Reproduced with permission from The Journal of Negro Education, Howard University

Journal of Negro Education The Training of Negroes for War Industries in World War II Author(s): Herman Branson Source: The Journal of Negro Educatio...
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Journal of Negro Education

The Training of Negroes for War Industries in World War II Author(s): Herman Branson Source: The Journal of Negro Education, Vol. 12, No. 3, The American Negro in World War I and World War II (Summer, 1943), pp. 376-385 Published by: Journal of Negro Education Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2293057 . Accessed: 29/10/2014 12:13 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp

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Reproduced with permission from The Journal of Negro Education, Howard University.

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CHAPTERXIII

THE TRAINING OF NEGROES FOR WAR INDUSTRIES WORLD WAR II

IN

HERMAN BRANSON

Officeof Education, the National (NYA), the Youth Administration The U.S. schools,andprivateindustry. Office of EducationconductstwomaVocationalTrainingfor jor programs: Workersand theEnWar Production Science,and Management gineering, War TrainingProgram (ESMWT). trainThe programsaccommodate preparation. educational of varying ees Logicallyit would be appropriatefor governmentto imposecontrolsand regulations, The Vocational Training Program as mandatoryas those imposedon its eco- aims primarilyat the trainingof nomiclife,to ensureto all its racial minori- adultswithnominal backeducational ties not only free but equal participation grounds. The NYA trainsyouthswho in the economicand political life of the have grade school education.The country.In fact,beforethe presentwar is requiresthat coursesbe of ESMWT ended,such action may become a political college grade; the minimumeducanecessity.1 from tionalprerequisite is graduation Everywhere one metthebeliefthat secondary school. The ESMWT at last the integration of the Negro coursesrangefromthe first-year colintoAmericanlifewas nota question lege levelto thoseof graduate-school ofcharity prin- level. The in-serviceand pre-service orabstractdemocratic ciplebut a necessityforthe fullmo- trainingof private industryvaries bilizationof our mostvaluable war in the educationalprerequisites acasset, manpower.On everyside one cordingto thetypeof training. heardthatthisis a people'swar and The VocationalTrainingProgram of preparesskilledworkersin twotypes thattherewouldbe fullutilization all thetalentsoftheAmerican people of courses:supplementary coursesfor to defeattheruthless enemyofdemoc- workersalreadyin war industries to racy. Now withthe war 15 months improve and skilland theirknowledge old, a betterappraisalof the larger pre-employment coursesto refresher horizonoffered in thetrainingof Ne- prepare workers for war jobs. groesforskilledpositionsby the war $104,000,000 forthis was appropriated is possible. programfor1942-1943. Programsforthetrainingof essen- For the period July-December, are 1942,58,228Negroesenrolledin pre-tialpersonnelforwar industries the U.S. employment centeredin fourauthorities: coursesand 13,066in the ofthe The distribution supplementary. 1 Charles S. Johnson, Patterns of Negro Segregation, New York: Harper and Brothers, 1943. follows: was as trainees p. 324. WhenJapanesebombsblastedholes in theArizonain Pearl Harbor,many Negroesfeltthatdownintothe mud and siltwentnotonlyshipsbuta pattern of societal organizationwhich limitedtheNegroin thesocial,political, and economiclifeof America.A a prevkeensocialobserver expressed alentview:

376

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TRAINING OF NEGROES FOR WAR INDUSTRIES

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nois,New York, and Ohio had over Negrotrainees, 18,000preemployment over3,000morethanthe 17 Southern statesand the Districtof Columbia. Pennsylvaniawith3,280 supplemenThese trainees were distributedtarytraineeshad over300 morethan throughoutthe States and Puerto the South;Nebraskahad moretrainRico; nonewerebeingtrainedin Ver- ees than Mississippi;Massachusetts mont,North Dakota, and Hawaii. had threetimesas manyas Texas.We The geographic distribution of Negro could continuethis comparison.In traineesis tabulatedin thefollowing: briefthe Southwithroughly80 per cent of the Negro populationwas Number Per cent training 0.2 of1 percentofthatpopuPre. Pre. Sup. Sup. North and Northeast: thisprogramor 20 per cent lation in (Connecticut,Delaware, Maine, Massaof the totaltrainees,the otherstates chusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey 15,898 5100 27 39 with 20 per cent of the population New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, weretrainingabout2 per centor 80 Vermont.) per centofthetotal. Midwedt: (Illinois, Indiana, The data do show,however,that Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Ne22,662 3150 39 24 has been a tremendous upsurge there braska, North Dakota, Ohio, South sincethestudy participation in Negro Dakota, Wisconsin) of Wilkerson3 and Fortune'ssurvey. Farwe8t: (Arizona, California, showtoo thatthepercent Other data Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New 3,989 1820 of Negroesto total in the numberof 7 14 Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyomenteringthe preemployment trainees ing) has grownsteadilysincethe program South: (Alabama, Arkansas, 1941, from quarterJuly-September, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, 4.9 per centto 10.6 per centforthe Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North 1942.For 15,516 2961 27 23 quarterOctober-December, Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tenin the trainees Negro the same period nessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, end of each quarter, at the training District of Columbia.) 5.2to 11.7percent.For increasedfrom Puerto Rico 163 35 the supplementary programthe per The specificlistingby statesshows centforthe numberentering quarter discrepancies betweenthe population was 2.8 for July-September, 1941, percentages and traineesmorevividly whichdroppedsharplyand rose to than does our summary.Duringthe 2.4 forOctober-December, 1942. six-months period,the eight states, The Negroseemsto be participating 2 California (3,639-1535) Illinois in approximately his populationratio (6,251-370),Maryland (3,655-553), in thepreemployment butat program Michigan (6,242-1512), New York onlyone-third thatratiointhesupple(6,327-899),Ohio (6,298-752),and mentaryprogram.In the South,he Pennsylvania(7,037-3,280)had over participates inverymuchlessthanhis 70 percentoftheNegrotrainees.Illi'Doxey A. Wilkerson, "The Training and Em. Training for: PreemploymentSupplementary Aircraft Industries 9970 2934 Ship Building 8208 2671 8179 Sheet Metal and Welding 1638 1187 AutomotiveMechanics 292 Machine Shop 20222 1786 2352 Electricity and Radio 1912 Inspection and Foremanship 979 301 7131 Miscellaneous 1532

ployment of Negroes in National Defense Indus2The first number gives the preemployment, tries," JOURNAL OF NEGRO EDUCATION, 10:121the second the supplementary enrollment. 132, Ja. 1941.

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THE JOURNAL OF NEGRO EDUCATION

These observationswere made in the Springof 1942. As far as numbersin training,Georgia had improvedlittle by December,forthe numberentering trainingfromJuly-Decemberwas only 217. With equipment rigorouslyrationed or not obtainable, there has been little chance of improvementin this sphere. There seems to be little in the quality of trainingfor Thousands of Mobile natives who hap- difference both in the othersectionsofthe groups pened to be Negroes,however,were walking the streetsunemployedand barredfrom country. any trainingwhatsoever.... With the tremendouseffortsof able This was the trainingsituationin Alaand sinceremen,Negro and white,in bama then. The same thing prevailed in Georgia,and Tennesseeand Arkansasand the U.S. Officeof Education, this proSouth Carolina and Texas. Hardly any de- gram is making headway against the fense trainingwas open to Negroes any- Southernpattern.It is slow and unsatwherein the South,and muchof what was isfactoryperhaps, for a few men in labeled defensetrainingwas close to being one sectionof the countrycan do little outrightfraudulent.I mightmentionone coursefor 150 shipfitter helperswherethe when the local administratorsinsist sole shop equipmentconsistedof some ship- upon giving priorityto local prejuyard picturesclipped fromLife magazine dices. Johnsonreportsthat a spokesand a bathtubnavy, purchasedout of the man of the Nashville branch of the This instructor's pocketat the five-and-ten. Vultee Aircraft Company asserted particularcourse accounted for two-thirds of the Negro traineesin the state of Geor- baldly:

local ratio, but this is offset,numerically, by his increasedparticipationin other regions. The enrollmentstatisticsin no way indicate the most importantaspect of this training-its quality.In the South Fe expect in general poor equipment and poor facilities.A visitorthrough the South reported:

gia. Somewhereelse they were pretending to trainNegromarineelectricians in a shop where positivelythe only item of marine equipment was an eight-inchlength of electricalcable. I recallalso a class in motor mechanics where the students were forbidden to go into the motors-it was actuallya class in alemiting,tire-inflating and windshieldwipingforfillingstationattendants. And I shouldn'tforgetthe Negro defenseshop so far out in the piney woods that it was next to impossibleto get to, yet I heard such praises of and such accountsof the completeness of its equipment that I arrangedto visit it. There I found a splendidly-equippedsheet metal shop withunfortunately no sheetmetal to fabricate but only tin cans salvaged fromthe garbage pile. There I foundalso a gleaming row of electricweldingmachinesbut somebodyhad neglectedto put throughthe requisitionthat would connectthem with power.4 4 John Beecher, "Problems of Discrimination," Science and Society, 7:36-44, Winter, 1943.

... we do notbelieveit advisable -toincludecoloredpeoplewithourregular workingforce.We may,at a laterdate,be in a positionto add some coloredpeople in minorcapacities suchas porters and cleaners. In discussing thismatter withsomemembersof theBoardof Education, theyhave advisedthattheyare considering starting courses in occupations inwhichcoloredpeoplewouldexperience no difficulty in obtaining employment. These courses,I believe

coversuch subjects as auto repair,construction work,cementfinishers, molding,etc.5

The Engineering,Science and Management War Training Program (ESMWT)-the second programunder the U.S. Officeof Education was establishedto assist in furnishing the large numberof people with training in the physical sciences and manage5 Op. cit.. p. 106.

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TRAINING OF NEGROES FOR WAR INDUSTRIES

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ment for the war effort.It succeeds Science,and Managethe Engineering, ment Defense Training Program of 1941-1942 (in which 196 institutions participatedwith438,000traineesand a budgetof $18,000,000) and the Engineering,Defense Training Program of 1940-1941 (in which 144 institutions participatedwith 120,000trainees and a budget of $6,140,000). The secondsessionof the 77th Congresson June 30th, 1942, in Public Law 647 authorized$30,000,000to continuethe trainingof engineers,chemists,physicists, and production managers for war service for the year endingJune 30, 1943.

campusor elsewhere;manyinstitutions are conductingcourses simultaneouslyin several cities. All classes receive personalinstructionfromqualifiedteachers,exceptfor a few specializedcorrespondence coursesin the subject matter of mathematicsand physicswhich are offeredto preparehigh school teachersto conductcoursesin those subjects. Some are given-after working hoursfor the benefitof employedpersons. The time requiredto complete a course variesfroma fewweeksto severalmonths, dependingupon the extentand nature of the training.Subjects range from basic courses,such as engineeringdrawingand precisioninspection,to refinedspecialties, such as geometricaloptics and the X-ray diffraction analysisof metals.In general,the wartrainingneeds of an area determinethe coursesofferedthere,but some coursesare conductedto meet Nation-wideneeds of the armedforcesand government war procolTax-exempt Courses. of Organization recognized ductionactivities. offering leges and universities

chemdegreeswithmajorsin engineering, Sixty-fiveNegro colleges are parare orproduction supervision, physics, istry, ticipating in the ESMWT program. Bein . .. ESMWT. eligibleto participate the sponsoringOnly 12 hold directcontractswiththe forea courseis organized, the need U.S. Officeof Education. The remaindetermines collegeor university conthrough training forthecontemplated der are sub-contractors. For example, and the sultationwithnearbyindustries adviserfortheareaconESMWT regional 6 American Mathematical Monthly, 50:276-278, cernedand preparesan estimateof the Ap 1943. Miles Memorial College, Selma Univerofthose sity,Aabama: andqualifications number probable Talladega College, Tuskegee Institute; Arkansas: and N. Normal College, Arkansas Baptist A. If conditions are College, Philander availableforthetraining. Smith College, Shorter College; are Delaware: more short courses one or State College for Colored Students; favorable, Georgia: Atlanta University System, Clark Unidesignedto prepareavailabletraineesfor versity, Georgia State College, Morehouse College, Brown University, Paine College, Spelman the.jobs in whicha shortagewas found. Morris College; Kentucky: Kentucky State College; Louissiincludingestimates ana: Dillard University,Leland College, Southern information Pertinent University and Agricultural and Mechanical ColofEdu- lege, of costs,is sentto theU. S. Office Xavier University; Maryland: Morgan State College, Princess Anne College; Mississippi: Alcorn cationin a formalproposalto give each Agricultural and Mechanical College, Campbell ColThoseproposals that lege, Jackson College, Rust College, Tougaloo Colcoursethatis planned. lege; Missouri: Lincoln University,Stowe Teachers and practical and Junior College; North Carolina: Agricultural meet all legal,educational, Technical College, of North Carolina, Bennett and theinstitutionand are approved, standards College, Johnson C. Smith University,Livingstone as qualified College, North Carolina College for Negroes, St. maybeginas soon thereafter Augustine's College, Shaw University; Ohio: Wiltraineescan be enrolled.Additionalpro- berforce University; Oklahoma: Langston University (Colored Agriculturaland Normal University); as othertraining Pennsylvania: posalsmaybe submitted CheyneyTraining School for Teachers, Lincoln University; South Carolina: Allen needsare established. University,Benedict College, College,Colored Instruction: Regionaldiffer-Normal, Agricultural, and Chaflin Types oJTMechanical College of South Morris Carolina, Fisk College; Tennessee: in needs war and training encesin facilities University, Knoxville College, Lane College, Le in the coursesof- Moyne College, Tennessee Agricultural and Indusdictatewidevariations trial State Teachers College; TPexas: College, fered.Some are designedto prepareper- Houston College for Negroes, JarvisBishop Christian College, Paul Quinn Prairie College, View State Colto fit lege, Samuel Huston College, Tillotson College, sonsfornewfieldsof work;othersWiley College; Virginia: Hampton Institute, Virthosealreadyemployedin war activities ginia State College for West Virginia: and responsible assign- Bluefield State TeachersNegroes: for moredifficult College, Storer College, District State West Virginia College; of Columments.Classesmay meet on the college bia: Howard University.

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380

THE JOURNAL OF NEGRO EDUCATION time; Fisk University,1 part-time; Hampton Institute,7 part-time;Virginia State College, 6 part-time;West Virginia State College, 3 part-time. In February and March, 1943, seven of thesecollegeswereauthorizedto begin 26 part-time and 2 full-time courses: Howard University,1 parttime and 1 full-time;Atlanta University, 3 part-time;A. and T. College,

in Alabama, the Alabama Polytechnic Institute had about 85 ESMWT coursesin 20 centersin the state; three courses were designated "for Negroes": EngineeringDrawing I, Pipe Drafting,and Fundamentalsof Radio. The Universityof Alabama held contracts for 146 coursesin 20 centersin Alabama, two were "for Negroes": Foremanshipand Supervisionand In-

TABLE I DISTRIBUTION

OF ESMWT

BY FIELDS

COURSES

Chem- Engi- Manage- Mathe- Physics istry neering ment matics Howard Atlanta A and T Southern NorthCarolina College Wilberforce Langston ColoredNormal,etc.,South Carolina Fisk Hampton VirginiaState College West VirginiaState Total

5 3 4 3 4 4 3 1 2 2 31

10 2 5 4

1 1

2 2

2

11 1 1 5

5 1

5 6 3

2

27

34

71

1

2

3-

Since fourNegro 2 part-time; WilberforceUniversity, dustrialChemistry. had ESMWT 3 part-time; Colored Normal, etc. of Alabama in colleges thatthe"forNe- South Carolina,6 part-time;Hampton courses,we presume Institute,6 part-timeand 1 full-time; groes"coursesusedtheirfacilities. State College, 4 part-time; Virginia For theperiodJuly1, 1942,through January31, 1943,the Negrocolleges West Virginia State College, 2 partgave 74 courses; time. Some of the collegeswith direct withdirectcontracts and5 werefull-time.contractsalso participatedas sub-con69 werepart-time had 14 part-time tractors in certain fields where they HowardUniversity and 2 full-time;AtlantaUniversity,could not meet the ESMWT require2 mentsfor a direct contract. 3 part-time;SouthernUniversity, The numberof Negro colleges parA. and T. and 1 full-time; part-time College of North Carolina,6 part- ticipatingin the ESMWT programis time;NorthCarolinaCollegeforNe- largerthan one would expectconsiderUni- ing the stringentrequirementsfor a Wilberforce groes,15 part-time; LangstonUniver- program. The technique of seeking 2 full-time; versity, sity, 6 part-time;Colored Normal, sub-contracts when the institution and Mechani- cannotqualify fora directcontractis Agricultural Industrial, cal College,South Carolina,6 part- sound and strategic. The particular

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TRAINING OF NEGROES FOR WAR INDUSTRIES

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thatthepreparation subjectsstressedby the collegesseem intheircontention to resultlessfroma studyoftheneeds is tooarduousfora positionwhichwill amongNegroesthanfromwhatener- onlylast outthewar.If thepost-war geticpersonwishesto give a course worldrealizesany of the thingswe andwhatcourseshavebeenpopularin are fightingfor, we may find our the posiwhitecolleges.TheNegrocollegeshave youngpeople maintaining missedentirely theopportunity afford- tionsgainedin the war.An intensive by some ed byESMWT to conductcorrespond-nationalcampaignconducted ence coursesfortraininghighschool collegeswith well-plannedand balto ESMWT programs in chemis- ancedfull-time teachers.The concentration tryalmostto the exclusionofphysics draw the many Negro womenwho or bireflects thefactthattheNegrocollege have majoredin mathematics is stronger inthisfield.The job oppor- ologyin collegeintophysics,chemistunitiesare just the reverse.For this try, and engineeringis eminently is a physicist's war withemphasison desirable. devices.Possiblythe chiefweakness Too fewNegroesparticipatein the Ofthe112,616stuin theNegro ESMWT program. oftheESMWT program collegeis the failureto plan full-time dents,only 1,174 are Negroes,little of courses around nation-wideneeds. morethanonepercent.Thenumber There are manyfieldsin whichthe coursesgivenin all of the Negrocolis lessthan for legeswithdirectcontracts Negro has not had opportunity nowseeking those given by many singleschools and training employment personnel.With a large federalap- such as Alabama PolytechnicInstiof se- tuteand equalsabouthalfthenumber propriation and the possibility of givenby PennsylvaniaState College. curinggrantsfromthe U.S. Office Educationin the loan-fundplan for Mississippiwithover a millionNecollegesciencemajors,many Negro groes has one course: Mechanical collegescould have and shouldhave Drawing. had full-time programsin fieldsalWithover5,000Negroesgraduating lowedforby ESMWT. fromcollegeeach year overthe last The problemof the Negrowoman fiveyears and approximately 30,000 in the ESMWT programbecomesin- fromsecondaryschoolsand mostof medicreasinglysignificant as the armed themlookingtowardsteaching, or forcescut more and more into the cine,law, dentistry, pharmacy, sowomen dwindlingmanpower.Negro cial work,one would expectan unfor usualpercentage withthe educationalprerequisites oftheseyoungpeople themESMWT coursesneed re-orientation.in re-training programsfitting Those who possessthe abilitiesand selves for fullerservicein the war technicalpositions effort. aptitudesforfilling The failureto enlistmoreof are too oftentimidor so impressed by theseyoungpeoplein positionsmaktheir clerk's job at $1,620-which ingmoreuse oftheirspecializedabilicould be performed by a tiesand capabilitiesis a nationalloss. efficiently servicesenhighschoolstudent-thattheycannot Manymenin government look to engineering, chemistry,or sitive to our manpowerneeds must to physicsas a career.Thereis goodlogic realizethe stupidityof continuing

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THE JOURNAL OF NEGRO EDUCATION

into allow 10 per cent of our potential The NYA dividesthe country 11 geographic regions: Region I (Contechnicalbrainpower to go largelyunused for failureto cut sharplyand necticut,Maine,Massachusetts, New resolutelyacross some social preju- Hampshire,Rhode Island, Vermont, dices.The Negrocollegecan certainly New York) 816,14.8 (the firstis the do morein re-orienting and re-train- numberof Negrotrainees,the second ing, but the chiefburdenmust be the percentagein that region); Reborne by government. Nevertheless,gion III (Delaware, New Jersey, any law whichallowsthe use of our Pennsylvania)1,482,18.5; RegionIV manpower to be decidedby local need (District of Columbia, Maryland, forpersonnel is dangerous fortheNe- NorthCarolina,Virginia,West Virgro sinceit allowstoo easilythe pi- ginia) 1,808,28.0; RegionV (Kengeonholing of Negroabilitiesand the tucky,Michigan,Ohio) 1,326,16.8; assignment to positionstraditionallyRegionVI (Illinois,Indiana,WisconNegro.But let us return to thatlater. sin) 1,563,18.7;RegionVII (Alabama, The training program oftheNation- Florida, Georgia,Mississippi,South al YouthAdministration (NYA) has Carolina,Tennessee)1,978,27.5; Rea commendable historyof effective-gionVIII (Iowa, Minnesota,Nebrasin the ka, North Dakota, South Dakota) ness and equal opportunity trainingof Negroes.The agencyhas 188,5.4; RegionIX (Arkansas,Kana student- sas, Missouri,Oklahoma)1,380,21.9; conductedtwo programs, aid programto help studentsin col- Region X (Louisiana,New Mexico, legesand graduateschoolsand NYA Texas) 675, 15.3; RegionXI (Colotradeclasses.The chiefemphasissince rado, Idaho, Montana,Utah, Wyothe war seemsto be the vocational ming)53, 4.1; RegionXII (Arizona, intradesvitalto the California, Nevada,Oregon, Washingtraining program of 9.6. The number In mostoftheseregions war economy. young ton) 120, in a percentage peoplein trainingas of February17, theNegroparticipates 1943,was: larger than his relative population Total Negro percentage. Shop activities 58,328 11,057 The relatively largenumberof Ne312 Clerical activities 1,801 55 Otheractivities 20. grotraineesmay be indicativeof the Shop activities included machine, inabilityof the youngNegroto find In theNYA program, the sheetmetal,welding,foundry, forge,' employment. radio, woodwork,industrialsewing, enrolleesare paid a fairhourlywage ofNe- duringthe trainingperiod.The rate, etc.The greatestconcentration in the Southand border groeswas in machine(2,462), sheet particularly thanthattheNegrois states, is higher metal (1,468), arc welding(2,105), in the busboyreceive accustomed to and industrialsewing(1,757). Negro messenger-janitor-jobs open to them. women (6,392) exceeded the men from This not should detract, however, (4,665) withhalfof the womenconNYA the real fact that gives training in machine(1,507) and incentrated dustrialsewing(1,756). Of the 312 of high quality on excellentequipNegroesin clericalactivities, 307were ment.We needmoreofit. The data on trainingprogramsof women.

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privateindustries are meager.Verbal ciently.I do notknowthatsuchbusireportsindicatethatNegroespartici- nessesare training Negroes. pate on the skilledand semi-skilled In-servicetrainingis the pattern levelsbut neverin the ratioapproxi- commonto a largenumberof indusmatingthepopulation ratio.Thereare tries.A personis hiredand sent to severaladvancedengineering programs special classes for a shortperiodto forwomenforwhichNegrogirlshave learn specificduties.Negroesexperiapplied,unsuccessfully. The Curtiss- ence the initial difficulty of getting WrightCorporation has a ten-months'hired. engineering training courseforwomen The over-allpictureof thetraining in cooperation with engineeringof Negroes for war industrieshas schools.8 Womenhavebeenassignedto brightenedconsiderablyin recent Cornell,Iowa State College,Minne- months.Wilkerson's studyof theVosota,Pennsylvania StateCollege,Pur- cationalEducationProgramemphadue,and theUniversity ofTexas.The sized that as of October15, 1940,of curriculum includesmathematics, job the 90,000enrolleesonly5,000or apair- proximately terminology and specifications, 5 per centwereNegroes. craftdrawingand design,elementaryApproximately 1,500were in the 13 mechanics,and aircraftmaterials. Southern states with segregated None of thesecoursesrequireequip- schools.Thereis corresponding growth mentnoteasilyplacedin manyNegro in the ESMWT program. colleges. The only solutionto the training Fortune'srecentsurveyof manage- problemlies in a stronggovernment mentopinionindirectly pointsto the programdirectedto the development probablefateof the Negroin indus- of skillsirrespective of race,color,or When47.5per creed. The Kilgore bill, introduced try'straining program. cent of managementreportedthat intotheSenateon February11, 1943, theyemployedno Negroes,34.8 per appearsto be an excellentinstrument cent statedthat they employedless assuringthe use of Negro abilities. than 10 per cent and 38.9 per cent Item 8 underPurposesof the Act insistedthat they could employno reads: and 27.8 per cent To promoteinterestin scientificand techNegroesefficiently thattheycouldnotemploymorethan nical education,and to provideforall qualiFortune fied persons"0the means of scientificand 10 per cent efficiently, technicaltrainingand employment.... editorialized: Theoreticians,even practicaltheoreticians, Item C underPowers of the Office may take exceptionto the executives'col- states: lectiveestimatesofthe ceilingsof usefulness of Negroes.

. .

. Obviously business man-

agementwants little part of them. ...

that The responsesindicate,however, notnowhiringNegroesbebusinesses lieve that they can use them effi8 For a popular description of the program, see Life, p. 45-49, May 10, 1943. 9Fortune, p. 143, F 1943.

To formulate and promoteprojectsand programs for the developmentand use of scientificand technicalfacilitiesand personneland, whennecessary,to initiateand carryout such projects.

The billproposesa NationalScientific 10The italics are mine.

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THE JOURNAL OF NEGRO EDUCATION

and TechnicalCommittee withrepre- In reviewingthe Kilgorebill and sentativesof the consumingpublic, theelaboratetraining necesprograms labor,business,and government. The sitatedby WorldWar II, one is imdifference initial appropriationrequested is pressedby the tremendous $200,000,000, demandsof betweenthetechnological The hope-inspiring featureof the World War II and World War I. Kilgorebill is that unlikeESMWT WorldWarI seemsto haveendedjust wheretherequirements fora program as it was entering thedevicestage.No eliminatedmost Negro schools,this elaboratenationalprogramwas rebillleavestheparticular machinery of quired.AlthoughWorld War I has formulating and promoting projects been called a chemist'swar in comand programs to be determined byna- parisonwithWorldWar II, a physitionalneed. Heretofore manyof the cist's war, even the requirement of and personnelwithtrainingin chemistry specialproblemsin the scientific technicaleducationof Negroescould was muchless thannow.So fewNenot be successfully approached.With groeswere concernedwithtechnical a blanketprovision and and scientific "to formulate workat that timethat promoteprojectsand programs. . . our collegestook littlenoticeof any and, whennecessary,to initiateand contribution they could have made. physmathematicians, carryout such projects,"the Negro Theoutstanding collegecouldlooktowardmoreeffec- icists, and chemistswere used in tive selectionand trainingof young research, buton a muchsmallerscale. of techThe increasingsignificance peoplein thephysicalsciences. oftheact are nologyin waris notunusual.It seems Two otherprovisions of interest: of an thatwarsexploitthetechnology thandoes peace. era morecompletely Powersof the Office: (j) To financeby loan, grant,exchange, in enrollment In spiteofthegrowth purchase,or otherwisethe operations and extensionof trainingprograms, or functions, or any of them,authorized weakness by this Act, and, or the same purposes, thereremainsthe general have notenall of the that programs to make or acquire any contract,. . . neces- listedenoughNegroesto rendertheir and to enterinto any transaction saryor appropriateforthe performance participation in the technicalside of of its dutiesor powers. The exthe war programefficient. (o) To conductsuchresearchand investigaof resmall number Negroes tremely tion touchingupon the use and defor war work scientific training ceiving velopment of scientificand technical to thosewho are learning facilitiesand personnelas the Office in contrast may deem necessaryand appropriateto to manipulatethe appliancesof our carryout the purposesof thisAct. technologywithout any scientific is knowledgeor trainingis certainto The War ManpowerCommission world at workon a CivilianTrainingbill weakenus inthesuper-scientific Unfor the post-war period. predicted which will request approximately factors at there are many questionably I do notknowthespecific $60,000,000. the and thwart hinder Negro, provisions, butit willabsorbthewar- workto that loan programof the U.S. Officeof but thereremainsthe conviction the government agencies,our schools, Education.

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TRAINING OF NEGROES FOR WAR INDUSTRIES

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and industryhave not reachedtheir I wouldadd to these: withinthe limita- 4. The traditionalvocational interestsof optimumefficiency tionsof the social pattern.To reach Negro students.The coursesnow in dethislevelwillrequireincreasedatten- mand have been almost exclusivelypretion by Negroschoolsand generous professionalcourses in Negro colleges. There is need fora changeof attitude. Tacticswill 5. A muchalive,widespreadbeliefthatthe assistanceby government. have to be devisedforcircumventing war should interfereas little as possible pettyprejudicesin local or national withthe life of the individualunless he is called forservice.The studentis lookofficials. ing to the post-warworldwiththe conIn a surveyoftheNegrocollegeand will be victionthat the job opportunities conducted the same as now.Somethingcan be done the war trainingprogram, in thelasthalfof 1942,L. L. Woods"' to combat this attitude. concluded thatwithintheirlimitations Whenone considersall of the facthecollegesaredoinga goodjob. Lack protors involvedin the wartraining of more and betterintegratedproof Negram for Negroes-numbers gramswas chargedto: educationalbackgroeswithsufficient preparationof students.Since 1. Indifferent equipment teachingpersonnel, most of the studentsof the Negro col- ground, of job opportunities needs, advertising high staffed poorly from come leges schoolsit has been foundthatwhenthey in the technicalfields-it becomes reach college much time must be spent clearthatthe onlyreal hopelies in a in teachingthat whichtheyshould have sincere programwhich government been given beforereachingcollege. and recruiting the task of will consider 2. Administrativeapathy. The unwillingwith the Negro brainpower training to establish ness of schooladministrators and properlyprovide for the intensive objectivecalmnessthatone considers scientific trainingmerelybecause the cost the metallurgical problemof extractper studentis higherand because classes from sea water.Now ing magnesium are smallerin the sciencesthan in the to hit Hitler's are that we preparing otherdepartments. be necessary it Europe, may fortress 3. Lack of properpublic and governmental support.Negro colleges usually have a to lookto thebetterutilization ofthis hard time maintainingexistingprograms 10 per centof ourmostessentialwar and the amountof directinterestshown material.'2 by federalagencies,by theirsupport,is farshortof whatit shouldbe. 12The author wishes to thank Mr.

Woods, "The Negro College and the War Training Program," School and Society, 57: 19-20, J 2, 1943. "1 L. L.

E. P. Westmoreland, U. S. Office of Education, and Mr. Charles P. Browning, National Youth Administration, for generous assistance in securing data and for their counsel.

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