Discrimination in Employment

Abstract

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 legislation. A growing number of states and municipalities already had passed laws. New York, New Jersey, Indiana, and Wisconsin enacted antidiscriminatory 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.