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Ed Spannaus correspondence, June-September 1964

1964-08-20 Edward Spannaus to The Honorable Robert F. Kennedy

Council of Federated Organisations 
609 Bowen Street
Moss Point, Mississippi

The Honorable Robert F. Kennedy
Department of Justice
Washington 25, D.C.

Dear Mr, Kennedy:

I would like information as to investigating discrimination in industries under federal contracts. 

The case in question is that of the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation in Pascagoula, Mississippi, which is owned by Litton Industries. A great many instances of discrimination in hirings, wages, etc. have been brought to my attention while I have been working with COFO in Pascagoula. 

One instant of blatant discrimination is that of the payment of bonuses in the painting section, section #27 in Ingalls. In this section the workmen are paid a bonus if they complete their work before the date contracted for. The bonuses are a rather sizeable sum, but only the white workers receive the bonus. I am told that the Negro laborers do not receive this bonus, and that the bonus money which is rightfully theirs is paid to the white workers. The workmen are well aware, painfully aware, of this situation, but have not been aware of any recourse which is available to them. They know that the money belongs to them, but don't know how to get it. 

The painting section is currently working on the ship Mormecargo, being built for the American Merchant Marine, Their work should be completed and the bonus paid sometime in the first part of September. 

I would be interested in what jurisdiction does the Justice Department or any other department have in this type of case, and what measures can be taken to investigate and halt such discriminatory practices. This is only one of many such instances of discrimination at Ingalls. I and perhaps other COFO staff workers will be eager to get affidavits, etc., if we know what to look for and how to look for it. 

Yours truly, 
Edward Spannaus

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Council of Federated Organisations 609 Bowen Street Moss Point, Mississippi The Honorable Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Washington 25, D.C. Dear Mr, Kennedy: I would like information as to investigating discrimination in industries under federal contracts. The case in question is that of the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation in Pascagoula, Mississippi, which is owned by Litton Industries. A great many instances of discrimination in hirings, wages, etc. have been brought to my attention while I have been working with COFO in Pascagoula. One instant of blatant discrimination is that of the payment of bonuses in the painting section, section #27 in Ingalls. In this section the workmen are paid a bonus if they complete their work before the date contracted for. The bonuses are a rather sizeable sum, but only the white workers receive the bonus. I am told that the Negro laborers do not receive this bonus, and that the bonus money which is rightfully theirs is paid to the white workers. The workmen are well aware, painfully aware, of this situation, but have not been aware of any recourse which is available to them. They know that the money belongs to them, but don't know how to get it. The painting section is currently working on the ship Mormecargo, being built for the American Merchant Marine, Their work should be completed and the bonus paid sometime in the first part of September. I would be interested in what jurisdiction does the Justice Department or any other department have in this type of case, and what measures can be taken to investigate and halt such discriminatory practices. This is only one of many such instances of discrimination at Ingalls. I and perhaps other COFO staff workers will be eager to get affidavits, etc., if we know what to look for and how to look for it. Yours truly, Edward Spannaus