Discrimination in Employment

• Date: 01 July 1949
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1536-7150.1949.tb00798.x
• Published date: 01 July 1949
• Author: Robert D. Leiter

Discrimination in Employment

By ROBERT D. LEITER

WHEN

THE PRESIDENT, in July 1948, provided by Executive Order 9980

for a fair employment practices program within the executive branch of

the government, to be administered by the several departments, with final

appeal to a Fair Employment Board in the Civil Service Commission, he

gave tangible evidence of his intention to press for antidiscrimination legis-

lation. A growing number of states and municipalities already had passed

laws.

New York, New Jersey, Indiana, and Wisconsin enacted antidis-

criminatory employment laws in 1945, Massachusetts followed in 1946,

and Connecticut joined the other states in 1947. The cities of Chicago,

in 1945, Milwaukee, in 1946, Minneapolis, in 1947, and Philadelphia, in

1948,

enacted strong local laws prohibiting such discrimination, the latter

two establishing special enforcement machinery. Early in 1949, New

Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and Rhode Island passed antidiscrimination

statutes. A few additional states and many cities have laws that are

limited in scope.

The experiences of the states serve as clues to possible developments

under a national fair employment practices act. In February 1948, the

Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare approved Senate Bill 984,

Eightieth Congress, prohibiting discrimination in employment based on

color, religion, or national origin. Similar legislation introduced in this

session of Congress faces a long and severe battle. Opponents prophesy

dire consequences to the economic, political, and social structure of the

nation, if the proposed legislation is enacted. However, many of the

same arguments were presented at the time the state laws were debated

and under consideration. The record of events has not substantiated these

fears.

Though the problems appear more complex on a national scale,

they are not insurmountable.

Fair Employment Practice Committee

THE

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT vigorously attacked the problem of discrimi-

nation long before any of the states had acted effectively. The first step

in setting up administrative machinery was taken in July 1940. It was

clear that the defense program would make necessary effective use of

available manpower. The executive branch of the government established

an office in the labor division of the National Defense Advisory Commis-

sion to facilitate the employment and training of Negro workers. Many

federal agencies agreed to co-operate with this office.