ROOSEVELT, Franklin D., President . Typed letter signed ("Franklin D Roosevelt") as President, to Joseph Curran, President of the National Maritime Union, Washington, D.C., 14 January 1942. 1 page, 4to, White House stationery. "QUESTIONS OF RACE...HAVE NO PLACE IN DETERMINING WHO ARE TO MAN OUR SHIPS" An exceptionally good letter, as President, on the subject of racial discrimination. In 1940, at Roosevelt's insistence, the Democratic Party platform had included a plank pledging the end to racial discrimination in all government services and benefits. Here, 14 days after the U.S. Declaration of War, Roosevelt assures Curran in very strong terms that all Americans will have the right to fight for democracy: "I am informed that the discrimination against colored seamen, referred to in your telegram of January 2nd, was eliminated by the action of the United States Maritime Commission on the day it occured. It is the policy of the Government of the United States to encourage full participation in the National Defense program by all citizens, regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin, in the firm belief that the democratic way of life within the nation can be defended successfully only with the help and support of all groups within its borders. The policy was stated in my Executive Order signed on June 25, 1941. The order instructed all parties making contracts with the Government...not to discriminate against any worker because of race, creed, color or national origin. Questions of race, creed and color have no place in determining who are to man our ships. The sole qualifications...should be his loyalty and his professional or technical ability and training." The recipient, Joseph Edwin Curran, President of the NMU from 1937 to 1973, was one of the most influential American labor leaders.
ROOSEVELT, Franklin D., President . Typed letter signed ("Franklin D Roosevelt") as President, to Joseph Curran, President of the National Maritime Union, Washington, D.C., 14 January 1942. 1 page, 4to, White House stationery. "QUESTIONS OF RACE...HAVE NO PLACE IN DETERMINING WHO ARE TO MAN OUR SHIPS" An exceptionally good letter, as President, on the subject of racial discrimination. In 1940, at Roosevelt's insistence, the Democratic Party platform had included a plank pledging the end to racial discrimination in all government services and benefits. Here, 14 days after the U.S. Declaration of War, Roosevelt assures Curran in very strong terms that all Americans will have the right to fight for democracy: "I am informed that the discrimination against colored seamen, referred to in your telegram of January 2nd, was eliminated by the action of the United States Maritime Commission on the day it occured. It is the policy of the Government of the United States to encourage full participation in the National Defense program by all citizens, regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin, in the firm belief that the democratic way of life within the nation can be defended successfully only with the help and support of all groups within its borders. The policy was stated in my Executive Order signed on June 25, 1941. The order instructed all parties making contracts with the Government...not to discriminate against any worker because of race, creed, color or national origin. Questions of race, creed and color have no place in determining who are to man our ships. The sole qualifications...should be his loyalty and his professional or technical ability and training." The recipient, Joseph Edwin Curran, President of the NMU from 1937 to 1973, was one of the most influential American labor leaders.
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