority to subpoena them. Decision in the case will be announced in the near future. Meanwhile Jewish, Catholic, Negro and anti-discrimination groups were given permission to file briefs supporting Commissioner Miller’s stand.
The case is one of importance to many Jews, Italians and Negroes here who have been unable to obtain war jobs because of prejudice on the part of war industries. In Albany action is pending before the legislature on several bills which would tighten up the present laws against discrimination in employment.
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