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U. S. SUFT. ^\^ DOCUMENTS
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
HEARINGS
BEFORE THE
SELECT COMMIHEE INVESTIGATING
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
HOUSE OF EEPBJSENTATIVES
SEVENTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS
FIKST SESSION
PURSUANT TO
H. Res. 113
A RESOLUTION TO INQUIRE FURTHER INTO THE INTERSTATE
MIGRATION OP CITIZENS, EMPHASIZING THE PRESENT
AND POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE MIGRA-
TION CAUSED BY THE NATIONAL
DEFENSE PROGRAM
PART 13
HARTFORD HEARINGS
JUNE 24 AND 25, 1941
Printed for the use of the Select Committee Investigating
National Defense Migration
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
HEARINGS
BEFORE THE
SELECT COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGEATION
HOUSE OF KEPRESENTATIVES
SEVENTY-SEVENTH. (;ONGEESS
FIEST SESSION
PURSUANT TO
H. Res. 113
A RESOLUTION TO INQUIRE FURTHER INTO THE INTERSTATE
MIGRATION OF CITIZENS, EMPHASIZING THE PRESENT
AND POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE MIGRA-
TION CAUSED BY THE NATIONAL
DEFENSE PROGRAM
PART 13
HARTFORD HEARINGS
JUNE 24 AND 25, 1941
Printed for the use of the Select Committee Investigating
National Defense Migration
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 1941
U. S. SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS
SEP 25 1941
SELECT COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING NATIONAL DEFENSE
MIGRATION
JOHN H. TOLAN, California, Chairman
JOHN J. SPARKMAN. Alabama CARL T. CURTIS, Nebraska
LAURENCE F. ARNOLD, niinois FRANK C. OSMERS, Jr., New Jersey
Robert K. Lamb, Staff Director
Harold D. Cullen, Associate Editor
Josef Berger, Associate Editor
CONTENTS
Pa&e
List of witnesses V
Tuesday, June 24, 1941, morning; session 5021
Testimony of Hon. Robert Hurley 5022
Statement by Hon. Robert Hurley 5022
Testimony of Hon. Robert Hurley, resumed 5024
Testimony of Hon. Thomas Spellacy 5028
Statement by Hon. Thomas Spellacy 5029
Testimony of Hon. Thomas Spellacy, resumed 5042
Testimony of Major Leonard J. Maloney 5051
Statement by Major Leonard J. Maloney 5051
Testimony of Major Leonard J. Maloney, resumed 5108
Testimony of Frank E. Robbins 5117
Testimony of Milton H. Gloyer 5123
Statement by Milton H. Glover 5123
Testimony of Milton H. Glover, resumed 5136
Testimony of Mrs. Ivy Despard 5138
Testimony of N. Searle Light 5144
Statement by N. Searle Light 5144
Testimony of N. Searle Light, resumed 5176
Testimony of J. E. Nichols 5179
Testimony of N. Searle Light, resumed 5180
Tuesday, June 24, 1941, afternoon session 5183
Testimony of John W. Nickerson 5183
Statement by E. Kent Hubbard 5184
Testimony of John W. Nickerson, resumed 5185
Statement by Donald S. Sammis 5188
Testimony of Donald S. Sammis 5192
Testimony of Dr. Albert S. Gray 5196
Statement by Dr. Albert S. Gray 5196
Testimony of Dr. Albert S. Gray, resumed 5218
Testimony of Ernest A. Stowell 5220
Statement by Ernest A. Stowell 5221
Testimony of Ernest A. Stowell, resumed 5234
Testimony of Dr. Millicent Pond 5239
Statement by Dr. Millicent Pond 5241
Testimony of Dr. Millicent Pond, resumed 5246
Testimony of Albert F. Snvder 5248
Statement by Albert F. Snyder 5249
Testimony of Albert F. Snyder, resumed 5259
Testimony of Norris W. Ford 5261
Statement by Norris W. Ford 5262
Testimony by Norris W. Ford, resumed 5271
Testimony of Mike Du Mond 5275
Testimony of Dr. Stanley H. Osborn 5278
Statement by Dr. Stanley H. Osborn 5279
Testimony of Dr. Stanley H. Osborn, resumed 5291
Testimony of Nicholas Tomassetti 5293
Statement by Nicholas Tomassetti 5293
Testimony of Nicholas Tomassetti, resumed 5296
Testimony of Kenneth Hickman 5299
Wednesday, June 25, 1941, morning session 5303
Testimony of Hon. George J. Coyle 5303
Reports by Hon. George J. Coyle 5304
Testimony of Hon. George J. Coyle, resumed 5307
Testimony of Elmer Olsen ' 5310
Testimony of T. R. Downs 5311
Statement by T. R. Downs 5311
Testimony of T. R. Downs, resumed 5314
Testimony of William T. Pinault 5319
Testimony of Russel H. Allen 5325
III
IV CONTENTS
Wednesday, June 25, 1941, morning session — Continued. Page
Statement bj' Russel H. Allen . 5326
Testimony of Russel H. Allen, resumed 5329
Testimony of William J. Ryan 5340
Statement by William J. Ryan 5340
Testimony of William J. Ryan, resumed 5348
Testimony of Hon. Jasper McLevy 5355
Statement by Hon. Jasper McLevy 5356
Testimony of Hon. Jasper McLevy, resumed.. 5358
Testimony of Benjamin Lenda 5362
Testimony of John J. Egan 5365
Testimony of William H. Bulkeley 5371
Statement by William H. Bulkeley 5371
Testimony of William H . Bulkeley, resumed 5374
Testimony of Hon. William J. Miller 5376
Wednesday, June 25, 1941, afternoon session 5378
Testimony of Herbert Booma 5378
Testimony of Ben Abrams 5378
Statement by Ben Abrams 5378
Testimony of Ben Abrams, resumed 5382
Testimony of Ralph C. Lasbury 5386
Statement by Ralph C. Lasbury 5387
Testimony of Ralph C. Lasbury, resumed 5394
Testimony of W. L. Harris 5396
Testimony of Leonard P. Ball 5398
Testimony of Arthur V. Geary 5399
Testimony of William Richardson 5406
Testimony of Mary Smith 5408
Testimony of George Gershel 5410
Statement by George Gershel 5410
Testimony of George Gershel, resumed 5412
Testimony of George Hayes 5414
Statement by George Hayes 5415
TestiiBony of George Hayes, resumed 5418
Testimony of Daniel Howard 5421
Statement by Daniel Howard 5421
Testimony of Daniel Howard, resumed 5432
Testimony of John Luddy 5434
Exhibits introduced by staff members 5437
Exhibit 1 . Farm Labor in Connecticut 5437
Exhibit 2. Connecticut Industrial Activity and Need for Work Proj-
ects Administration Employment 5454
Exhibit 3. Literstate Movement of Workers 5459
Exhibit 4. Impact of National Defense Program on the Hartford
Negro 5463
Exhibit 5. Impact of Defense Activities on New London Area 5466
Exhibit 6. Defense Activities in New London 5474
Exhibit 7. Operations of East Hartford Aircraft Federal Credit Union. 5476
Exhibit 8. Bristol Housing Emergency 5478
Exhibit 9. Housing in East Hartford 5479
Exhibit 10. Social Services in Bridgeport 5481
Exhibit 11. Migration of Motor Vehicle Operators." 5487
Exhibit 12. Mobile Housing 5489
Exhibit 13. Defense Problems in Waterburv 5490
Exhibit 13-B. Health Conditions in Waterbury 5491
Exhibit 13-C. Employment and Business Indexes of Waterbury 5493
Exhibit 14-A. Points of Origin of Labor Supplv 5499
Exhibit 14-B. Statistical Report, May 1941. _J 5503
Exhibit 14-C. Survey of Hourly Earnings 5504
Exhibit 14-D. Survey of the Physically Handicapped 5507
Exhibit 14-E. Negro Workers in Hartford County Factories 5507
Exhibit 15. Attempt to place Union Workers from the South 5508
Exhibit 16. Recommended Federal Housing Programs in Connecticut
Defense Area 5511
Exhibit 17. Recruitment and Training of Labor for Defense 5516
Exhibit 18. Purchasing Procedure of the War Department 5523
Exhibit 19. Vocational Rehabilitation Service 5524
Exhibit 20. Applications to Central Homes Registry 5531
t
LIST OF WITNESSES
Hartford Hearings, June 24 and 25, 1941
Page
Abrams, Ben, secretary of the Hartford Civic and Economic Welfare
Council, Hartford, Conn 5378,5382
Allen, Russell, member of the Hartford Housing 'Authority', Hartford,
Conn 5325,5329
Ball, Leonard P., farm placement center of the State employment service,
Hartford, Conn 5398
Booma, Herbert, chairman of the housing committee, Chamber of Com-
merce, East Hartford, Conn 5378
Bulkeley, William, vice president, National Travelers' Aid, Hartford,
Conn 5371 , 5374
Coyle, Hon. George J., mayor. New Britain, Conn 5303, 5307
Despard, Ivy (Mrs.), trailer camp, South Windsor, Conn 5138
Downs, T. R., emplovment supervisor, United Aircraft Corporation,
Hartford, Conn 5311,5314
Du Mond, Mike, an employee of the Colt Arms Co., of Hartford, Conn 5275
Egan, John J., State secretary of the American Federation of Labor,
Hartford, Conn 5365
Ford, Norris W., manager of the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut,
Hartford, Conn 5261,5271
Geary, Arthur V., farm placement supervisor for the Connecticut State
Employment Service, Hartford, Conn 5399
Gershel, George, shade tobacco grower, 801 Windsor Street, Hartford,
Conn 5410,5412
Glover, Milton H., chairman of the budget committee, Hartford Com-
munity Chest, Hartford, Conn 5123,5136
Gray, Dr. Albert S., director of division of industrial hygiene of the State
department of health, Hartford, Conn 5196, 5218
Harris, W. L., Hartford County Farm Bureau agent, 95 Washington
Street, Hartford, Conn 5396
Haves, George, Internal Revenue Department, Tariffville, Conn 5414,5418
Hickman, Kenneth, 35 Mahl Avenue, Hartford, Com 5299
Howard, Daniel, representing the Connecticut Conference on Social and
Labor Legislation, Windsor, Conn 5421, 5432
Hurlev, Hon. Robert, Governor of the State of Connecticut, Hartford,
Conn 5022,5024
Lasbury, Ralph, speaking on behalf of the agriculture subcommittee and
State defense council and representing growers, Hartford, Conn 5386, 5394
Lenda, Benjamin, machine operator, Pratt & Whitney Co., Hartford, Conn. 5362
Light, N. Searle, director, bureau of supervision, State department of edu-
cation, Hartford, Conn 5144, 5179, 5183
Luddy, John, wholesale cotton dealer, Windsor, Conn 5434
Malonev, Maj. Leonard J., director, Connecticut State Employment
Service 5051,5108
McLevy, Hon. Jasper, mayor, Bridgeport, Conn 5355, 5358
Miller, Hon. William J., former Member of Congress from the State of
Connecticut 5376
Nichols, N. E., supervisor of buildings and plans. State department of
education, Hartford, Conn 5180
Nicker^on, John W., chairman of the emergency employment committee
of the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut, Inc., Manchester,
Conn 5183,5185
Olsen, Elmer, chairman of the planning commission. New Britain, Conn_- 5310
Osborn, Dr. Stanley H., State commissioner of health, Hartford, Conn. 5278, 5291
Pinault, William P., migrant worker, 87 Park Street, Hartford, Conn 5319
V
VI LIST OF WITNESSES
Page
Pond, Dr. Millicent, employment manager, Scovill Manufacturing Co.,
Waterbury, Conn 6239, 5246
Richardson, William, a migrant worker 5406
Robbins, Frank E., and Mrs. Frank E. (Jean), Pratt & Whitney trailer
camp, Hartford, Conn 5117
Ryan, William J., superintendent, department of public welfare, Hartford,
Conn 5340,5348
Sammis, Donald S., works manager of Underwood-Elliott-Fisher Co.,
Bridgeport, Conn 51 92
Smith, Mary, 21 Avon Street, Hartford, Conn 5308
Snyder, Albert F., industrial relations manager of the Winchester Repeat-
ing Arms Co., New Haven, Conn 5248, 5259
Spellacy, Hon. Thomas, mayor of the city of Hartford, Conn 5029, 5042
Stowell, Ernest A., employment manager, Underwood-Elliott-Fisher Co.,
Hartford, Conn 5220,5234
Tomassetti, Nicholas, representing the Congress of Industrial Organiza-
tions, New Britain, Conn 5293, 5296
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGKATION
TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 1941
morning session
House of Representatives,
Select Committee Investigating
National Defense Migration,
Was/iington, D. C.
The committee met at 10 a. m., Tuesday, June 24, 1941, in the
State Capitol Building, Hartford, Conn., Hon. John H. Tolan (chair-
man), presiding.
Present were: Representatives John H. Tolan (chairman) of
California; John J. Sparkman of Alabama; Laurence F. Arnold of
Illinois; and Carl T. Curtis of Nebraska.
Also present: Robert K. Lamb, staff director; John W. Abbott,
chief field investigator; Francis X. Riley and Frank B. Wells, field
investigators; and Irene Hageman, field secretary.
The Chairman. The committee will please come to order.
Governor Hurley is our first witness. Governor, we know you are a
busy man in a busy city, and we will hear you as the first witness.
I want to say on behalf of the committee that we are deeply ap-
preciative of your coming here and starting off these hearings.
We have had excellent success with governors and mayors, as well
as others. Everybody seems to be interested in this problem.
This committee was appointed by the Speaker of the House over
a year ago. We have traveled all over the LTnited States, starting at
New York City with our first hearing, to show that this migration
problem is not connected solely with any one State but that all are
involved. We traveled over the whole country and made our report
to Congress on the general subject of migration. We found that
there had been as many as 4,000,000 of the American people moving
out of their own States at one time and wandering about the countrj^
in search of employment, and that in most instances they wound up
Stateless, homeless, and voteless.
Wlien the national-defense program had reached its stride, this
migration became further accelerated, and the transient status of
people aggravated. Congress therefore, in view of the dangers in-
herent in such a situation unless it be controlled, thought it wise to
continue the committee. So that is what we are concerned with now,
the national-defense program, and the effects of the migration neces-
sitated by it, upon States like Connecticut.
The committee has outlined as its immediate work these hearings
in Connecticut, and then we go to New Jersey, and following that to
Baltimore; then back to Washington to make a preliminary report to
Congress,
5021
5022 HARTFORD HEARINGS
The committee has also visited San Diego, CaHf., which is probably,
if I may say it, "the hottest spot" in the United States.
We are holding these hearings in order to give Congress as accurate
a picture as we can of what your problems are in the State of Connec-
ticut, with reference to migration.
We are not here to show up any witness or to cross-examine anyone,
but just to get the facts, so that we can report to Congress and then
see what can be done about it.
Now, that in brief is why we are here and. Governor, any remarks
you would like to make at this time we would be only too glad to hear.
TESTIMONY OF HON. ROBERT HURLEY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE
OF CONNECTICUT, HARTFORD, CONN.
Governor Hurley. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have, of course,
received my information about this problem from the various agencies
that we have set up to look into it and make reports to the govern-
mental authorities.
I have prepared a short statement which I will be glad to read. It
is in rough form and I will have it typed and submit it to the com-
mittee later if the committee desires to have it.
The Chairman. Let me interrupt you to say. Governor, that after
these hearings, if there are any additional data you think the State of
Connecticut should place in our records, we will be glad to hold the
record open for a week or 10 days, so that you can supplement what
you have to say today.
Governor Hurley. That will be very fine, because there exist
further data concerning this that I would like to present to the
committee. I have tried to sum up what I have here from data
submitted to me by the various agencies — our defense council, our
State labor department, and others. We have gone into this problem
fully. My prepared statement is a short summary of what I have
been able to find out about the problem. [Reading:]
STATEMENT OF GOV. ROBERT HURLEY OF CONNECTICUT
The problem of adequate housing created by migratory workers exerts a social
and economic pressure upon the people of Connecticut that becomes increasingly
more acute with the expanding needs of defense production.
In area we arc a small State, but because of our industrial capacity and our
skilled workers we have been allotted an immense share of the national-defense
production. I believe that the figure is somewhere about $1,000,000,000 at the
present time that is under order in the State of Connecticut, and the State has
become an important source of materials needed in the building up of this country
as the arsenal of democracy.
From every where. skilled and unskilled workers have been coming to our State
looking for jobs. Many of them are given employment. All of them, however,
have added to the seriousness of our housing needs. I would not be overstating
the fact if I should tell you that in every community in our State where there is
production for defense, there is a great housing shortage and, moreover, that
housing shortage will not be diminished in the near future despite the sporadic
housing construction that is in progress here and there. On the contrary, it will
probably develop into an even graver housing situation.
NEW ORDERS CALL FOR 50,000 MEN
As you know, on May 16 considerably more than a half billion dollars of new
defense orders were placed in this State. This added defense production will
require, according to a study made recently, at least an additional 50,000 new
full-time workers.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5023
Our study also shows that for the immediate future there is need for an addi-
tional 10,000 seasonal workers in agriculture. I would like to state that our
Connecticut Valley and the lower Housatonic Valley are great tobacco-producing
areas. These areas in Connecticut produce tobacco for cigar manufacture, and a
great many seasonal workers come in here from the South each year to work these
crops.
The Chairman. Wlien is that season, Governor Hurley?
Governor Hurley. The planting period begins about June 1 and
the season runs into September, when the last of the tobacco is har-
vested.
The Chairman. Do you anticipate any shortage in that type of
labor for this year?
Governor Hurley. Yes ; there is considerable shortage at the present
time. [Continues reading:]
We have been trying to get boys from colleges and schools, both in the South
and in our own area here, to go to work on those farms but we haven't been very
successful so far, although a number have come up from the South.
RENT PROFITEERING
All of this complicates the housing situation, which as I indicated before, is a
major problem. Indeed, the demand for adequate sanitary dwellings is dispro-
portionately above any available supply, and in many places the trend of rents
has risen so sharply that we are confronted with the additional problem of rent
profiteering and rent gouging.
That part of the housing problem I attempted to solve when, during the recent
session of the general assembly, we put in legislation that would prohibit rent
gouging, but that was defeated, and we are now left in the position that we have
to appeal to landlords. The bill unfortunately did not pass the lower house,
although it did pass the senate. Thus the only means the State government
now has to curtail gouging and profiteering is to appeal to the dormant patriotism
of certain landlords not to seize upon this defense emergency as an opportunity
for making exorbitant profits.
Profiteering has been blocked in most defense industries, not only because of
the farsightedness of the President, but also because of the patriotic cooperation
of the industrialists themselves. This same cooperation must be shown in housing
if that problem is to be solved. And it is imperative that it be solved to insure
the health and the security of our workers as well as the most efficient prosecution
of the national-defense effort.
IMPORTATION OF LABOR
In nay opinion a partial solution of the housing shortage lies in encouraging
employers to use the full force of Connecticut's industrial manpower before they
draw upon the labor surplus of other States.
I make that statement because a survey made by our labor department and
employment service shows that we still have a great number of Connecticut
citizens who are not employed in our defense industries, while a great number
who have come in from other States have been employed.
We can and must work toward the abolition of discriminatory practices in the
hiring of workers so that skilled Connecticut workers will not be disqualified
because of race, color, or creed. We can encourage the training of Connecticut
women for those defense jobs to which women can be adapted. We can work
toward the eradication of discrimination against married women for defense jobs.
HOUSING A FEDERAL PROBLEM
In my judgment, however, these steps of themselves would not solve the prob-
lem of housing.
I believe the solution of that problem rests almost entirely in the hands of the
Federal Government and should be recognized as a problem of the Federal Gov-
ernment. I believe that housing, especially in this time of defense emergency,
should be regarded by the Federal Government as a vast national problem, com-
parable to the problem of training a great Army and Navy and of creating in
America an "arsenal for democracy." Housing must be included in that picture
of total defense.
5024 HARTFORD HEARINGS
In my judgment, the Federal Government should adopt all necessary measures
for the immediate planning, construction, and financing of large-scale housing
facilities in all defense centers.
I believe that the Federal Government should also provide recreational facilities
for defense workers, as well as roads, highways, street improvements, health
facilities, and schools wherever they are needed.
It cannot be expected that the municipalities affected by the defense housing
problems will be able to adopt effective measures for solving these problems.
Many of the municipalities are still suffering from the effects of the last depression.
These municipalities are understandably timid and an.xious with respect to the
disastrous effects of boom-time activities; they justifiably discourage makeshift
construction and consequently impose housing conditions that are not adequate
to a national emergency. Furthermore, the migratory worker is looked upon by
the municipalities as a present or future relief problem. I cannot see the problem
as anything but a national one. In building the Nation into a mighty armed
camp ready to fight off aggression the Federal Government should take into
account the indispensable part being played by industry and should assume
responsibility for all those things that will make such a camp strong.
TESTIMONY OF GOVERNOR HURLEY— Resumed
The Chairman. Governor, I don't know if there is anything in
there that I cannot agree with. As a matter of fact we started off in
New York with Mayor LaGuardia saying. "Even the migration prob-
lem prior to this emergency was a national problem."
Now, Governor, the selective service indicated an appalling state
of health in the Nation, didn't it?
Governor Hurley. Yes.
The Chairman. And doesn't that strike right at our national de-
fense? We put up these great national-defense projects, but we don't
take care of the health and the education and the housing and sanita-
tion of these people who come in here in the name of national defense.
We are making just as serious a mistake as we made in the last war.
You cannot divorce Arrriy and Navy morale from civilian morale; it
just can't be done.
Governor Hurley. I don't believe it can be.
The Chairman. They are all a part of the one program. In other
words there is more to this thing than just guns and bullets. You
must have healthy people and you must keep them healthy.
Now, I understand that in Connecticut you have 1.3 percent of the
total population of the United States, and you have 4.17 percent of
the total national-defense contracts?
Governor Hurley. Yes.
The Chairman. People are encouraged by the Federal Government
to come here and that involves the problem of housing them; it in-
volves the problem of protecting their health, their lives from fire
hazards and many other things.
In San Diego the committee found that the population had increased
by 100,000 people. The Kearney Mesa housing project is located
about 5 miles from the city of San Diego. The builders went right
out there in the sagebrush and constructed 1,766 housing units to
house 10,000 people. That project is half finished and we were amazed
to see the way they were getting along. There was no confusion or
anything.
But Connecticut can't do that; Hartford can't do that. You
haven't the money to do it, have you?
Governor Hurley. The city hasn't of course, nor has the State
made any provision for anything like that.
The Chairman. Have you any national-defense housing project?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5025
HOUSING PROJECTS UNCOORDINATED
Governor Hurley. Yes; the U. S. H. A. is building, I believe, in
Bridgeport, Hartford, Waterbury, and New London, but I have
become rather confused about these various Federal housing agencies.
It seems to me that there is competition in our State among the
various agencies. I know that I have talked to the mayors of the
municipalities. These mayors have set up housing authorities and
also registries where migratory workers can go and find out what the
rents are and where available housing facilities are located, but it seems
to me that the Agriculture Department and the Work Projects Admin-
istration and the U. S. H. A. are in competition with one another as to
setting up these housing projects in our various cities.
I have heard that one city was waiting because another Federal
agency had made an offer that seemed more advantageous to the
city. There doesn't seem to be any coordination.
The Chairman. You think there should be.
Governor Hurley. I think there should be. I think there should
be a Federal coordinator here who would be the contact man for the
Federal Government in our municipalities.
The Chairman. In other words, supervise the larger picture?
Governor Hurley. That is right.
rent situation
The Chairman. Now, with reference to the rent problem: Wlicii
we went to San Diego, the chamber of commerce reported to me
that everything was satisfactory. But, I said, ''You still want $21,-
000,000; the Federal Government has appropriated $150,000,000 for
the entire United States. How about your rents?"
They said: "Well, we don't know about those."
Governor Hurley. Chambers of commerce don't usually know
about those things.
The Chairman. So we put a migrant witness on the stand who
testified that he had six children and that he had a one-room house
and that he paid $18 a week for it. That is approximately $80 a
month. He testified that he was earning $135 a month. A rent-
control committee was formed in San Diego, but of course that
committee has no power. In that respect the situation was similar
to your own; they wanted power to enforce their orders.
Your mentioning the matter here brought that situation to my
mind, and I am glad you brought it up because rent gouging, as you
indicated, is a disastrous practice.
four-year settlement requirement
Mr. Sparkman. Governor Hurley, I would just like to have your
comment on this phase of the problem, with which I think we should
be greatly concerned: What is going to happen to these people when
this thing is over?
Governor Hurley. That is a question that alarms all of us here.
We have a relief law in our State that establishes the length of time a
person must live in a municipality or one of our towns before he
becomes a ward of that town or of the State.
Mr. Sparkman. Wliat is that length of time?
5026 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Governor Hurley. Four years.
Mr. Sparkman. I don't believe you stated in your typewritten
statement what the increase in population for the State of Connecticut
is reasonably considered to be as a result of this defense program.
Do you know that, approximately?
Governor Hurley. No; that figure I can't tell you.
Mr. Sparkman. I notice in the mayor's statement for the city of
Hartford, for instance, the estimate of an increase of 35,000, and I just
wondered if you had any similar estimate for the State as a whole.
Governor Hurley. I think Mr. Maloney, in his report, will give
you that figure. I don't happen to have it.
Mr. Sparkman. Of course we are all bound to recognize the fact
that this thing is coming to an end some day, and when it does we
might as well he ready for a tremendous shock; don't you think so?
Governor Hurley. I do.
public works as shock absorber
Mr. Sparkman. Do you have any suggestions as to what the
Federal Government ought to be doing to prepare for that shock?
For after all, that is what we are trying to accomplish; that is the
question we are trying to answer — how to care for migrants tempo-
rarily while this program is on, and then absorb the shock when it
is over.
Governor Hurley. Well, I think that part of the problem is one
for the industrialists who must provide for the let-down that will come
after the national-defense orders have stopped. Secondly, I think
that the Federal Government will have to go back into a public-works
program in order to absorb some of these workers.
I don't think that the situation should be allowed to become as
acute as it did during the last depression when a great proportion of
our population was allowed to become pauperized before the Federal
Government took action.
Mr. Sparkman. It was the concern of the Federal Government
that gave us this mandate to go out and study the problem in order
that we might not again let it become so acute. But let me ask you
about your remark in connection with letting the industrialists take
care of the situation. Do you mean by that that during the present
time they should slow down as much as possible m the production of
their normal products and go into defense production, and then,
when it is over, be prepared to swing back into normal production?
Governor Hurley. I have talked to some industrialists along that
line and I have been informed by some of our larger manufacturers
that the production of new and better household appliances, for
instance, is being held up, to be put on the market after this is over,
and that their research departments are continuously working to
improve radios, washing machines, and so on, so that they can be
put upon the market and advertised about the time that their defense
production begins slackening.
backlog program of public works
Mr. Sparkamn. Now, in regard to the public works program:
Do you believe that Congress should be building up a kinr of backlog
program now?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5Q27
Governor Hurley. I do.
Mr. Sparkman. In other words, getting the projects authorized and
ready to start work in order to avoid such things as C. W. A. and
F. E. R. A., and the other experimental agencies of the last depression?
Governor Hurley. That is right. I don't believe that the C. W. A.
type of program will work again.
A'Ir. Sparkman. Your idea would be something along the lines of a
P. W. A.?
Governor Hurley. The construction of recreational facilities,
schools, sewers, and so forth, to be built by contractors who are now
engaged in building up these defense plants of ours. And then I
don't know, frankly, what could be done with these people we are
now training as machinists and tool makers and so forth. It would
seem to me those people must be absorbed by industry in some new
line.
DISTRIBUTION OF NEW WORK PROJECTS
Mr. Sparkman. Now, of course, the public works cannot be
designed to fit exactly into the places to which the people are now
migrating. That is, it is possible that many great public-works
projects will be far removed from any present defense centers. Do
you not think that the natural pull of those projects will shift your
population away from these areas of concentrated defense contracts?
Governor Hurley. Yes, I do to a certain extent. It seems to me
that these people are coming here solely because Connecticut offers
them employment in defense industries. I don't think they are coming
here with any intention of becoming permanent residents of the State.
slum clearance for defense housing
Mr. Sparkman. ^Miat are j^ou going to do about the housing that
you arc now building for them?
Governor Hurley. Well, the housing, I think, should be in the form
of slum-clearance projects. In other words, if we are going to build
new homes to take care of the migratory workers they should be avail-
able for rent by those who now occupy substandard homes, what we
call slums, which the Federal Government is now desirous of clear-
ing up so that the low-income population in our cities can move away
fromj unsanitary homes they now occupy when these people go out.
types of housing advocated
There is quite a difference of opmion in our own State in the various
municipalities as to the type of homes that should be put up. Some
advocate houses that can be demolished after these people have left;
others advocate the more permanent type of homes, such as were built
in Bridgeport during the World War and later on became very desir-
able as homes for workers who moved in there.
Mr. Sparkman. In a great many areas they are using the collapsible
or removable type of home.
Governor Hurley. That is right.
Mr. Sparkman. Building them in sections so they can move them
by trailers and trucks and barge them up and down the rivers.
Governor Hurley. I think that probably in some areas they are
desirable, but it is my own opinion that they are not desirable for
Connecticut, due to climatic conditions.
5028 HARTFORD HEARINGS
The Chairman. Governor Hurley, there isn't any question in my
mind, and I don't think there is in yours, that unless we can anticipate
and provide some cushion after this war is over, conditions may create
just as dangerous a situation as could any possible attack on our land
by any nation. Do you agree with me?
Governor Hurley. I do; yes.
The Chairman. Now, the President has issued an Executive order
calling for a survey for public works after the war is over. But, of
course, the weakness of that is that we haven't appropriated any
money for it and we may not have any money after this thing is over.
DISMISSAL WAGE
Now look at the picture that is before us. There are millions of
migrants moving from State to State now on account of the defense
program. It is only reasonable to assume that if they had had posi-
tions where they came from, they would not have moved.
So we are deeply concerned about making some recommendation
to Congress as to how these migrants can save a little of the money
that they are now making to provide a cushion when this thing is over.
The Government may not have the money for them. But if they
have a few hundred dollars for themselves until the Government
can get its breath again it will be of tremendous benefit to the country.
Along that line we had a witness who testified at San Diego that
in Connecticut some of your industrial concerns had what he termed
a ''dismissal wage." In other words, the company would add to the
cost of production an item to take care of its employees in the event
that it closed down or reduced its pay roll. Do you know anything
about that, Governor?
Governor Hurley. No; I have never heard of it.
The Chairman. Well, that was testified in San Diego. In other
words, the problem, as you indicate, is a Federal one anyway, and if
your industrial concerns figured in as a part of their cost of produc-
tion this so-called dismissal wage, don't you see, that would help
cushion the shock after this thing is over. We thought that was a
pretty good idea when we heard of it.
I would appreciate it very much, and I know the committee would
too, Governor, if you could have your staff look into that for us and
give us any data on it.
Governor Hurley. I will be very glad to.
The Chairman. Governor Hurley, we deeply appreciate your com-
ing here and if you have anything else you would like to submit for
the record, we will be glad to have it.
Governor Hurley. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of
the committee.
TESTIMONY OF HON. THOMAS SPELLACY, MAYOR OF THE CITY
OF HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. Our next witness is Mayor Thomas Spellacy of
Hartford.
Mayor Spellacy, we deeply appreciate your coining here and giving
this committee your views and your assistance. Congressman
Sparkman will interrogate you.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5029
Mr. Sparkman. Mayor Spellacy, you have submitted to us a pre-
pared statement which I have read with much interest.
STATEMENT OF HON. THOMAS J. SPELLACY, MAYOR, CITY OF
HARTFORD, CONN.
Since the completion of the 1940 census report by the Federal Government,
which listed Hartford with a population of 166,329 it is estimated, on the basis of
reports filed at the office of the mayor, that there has been an influx of at least
35,000 persons, with the present population estimate probably in excess of
200,000. This does not take into consideration the increase in population in
other towns in metropolitan Hartford. There has been comparatively little
migration from Hartford.
The addition is due to industrial defense activities, in the main.
Hartford nominally is a trading center for more than 500,000 persons. Seventy
or more factories are located in this city. With many of these industrial estab-
lishments engaged in defense work and with the augmented working personnel
housed in Hartford and in surrounding towns, excluding some who commute daily
from distant points, there is a substantial increase in the total number of persons
utilizing trading facilities in this city.
Among the major plants in the Hartford area centering their activities on defense
work are the Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co., in Hartford; the
United Aircraft Co., in East Hartford; and the Pratt & Whitney branch of the
Niles-Bement-Pond Co., in West Hartford. It has been found necessary to
reroute traffic in the vicinity of the Colt plant, through the establishment of
one-way streets and through the practical cessation of traffic on some thorough-
fares. As there is only one bridge spanning the Connecticut River to connect
Hartford and East Hartford, the traffic problem in regard to workers at the
United Aircraft plant who live in Hartford and who cross the bridge twice daily
has been a serious one. Through the cooperation of the Connecticut State police,
the Hartford police and the East Hartford police, traffic is expedited as much as
possible. There is also a problem with respect to the traffic by residents of
Hartford going to and from their employment in West Hartford.
DEFENSE WORK DRAWS MIGRANTS
The migration to Hartford is due to the increase in defense work in local
factories. Initially, the additional workers came in general from other localities
in Connecticut and from the other New England States, with a material represen-
tation from each of the other five States in New P^ngland — Rhode Island, Massa-
chusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Various sections of the country
are represented, however, in the influx of defense workers.
It is estimated that about 50 percent of the newcomers are married. Some
have brought their families to Hartford with them; others are living in Hartford
while their families remain at home. In this connection, it has been found neces-
sary to add to the hours in which the money-order windows are open at the
Hartford Post Office. In May, 17,000,000 pieces of mail, incoming and outgoing,
were handled by the Hartford Post Office, including Hartford, East Hartford,
West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Wilson. The incoming mail increased by
1,700,000 pieces, exclusive of parcel post and new.spapers. On the basis of the
figures to date, the 1940 total of $3,081,864 of receipts for the Hartford Post
Office will be substantially increased. It has been necessary to add additional
clerks and carriers. The increase in business at the local post office began when
defense industries started to expand.
The majority of the migrants are in the younger age group, principally males,
but representing no particular racial group. Comparatively few Negroes and
aliens are included in the increase.
The principal demand has been for skilled workers. Training schools have
been and are being conducted under the sponsorship of factories, the board of
education, the National Youth Administration, and others.
The movement to Hartford was occasioned by the increased employment
opportunities, particularly for skilled workers. Few reports are made in regard
to newcomers stranded without work.
The arrival of thousands of defense workers resulted in a housing shortage.
Supplementing the housing projects to provide new homes coincident with the
elimination of slum areas, tliere is in progress now the construction of 1,000 homes
5030 HARTFORD HEARINGS
for defense workers, as an enterprise of the Federal Government, and with the
cooperation of the city of Hartford and the Hartford Housing Authority.
Through the Federal housing program, private construction and the plan now
in effect covering the construction of buildings for defense workers in the South
Meadows (apart from the 1,000-family defense project) efforts are being made to
meet the housing shortage.
VACANT HOMES RECISTRT ORGANIZED
More than 3 months ago, the Hartford Vacant Homes Registry Committee
was organized, and is working in cooperation with social agencies and others. The
Central Home and Room Registration Bureau has been established at the head-
quarters of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce.
Four public housing projects have been provided for the city of Hartford.
Nelton Court, cost $668,294, with 146 units, is entirely occupied. Dutch Point
Colony, with 222 units, cost $1,069,756. As of June 11, 134 families were as-
signed. The cost of the Bellevue Square project is estimated at $2,703,000.
This will provide 500 units with occupancy to be about 100 families by Septem-
ber. The Charter Oak Terrace defense housing project is for 1,000 families.
The estimated cost is $4,737,000. It is expected that about 200 families will
occupy homes in this locality by Septemijer.
The United States Army has arranged for an Army air base at Windsor Locks,
which is only 12 miles from Hartford. It is probable that some of the men will
be housed in this city.
There is attached to and made a part of this statement a compilation by the
Department of Building Inspection of the city of Hartford, showing a yearly
summary of public and private dwelling construction, with details, on a month-
to-month schedule, from .lanuary 1939 through April 1941.
It is the opinion of the board of education that there seems no danger of in-
ability to carry any anticipated load and there does not appear to be any appre-
ciable shortage of teachers. A statement from the board of education concern-
ing this matter is appended to and made a part of this comment.
HEALTH FACILITIES OUTLINED
A detailed memorandum relative to the health and medical facilities in Hart-
ford has been compiled by the Hartford Department of Health and is affixed to
and made a part of this report to your committee. With re.spect to facilities,
hospital-bed capacities at the time of this report are as follows:
Hartford Hospital, private, 145; semlprivate, 155; ward, 297; cribs, 35; bas-
sinets, 106; total, 738.
St. Francis Hospital, beds, 530; bassinets, 75; total, 605.
Municipal Hospital, municipal, 175; isolation, 65; Men's Home, 250; Women's
Home, 65; Men's Chronic Ward, 45; Women's Chronic Ward, 25; Nursery,
30: total, 655.
Mount Sinai, beds, 60.
The Neuro-Psychiatric Institute is not listed, as clientele is of restricted type.
To meet emergencies, plans are being made for supplementary hospital facilities
at the Rocky Hill Soldiers' Home. In addition, temporary facilities can be made
available in halls, schools, and in large residences in the surrounding suburbs.
The present Isolation Hospital, as stated above, has a bed capacity of 65, of
which 24 are for tuberculosis cases. The Isolation Hospital was built as a tem-
porary structure in 1914, and is totally unfitted for its present use. The facilities
are not satisfactory from all standpoints in normal times and the building would be
entirely inadequate in the event of an emergenc}\ Immediate steps should be
taken to replace the structure.
Under date of March 20, 1941, statements were submitted to Frank Bane,
Director, Division of State and Local Cooperation, National Defense Commission,
New Social Security Building, Washington, D. C, in regard to proposals for Fed-
eral aid for municipal public works in connection with defense projects. This was
filed following a conference with Mr. C. A. Harrell, field representative of the
National Defense Commission. Copies of reports, with recommendations, made
at that time by the engineering department of the city of Hartford, the Hartford
Aviation Commission, and the Hartford Work Projects Administration Sponsor's
Representative Office were filed recently with Mr. John W. Abbott, chief field
invpsti<rator of the House Committee Investigating National Defense Migration.
The peak load in the Hartford Department of Public Welfare was 4,032 fami-
lies, as of May 1, 1933. This declined to 1,202 as of July 9, 1937, and then
increased again to a figure of 2,563 as of March 22, 1939.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5031
The total number of families on aid has been decreasing steadily for some
time and as of June 7, 1941, the number of families on aid was 882, in com-
parison with 924 as of June 1, 1941.
Hartford has 29 parks and public squares, administered by the park depart-
ment and its recreation division, through which efforts are being made to increase
recreational facilities. Through the committee on playgrounds not on park
department property, provision was made for recreational activities at the head-
quarters from which Hartford men are inducted into the Service.
There are two municipal golf courses, 36 tennis courts, 36 baseball diamonds,
and about 30 playgrounds, maintained by the park department.
HEALTH AND MEDICAL FACILITIES IN HARTFORD
The Hartford Board of Health is constituted under a board of six members,
two of whom are physicians. The leading political parties are both equally
represented. Each commissioner serves for a period of 3 years. The board is
an executive body, and the health officer is vested with its powers between monthly
meetings.
The board of health has broad powers conferred upon it by general statute,
the sanitary code, and city ordinance. It is charged with the general health of
the public, controlling the safety of milk, food, general sanitation, and the control
of communicable diseases.
The department is set up under eight bureaus, each bureau in charge of a
trained director. These bureaus are:
1. Administration.
2. Vital statistics.
3. Communicable di
4. Tuberculosis.
5. Venereal
6. Laboratory.
7. Food and sanitation.
8. Maternal and child hygiene.
There is a total of 47 full- and part-time employees. Seven of these are phy-
sicians, 2 veterinarians, 2 dentists, 4 nurses, 1 dental hygienist, 3 laboratory
personnel, which makes a total of 19 professional persons. The remainder are
classified as clerical employees, sanitary inspectors, statisticians, technical
assistants.
The following persons are within the age group of selective service: 2 veteri-
narians, 1 physician, 1 statistician, 1 sanitary inspector, 1 professional laboratory
worker. What exem]3tions will be made among these men is not certain.
The quarters occupied by the board of health are admittedly inadequate, and
the furnishing of new quarters is now under active consideration. This is par-
ticularly true of the bureaus of communicable diseases, tuberculosis, and venereal
diseases. Plans have already been drawn up to remedy the problem.
In the city as a whole, clinic facilities are provided in a number of ways. Gen-
eral out-patient clinic services are rendered at the Hartford Dispensary and at the
Municipal Hospital. In addition, the following clinic facilities are available.
HARTFORD HOSPITAL
Prenatal Clinic for ward patients to be delivered at the Hartford Hospital.
There was a total of 2,440 births at this hospital last year,
ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL
Allergy, tonsil, leutic, cardiac, tumor gynecology orthopedic, surgical, mater-
nity and well-baby, and dental clincis. The patients are referred by private
physicians, and are patients who have been discharged from the hospital who
return for post-operative treatment. The approximate total number of persons
seen in the out-patient clinics per month is 459.
The charges here vary with the t.ype of service rendered. As an example, the
dental clinic fees range from 50 cents to $1 ; the tonsil clinic is $14. Other fees
range from 50 cents to $1, with the exception of the allergy clinic, where the
rate is $2 for the primary examination and 50 cents for subsequent ones.
60396— 41— pt. 13-
5032
HARTFORD HEARINGS
MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL
To be admitted a patient must be on city or town aid, or in a very low income
bracket, able to pay very little if anything. The patient is obliged to pay, if
the welfare department upon investigation finds that the patient is financially
able to do so. To be classified as eligible for city aid, must live in Hartford 4
years. If residence in Hartford is less than 4 years, is classified as a town case,
and the last town residence is billed. All aliens charged to the State.
The daily average in these clinics is 146.
In addition to the hospitals, there is the Hartford Dispensary which offers a wide
range of outpatient clinic facilities, open not only to Hartford residents, but also
to persons living in the surrounding areas. The charges here are 50 cents for
almost all services rendered, and a certain number of others for which no charge
is made.
The average weekly load of these clinics is approximately 500 visits.
CENTRAL REGISTRY
The method of reporting venereal diseases in the State of Connecticut is by
number. The name and address is given to the health officer only in case the
patient lapses treatment. By this method indigent patients can go from clinic
to clinic causing a duplication of reports. To offset such a condition and keep
control of this type of patient, a confidential central registry was established 2
years ago. All institutions treating these diseases are cooperating with the bureau
of venereal diseases of the board of health as the central agency. The admissions,
transfers, and discharges are reported by name and address and consequently
these patients are under control at all times. Following are registrants from each
institution for the past 2 years:
Cases on registry by calendar years
Svnhilis Gonor- Miscel-
S'yphilis ^fjg^ laneous
Syphilis ^°°°''- ,^^'s°el-
•'^^ rhea laneous
Board of health clinic
Municipal Hospital-.
St. Francis HospitaL
Dispensary
Total cases
METHODS OF CASE FINDING
The methods used for case finding consist of routine serological blood testing
and through epidemiologic investigations of persons who have been intimately
exposed to communicable syphilis and gonorrhea as well as familial contacts of
persons being treated with late or latent syphilis.
Efforts are made to encourage routine serological blood tests on all patients
seeking medical care in hospitals as well as from physicians, particularly in
pregnant women. All hospitals in the city have adopted this routine on all
general admission patients. Another group upon which routine serologic testing
is done is men in industry. That this is a valuable group in which to locate cases
of syphilis may be shown in the case of one of our large industries where a routine
serologic test is made. For the first 5 months of this year they have reported
29 cases of syphilis which is 13.2 percent of total cases reported for the city;
13 or 41.4 percent of the cases found in this group were migratory workers seeking
employment with this company. In passing it can be said that this company
continues the infected people in employment but requires them to present a
periodical report from the physician treating them.
The premarriage blood testing and the selective-service examination es well as
the examination of the National Youth Administration enrollees were responsible
for the finding of several new cases.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5033
TECHNIQUE FOR CASE HOLDING
Experience has shown several causes for neglect of treatment. These pitfalls
are avoided by the personnel of our clinic and consequently the following routine
is followed with all admissions.
1 . Careful medical and social history, particularly as to ability to pay for private
treatment until cured.
2. Working hours and residence of the patient are considered to determine the
most convenient place for treatment.
3. The nature of the infection is explained to each individual and the importance
of treatment in controlling communicability. The late results of untreated
sj'philis and gonorrhea are explained and literature on the diseases furnished.
At all clinic sessions, moving pictures on health subjects are shown.
4. No roughness or discourteous handling of the patients is used and all phy-
sicians administering treatment have had several years of experience in veneieal
disease clinic work so that pain and reactions are at a minimum.
5. As much privacy as space will permit is given and as attendance increases,
extra sessions are added to care for the increase.
In the case of lapsed treatment if the person is in the communicable stage, an
immediate personal call is made by the public health nurse. Late or latent cases
are reminded by letter and, if unanswered, by a personal call.
Each clinic of the citj- uses its own resources for follow-up and if unable to
obtain results, refers the case to the health department public health nurse.
In cases of epidemiologic work for a clinic or for a physician, the follow-up worker
acts as agent for that clinic or physician. Only those patients and contacts who
are noncooperative are brought formally to the attention of the health depart-
ment at which time the director of the bureau of venereal diseases continues with
the case. Seldom, if ever, is it necessary to exercise police powers to continue
patients under treatment.
Bureau of Venereal Diseases activities, by calendar years
1937
1938
1939
1940
Januarv
to May
1941, in-
clusive
New cases reported:
744
378
133
136
325
222
7,194
2,497
5,100
2,086
35
109
17
50
40
401
125
967
129
552
355
177
127
380
225
8,335
3,289
8,980
3,858
13
167
27
23
87
78
425
136
828
282
367
261
145
110
362
230
8,326
3,450
9,050
3,910
44
142
40
28
102
94
486
291
709
296
319
361
162
204
355
238
8,471
3,726
9.121
4,015
13
232
81
68
100
134
502
316
748
213
211
Gonorrhea
145
CLINIC ACTIVITIES
New cases admitted:
87
Gonorrhea
47
Patients treated:
Gonorrhea
71
Treatments given:
Gonorrhea
936
Total patient visits:
Gonorrhea
1 029
Patients discharged:
Gonorrhea
Epidemiology:
53
Gonorrhea
14
35
Consultations
56
Control of delinquents:
352
Returned as result
140
Follow-up bv call
274
117
5034
HARTFORD HEARINGS
Syphilis cases reported in Hartford
JUNE 1939 TO MAY 1940, INCLUSIVE
Infectious
Noninfectious
Total
Physi-
cians
Institu-
tions
Physi-
cians
Institu-
tions
Infec-
tious
Noninfec-
tious
June-
July
2
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
3
0
0
0
1
1
2
11
11
4
15
13
11
17
13
10
6
6
10
19
15
23
16
13
' 20
10
13
10
21
13
15
1
2
2
2
3
0
0
0
1
2
2
30
26
August
27
October
November
26
31
December
January
February
27
26
20
March...
April
19
May
25
Total cases
7
10
127
188
17
315
332
JUNE 1940 TO MAY 1941. INCLUSIVE
June..
July
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
2
4
0
5
0
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
4
12
5
8
9
11
9
16
18
20
18
22
15
21
15
23
18
23
18
20
21
19
26
4
1
5
0
1
2
3
3
2
2
4
2
12
August
26
September
October
November
23
29
32
January
February
34
38
March
April
May
41
37
48
Total cases
9
20
152
227
29
379
408
SANITATION
Hartford as a city is almost 100 percent sewered. There are but few dwellings
serviced by approved septic tanks. All septic-tank installations must be approved
by the local board of health. At the present time there are 21 installations in the
city, all of the approved type.
During 1938 a survey of interior water piping was done, looking primarily for
cross-connections. Twenty-four conditions were found which constituted viola-
tions, and all were corrected.
At the present time all tenement structures must have, by city ordinance,
two means of egress from each floor. This ordinance is enforced, however, by the
fire and building departments.
With regard to the power of this department to enforce orders, it has been the
experience of the department that we have ample support from the courts. In
almost all instances the issuance of orders by the department is tantamount to
correction.
In 1938 there were 7,497 orders issued and 7,314 orders complied with; in 1939
there were 7,241 orders issued and 7,193 complied with. In 1940jthere_were 7,408
orders issued, and 6,965 complied with.
HOSPITAL FACILITIES
As far as hospital facilities are concerned, the city has the following hospital-bed
capacities at the time of this writing:
Hartford Hospital:
Private 145
Semiprivate 155
Ward 297
Cribs 35
Bassinets 106
St. Francis Hospital:
Beds 530
Bassinets 75
738
605
Municipal Hospital:
Municipal 175
Isolation 65
Men's home 250
Women's home 65
Men's chronic ward 45
Women's chronic ward 25
Nursery 30
Mount Sinai Hospital: Beds..
655
60
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5035
Neuropsj^chiatric Institute not listed, because clientele of restricted type.
In case of emergency, plans are in the making for supplementary hospital
facilities at the Rocky Hill Soldiers' Home, and there are additional temporary
facilities available in halls, schools, and in large residences in the surrounding
suburbs.
City of Hartford, department of building- — yearly summary of public and private
dwelling construction
BUILDING PERMITS, CHART NO. 1
1-family
residences
2-family
dwellings
Multifaraily dweUings
Total
num-
ber of
family
units
Total
Year 1939
Num-
ber of
build-
ings
Esti-
mated
cost
Num-
ber of
build-
ings
Esti-
mated
cost
Num-
ber of
build-
ings
Num-
ber of
family
units
Esti-
mated
cost
esti-
mated
cost
6
4
10
4
11
16
16
5
6
10
10
5
$31, 250
22, 490
49, 553
20, 000
57, 200
75, 500
75,000
22,800
33, 140
43, 000
47, 500
23, 200
1
1
$8, 000
9,000
8
6
68
6
11
16
18
7
9
10
12
157
$39, 250
February
31, 490
March
1
58
$218, 000
267, 553
April
May
1
6,000
26, 000
57, 200
75, 500
July
August
1
1
7,500
6,000
■ 82, 500
28 800
1
3
15, 800
48, 940
October
43, 000
1
3
7,800
21. 800
55, 300
15
146
1494,000
2 539, 000
Total, year 1939.. ..
103
500, 633
9
66, 100
17
207
727, 800
328
1, 294. 533
> Federal housing project.
* Federal housing project, Nelton Court, 15 buildings, 146-family units; cost, .$494,000.
BUILDING PERMITS,
CHART NO. 2
1-family resi-
dences
2-family
dwellings
Multifamily dwellings
Total
num-
ber of
family
units
Year 1940
Num-
ber of
build-
ings
Esti-
mated
cost
Num-
ber of
build-
ings
Esti-
mated
cost
Num-
ber of
build-
ings
Num-
ber of
family
units
Esti-
mated
cost
Total esti-
mated cost
8
6
12
20
27
19
$58, 460. 00
33, 700. 00
59,800.00
93,600.00
97, 890. 00
77. S.50_ 00
8
6
12
102
257
19
40
41
22
20
6
17
February
33 700 00
March
59, 800. 00
2
28
82
222
$195, 666
1 840, 000
288, 600. 00
2 968 690 00
May
4
$30, 800
77, 850. 00
July
August
26 114,238.00
311143 700 no
3
1
2
1
1
(3)
21,666
7,600
14, 700
7,800
5,900
1,000
2
1
8
8
30, 666
30, 000
165, 838. 00
181 300 00
18
10
4
17
79, 564. 09
40, 500. 00
23.938.00
82, 000. 00
94! 264. 09
October
2
8
24,000
72 300 00
29, 838. 00
83,000.00
Total year 1940.
198'905,240.09
12
89,400
35
328
1,119,000
550
2, 113, 640. 09
' Federal housing project.
2 Federal housing project, Dutch Point Colony, 28 buildings, 222 family units; cost, $840,000.
' Additional cost.
5036 HARTFORD HEARINGS
City of Hartford, department of building — yearly summary of public and private
dwelling construction — Continued
BUILDING PERMITS, CHART NO. 3
1-family resi-
dences
2-family dwell-
ings
Multifamily dwellings
Total
num-
ber of
family
units
Total
Year 1941
Num-
ber of
build-
ings
Esti-
mated
cost
Num-
ber of
build-
ings
Esti-
mated
cost
Num-
ber of
build-
ings
Num-
ber of
family
units
Esti-
mated
cost
esti-
mated
cost
January _
10
2
17
43
$54. 125
12, 260
77. 400
205, 870
2
2
$16, 000
16, 000
14
6
374
1,045
$70 125
0)
17
237
"'"357'
1,000
$1, 000
21,205,559
23,597,000
29,260
1 1,282, 959
3 3,808, 870
March
April
1
6,000
Total, 1941. Jan-
uary to April,
inclusive
72
349, 655
5
38, 000
254
1,357
4, 803, 559
1,439
5, 191, 214
1 Federal housing project, Bellevue Square, 16 buildings, 345 family units; cost, $1,198,559,
2 Federal housing project.
3 Federal housing project, Flatbush Ave., 237 buildings, 1,000 family units; cost, $3,597,000.
BUILDING PERMITS, CHART NO. 4
Demolition permits residential buildings
Year
Number
of permits
Family
units
1939 .
20
31
56
89
1940
43
272
Total
107
404
Comparative yearly value of private and public duelling construction
Private housing
Public housing
Total
number
of family
units
Recapitulation, by years
Number
of family
units
Estimated
cost
Number
of family
units
Estimated
cost
Total esti-
mated cost
1939
182
328
94
$800, 533. 00
1, 273, 640. 09
395, 655. 00
146
222
1,345
$494, 000
840, 000
4, 795, 559
328
550
1,439
$1 294 533 00
1940
1941, January to April
2', 113,640.09
5, 191, 214. 00
Total.. ..
604
2, 469, 828. 09
1.713
6, 129. 559
2,317
8, 599, 387. 09
Yearly aggregate value and number of building permits isstied, including public and
private dwelling construction
Years
Total
number
of permits
issued
Total esti-
mated cost
1939
1,928
1,933
745
$3 379, 486 84
1940
7. 562, 761. 05
1941, January to April
6. 051, 516. 40
Total
4,606
16, 993, 764. 39
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5037
Exhibit A. — Recommendations to Federal Agencies
[Copy]
March 20, 1941.
Mr. Frank Bane,
Director, Division of State and Local Cooperation,
National Defense Commission, Washington, D. C.
My Dear Mr. Bane: Mr. C. A. Harrell, field representative of the National
Defense Commission, called recently at the office of the mayor in reference to
proposals for Federal aid for municipal public works in connection with defense
projects.
In addition to various industries in Hartford, including the Colt's Patent Fire
Arms Manufacturing Co., other industries in adjacent towns employ thousands
of Hartford residents — the United Aircraft Co. in East Hartford, and the Pratt &
Whitney branch of the Niles-Bement-Pond Co. in West Hartford.
In addition, the United States Army has arranged for an Army air base at
Windsor Locks, which is only 12 miles from Hartford.
A program similar to that outlined by Mr. Harrell necessarily involves con-
sideration of the situation thus presented.
At the request of the mayor, following Mr. Harrell's visit, City Engineer
Robert J. Ross, Commissioner William O. Wormstedt, president of the Hartford
Aviation Commission, and Thomas F. Foley, sponsor's representative. Work
Projects Administration, were asked to prepare summaries of projects which
might be included in the scope of the plan presented by Mr. Harrell.
Mr. Ross, Mr. Wormstedt, and Mr. Foley have filed reports suggesting projects
which might be undertaken. Their statements are enclosed. With the state-
ment from Mr. Ross is an explanatory map, on which are listed the locations of the
proposals suggested.
Cost estimates are not given in all cases, but full information regarding each
of the projects will be available upon request. If Mr. Harrell or some other
representative of your Commission is sent to Hartford I will be glad to confer
with him in greater detail, and to arrange for a meeting with the officials who have
compiled the individual reports.
Your careful consideration of the recommendations advanced in the accompany-
ing statements is respectfully requested. It is our belief that the major part
of the suggestions come under the defense program heading. If any additional
data is required, it will be forwarded to you immediately.
Sincerely yours,
Thomas J. Spellacy, Mayor.
[Copy]
City of Hartford, Conn.
March, 18, 1941.
memorandum
From: Thomas F. Foley, sponsor's representative.
To: Thomas J. Spellacy, mayor.
Re Projects that could be classed under the national-defense program.
1. The health authorities are stressing the importance of additional health
facilities to care for the increased population of Hartford due to the influx of
workers on national defense. The present isolation hospital is inadequate for the
normal population and the burden of caring for additional isolation patients
would be impossible. A new isolation hospital would cost approximately $300,000.
Also the board of health j^ersonnel must be increased to properly care for these
workers and more space needed. We have a location on Sheldon Street where a
health center could be erected for approximately $290,000. It would be centrally
located and house all the various departments of the health board including the
free clinics, etc.
2. At Brainard Field Airport a new hangar is imperative to house the ships
that are being used to train men for aviation. In case of need these experienced
pilots will be available to the Government. They are also training women
belonging to the Women Flyers of America, a national club which is recognized
by the Civil Aeronautics Administration. These women, if needed, are to be
used to fly planes from factories to bases and many other duties that may be
5038 HARTFORD HEARINGS
performed by women in an emergency. An estimated cost for the hangar would
be approximately $350,000. With adequate hangar facilities space could be
provided for the additional ships that are waiting to be housed here to be used
for training purposes.
3. Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Co. is using the National Guard hangar to test the
planes on Government order. An enormous amount of cars is already using this
one entrance road to Brainard Field; at least one more entrance is needed. In
case of a dangerous condition on the one entrance, gasoline supplies, etc., would
be entirely cut off from the field. This would seriously hamper the testing opera-
tions of the airplane factory. Construction and repairing of roads necessary are
as follows: Building new entrance and repairing present one — 20,000 feet of road-
way 100 feet wide — this would also include repairing Wawarme Avenue; a separate
service road 8,000 feet long and 32 feet wide which will give access to the sewage-
disposal plant and pumping station independent of aviation roads. At the re-
quest of Thomas J. Burke, former director of operations, Work Projects Adminis-
tration, I submitted the Brainard Field road program to the Work Projects Ad-
ministration, but on checking with the New Haven office March 1, I find that it is
still being retained there awaiting additional information from Washington.
Since that time, I have been requested by Frank Upman, Acting Administrator of
the Work Projects Administration, to resubmit the program.
4. Extension of Vine Street at the cost of $120,000. This was at one time
considered by the War Department as a military outlet and would certainly be
needed in case of war.
5. The construction of a bridge costing $75,000 to connect the two defense
housing projects at Flatbush Avenue and the building of roads in this area neces-
sary particularly in case of fire.
6. As soon as the dike is completed new roads to the North Meadows Pumping
Station would be necessary to operate and maintain at all times. This would
keep surrounding area dry at all times and it would be available for temporary or
permanent homes for defense workers.
7. A new firehouse may be needed on account of the thousands of defense
workers which will be housed in the Flatbush Avenue area.
Thomas F. Foley,
Sponsor's Representative.
[Copy]
City of Hartford, Conn.
h.\rtford aviation commission
Brainard Field
March 6, 1941.
Hon. Thomas J. Spellacy,
Mayor of Hartford, Hartford, Conn.
My Dear Mr. Mayor: As requested by you in connection with projects made
necessary by national defense activities, we submit for your earnest consideration
the following:
Parking areas. — It is highly desirable that these areas be placed in such condi-
tion that parking facilities would be available at all seasons of the year for the
multitudes of people that congregate at the airport during the year. I would
do away for all times with the present practice, ofttimes necessary, of parking
cars on the shoulders of the main road. To sum it up completely, it would keep
all arteries to and from the airport open, which is an extremely A'ital point. This
would be accomplished with a 4-inch stone base with wear coa.t including proper
drainage. A conservative estimate for this project would be $30,300.
Adequate fencing. — Five thousand four hundred lineal feet of bethanized fence
to enclose the south and west sides of the field to prevent persons from trespassing,
in view of the fact that there is valuable ligliting equipment located around the
airport coupled with the fact that it is a very important safety angle with the
increasing traffic and national defense to make sure that persons could not enter
the field or airport itself from other than the proper entrances. The purchase
price of this coupled with installation would be approximately $6,000.
North-south runway. — A runway known as a north-south runway to supplement
the runway being constructed presently, known as the northeast-southwest
runway. The present two runways will be widened 50 feet. This would be 2,800
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5039
feet long and 150 feet wide with adequate drainage. This is estimated to cost
about $101,200.
Taxi strips.— Three thousand eight hundred lineal feet taxi strip to include a
north-south one running from the ramp in front of the administration building
to a point of intersection with the northeast-southwest runway and the northwest-
southeast runway and one connecting the turning circles of the above runways —
that is, southeast and southwest at the south end of the field. This would cost
approximately $95,000.
With the Forty-third Division Aviation, Connecticut National Guard, stationed
at the airport and the War Department's constant watchful eye on the field with a
view to possibly placing an additional military outfit here, it becomes increasingly
important that we keep in step with the growing demands necessitated by national
defense.
We will indeed be highly grateful for your submission of these projects to the
proper source, so that they may be given their due consideration.
Respectfully yours,
The Hartford Aviation Commission,
William O. Wormstedt, President.
City of Hartford, Conn.
department of engineering
Municipal Building
March 4, 1941.
Hon. Thomas J. Spellacy,
Maijor, City of Hartford,
Municipal Building, Hartford, Conn.
Dear Sir: You have requested me to suggest projects which the Federal
Government might consider for allotment of funds because of the effect of defense
activities on the city. The projects listed hereinafter may be classed in one of
these categories. No cost estimates are attached because in the short time
available it would be impractical to make intelligent estimates. We can, if you
desire, however, give you rough approximations of costs in a short space of time
on any of the projects which particulaily appeal to .you.
Suggested projects are as follows:
(A) Improvement of Aviation Road and Wawarme Avenue. — The only connection
between the airport and the city proper is through Aviation Road and streets in
the Colt district which experience has shown prove insufficient in capacity in
times when large crowds visit the airport. The widening and improvement of
Aviation Road from the field northerly to Wawarme Avenue and then widening
and adequately paving Wawarme Avenue from Aviation Road to Wethersfield
Avenue would afford a proper means of ingress and egress to the field far beyond
that now available.
Sometime in the near future the Hartford Bypass and approach to the new
Connecticut River bridge will be coiuiected by a clover leaf near the aviation
field administration building to Meadow Road, thus insuring adequate approaches
to the field from points outside the city, but this Aviation Road- Wawarme Avenue
connection from the business area of the city is also desirable.
(B) Improvement of Maxim Road. — Maxim Road from its eastern terminus at
the dike to the proposed cloverleaf west of the administration building could well
be widened and improved to facilitate traffic movement at the field and to make
a better connection to the proposed Hartford bypass of the State highway
system.
(C) Construction of service roads. — To improve maintenance work at the airport
it would be desirable to construct an oiled macadam service road along the east
and southerly borders of the field. (This road would also be useful in mainte-
nance of the dike; see flood-control section of this report.)
(D) Construction of miscellaneous facilities at the airport. — The construction of
hangars, machine shop and service buildings at the airport would seem to be
desirable in improving the usefulness of the field for defense.
5040 HARTFORD HEARINGS
BOULEVARD SYSTEM
(E) Southerly cross-town route. — The State highway department will start con-
struction of the Hartford bypass through the South Meadows in the very near
future. Included in their plans is the paving of what is known as Meadow Road,
from the airport to Wethersfield Avenue, with cloverleaf at the bypass and an
underpass at the Valley Railroad. The improvement of this extension to the
west to connect with Route U S 6 is a very desirable project, as it would facilitate
movement of trucks and passenger cars to and from the industrial area in Elm-
wood and around the Pratt & Whitney- New Park Avenue plant without entering
the more congested section of the city and will also keep through traffic from New
Britain, Bristol, Waterbury, and Danbury and the west from going through the
congested shop district in order to pass through Hartford. This project involves
the improvement of existing streets as well as a section of new street as shown on
the accompanying map.
FLOOD CONTROL
(F) Service roads. — A desirable addition to the flood-control work now under
way would be the construction of service roads along the upper toe of the dike
slopes. These service roads would be extremely useful in maintenance work or
in emergency repairs which might be difficult to make if no such roads were avail-
able. It is suggested that such roads be built throughout the entire length of the
North Meadows and South Meadows dikes. (The service road east of the airport
mentioned above would serve as a dike service road through part of the length
of the Clark Dike).
(G) Stop-log structiires. — It would be desirable to construct several permanent
structures to house stop logs for emergency closures of several railroad and road-
way openings through the dike system, particularly at the west end of the Clark
Dike.
(H) Local flood-protection projects. — The protection of several local areas along
the Paik River from flooding by the overflow of that river should be considered.
This is particularly true because there are several important industrial plants
subject to such flooding.
NORTH MEADOWS DEVELOPMENT
Now that the North Meadows dike is practically complete and the work on
the central dike section and Park River conduit progressing, it would seem
desirable to make the North Meadows available for development into industrial
sites and for housing for industrial defense workers. In order to utilize the mead-
ows at all, certain facilities must be constructed.
(I) Local service roads. — A boulevard across the entire length of the North
Meadows will be constructed as part of the State highway system in the not very
distant future, but this boulevard will be an express highway and not designed
for local traffic which under the city's agreement with the State is to be served by
parallel local roads to be constructed adjacent to the express highway.
It would seem desirable in order to make the meadows available for develop-
ment at once to construct portions, at least, of these service roads.
(J) Tower Avenue extension. — The only means of ingress and egress to and fiom
the North Meadows at present is by means of Fishfry Street and various unim-
proved meadow roads which can only be used in good weather. In the future
adequate connection to Morgan Street will be available, but this cannot be ex-
pected to be accomplished for some time. The plan for the major boulevard
system includes a connection from the express highway through the North Mead-
ows to Tower Avenue extension at Main Stieet, although the construction of the
same could not be definitely provided for in the city's agreement with the State.
In order to open up the meadows and provide adequate traffic arteries to con-
nect with the service roads mentioned above, it is suggested that this Tower
Avenue extension could be constructed in the immediate future.
(K) Drainage. — Portions of the meadows are swampy at present but can
readily be drained by proper ditch system and improvement of the channel of
Meadow Brook leading to the storage pond of the North Meadows Pumping
Station. The accomplishment of this drainage work would enable development
of quite a bit of the North Meadows land not otherwise available.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5041
IN CONNECTION WITH HOUSING
(L) Paling work. — The macadamizing and improving of Chandler Street and
the regrading and repaying of Newfield Avenue, both border streets of the new
defense-housing project, are desirable in many ways.
The macadamizing of accepted and laid-out city streets within the defense
housing project limits could well be considered. In order to provide an adequate
traffic connection from this housing project to the center of the city, it is suggested
that Flatbush Avenue be paved with permanent pavement and sidewalks installed.
The construction of sidewalks on streets leading to this project would seem to
be essential in that the thousands of residents can otherwise approach the project
only by walking over streets with no sidewalks for a considerable distance in all
directions from the project.
(M) Park River bridge. — The defense housing project site is divided in two
sections by the Park River. A bridge over the river well south of Flatbush
Avenue, connecting the two portions of the site, would be of considerable value.
(X) Flatbush Avenue grade crossing. — In the west end of the housing project
Flatbush Avenue crosses the main line of the New Haven Railroad at grade.
This crossing is in the section of track where the speed of trains often approaches
70 miles per hour and visibility of the tracks at the crossing is extremely poor.
As a matter of fact, only the east approach and east end of an overpass for this
crossing would be within the city limits, but its elimination would certainly be
advantageous to the citizens of Hartford, particularly to those who use the cross-
ing in going to and from the Pratt & Whitney plant, the Royal Typewriter Co.,
and other large manufacturing establishments in the New Park Avenue and Elm-
wood sections.
BRIDGES AND MISCELLANEOUS HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS
(O) Wellington Street. — The Wellington Street bridge is on a traffic route con-
veniently connecting the defense housing project as well as the southwest part of
the city with the Capitol Avenue shop district. This bridge is a timber trestle,
built as a more or less temporary structure and its replacement by a permanent
bridge suitable for heavy traffic and not susceptible to damage from ice would be
a desirable project.
(P) Sigourney Street bridge crossing. — The elimination of the Sigourney Street
grade crossing by construction of a viaduct over the railroad over Capitol Avenue
and across the Park River connecting Sigourney Street to Park Terrace would
be an extremely useful link in the city's traffic system, particularly in that it would
eliminate much congestion in the Capitol Avenue industrial area and afford a
much faster north and south route across the city.
(Q) Taylor Street connection. — The paving of an extension of Taylor Street to
connect that street with Wyllys Street would* be an extremely desirable project
in that it would relieve congestion on the heavily traveled route through the Colt
district.
(R) Prospect Street-Market Street projects. — The widening of South Prospect
Street, its connection to Charter Oak Place, together with the widening of Market
Street north of Temple Street and the extension of Market to connect with Wind-
sor Street and Pleasant Street, as well as the widening and improving of Windsor
Street between Pleasant Street and the Windsor Street underpass, is a project
well worth consideration to facilitate traffic movement north and south through
the center of the city particularly in connection with traffic to the factories on
upper Main Street and to those in the Colt district.
Accompanying this letter is a map on which all the above projects have been
indicated and lettered in conformity with lettering on the above headings.
In order to avoid undue length we have made reference to all the above rather
sketchy, but any of these can be enlarged upon if it seems desirable.
Very truly yours,
Robert J. Ross, City Engineer.
5042 HARTFORD HEARINGS
[Copy]
City of Hartford, Conn.
department of engineering
Municipal Building
March 6, 1941.
Hon. Thomas J. Spellacy,
Mayor, City of Hartford,
Municipal Building, Hartford, Conn.
Dear Sir: At the suggestion of Mr. Linnane the following amplification of
our letter of March 4, 1941, is submitted.
The relationship of the several projects suggested in our letter to defense
problems is, we believe, as follows:
Projects A, B, C, and D vitally affect the airport which, without question, is a
key point in any defense set-up.
A and B seem necessary to prevent traffic congestion from affecting usefulness
of the field by hampering emergency vehicle movements to and from the city
proper.
E serves several useful purposes. It connects the airport and the Colt district
with the south and west sections of the city. The defense housing project is
quite close to this route and traffic over unimproved routes in this section has
already increased. Further increases will follow occupation of the housing site.
(See also discussion in reference to C, etc.)
F and G are suggested because anything which improves facilities for mainte-
nance and patrol of our flood-protection works, particularly during emergencies,
is important in view of the fact that a number of vital manufacturing plants
(particularly the Colt plant) must depend on the dikes for protection from dis-
astrous shut-downs should they be flooded.
H would extend flood protection to other areas occupied by important manu-
facturing establishments and/or inhabited by industrial workers.
I, J, and K, if done, would allow expansion for defense needs into a hitherto
unused area of the city with ample railroad facilities and close to the business
district and residential areas. Further sites for large plants and defense housing
facilities are few and the north meadows should, we believe, receive serious
consideration.
L, M, and N are things which the city wiU, in all probability, have to do in the
future because of the influx of defense workers and the development of the 1,000-
unit housing site on Flatbush Avenue.
O, P, Q, and R are suggested because increased activity in all lines of business,
particularly in manufacturing, has already produced a quite noticeable increase in
traffic congestion, hampering not only ordinary business but defense production
as well. The passage through our congested streets of the cars of thousands of
workers in defense plants is constantly decreasing the speed of traffic flow and the
development of suggested projects would tend to minimize the effect.
Very truly yours,
Robert J. Ross,
City Engineer.
TESTIMONY OF MAYOR SPELLACY— Resumed
Mr. Sparkman. Now, we would be very glad for you to proceed
as you wish. I wonder if you would care to summarize your paper
for the benefit of the committee.
Mayor Spellacy. The committee has my statement and I would
prefer your asking questions rather than my making any further
statement.
Mr. Sparkman. I shall be glad to proceed in that manner.
I notice in your paper you estimate that the population of Hartford
proper has increased by 35,000 persons since the 1940 census.
Mayor Spellacy. Yes, sir.
Mr. Sparkman. Does that include only the principal part of
Hartford or does it include also East and West Hartford?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5Q43
Mayor Spellacy. It includes metropolitan Hartford as served by
the Hartford post office department. That would include West
Hartford, East Hartford, Wethersfield, and a place called Wilson.
Mr. Sparkman. Are those separate towns?
Mayor Spellacy. Yes, sir.
Mr. Sparkman. Separate corporations?
Mayor Spellacy. Yes, sir; we have 169 towns in Connecticut and
each is a corporate entity. Hartford itself is territorially very small,
one of the smallest cities of its size in the country. It covers 18.6
square miles. There is no line of demarcation between Hartford
and West Hartford, and a stranger driving out Farmington Avenue
wouldn't know where the line was unless he happened to see the sign.
We are separated from East Hartford by the Connecticut River; but
our problem is a community problem. It is a metropolitan district
problem.
Mr. Sparkman. And when you refer to "Hartford," you mean the
metropolitan area?
Mayor Spellacy. Yes, sir.
Mr. Sparkman. What was the population in the 1940 census of
metropolitan Hartford?
Mayor Spellacy. I can't give you the figure for metropolitan
Hartford but for the city of Hartford proper it was 166,000.
Mr. Sparkman. But metropolitan Hartford has increased in popu-
lation an estimated 35,000 since that time?
Mayor Spellacy. That estimate is based upon the post office
survey.
HOUSING PROGRAM INSUFFICIENT
Mr. Sparkman. Do you feel that the present housing expansion
in the city of Hartford of two or three thousand units is sufficient to
care for that increase?
Mayor Spellacy. No, sir. In Hartford, through the Federal
Housing Authority, we are building 1,000 houses or units for defense
workers. We have completed, or partially completed, four projects
of so-called slum-clearance houses and upon the completion of all
these our city will be greatly relieved.
Through the Department of Agriculture we are erecting temporary
housing for defense workers that will accommodate some 700 people.
In Connecticut we have a problem that may not exist in a State
such as New York, which provides substantial aid for its cities. For
instance, in education, over 90 percent of the entire cost is borne by
the municipal tax on real estate and the contents of real estate, so
that you have a burden upon the taxpayers that must be figured in
any enterprise in which the city may participate.
PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES
Now it is costing this city the equivalent of 20 percent of the income
on private property to service our tax-free slum clearance project;
this is a burden placed upon one group of taxpayers to subsidize a
particular group of people. We attempted to solve this by having the
United States Government agree to pay at least $50,000 a year to the
city to help carry the cost of servicing that particular section. Of
course that won't do it. It is still going to cost us a considerable sum
beyond that figure.
5044 HARTFORD HEARINGS
We spend in Hartford some $13,000,000 a year for our total city
service.
Mr. Sparkman. Do I understand from your statement that you
have to bear all of your educational expense? The State does not
bear part of it?
Mayor Spellacy. We get a grant from the State. Our operating
cost in Hartford for the school system is $3,500,000 a year. That
does not include capital expenditures. It only includes the operating
costs and it doesn't mclude pensions or insurance. It is just the
operating cost of the schools themselves. We have something like
$95,000 in State grants which is our proportion, while New York
State, for instance, pays 40 percent.
$50,000 TO SERVICE DEFENSE HOUSING
Mr. Sparkman. Let me ask you about this servicing charge
toward which the Government pays $50,000. Upon what housing is
that paid? Do I understand now that that is your slum clearance
project?
Mayor Spellacy. No, sir; it is for the 1,000 units that are being
erected for defense housing.
Mr. Sparkman. Is there such a service charge paid in other parts
of the country?
Mayor Spellacy. This is the only place that I know of.
Mr. Sparkman. It is a special concession to Hartford?
Mayor Spellacy. Well, it was an agreement we entered into with
the United States Housing Authority. At the time of the agreement
I was in the hospital with a fractured hip and I thmk they felt sorry
for me and agreed to give us $50,000 a year.
Mr. Sparkman. Then that was a $50,000 hip.
The Chairman. We hope you don't have to fracture the other hip
to get an additional $50,000.
Mayor Spellacy. At that I didn't get enough money to cover the
cost.
rents increase
Mr. Sparkman. Do you have a rent problem here? What I mean
is have rent charges increased?
Mayor Spellacy. Yes, sir.
Mr. Sparkman. Is there any plan on the part of the city to control
the matter of rents?
Mayor Spellacy. The city has attempted to control them but
I think it is futile. We attempted it after the last war. The city
hasn't any of the police powers that the State possesses and I don't
think constitutionally we have any control over the amount of rent
to be charged by a private owner. We can use moral suasion and
perhaps through taxation we may have some control, but legally,
we haven't any.
ISOLATION hospitals NEEDED
Mr. Sparkman. What is the situation with reference to the hos-
pitals in Hartford?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5045
I notice in your statement you have given us the sizes of the hos-
pitals, but I would like to know whether there is an acute shortage
in hospital facilities.
Mayor Spellacy. There would be in the event of an epidemic.
Connecticut is woefully short of isolation hospitals. We have one in
Hartford which has only 65 beds. It was built as a temporary
structure and the cost of operating the hospital is 80 percent of the
total cost if there isn't a single bed occupied. We furnish its facilities
to other towns in the vicinity at a net cost They pay only when
they actually have a patient there. But the cost to the city of
Hartford goes on whether there is a patient in the hospital or not.
Mr. Sparkman. Has there been any increase in your hospital
facilities during the past year?
Mayor Spellacy. The Hartford hospital is about to erect a new
unit.
Mr. Sparkman. W^cll, has there been any increase in clinical
facilities?
Mayor Spellacy. Yes; through our board of health.
Mr. Sparkman. Within the last year, I mean since the impact of
this defense program has been felt.
Mayor Spellacy. We have excellent physical facilities for all
kinds "^ of service to the citizens of Hartford through our board of
health and through the hospitals and the community chest, all work-
ing as one unit. We haven't any disagreements on that whatever.
We all work together.
CASES OF SYPHILIS INCREASE
Mr. Sparkman. What are your facilities for taking care of and
controlling communicable diseases?
Mayor Spellacy. The isolation hospital is inadequate. For in-
stance, the problem of syphilis. Cases reported to the local boaj-d of
health have doubled from March a year ago to March of this year
and are still on the increase. The other venereal diseases have like-
wise increased and there are no facilities for taking care of those cases.
Our hospitals will not take communicable disease patients. The
isolation hospital reprcs{^nts the biggest problem that we have at the
moment in our health work.
Our facilities are totally inadequate, not only for this city but for
the State as a whole.
Mr. Sparkman. Do you have any way of detecting those with
communicable diseases except as you may just come upon them in
clinical treatments?
Mayor Spellacy. Well, of course, under the State law doctors are
compelled to report to the board of health uny communicable diseases
they may find.
PLANTS REQUIRE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
Mr. Sparkman. But new workmen coming into the city of Hartford
do not have to submit to any physical examination, through which
they might be discovered?
Mayor Spellacy. If they go into a defense industry they are exam-
ined by a physician representing the contractor before they receive
employment.
5046 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Sparkman. And he, of course, would be compelled under the
law to report to the public board of health any communicable disease
that he found?
Mayor Spellacy. Yes, sir.
Mr. Sparkman. Does the city give any medical and hospital care
to any nonsettled person?
Mayor Spellacy. Yes, sir.
Mr. Sparkman. Now, I believe you prompted the Governor a few
minutes ago to the effect that your settlement law calls for a 4-year
residence?
Mayor Spellacy. Yes, sir.
Mr. Sparkman. But that is not true as to hospitalization and
medical services — you provide them even to nonsettled persons?
state billed for service to in-migrants
Mayor Spellacy. We give whatever assistance is required in the
way of aid. If the person is from another State, then the State is
billed for that service; if the person is a resident of another town in
Connecticut, then that town is billed for the service. If he is not an
alien and has no settlement in any other town in Connecticut, then the
State assumes the obligation. We perform the service but, of course,
we are never totally reimbursed because the cost of the investigation
is borne by the local community.
declares schools are adequate
Mr. Sparkman. "What about your schools? Wliat is the present
pupil load?
Mayor Spellacy. They are absolutely adequate, and would be
adequate even if we had six or seven thousand more pupils than we
now have.
Mr. Sparkman. In other words you anticipate no difficulty as far
as schools are concerned with relation to the defense program?
Mayor Spellacy. We shall face an increase of teachers, an increase
of expense, but not an increase of school facilities. Of course there
will be the additional cost of textbooks and supplies.
Mr. Sparkman. Does the city of Hartford supply textbooks?
Mayor Spellacy. Yes, sir.
Mr. Sparkman. To all grades?
Mayor Spellacy. Yes, sir.
Mr. Sparkman. Mr. Chairman, I believe that is all.
The Chairman. Mayor Spellacy, it is gratifying to hear you state
that your school facilities are adequate. In San Diego the situation
is entirely different. There they are pressed for school facilities.
Mayor Spellacy. In speaking of school facilities, I am taking also
into consideration our parochial-school system as well as the public-
school system. We have some 9,000 pupils m the parochial schools
in the city of Hartford. If they should close down, then, of course,
our public schools would be inadequate.
TRAFFIC PROBLEMS
Mr. Sparkman. Wliat about services such as roads, streets, sewers,
and other things provided for under the so-called Lanham Act?
Mayor Spellacy. Two of the largest" defense plants in this locality
are in other towns. The United Aircraft Co., employing some
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5047
22,000 people and scheduled to employ many thousands more, is
located in East Hartford, and the Pratt & Whitney Co. has a large
plant in West Hartford. Twenty-one policemen are used just to take
care of the Pratt & Whitney traffic. We have to pay those 21 police-
men.
The situation is equally serious with respect to East Hartford.
We only have one bridge across the Connecticut River at present;
another is being built, but it will be some 2 years before it is completed.
In the meantime, many extra policemen are required to keep that
traffic movmg. It isn't flowing as well as w^e would like, but it is
the best we can do under the circumstances.
In other words, for the accommodation of these defense industries
and their workers, the city is put to a considerable expense, and it
receives no revenue from either of these factories in the way of taxes.
The taxes are paid to the communities in which they are located.
Mr. Sparkman. I presume the people who work in these plants
you have mentioned live in those towns — they don't live in Hartford?
Mayor Spellacy. Many of thom live in Hartford. But many
others who work in East Hartford live in West Hartford, so they
must go enthely through Hartford to get to their work.
Mr. Sparkman. Except for the services which you mentioned, they
really are not a charge on Hartford proper.
Mayor Spellacy. It is a considerable expense, sir, even to service
them.
Mr. Sparkman. I realize that, but I am now talking about schools
for thgir children, housing and so forth; those are problems for East
Hartford or West Hartford or wherever they might live?
Mayor Spellacy. That is correct.
DANGER OF INFLATION MENTIONED
Mr. Sparkman. And, Mayor Spellacy, I wonder what your ideas
are as to the proper way to meet the shock that is coming when this
thing lets dow^n?
Mayor Spellacy. Well, of course, one could only hazard a guess as
to what is to be done.
Mr. Sparkman. You heard the Governor's suggestion and I am
wondering if you have any further thoughts, or if your ideas coincide
with his.
Mayor Spellacy. They generally do because he has a much better
mind than I have and much greater experience, perhaps, in certain
lines, than I have had.
I am just a plain, ordmary, everyday lawyer. I think that the
large problem in the future is to prevent inflation. Infia'tion can be
prevented, in my opinion, only by the imposition of the highest tax
that the individual can bear, plus the sale of bonds, such as defense
bonds, to the public, rather than to banks where they create a credit
inflation. If the imposition of this high tax during the so-called boom
period were such that the individual would be prevented from buying
any of the luxuries that he now enjoys (if I could buy but one suit
instead of two or three, for instance), we would be creating a backlog
of orders for the future, provided Congress could be induced to take
that tax right out of existence when this boom is over.
-41— pt 13 3
5048 HARTFORD HEARINGS
BACKLOG OF POST-DEFENSE ORDERS
We would be creating a backlog of potential orders for refrigerators,
typewriters, shoes, clothes and everythmg else that we couldn't buy-
now because of the exorbitant tax rate. Create such a market and
give the people at that time the money to buy with, which you could
do as I have suggested; then relieve the tax situation, and you would
have a flood of buying that would answer the future problem. But
that is so idealistic that I doubt if it could be accomplished.
Mr. Sparkman. Of course your idea there is to stimulate industry
to a production of needed commodities after this thing is over and
thereby prevent another serious depression?
Mayor Spellacy. Well, it is self-evident we can't do business as
usual and carry on defense work, because we have neither the workers
nor the materials to do it with. Self-preservation is the first law of
nature, so your immediate necessity is the manufacture of the kind
of goods that will preserve the United States as the United States.
All of us have got to make some sacrifice, whether we like it or not.
We can make the sacrifice of going without things at the moment.
The Government can compel that by taxation but that taxation will
have to be removed to allow people to buy the things they have gone
without.
Mr. Sparkman. Do you agree with the Governor's second recom-
mendation of a public-works program after this is over?
WOULD NOT TAX PROPERTY FOR P. W. A. PROGRAM
•
Mayor Spellacy. If you carry the public-works program under
an organization such as the P. W. A., whereby the localities had to
bear 55 percent of the cost and the Government 45 percent, I doubt
if there is going to be any locality in the United States that will be
sufficiently sound when this thing is over to do it, and that is especially
true in this State where your taxes are on one kind of wealth only.
We haven't a distributed tax. Ninety-six percent of our taxes
are on one-third of our wealth. That is real estate and the contents
of real estate, so again we come to the question that if the localities
have to contribute as they did under P. W. A., I doubt that they'll
be able to do it.
Mr. Sparkman. I think it is pertinent to consider the matter that
you are mentioning, but I wonder if you would recommend such a
program for Federal projects — flood control, navigation projects,
buildings, and so forth? You know, of course, that we have quit
building post offices and Federal buildings throughout the country.
We could ndturaily resume that program when this is over as well as
other projects of that type.
unskilled WORKERS ARE CHIEF PROBLEM
Mayor Spellacy. But that only takes care of the skilled workers,
and the skilled worker was a very small factor in our relief problem.
The skilled workers have always been employed. We had very few
skilled workers on relief. For instance, there was never a single tool-
maker on relief in Hartford. I am just giving you an example of the
condition of the skilled man. It was the nonskilled workers who fur-
nished the great body of those on relief.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5049
Mr. Sparkman. I am sure you are correct iii that statement, but
when this program is over many of those skilled workers are going to
be out of work.
Mayor Spellacy. Oh, yes; there isn't any doubt about that. And
there "isn't any doubt but what the Govermnent can do a great deal to
keep them employed by public-works projects.
Wliat I am saying is that it only takes care of one small group.
Even today you still see the unskilled on our relief rolls in Hartford.
Mr. Sparkman. That is all, Mr. Chairman.
FEDERAL AID NEEDED
The Chairman. Mayor Spellacy, I just want to ask you one or two-
questions. Now, consider the great influx of people who are coming
here and who will probably come here in increased thousands. Are
you going to be able to carry that load — the hospital load, the housing
load, and the other loads, without Federal aid?
Mayor Spellacy. No, sir.
The Chairman. It just can't be done, can it?
Mayor Spellacy. No, sir. There are a great many things the
Federal Government could do. For instance, here is the Pratt &
Whitney Co. That is a very important defense industry. Today
that one shop is manufacturing in dollar value more than the entire
tool-making industry does in normal times. In other words it has
over $100,000,000 worth of annual production.
Now, these 1,000 houses the Government is building will be occupied
by many of the Pratt & TVliitney workers. To show you how des-
perate tiie situation is, many of those workers, in order to get to their
work, will have to cross a railroad track which should be safeguarded
by a grade crossing. The railroad hasn't the money to build the grade
crossing and the city of Hartford hasn't the money.
But in addition to that, part of the crossing lies in West Hartford, so
we wouldn't have any authority to do it anyway. However, West
Hartford and Hartford combined couldn't do it without first submit-
tmg it to a vote of the people as appropriations in excess of $100,000
requhe an affirmative vote of the electorate. In the meantime we
are jeopardizing the lives of hundreds of workers by not having that
grade crossing eliminated.
I am just giving you one mstance of what the Federal Government
could do toward the preservation of life and the assistance of a great
industry.
NEAR DEBT LIMIT
The Chairman. Have you any debt limitation?
Mayor Spellacy. Five percent.
The Chairman. How close are you to it?
Mayor Spellacy. We are about two and a half million dollars away
from it in Hartford, but we have recently begun spending a very large
sum of money for flood protection, as you may notice as you go through
our parks. We appropriated $5,000,000 for that purpose.
The Chairman. In other words, you are pretty close to the deadline
after you pay the money that you have contracted for?
Mayor Spellacy. Well, about two and a half miflion dollars. Of
course we issue only serial bonds and those are paid every year, which
5050 HARTFORD HEARINGS
automatically reduces the debt, if we don't do any refunding. During
the present fiscal year we are paying off some $2,000,000 of bonds with-
out any refunding.
RATIO OF HOSPITAL BEDS TO POPULATION
The Chairman. Dr. Lamb?
Dr. Lamb. I would like to ask about the ratio of hospital beds to
population. Have you any idea what that figure would be?
Mayor Spellacy. Yes, sir; you mean the local population?
Dr. Lamb. Yes, sir.
Mayor Spellacy. Well, our population is 166,000. The Hartford
Hospital has a total bed capacity of 738. St. Francis Hospital has
a total bed capacity of 605. The municipal hospital, in the hospital
proper, has a bed capacity of 175; the isolation hospital, 65; but be-
tween the chronic wards, and so forth, we have a total bed capacity
there of 655. Mt. Sinai has a bed capacity of 60. We have a neuro-
psychiatric institute that is intended for people who are mentally ill,
which is not included in that figure, but in an emergency could be used.
The United States has a veterans' hospital at Newington, and a
soldiers home is going in at Rocky Hill, which could be used in an
emergency. In the event an epidemic like the flu epidemic of 1918
should come along we have additional temporary facilities in Hartford.
Dr. Lamb. In other words, not counting the veterans' hospital or
the psychoneurological hospital, you have upward of 2,200 beds,
but they could not all be counted upon unless in the event of an
emergency?
Mayor Spellacy. In the Municipal Hospital our bed capacity is 175
plus isolation facilities for 65. Now, we also have a men's home with
250 beds which is occupied by people who are not necessarily sick,
and a women's home with 65, and a men's chronic ward with 45, and
a women's chronic ward with 25, besides a nursery with 30 beds.
You wouldn't ordinarily class that as a hospital but it could be used
in an emergency in connection with our municipal hospitals. The bed
capacity, however, is really 65 in the isolation and 175 in the municipal
hospital.
Dr. Lamb. Would you say, with respect to facilities for the care of
communicable diseases, that further centralization woidd be a good
thing — that is — if you had various services all in one building?
Mayor Spellacy. I will put it as a primary need: The primary
need is isolation for the entire community. I think you will find that
condition not only in Hartford, but throughout Connecticut. What
we have here is adequate for om* normal purposes but totally inade-
quate for emergency conditions.
FORTY teachers ADDED THIS YEAR
Dr. Lamb. With respect to the school situation, you indicated that
the load per teacher was heavy and that there was need for more
teachers.
Mayor Spellacy. No; I said if there was an increase, we have the
rooms, but we would be obliged to employ more teachers. As a
matter of fact we have just employed 40 more now for this year,
.commencing next Septen;ber. We now have an increased load.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5051
Dr. Lamb. And an increased population woidd cause a further
condition along those lines?
Mayor Spellacy. That is why we had to employ the 40 teachers.
We are g'oing to have an increased load in our schools starting next
September, but beyond that we still have facilities for 6,000 pupils
in the Hartford schools. We would require more teachers and the
operating cost would be higher, but we have the physical capacity.
Dr. Lamb. That is all.
The Chairman. Mayor Spellacy, have aiw requests been made
by Hartford or any of the surrounding communities for financial
assistance from the Federal Government, to take care of the present
load and a possible future load?
Mayor Spellacy. Well, what the Governor said, of course, is true,
that there are so many agencies coming here that practically every
week you see a new agency — practically every other day — and we
answer every question that they ask us. We have sent them a list
of recommendations, and will be veiy glad to give the committee a
copy.
The Chairman. I think it would be very valuable, and if you will
supply that to the committee later, we will make it a part of the
record.
[The document referred to was received at the committee's offices
subsequent to the hearing, and is included in this volume as exhibit A,
p. 5037.J
The Chairman. Mayor Spellacy, we thank you very sincerely
for your statement.^ You have given us a valuable contribution and
we appreciate your presence here. Thank you very much, sir.
TESTIMONY OF MAJ. LEONARD J. MALONEY, CONNECTICUT
DIRECTOR STATE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE, HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. Our next witness is Major Maloney.
Major Maloney, will you give j^our full name and state the capacity
in which your appear before the committee?
Major Maloney. Leonard J. Maloney, and I appear here as
director of the Connecticut State Employment Service.
The Chairman. Congressman Arnold will ask you questions.
Mr. Arnold. At the outset I want to say that the Connecticut
State Employment Service is worthy of praise. It has done a fine
job for the committee and its prepared statement has been used as a
sample in approaching other State emploj^ment offices. This state-
ment will be entered in the record of our hearing.
(The statement referred to is as follows:)
STATEMENT BY LEONARD J. MALONEY, DIRECTOR, CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE
Part I. Defense Labor Migration in Connecticut
OUTLINE OF problem
Connecticut's problem with respect to the migration of labor in connection with
national-defense production is not one of finding a means to stop the flow of
workers from outside the State nor of stopping the movement of workers within
the State but rather one of establishing a structure that w ill bring both the out-of-
State and within-State flows under orderly control and give to defense and other
industries the types of workers now needed or who will be needed in the months
5052 HARTFORD HEARINGS
immediately ahead. Because of the impact upon local communities it is important
that workers be brought in only in the quantities needed to the end that housing
facilities will not be needlessly overtaxed to care for people not adaptable to our
needs.
A recent report from 306 Connecticut employers indicated that on May 26 it
•was estimated that 25,000 additional workers would be needed in the ensuing 6
xnonths. Our previous experience with these estimates of needs indicate that in
most instances the figures given are conservative. However, accepting the
estimates as accurate and giving consideration to the needs of employers not
solicited and to other industries it can be seen that Connecticut will need from
40,000 to 50,000 new full-time workers within the next 6 months and that agri-
culture will require in excess of 10,000 seasonal workers during the same period
.as noted in part III of this statement.
TOTAL OF ORDERS AND CONTRACTS
The cumulative totals of various orders and contracts received by Connecticut
-employers up to May 15, 1941, as reported by the Office of Government Reports
were as follows:
Army contracts $206,267,596
Navy contracts-,: 361, 487, 602
Farm security housing 223, 200
Work Projects Administration defense projects 3, 023, 369
United States Housing Authority defense housing projects 6, 357, 650
Public Buildings Administration 933, 000
Office of Education (training) 1, 397, 739
National Youth Administration defense training 643, 003
Defense Plant Corporation 740, 000
Retail Trade Council 248, 000
While the foregoing totals, other than Arm}^ and Navy contracts, have no direct
bearing upon defense labor supply each does contribute to the general economic
welfare of the State and results in business improvement and expansion.
SOURCES OF LABOR SUPPLY
In general the State has but three sources of labor supply:
(1) Its unemployed.
(2) Those to come into the labor market from schools and colleges and women
heretofore not in the labor market.
(3) People from outside the State.
In order that our own supply be used to the fullest extent it is necessary that
■discriminations now existing with respect to race, nationality, physically handi-
capped applicants, the use of women in men's jobs and the use of married women
be broken down. A study of the active files of the State employment offices
indicated that on April 26, 1941, an estimated 16 percent of the 35,000 people in
the files were difficult of placement because they were of Italian or German
extraction, another 4 percent could be placed only in a limited category of occupa-
tions because of color, about 6 percent were barred from defense industries because
they were aliens, and while not particularly checked in the inventory referred to
above it is known that there are about 1,500 people with physical handicaps
actively seeking employment.
Included among those available for referral are about 7,400 workers on Work
Projects Administration projects, about 3,000 youths on National Youth Ad-
ministration projects, and about 400 Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees.
These are all included in the employment service active file totals.
The adaptation of women to some jobs ordinarily filled by men and the in-
creased use of married women is necessary if Connecticut is to fully utilize what
it has in its own labor pool.
SCHOOL GRADUATES
The only substantial freshening of our State labor supply in the period imme-
diately ahead will come from the high schools and colleges. A recent study of
high school graduating classes (appendix A, Part I) indicates that 16,000 boys and
girls will complete that phase of their education this month.' It is estimated that
12,000 will come into the labor market for full-time or summer jobs from the
high schools. Statistics show that there will be somewhat more girls than boys
and our information is that the number of graduates under 18 is higher this year
than in other years. The employment offices have registered 52 percent of the
' See p. 5056.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5053
graduates and it is likely that not over 80 percent will eventually register. The
remaining 20 percent either do not wish to enter the labor market or have secured
jobs on their own initiative.
An increased earmarking of high-school boys for jobs vipon graduation raises
question as to whether any appreciable number of boys over 18 will be left for
a labor reserve. Several cities — Bridgeport, Bristol, and Ansonia are already
giving pre-employment training to high-school boys who will go immediately
into industry upon graduation.
SUPPLY FROM OUT-OF-STATE
As shown in part II of this statement, migrants from outside Connecticut
come largely from New York, Pennsylvania, and the other New England States,
with others coming from Alabama, Florida, and New Jersey, and smaller num-
bers, principally skilled workers, coming from all parts of the country. Our
present information is that the New England States, New York, and New Jersey
cannot be depended upon for any substantial number of additional migrants as
the demand in those States is catching up and in some cases passing the supply.
Increased business activity in the States from which we have drawn heavily is
already reflected in a return of some of the migrants to their home States. Penn-
sylvania still serves as a reservoir for Connecticut but it is our belief that exhaus-
tion of the labor supply in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and other defense centers
will result not only in stemming the flow of Pennsylvanians to Connecticut but
wiU cause the return of many to that State.
SHORTAGES IN OTHER THAN DEFENSE INDUSTRIES
In addition to the shortage of farm labor referred to above and covered in
detail in part III other industries are experiencing acute labor shortages. The
service trades, laundries, retail stores, gas stations, cleaning and pressing estab-
lishments, restaurants, etc., have been hit hard.
One chain operating gas stations has under consideration a plan to utilize
women as attendants and a chain market concern has already introduced women
as meat cutters. Retail stores are swingmg from male to female clerks and
restaurants are using married women in the older age groups as waitresses, short-
order cooks, and chefs.
In summarizing this outline of Connecticut's defense migration problem it
may be said that the expansion of our manufacturing industry for the production
of defense materials and the consequent iinprovement in almost all other in-
dustries has caused over 100,000 men and women to move into the State or move
from one part of Connecticut to another in search of employment since the first
defense orders were placed with Connecticut manufacturers. That as a result
of these migrations and the existence of discriminatory hiring practices there
have been instances where jobs have gone to nonresidents instead of those sub-
jected to discrimination but that the lively condition of the labor market and the
relaxation of discriminatory practices has opened or will soon open jobs to those
who have been passed over.
It may be said also that no seiious social problems have resulted from defense
migration to date although difficulties in housing have been encountered. Plans
for additional expansions already in process point toward the need for continued
careful study of the State's labor supply, the fullest utilization of that supply
and the establishment of smoothly functioning machinery for the orderly impor-
tation of such types of workers as may be needed and in the exact numbers needed.
REMEDIAL STEPS TAKEN
With characteristic Yankee foresight the employers of Connecticut through
the Association of Manufacturers has been at work for several months studying
all phases of the complexities of labor procurement. A committee of 35 per-
sonnel and employment men and woinen has undertaken the research work and
investigation necessary to find an intelligent solution for each of the problems
connected with personnel expansion necessary to speed production on existing
orders and provide for future orders. The objectives and accomplishments of
the committee will be presented your committee by the association itself. As
director of the Connecticut State Employment Service this witness wishes to
compliment the Connecticut Association of Manufacturers for its ready response
to our appeal for cooperation in our efforts to bring about an orderly control of
the State's labor market. There is every indication that our own supply of labor
5054 n.sjiTFORD hearings
will be used insofar as it is adaptable to the needs of our State and the remaining
discrimination because of race, nationality, alien status, marital status, physical
handicaps and relief-work status will be broken down.
EMPLOYMENT SERVICE ACTIVE FILE
The active file of the Connecticut State employment offices at the close of
business on May 31, stood at 38,000. This means that 38,000 men and women
were actively seeking employment upon that date or had visited the employment
office during the preceding 30 days. It does not mean that 38,000 men and women
were immediately available and qualified for the types of occupations in which
there are openings.
The active files contain the registration cai'ds of not only those who are unem-
ployed but also the cards of those who are currently employed but who seek better
paying positions or more congenial work, the cards of those who will accept em-
ployment only in the district in which registered, the cards of people presently em-
ployed on Work Projects Administration relief projects, National ^ outh Admin-
istration projects and Civilian Conservation Corps camps. The files contain also
the cards of people with physical handicaps, superannuated registrants, men and
women who because of questionable w^ork habits or character are difficult of
placement and others who for various reasons are hard to place even in a lively
labor market.
The 38,000 people referred to above, plus the high school and college students
who have not yet been added to the active files, plus an undetermined number of
women, particularly married women, who have not yet entered the labor market,
represent all the State has in its own labor reservoir. It should be pointed out
that 28 percent of the 38,000 are men and women in the so-called white-collar
occupations. While some of this group arc adaptable to defense work it must
be remembered that the files have been combed for over a year and few applicants
remain who are adaptable to and willing to take factory work. It is true, too,
that many high-school students who have taken precollege or commercial training
will not at the outset accept employment in manufacturing. Others in the school
group are not acceptable to manufacturers because of age restrictions provided
in our laws.
TRAINING AND UPGRADING
A factor contributing considerably to the migration of labor within the State
is the failure of many employers to promote within their own organization.
Instead of upgrading within the plant and bringing new help in at the lower
levels some employers breed dissatisfaction by bringing in skilled workers and
placing them above those who with little or no training could have been utilized.
For over a year the employment offices have studied their inactive and dead files,
have reinterviewed thousands of applicants and have uncovered a wealth of infor-
mation with respect to skills urgently needed. In cooperation with the State
department of education the Employment Service is now studying trade-school
graduation lists for the years 1932 to 1940, inclusive, to determine whether the
graduates are using to the fullest extent the skills obtained in training. Already
a number of transfers from nondefense to defense industries have been effected as
a result of this survey.
DRAFT QUESTIONNAIRES
At the suggestion of the committee on defense emergency problems of the
Connecticut Association of Manufacturers, the Employment Service has under-
taken a study of the questionnaires of youths registered under the Selective
Service Act and deferred to classes IB, 3A, and 4F. P'arlj' results indicate the
value of the study and it is being set up on a State-wide basis. The State em-
ployment service also maintains a special file of men in military service and has a
procedure for returning these men to industry upon completion of training.
DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING COURSES
Connecticut started early in preparing its unemployed for jobs in industry.
Our defense industrial training courses started in the fall of 1939 and were placed
under Government supervision on July 1. 19-10.
While preemployment and supplemental training courses for males are in full
swing the recruitment of trainees for these courses is becoming increasingly
difficult. The need for manpower is so pressing that employers are taking the
greer material and training takes place after employment. To meet this situation,
the employment service has recommended to the State department of education
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5055
and that agency has agreed to change over courses in areas in which shortages are
most acute from men to women. Several courses for women are aheady in
operation.
ENCIINEERING DEFENSE TKAINING
The engineering defense training courses in our schools of higher learning have
given advanced instruction to about 4,000, mostly men. There is need to bring
this program into closer relationship to the employer's need for while most ot the
trainees were selected on the basis of the employer's recommendation it is not
believed the latter had definite plans for upgrading the employee at the con)pletion
of training.
WOHK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION AS A SOUKCE OF SUPPLY
The rolls of the Work Projects Administration have declined from a peak of
33,000 to about 7,400 at present. The employment offices have exerted every
effort toward returning these relief workers to private employment. The closest
cooperation has been extended by Work Projects Administration officials and
workers who refuse private employment of suitable type arc promptly dismissed.
It is believed that we will soon reach that point in the Work Projects Administra-
tion labor pool beyond which we cannot go as the files will contain only those who
because of age, physical impairment, work habits or for other reasons must have
protected emi)loyment. A new study of those remaining on Work Projects
Administration rolls is now underway and effort is being made to further reduce
the rolls by 2,000 to 2,200.
NATIONAL YOUTH ADMINISTRATION CLEARANCE CENTER
A new use for the National Youth Administration has become necessary in
Connecticut because of the difficulties experienced by that agency in the recruit-
ment of boys and girls for its work experience centers. An experiment is being
made at the Nepaug Village Training Center to determine whether or not resi-
dential clearing centers can be set up to house boys trained in other States until
such time as they may be placed with Connecticut employers. Boys from New
York City and Wilkea-Barre, Pa., have been brought in and while a refinement of
selection methods is indicated it is believed these centers may become a valuable
part of the interstate clearance structure.
CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS CAMPS
These camps continue to be a source of excellent labor supply and while the
number of camps in Connecticut has decreased from 21 to 5 and a further decrease
to 3 is imminent, employers continue to absorb all who complete training.
UNITED STATES EMPLOYMENT SERVICE CLEARANCE STRUCTURE
While the State employment service has successfully used the United States
Employment Service clearance .structure in moving workers into and out of the
State, we believe that simplification of the present clearance procedure is neces-
sary. Operating as it does through regional offices the office holding an order
does not have the intimate touch with the applicant holding office that is necessary
if all parties are to be satisfied.
Local offices should bo allowed direct contact with a local office in another
State witli the State and regional clearance officers receiving copies of all forms.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. That Connecticut employers utilize to the fullest extent its own supply of
labor and that discriminatory hiring practices with re-spect to race, nationality,
and phy.>ical handicap be abandoned.
2. That women Ix^ trained for and used in the types of jobs ordinarily per-
formed by men but 1o which women could be adapted.
3. That discrimination against married women cease in ord<;r that a great
many women with needed skills may be brought into the labor market.
4. That the Dei)artments of War and Navy clear up the situation regarding
the employment of aliens and advise just who may be employed and who may
not be employed, that these departments devise a uniform and more simple
form for securing the retention of aliens and that the two departments be urged
to expedite action on applications already in their hands.
5056 H.4JITFORD HEARINGS
5. That employers plan more intelligently for training and upgrading of their
own personnel and give promotion whenever possible on the basis of seniority.
6. That employers study the jobs within their plants so that workable dilu-
tions may be made of jobs rec]uiring high skill.
7. That employers recognize the rights of Americans to go wherever they want
in search of employment and that a structure be set up that will facilitate the
transfer when it is warranted but which at the same time will permit an un-
biased discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed transfer.
8. That the State employment service be used exclusively for the clearance of
labor from outside the State.
9. That the National Youth Administration extend its experiment with resi-
dence clearance centers and that Civilian Conservation Corps camps not in use
be made available to the National Youth Administration for this purpose and
that machinery now used by National Youth Administration be made available
for defense-industrial training courses.
10. That Connecticut employers anticipate their labor needs so that requisi-
tions may be pooled for clearance and that the public employment offices re-
ceive daily advice from all employers of people taken from or returned to the
labor market.
11. That employers continue to cooperate with the State employment service
in the return of Work Projects Administration workers to private employment.
12. That the State selective service officials endeavor to bring about a closer
relationship between local draft boards and local employment offices in order
that men needed in defense industries will be considered for occupational
deferment prior to classification.
13. That the Committee on Emergency Defense Problems continue through
the period of the emergency its present splendid cooperation with the State
employment service and other State and Federal agencies.
Appendix A, Part I. — Connecticut State Employment Service-
ing classes, number registered, and number in active files
-High-school graduat-
May 27, 1941
High-school graduating
class
Number
regis-
tered
Percent
regis-
tered
Number
now in
active
file
Number now
registered
to be added
Total
Male
Female
to active file
in June
Ansouia
Brid eeport
651
2,072
407
539
274
2,665
629
571
714
3,125
682
568
473
862
300
488
1,107
220
308
940
185
237
162
1, 147
351
250
297
1,425
315
269
197
407
115
237
535
89
343
1,132
222
302
112
1,518
278
321
417
1,700
367
299
276
455
185
251
572
131
390
207
400
209
146
1,998
234
381
457
1,256
506
415
122
213
255
390
899
132
60
10
100
39
. 53
75
37
40
I
27
25
85
80
81
60
0
207
0
209
146
0
0
70
46
0
506
415
122
0
204
0
0
107
390
0
355
Danbury
0
0
Hartford
Meriden
1,998
234
311
New Britain
411
1,256
New London
0
Norwalk
0
Norwich .
0
Stamford
213
51
Torrineiton
Waterbury
390
884
Willimantic
0
Total
16, 347
17,466
1 8, 881
8,601
52-f
2,032
6,493
1 Estimated.
Part II. Report of Field Office Study of Defense Migration Problems
SUMMARY OP A STUDY MADE THROUGH THE 18 FIELD OFFICES OF THE CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE, JUNE 1941
In order that a fairly accurate picture might be secured of the defense migratory
labor problem as it affects Connecticut, questionnaires were sent to the mana-
gers of the 18 district offices of the employment service. It is believed employ-
ment office managers know more about the movement of labor into and out of the
towns served by their offices than any other individual or agency within the
territory. The files of the Connecticut State Employment Service contain the
registration cards of over 600,000 individuals who during the past 8 years have
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5057
visited the employment offices in searcli of work or to qualify for unemployment-
compensation benefits. It is unlikely that any other State employment service
has occupational information about such a large percentage of its working popula-
tion. In addition to the 18 full-time field offices, there are 13 itinerant stations
and the offices and part-time stations are so located that nobody in Connecticut
has to go more than 10 miles to an employment office.
NUMBER OF MIGRANTS
The reports (see appendix A') submitted by the field-office managers indicate
that an estimated total of 107,543 persons have come into Connecticut or have
moved more within the State since the fall of 1939 in search of employment.
These estimates are based upon statistical samples, actual checks of registration
cards, studies of placement and registration statistics, and by contact with
public authorities and representatives of industry and are believed to be as
accurate as can be compiled.
Of the 107,543 migrants it is estimated that 62,226 went directly to employers
and that only 45,317 visited the State employment offices. Of those who visited
the offices it is estimated that 35,692 were from outside the State and 9,625 from
other parts of the State. The offices registered 18,060 of the migrants and
placed 8,649 of those registered. Persons from within the State and already
registered at another employment office were not reregistered, and those from
outside the State who obviously did not meet with the requirements of employers
were not registered.
The reports indicate that of the 62,226 persons who went directly to employers
and did not visit tlie employment offices an estimated 18,839 found employment.
This makes a total of 27,488 given employment of the 107,543 migrants.
TREND OF MIGRATION
Six of the employment offices report an increase of migration at present, while
eight report decreases and three say the volume remains static It is interesting
to note that while a substantial number of the migrants come from the other
New England States, high percentages come to some districts from Pennsylvania
and New York. Whereas at the outset of the migration only 10 offices reported
migrants from Pennsylvania, at present 12 offices report migrants from that
State. Some offices show high percentages of their out-of-State migrants from
Pennsylvania, with Ansonia showing 60 percent; Meriden, Norwalk, and Stam-
ford, each 50 percent; Middletown, 40 percent; Bridgeport, 35 percent; New
Haven and Waterbury, 30 percent; New Britain, 25 percent.
Stamford and Danbury each report 40 percent of their migrants as coming
from New York State; Norwalk reports 50 percent from that source; Thompson-
viUe, 35 percent; Ansonia, Torrington, and Waterbury, each 30 percent; Bridge-
port and Willimantic, each 25 percent.
Maine is furnishing 25 percent of the migrants who come into Bristol and
New Britain whereas in the beginning Maine furnished 50 percent of Bristol's
migrants and 75 percent of New Britain's. Middletown, which once received 30
percent of its migrants from Maine, now receives only 5 percent from that source.
Ten offices report migrants from Massachusetts, with the highest percentages
coming into two border districts, Danielson, with 75 percent, and Thompsonville,
with 45 percent. Ten offices now report receiving migrants from Massachusetts,
whereas 12 offices received them early in 1940.
New Hampshire provides 30 percent of the New Haven and Meriden migrants
and 25 percent of those coming into Bristol and 20 percent of those being received
by Torrington. Ten offices report migrants at present from New Hampshire.
Early in 1940 9 offices were getting migrants from that State, and in January 1941
10 offices were receiving them.
Vermont accounts for 25 percent of Bristol's migrants, and Torrington gets
20 percent from that source. Nine offices are receiving Vermont workers, com-
pared with 9 in early 1940 and 11 in January 1941. Middletown, which reported
50 percent of its migrants from Vermont in early 1940, had dropped to 20 percent
by January 1941 and is now receiving only 5 percent from that source.
Rhode Island contributes most heavily to New London, an abutting territory,
25 percent of New London's migrants coming from that State. Only 7 offices
report receiving migrants at present from Rhode Island. Ten were getting
workers from Rhode Island in January 1941.
Alabama, New Jersey, and Florida have given Connecticut substantial numbers
of migrants, and small numbers have come from many other States.
5Q58 IIARTFOKD HEARINGS
REASONS FOR MIGRATION
Only six employment-office managers attributed any portion of the migration
into their territories to newspaper advertising by employers. Ansonia reported
10 percent estimated as coming in for that reason; Bridgeport, 5 percent; Daniel-
son, 45 percent; Middletown, 5 percent; Torrington, 10 percent; and Willimantic,
10 percent. Most offices attributed a high percentage of their migrations to the
large amount of publicity given to Connecticut's defense production efforts in
magazines and periodicals of national circulation and metropohtan newspapers.
Collier's, Time, News Week, Look, and other magazines carried articles on the
State's industrial training program, its production of submarines, airplanes, and
war munitions and other phases of defense worlv. Managers' estimates ran from
30 percent at Bristol and Norwalk to 100 percent at Stamford. Defense centers
reported as follows: Bridgeport, 80 percent; Hartford, 60 percent; Waterbury,
50 percent; New Britain, 50 percent.
The importation of workers by employers through out-of-State employees
already hired was given by the Stamford office manager as the reason for 70
percent of its migrants. Bridgeport reported only 5 percent from that source;
Hartford, 10 percent; Waterbury, 20 percent; New Britain, 47 percent.
The clearance structure of the State employment service did not fare too well
in the movement of workers into Connecticut. Bristol and New London report
20 percent of their migrants as being brought in through regular clearance. Other
percentages are as follows: Ansonia, 2 percent; Bridgeport, 10 percent; Danbury,
2 percent; Danielson, 5 percent; Hartford, 5 percent; Middletown, 10 percent;
New Britain, 3 percent; New Haven, 10 percent; Thompsonville, 10 percent;
Waterbury, 10 percent; Willimantic, 5 percent.
Only two offices reported fee-charging private agencies as the source of migra-
tion— ^Middletown, attributing 2 percent to New York City agencies, and Tor-
rington, 10 percent.
TYPES OF OCCUPATIONS
Except in the instance of the Thompsonville office, most of the out-of-State
migrants are semiskilled or unskilled. In the Thompsonville district an airport-
construction project accounts for the fact that 55 percent of the migrants from
rural areas and 63 percent from urban centeis were of the skilled occupations.
Bridgeport reported 2 percent skilled, c8 percent semiskilled, and 60 percent
unskilled among those from rural areas, and 5 percent skilled, 15 percent semi-
skilled, and 80 percent unskilled among those from the cities. Hartford reports
no skilled from either rural or urban areas, 10 percent of semiskilled and 90 percent
of unskilled from the country areas, and 20 percent of semiskilled and 80 percent
of unskilled from the urban centers.
Included among the skills possessed by the migrants were miners, mechanics,
construction workers, shipbuilders, truck drivers, bakers, farm workers, lumber
workers and woodsmen, textile workers, service workers, and clerks.
MARITAL STATUS
In some districts the major proportion of migrants are married men with families,
while in others single men have predominated. Two offices, Bridgeport, 50 per-
cent, and Danielson, 60 percent, report a high percentage of "boomers," those
who drift from place to place in search of employment. New Britain reports 75
percent of its migrants as married, while other offices in defense centers report as
follows: Bridgeport, 25 percent single and 25 percent married; Hartford, 40 per-
cent single and 50 percent married; Waterbury, 40 percent single and 40 percent
married. New Haven reports 80 percent of its migrants as being single and 20
percent married.
DISCRIMINATORY HIRING PRACTICES
State-wide relaxation of discrimination because of age is reported, all 18 offices
saying that age is no longer an important factor in employment. All offices also
report that barriers against the employment of married women are also relaxing,
although in some territories some firms still bar married women. All except two
offices report relaxation of discrimination because of nationality, Torrington and
Waterburjr both reporting that there has been no ai)preciable change in their
territories. Six of the eighteen offices report no improvement in discrimination
against the Negro, although the situation in this respect is very much improved.
The bar against aliens is even more tight at present than a year ago. Only four
offices report improvement, and none of these is in a defense area.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5059
INCREASED USE OP WOMEN IN MEN's JOBS
Connecticut employers seem still hesitant to use more women in jobs ordinarily-
filled by men although in many districts individual employers are studying the
possibifities of using women. Bridgeport reports that employers are interested
but have not yet committed themselves to use women if preemployment training
is given. Hartford says that while women are not yet being adapted to men's
jobs in defense work a gasoline vending company has discussed the possibility
of using women as gas station attendants and a chain market system is using
women as meat cutters. Torrington reports a steady increase in the use of
women and estimates that 10 percent of the jobs ordinarily held by men are now
filled by women. Waterbury says women are used only in "rare instances."
DEPLETION OF RURAL AREAS
The recruitment of men and women for defense industries has raised havoc
with the labor supply in the rural areas of Connecticut, according to the reports
of the employment office managers. Hartford, Meriden, Middletown, Ansonia,
Bristol, New Britain, Torrington, and Waterbury report the towns in their area
as being almost entirely stripped of male labor; Danbury reports heavy inroads
on its own supply and a decrease of about 10 percent in the other towns served
by the office. New Haven saj's all desirable young men have been taken from
the towns in its district; Danielson reports a 50 to 60 percent decrease; New
London, 75 percent; Norwalk, 25 percent; Thompsonville, 30 percent; and Willi-
mautic, 85 percent, of the labor supply drawn from their respective small towns.
HOUSING PROBLEM
No housing problems have yet arisen in the Danbury, Danielson, Meriden,
Middletown, Stamford, or Willimantic districts although Middletown reports a
large number of Hartford workers are taking up residence in its district and using
up available rents. Torrington, Waterbur\', and Bridgeport report acute housing
shortages and there are shortages also in Ansonia, Bristol, Hartford, New Britain,
and Thompsonville. New Haven reports a scarcity of low-priced rents; New-
London says rents are high and Norwalk has a shortage of rooming houses. Hous-
ing projects are under way or contemplated in Bridgeport, Bristol, Haitford,
New Britain, New- Haven, and New London.
Most of the larger cities of the State have taken steps to cope with their housing
problems and many have established housing authorities and rental agents.
SCHOOL, RECREATION, SOCIAL, AND OTHER PROBLEMS
There have as yet been no shortages of school facilities reported. Principal
defense centers are studying the needs for fall and it is likely that schools closed
during depression years will be reopened. Not much has been done with respect
to extension of recreational facilities and the employment office managers have
not reported any serious social problems that have arisen from the influx of
workers into certain areas.
DISTRIBUTION OF MIGRATORY LOAD
A study of the reports made by the employment office managers discloses that
of the total of 107,543 migrants, an estimated 98,237 have moved into the 5
principal defense production centers. Bridgeport has received 60,000 of the
number; Hartford 23,500; New London, 6,000; New^ Britain. 4,500; and Water-
bury 4,237. Of the 98,227 migrants who visited these towns 21,125 went directly
to employers and 17,332 found employment. The employment offices in those
cities placed 7,371 of the migrants.
ANSONIA DISTRICT
1. We estimate that approximately 600 migrants have visited our office since
the start of w-ork on defense contracts. We find it impossible to estimate the num-
ber that went directly to employers in the district, w'ithout stopping at our office,
although we feel fairly sure that as many followed the latter course as follow-ed
the former.
(a) Six hundred. (See above.)
(1) Of the 6U0 we estimate that 500 were from outside the State.
5060 HARTFORD HEARINGS
(2) Our guess would be that there were about 100 from other parts of the
State.
(b) Of the number of migrants who have visited our office, our estimate would
be that about 250 were registered here.
(c) Of these 250, we would put the number of placements at about 225.
(d) (See statement in first paragraph above (par. 1).)
(e) We are in the same position as on 1 (d) . We have been unable to get any
information by inquiry among employers, that seems to be at all helpful, except
that the number of migrants visiting the plants is becoming increasingly large,
that some are finding employment, and that some employers have had an unsatis-
factory experience in hiring help in this way and are curtailing or restricting the
practice.
2. The number of migrants is apparently increasing, and the rate of acceleration
seems to be rather rapid.
3. (a) Pennsylvania, one-third; New York, one-third; other New England
States, one-third (source of migrants at beginning of migration).
(b) We do not feel that there was much change in the source of migrants, from
the beginning of the period to January 1, 1941.
(c) Pennsylvania, 60 percent; New York, 30 percent; other States, 10 percent
(source at present) .
4. (a) It is almost impossible to find a rent in any of the towns included in our
district. Almost invariably, Vv-hen a rent is vacated, the price is raised before the
place is relet, and a new tenant contracts to hire it, before it is vacated. The
situation is particularly difficult for tenants with children, most landlords becoming
more and more insistent on their refusal to rent to such families.
(6) There did not seem to be any shortage of school facilities during the current
school year, the increase in enrollment serving, for the most part, to take up the
slack left by the decreased enrollment of the past years. Most of the school
authorities feel, however, that a continuation of the increase in enrollment will
result in a shortage next year.
(c) So far as we know, there have been no recreation problems.
(d) No serious social problems seem to be arising with the possible exception
of the fact that many men have found it necessary to separate from their families,
leaving them behind because of the inability to secure adequate housing here.
There has been much doubling up in apartments, but, so far as we know, this has
not occasioned any serious problems as yet.
(e) Rents and food prices are rising continually. Restaurants are crowded,
and traffic has become extremely heavy.
5. (a) There has apparently been no organized movement to improve the hous-
ing situation, with the exception of a substantial increase in private building,
several developments containing small numbers of private houses having been
started by private contractors.
(b) The school authorities seem to be fully aware of the situation and are mak-
ing efforts to meet it by requests for appropriations, etc. Mr. Stevens, the super-
intendent of education here in Ansonia, is trying to get an appropriation to rebuild
a junior high school which burned down 2 or 3 years ago, and to add a second floor
to one of the wings of the Pine Manual School.
(c) We have heard of no measures being taken with respect to increased facilities
for recreation.
(d) So far as we know, nothing has been done to meet new social problems with
the possible exception of small increases in the police forces of the various towns.
(e) Rather surprisingly, there does not seem to be any increase in the number
of local restaurants, in spite of the crowded conditions of those now in business.
6. Most workers from rural towns in this district are apparently now working
locally.
7. Percentage of those who come in have responded to —
(a) Advertising of Connecticut employers, 10 percent.
(b) News stories of defense work in Connecticut, 58 percent.
(c) Requests by employers through friends or neighbors, who have previously
migrated into the State, 30 percent.
(d) Regular employment-service clearance, 2 percent.
(e) Private fee charging agencies, 0 percent. •
8. Type of migrants:
(a) Rural:
(1) Skilled from Connecticut, 2 percent; from other States, 2 percent.
(2) Semiskilled from Connecticut, 28 percent; from other States, 38 percent.
t'3) Unskilled from Connecticut, 70 percent; from other States, 60 percent.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5Q61
(&) Urban:
(1) Skilled from Connecticut, 15 percent; from other States, 15 percent.
(2) Semiskilled from Connecticut, 55 percent; from other States, 55 percent.
(3) Unskilled from Connecticut, 30 percent; from other States, 30 percent.
(c) The outstanding skills possessed by migrants are as follows: Coal miners,
maintenance mechanics, truck drivers, welders, bakers, and chefs.
(d) Percentage of —
(1) Boomers: 2 percent.
(2) Single men: 38 percent.
(5) Married men with families: 60 percent.
9. In your opinion had discrimination because of color, nationality, and citizen
status resulted in loss of employment to these groups in favor of migrants? Yes.
10. Is discrimination relaxing with respect to —
(a) Age: Yes.
(6) Citizenship status: Slightly.
(c) Color: Slightly.
(d) Nationality: Yes.
(e) Married women: Yes.
11. Most employers are trying to use women wherever possible. Many are
being used on machine jobs formerly performed by men. This is especially true
in the operation of small milling machines, and of drill presses. Some employers
have reported that the women they are now using on the drill presses are apparently
more apt at that type of work than the men they have replaced.
BRIDGEPORT DISTRICT
1 . The estimated number of migrants coming into the office for the past 6 months
from out of State: 18,000.
(a) From other parts of the State: 2,000.
(b) The approximate number who have registered in the Bridgeport office : 2,400.
(c) The number placed is approximately: 1,800.
(d) Estimate of number who went directly to employers: From out of State,
40,000; from other parts of State, 5,000.
(e) Approximate number who found employment: 8,000.
2. Indications established in the last few days indicate that the number of
migrants coming into the territory are increasing.
3. Percentage at the beginning of migration: (a) Pennsylvania, 50 percent;
New York, 20 percent; all others, 30 percent.
(b) In January 1941, approximate percentage: Pennsylvania, 60 percent;
New York, 20 percent; all others, 20 percent.
(c) At the present time, approximate percentage: Pennsylvania, 35 percent;
New York, 25 percent; New Hampshire 5 percent; Massachusetts, 5 percent;
Vermont, 3 percent; Maine, 3 percent; all others, 24 percent.
4. The only difficulty that we have experienced has been in the housing situa-
tion, which insofar as it affects rents for families, has been serious for some time.
There is a large demand with practically none available.
(a) Number of complaints of the jacking-up of rents.
(b) There has been no difficulty insofar as school facilities, recreation, social
problems, and other problems are concerned.
5. Housing situation:
The Federal Housing Authority has already started work on 600 units. The
sites have been selected for 1,600 more and bids will probably be let in the very
near future. On top of this, it is estimated that private capital will add from
1,800 to 2,000 more units between now and next summer.
Y. M. C. A. has already started to work on a recreation program for defense
workers.
6. Due to the compactness of the territory we serve, and also that wage earners
in the out-laying towns have usually been employed in Bridgeport, there has
been no depletion of workers from the small surrounding towns.
7. The following are approximate percentages of those who come to Bridgeport
in response to:
(o) Advertising of Connecticut employers, 5 percent.
(b) News stories of defense work in Connecticut, 80 percent.
(c) Requests by employers through friends or neighbors who have previously
migrated into the State, 5 percent.
(d) Regular employment service clearance, 10 percent.
(e) Private fee-charging agencies, none.
5062 HARTFORD HEARINGS
8. Tj'pe of migrants:
(a) Rural:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 4 percent; from other States, 2 percent.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 16 percent; from other States, 10 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 80 percent; from other States, 88 percent.
(b) Urban:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 10 percent; from other States, 5 percent.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 25 percent; from other States, 15 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 65 percent; from other States, 80 percent.
(c) Types of skills possessed by migrants: Mechanics, carpenters, electricians,
miners, farm workers, lumber workers.
{d) Percentage of —
(1) Boomers: 50 percent.
(2) Single men: 25 percent.
(3) Married men: 25 percent.
9. There has been some discrimination because of color or nationality, and it
has possibly resulted in some loss of employment to these groups in favor of
migrants. In the main the loss of employment has been in preferred occupations.
In most cases work of some kind has been found in these groups.
10. There has befen considerable relaxation in discrimination as to age^none
as to citizenship — considerably as to color — slight as to nationality, and cou-
sidei-ably as to married women.
11. In most cases up to date the demand for women has been in those occupa-
tions that have been usually done by women. We know of one case — the Bridge-
port Brass Co. — where they are using women to load carriers with shells running
into the annealing ovens. Heretofore this work has always been done by men.
One company is using women as crane operators, although this practice started
in the last war and has always continued, the eixiployer claiming they have found
that women give better satisfaction to them on this type of work. We have
contacted several employers in the past few months in reference to the training
of women to do work normally handled by men, and while we have found some
interest in this direction, we have to date been unable to find any employer who
would commit himself to employing these women after they have been trained.
BRISTOL DISTRICT
1. Number of migrants who have come into this territory since start of work
on defense contracts.
(a) We have hp.d approximately 250 migrants come to this office from outside
the State and probably 50 from other parts of this State.
(6) Of these we have registered approximately 150.
(c) Of these we have placed approximately 75.
(d) We would estimate that approximately 250 from out of State went directly
to employer and approximately 50 from the other parts of the State.
(e) Of these probably 150 to 200 obtained employment.
2. The number of migrants is apparently decreasing slightly.
3. The sources of migrants from other States are as follows:
(a) Maine, 50 percent; Xew Hampshire, 25 percent; Vermont, 25 percent.
(b) In January 1941 migration was about the same as above.
(c) At present Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, 75 percent; New York
and Pennsylvania, 25 percent.
4. The chief difficulty in regard to migrants is in relation to housing — dwellings
and apartments are no longer available and single rooms are few and of poor
quality. There is no difficulty in regard to school facilities and recreational
facilities ai^.d so far no particular social problem has arisen.
5. In order to correct the housing situation 200 low-cost houses are being
planned under the defense housing program.
6. We have almost entirely depleted the rural towns of workers.
7. Those workers who came to this office re.sponded for the reasons given below:
(a) Advertising of Connecticut employers: None.
(b) News stories of defense work in Connecticut: 30 percent.
(c) Requests of employers through friends or neighbors who have previously
migrated into the State: 50 percent word of mouth stories from friends and
neighbors.
(d) Regular employment service clearance: 20 percent.
(e) Private fee charging agencies: None.
8. Types of migrants from Connecticut and from other States, both rural and
urban, have b^n almost 100 percent unskilled. Most of these are woodsmen,
agricultural workers, construction laborers, relief project workers, and the like.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5063
(a) We would estimate that the percentages of types of migrants as follows:
(1) Boomers: 25 percent.
(2) Single men: 35 percent.
(3) Married men with families: 40 percent.
9. In my opinion there are discriminations because of color, nationality, and
citizen status resulting in loss of employment in favor of migrants.
10. Discrimination is relaxirg with respect to the following in the manner in-
dicated:
(a) Age: Yes.
(6) Citizenship status: No.
(c) Color: No.
(d) Nationality: Somewhat.
le) Married women: Somewhat.
11. Won. en are not as yet being accepted by employers in positions ordinarily
held by nien.
DANBURY DISTRICT
1. Fstim.ate number of migrants who have come into your territory since start
of work on defense contracts.
(a) Estimate of number that have visited your office:
(1) trom out of State: 100.
(2) From other parts of State: 20.
{b) Of this number (a), give estimate of number you have registered: 100.
(c) Of this number (6), give estimate of number of placements: 60.
(d) Estimate of number that went directly to employers:
(1) From out of State: 15 or 20.
(2) From other parts of State: None.
(e) Estimate of this number (d), who found employment (Note.— This does
not include agricultural workers, on whom we have no information): 10 or 12.
2. Is number of migrants increasing or decreasing and to what extent? Ap-
proximately static at this time.
3. Source of migrants from other States:
(a) At beginning of migration (name States and percentages): New York,
40 percent; Massachusetts, 40 percent.
(6) In January 1941 (name States and percentages). Same, 20 percent
scattered throughout States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania,
and New Jersey.
(c) At present (name States and percentages), same.
4. \N hat difficulties have arisen in your territory with respect to: No changes
due to migration. Otherwise:
(a) Housing: No acute problem: (Trade school inadvertently housed.)
(6) School facilities adequate: Not outstanding.
(c) Recreation: No organized program.
id) Social problems: Average of small urban areas under predefense condi-
tions.
(e) Other.
5. What corrective measures have been taken with respect to No. 4. None
caused by migration. Otherwise:
(o) Housing: Two private developments nearly com^plete (60 units).
(6) School facilities: Finance board just turned down trade school. No
additic nal public schools as yet.
(c) Recreation: None.
(d) Social problems: None.
(e) Other.
6. To what extent have rural towns in your district been depleted of workers?
Young m,en normally doing farm work have been traired for defense industries:
5 to 10 percent. NoTE.^Darbury is n.ore depleted than rural areas.
7. What percentage of those who com.e in have responded to:
(a) Advertising of Connecticut employers: Almost none.
(6) News stories of defense work in Connecticut: SO percent approximately.
(c) Requests by employers through friends or neighbors who have previously
migrated into the State: 18 percent approximately.
{d) Regular employment service clearance: 2 percent (two men from Massa-
chusetts).
(e) Private fee charging agencies: None.
8. Types of migrants:
60396— 41— pt. 13 4
^Qg4 HARTFORD HEARINGS
(a) Rural:
(1) Skilled from Connecticut, none; from other States, none.
(2) Semi-skilled from Connecticut, 1 percent; from other States, 6 percent.
(3) Unskilled from Connecticut, 7 percent; from other States, 35 percent
(estimated) .
(6) Urban:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, none; from other States, none.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 7 percent; from other States, 6 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 8 percent; from other States 36 percetit.
(c) Types of skills possessed by migrants (carpenters, mechanics, agricultural
workers, etc.) Agircultural, 90 percent; some diverted into factory labor,
mechanics.
(d) Percentage of —
(1) Boomers: None.
(2) Single men: 3 to 4 percent (scattered, unskilled).
(3) Married men with families: 6 to 7 percent.
9. In your opinion has discrimination because of color, nationality, and citizen
status resulted in loss of employment to these groups in favor of migrants. No.
10. Is discrimination relaxing with respect to: Yes, in general.
(0) Age: Higher ages accepted.
(b) Citizenship status: Government contracts only.
(c) Color: No fixed policy, very few applicants.
(d) Nationality: No discrimination.
(e) Married women: Very little discrimination, confined to few employers.
11. Are women being accepted by employers in defense industries in jobs
ordinarily held by men and to what extent? (Give types of jobs.) No experi-
ence, because no need has yet developed. Willingness to adapt has been
expressed.
(Note. — Danbury's problem consists of openings because of local workers
who have migrated to other areas, rather than an influx of migrant workers.)
DANIELSON DISTRICT
1. Estimated number of migrants who have come into this territory since start
of work on defense contracts.
(a) Estimate of number that have visited this office:
(1) From out of State: 75.
(2) From other parts of State: 45.
(6) Of this number (a), estimate of number this office has registered: 20.
(c) Of this number (b), estimate of number of placements: 4.
(d) Estimate of number that went directly to employers:
(1) From out of State: 25.
(2) From other parts of State: 6.
(e) Estimate of this number (d), who found employment: 15.
2. Number of migrants is decreasing to practically vanishing point in last month.
3. Source of migrants from other States:
(a) At beginning of migration (States and percentages): Massachusetts, 50
percent; New flampshire, 20 percent; New York, 15 percent; Rhode Island,
15 percent.
(b) In January 1941: Massachusetts, 65 percent; New York, 10 percent;
Rhode Island, 10 percent; New Hampshire, 15 percent.
(c) At present time: Massachusetts, 75 percent; Rhode Island, 5 percent;
New York, 20 percent.
4-5. No difficulties have arisen in this territory with respect to housing, school
facilities, recreation, social problems, or other.
6. Extent to which rural towns in this district have been depleted of workers;
50 to 60 percent, including those taken into military service.
7. Percentage of those who come in have responded to:
(a) Advertising of Connecticut employers: 45 percent.
(b) News stories of defense work in Connecticut: 50 percent.
(c) Requests by employers through friends or neighbors who have previously
migrated: None that we can discover.
(d) Regular employment service clearance: 5 percent.
(e) Private fee-charging agencies: None.
8. Types of migrants:
(a) Rural:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 5 percent; from other States, 10 percent.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 10 percent; from other States, 25 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 85 percent; from other States, 65 percent.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5Qg5
(.6) Urban:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 20 percent; from other States, 35 percent.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 30 percent; from other States, 15 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 50 percent; from other States, 50 percent.
(c) Types of skills possessed by migrants: Textile workers, construction
workers, machine-shop workers.
(d) Percentage of —
(1) Boomers: 60 percent.
(2) Single men: 25 percent.
(3) Married men with families: 15 percent.
9. Has discrimination because of color, nationality, and citizen status resulted
in loss of employment to these groups in favor of migrants? No.
10. Is discrimination relaxing with respect to:
(a) Age: Yes.
(b) Citizenship status: No.
(c) Color: No.
(d) Nationality: Yes.
(e) Married women: To slight extent.
11. Are women being accepted by employers in defense industries in jobs
ordinarily held by men and to what extent? No.
HARTFORD DISTRICT
1. (a) Totalnumber of migrants visiting office: 11,750.
(1) Out of State (80 percent) : 9,400.
(2) In State (20 percent) : 2,350.
(6) Total registered by us: 9,150.
(c) Estimated placements: 4,000.
(d) Probably about the same number as called at this office.
(e) Between 7,000 and 8,000 out of State.
2. The number of migrants is probably decreasing. Since the number of unem-
ployed is constanth' decreasing throughout the country and especially in the east
where there is a heavy concentration of defense industries, this seems to be a
logical conclusion. The monthly average for this office for the year surveyed
was about 1,000. The month of May shows about'500. It is improbable that
the general decrease is as much as 50 percent but the trend is apparent.
3. Throughout the whole period covered, the principal source of migrants has
been Massachusetts. The average percentages have been as follows: Massa-
chusetts, 30 percent; New York, 15 to 20 percent; Maine, 10 percent; New
Hampshire, 734 percent; Vermont, 4 percent; Rhode Island, 2}^ percent and
Pennsylvania, 3V2 percent. The balance has been scattered throughout the east.
4. (a) Housing has presented serious problems. Rents are at a premium in
Hartford proper and in all of the towns of the surrounding area. The situation is
also acute as far as rooms for single men are concerned.
(b) The school problem is not serious at the present. The school population
has been shrinking for some time with the result that there were more school
facilities than were l^eing used.
(c) Recreation facilities are being taxed by the large numbers who are now here.
The movies seemed to be filled to capacity every night; bowling alleys have been
hard to get all winter and I have noticed that new ones are being built in the city.
With the coming of good weather, public dancing is available at some of the parks
and there is great interest in night baseball and softball. Due to the fact that
where there has been a great amount of hiring done, the workers have gone on
three shifts, there has been a tendency to even up the load of those who are idle at
one time and so facilities have not been too heavily in demand.
(d) The social agencies tell me that their greatest problem is that arising out of
housing conditions and involves such things as keeping families together or finding
more suitable cjuarters for them. There appears to be no great demand for relief
from people who get here and fail to secure emjiloyment. Juvenile delinquency
and crime do not appear to have increased. Traffic is, of course, a major problem.
There is also increased demand for hospitalization facilities.
5. (a) New heme building is increasing as rapidly as possible in the whole area.
There is one large development in West Hartford which will take care of about
1,000 families. Trailer camps have been set up; barracks are being built and an
old hotel is being considered as a home for single men. The Federal Housing
Administration is cooperating through furnishing funds. ' A committee canvasses
the citv to maintain a file of available rooms.
5066 HABTFORD HEARINGS
(b) It has not been necessary to do anything about the school situation up to
date.
(c) All agencies which have to do with recreation are expanding their facilities
as they can and arranging programs on a time schedule that will give opportunities
to as great a number as possible.
(rf) All of the agencies seem to be doing what they can to meet this situation as
it arises. There are funds to meet requirements; hospital service is being extended
and increased; case workers are being added to give advice and aid in family
adjustment. A quick survey of the situation seems to indicate that all who are
responsible for executing any program are aware of M^hat is going on and are
prepared to find solutions as they are needed.
6. The employment service records show that there is practically no labor avail-
able in any of the towns in the area. We have been unable to get much of any
help from the relief rolls in our area for either construction or agricultural labor.
7. (a) I do not believe that any appreciable percentage of workers have come
into this area in response to advertising. In one case a manufacturer has adver-
tised in those localities where it was believed that workers of his type would be and
the response has been negligible.
(6) It may be safely assumed that between 60 and 65 percent of the people
who have come here have been attracted by news stories. It must be remembered
that every newspaper and nationally circulated magazine has carried articles
concerning our training program and the progress of industry in Conrecticut.
This coverage has also extended to trade journals. A letter was received this
week from Venezuela following an article in the New York Times concerning the
training program.
(c) This section should be qualified. These people have not come in response
to a request by employers through friends and neighbors but rather through
information as to job possibilities being passed on gratis by those who have been
successful in obtaining employment here. It is interesting to note that whenever
we answer a request for information from some obscure community that a few
days later more requests will come from the same town.
(d) The employment service clearance has initiated little of this migration since
it has been concerned principally with selected occupations in the skilled brackets.
(e) I.ittle or none. The industries here are not private employment agency
minded and except in the higher type industrial jobs have done little with migrants.
8. In this area, the proportion of people who have come in have been from urban
rather than rural communities. In determining a percentage, occupationally,
we find that potential semiskilled workers constitute the largest group. In a
selected list of 311, 68 or a little more than 20 percent were so coded. This
means, in general, that they were young men who had not definitely established
themselves in any job and were recent school graduates or drops; about 18 percent
had previously done service work of some kind; 10 percent were from the clerical
field; about 18 percent had done semiskilled work in either manufacturing or non-
manufacturing industries; 7 percent had done sales work; 7 percent were skilled
in nonmanufacturing lines and are assumed to be building tradesmen; about 5
percent were skilled factory men; 3 percent were from agriculture and the re-
mainder unskilled.
The men in all of the groups sampled were pretty much evenly divided as to
marital status. In one group of 350, 168 were single and 182 married. I do not
believe that more than 10 percent of them are boomers, which I construe to be
men who have had jobs in widely scattered sections of the country and who .seem
to follow activity wherever it is.
9. In the early days of the defense program, I think that discrimination did exist
with the result that many migrants were hired to the exclusion of local colored
people, noncitizens and those nationality groups considered unsuitable for fac-
tory work.
10. I am sure that discrimination is relaxing or about to do so for all of the groups
involved.
11. There seems to be no appreciable hiring of women on jobs at the present time
in the defense industries. At a meeting of the local defense advisory group this
week, the sentiment seemed to be a bit against it. It is worth noting, however,
that a major oil company called this morning to discuss women as gas station at-
tendants and one of the chains is now using women as meat cutters in its markets.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5Q67
MERIDEN DISTRICT
1. I estimate the number of migrant workers who have come into the Meriden
territory' since the start of work on defense work as approximately 850.
(a) The number who have visited the Meriden office since June 1, 1940, were
approximately 250.
(1) From out of State: 225.
(2) From other parts of State: 25.
lb) We have registered approximately 200.
(c) We have placed approximately 100.
(d) From information gathered from employers in the district I would estimate
that approximately, from June 1, 1940, to June 1, 1941, 600 went directly to
employers: 600.
(1) From out of State: 500.
(2) Other parts of the State: 100.
(e) Found employment: 270.
2. The number of migrants coming into the Meriden district is decreasing
considerably. Where we formerly had some coming in each week it seems at the
present that they come in in groups about once a month.
3. The out-of-State migrants come from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
(a) At the beginning of migration: Maine, 15 percent; New Hampshire, 40
percent; Vermont, 5 percent; Massachusetts, 2 percent; Rhode Island, 2 percent;
New York, 30 percent; New Jersey, 1 percent; Pennsylvania, 5 percent.
(b) In January 1941: Maine, 2 percent; New Hampshire, 50 percent; Vermont,
2 percent; Massachusetts, 2 percent; Rhode Island, 2 percent; New York, 30
percent; New Jersey, none; Pennsylvania and other States, 12 percent.
(c) At present: Pennsylvania, 50 percent; Maine, 2 percent; New Hampshire,
30 percent; New York, 10 percent; other States, 8 percent.
4. We have had no real difficulties in this territory in respect to (a) housing,
(b) school facilities, (c) recreation, (d) social problems, (e) other. Rents have
been hard to find, but eventually all persons coming into the territory seem to
locate housing.
5. The following measures have been taken with respect to housing:
(a) A room registry was established at the Meriden Young Men's Christian As-
sociation. This is being financed in part by the Manufacturers Association of
Meriden. Any person having room to rent may register same with the Young
Men's Christian Association. An inspector is sent to the premises and a check-up
is made on the locality, the condition of the room, and a check is made on the per-
sons having the room to rent to be sure that the rooms are suitable and all sur-
rounding conditions are proper and fit to refer persons who are looking for quarters.
There is a Federal Housing Administration project under way to build 200 low-
cost homes. This will in a short time release other premises for rental. The
Salvation Army of Meriden has taken over a 14-room house on Veteran Street
and converted same into a low-cost hotel.
(6) School facilities are adequate.
(c) Recreation facilities are adequate.
(d) No particular social problems are prevalent.
6. The rural areas have been practically depleted of available male workers.
The rural areas in the vicinity of Meriden are not necessarily agricultural as is the
usual case. Most of the inhabitants in the rural towns of this area work or have
worked in one of the factories in the surrounding cities. There is a definite short-
age of male farm helpers in these rural areas. There is an available supply of
female workers in the area. These are semiskilled or unskilled factory types.
7. Migration of workers to the Meriden area was a result of —
(a) Advertising of Connecticut employers: None. The employers in the
Meriden area agreed not to advertise in the newspapers and to the best of my
knowledge have refrained from so doing.
(5) News stories of defense work in Connecticut was the prime reason for mi-
grants to this area: 85 percent.
(c) Requests by employers to friends and neighbors who had previously mi-
grated into the State: 5 percent.
(d) Regular employment service clearance: 10 percent.
(e) Private fee-charging agencies: None.
8. Types of migrants:
(a) Rural:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 5 percent; from other States, 5 percent.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 80 percent; from other States, 15 percent.
5068 HARTFORD HEARINGS
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 15 percent; from other States, 80 percent .-
(b) Urban:
(1) Skilled from Connecticut, 5 percent; from other States, 5 percent.
(2) Semiskilled from Connecticut, 80 percent; from other States, 10 percent.
(3) Unskilled from Connecticut, 15 percent; from other States, 85 percent.
(c) The types of skills possessed by migrants to the Meriden area were agri-
cultural, woodsmen, and unskilled labor, 75 percent; semiskilled machine opera-
tors, 20 percent; skilled mechanics, 5 percent.
(d) Percentage of —
(1) Boomers, 10 percent.
(2) Single men, 60 percent.
(3) Married men with families, 30 percent.
9. There has been no discrimination because of color or nationality in the
Meriden area. In reference to citizen status, all those plants which are required
to live up to citizen requirements as results of Government contracts are enforcing
the citizen requirement.
10. There has been a shght relaxing with respect to age in both directions.
Some of the plants are now taking boys under 18, that is, 16 to 18 years, where they
formerly would only consider boys 18 or over and are also taking older men,
although the age limit was never very rigidly enforced in the Meriden territory.
We never have had a question of nationality. We have never had a problem of
color because there are practically no colored people in the territory. Some of
the plants which normally have a ruling against married women working have
dropped this and have called back former employees who have married and have
hired other married women.
11. To date women have not been placed on jobs ordinarily held by men. It
has not been necessary as yet to do this. The plants are considering this move
should it be necessary. Some of the jobs for which they may use women where
men are now employed are buffing, sand, tripoli, and rouge; drill-press operators;
power-press operators; hydraulic-press operators; and hand millers and possibly
a few other light machine operators jobs such as small lathes and riveting machines^
MIDDLETOWN DISTRICT
1. Number of migrants coming into territory: 755.
(a) Number visiting office: 130.
(1) Out of State: 50.
(2) In State: 80.
(b) Total registered: 20.
(c) Number of placements: 15.
(d) Number that went directlv to employers: 625.
(1) From out of State: 600.
(2) From State: 25.
(e) Number of (d) who found employment: 135.
2. Migration is decreasing slightly.
3. Source of migration:
Beginning: New York, 5; Pennsylvania, 5; Massachusetts, 5; Maine, 30;
Vermont, 50; Rhode Island, 5.
January 1, 1941: New York, 15; New Jersey, 10; Pennsylvania, 25; Massachu-
setts, 5; Maine, 15; New Hampshire, 5; Vermont, 20; Rhode Island, 5.
At present: New York, 20; New Jersey, 15; Pennsylvania, 40; Massachusetts, 5;
Maine, 5; New Hampshire, 5; Vermont, 5; Rhode Island, 5.
(a) No housing difficulties, although rentals of either apartments, houses or
rooms are not too plentiful. This is due, in great part, to workers in the Hartford
district living in this district.
(6) No school difficulties.
(c) No recreation difficulties.
(d) No social problems.
(e) Improved transportation facilities needed.
5. Corrective measures taken.
(a) There is a Federal housing project, approved by Washington, to be built in
this district for some 200 units. However, for the past many months there has
been very strong opposition to this project and the question of its location has
not been decided. According to advices in the newspaper there is to be a meeting
of the common council on June 5 that will probably deci(ie the question.
(6) The schools in general are anticipating a much lower registration next
year. One at least, the Middletown city school district, has announced that it is
not replacing several of the teachers who have resigned or retired.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5069
(c) Recreation: None.
(d) Social problems: None.
(e) Other: None.
6. Male workers in the rural districts have been greatly depleted and some
towns report that there are no able-bodied workers in the town. This is not true
of the women, and there should be an adequate supply of women workers for
local industry or nearby industry if the transportation problem can be solved.
7. Migrants came as a result of —
(a) Advertising: 5 percent.
(b) News stories: 60 percent.
(c) Invitation: 23 percent.
(d) Clearance: 10 percent.
(e) Private agencies: 2 percent (New York City).
8. Types of migrants:
(a) Eural:
(D Skilled, from Connecticut, 5 percent; from other States, 5 percent.
(2) Semiskilled from Connecticut, 25 percent; from other States, 20 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 70 percent; from other States, 75 percent.
(6) Urben:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 10 percent; from other States, 10 percent.
(2^ Semiskilled, frofti Connecticut, 30 percent; from other States, 30 percent.
(3) I n.-killed, from Connecticut, 60 percent; from other States, 60 percent.
(c) Mechanics, agricultural workers, semiskilled and unskilled factory laborers..
(d) Percentage of —
(1) Boomers; 20 percent.
(2) Single men: 40 percent.
(3) Married men with families: 40 percent.
9. No discrimination.
10. Relaxation of discrimination:
(a) Age: Yes.
lb') Citizenship status: Yes, except where defense contracts prohibit.
(c) Color: No. Very small percentage of colored and very small problem.
(d) Nationality: Yes.
(e) Married women: Yes.
11. Are women being accepted by employers in defense industries? To a smaU
but increasing extent. Several employers are contemplating the use of women,
but have not actually started. The types of jobs are assemblers and bench,
workers, small-press operators, and weavers.
NEW BRITAIN DISTRICT
1. We estimate that the number of migrants who have come into this territorjr
seeking work since the start of work on defense contracts, at 4,500.
(a) Estimate of number that have visited this office: 900.
(1) Out of State: 600.
(2) From other parts of State : 300.
(6) Of this number (a) we estimated that we have registered 700.
(c) Of this number (6) we estimate that we have placed 400.
(d) Of the total 4,500 we estimate that 3,600 went directlv to employers:
(1) From out of State: 3,000.
(2) From other parts of State: 600.
(e) Of this total number of 3,600, we estimate 1,100 found employment.
2. We estimate that the number of migrants at the present rate, in 6 months
will be double the number for the preceding 6 months.
3. Source of migrants from other States:
(a) At beginning of migration: Maine, 75 percent; Vermont, 5 percent; New
Hampshire, 10 pei-cent; Massachusetts, 10 percent — 100 percent.
(b) January 1941: Maine, 65 percent; Vermont, 10 percent; New Hampshire,
10 percent; Massachusetts, 10 percent; Rhode Island, 5 percent — 100 percent.
(c) At present: Maine, 25 percent; Vermont, 10 percent; New Hampshire, 10
percent; Massachusetts, 10 percent; Rhode Island, 5 percent; New York, 10
percent; Pennsylvania, 25 percent; All other States, 5 percent — 100 percent.
4. Difficulties which have arisen in this territory:
(a) Housing: Two-tenths of 1 percent rental vacancies in New Britain, Jan-
uary 1941.
(6) School facilities: Ample school facilities in New Britain. Shortage of
high-school facilities in Plainville and Berlin.
(c) Recreation: None.
5070 HARTFORD HEARINGS
(d) Social problems: No serious social problems.
(e) Other: Improved bus schedules needed from New Britain to Meriden,
Southington, and Bristol. Difficulty in securing skilled workers for industry and
enrollees for national-defense training courses, also strikes.
5. Corrective measures which have been taken with respect to No. 4:
(a) Housing: Contract has been let for project Connecticut 5-1 and is now
approximately 65 percent complete — low-rent housing to accommodate 340
families. Already 212 applications have been received. Rentals are restricted to
families with incomes under $1,600. Defense housing project, Connecticut
6-031, calling for 300 units, has also been let to contract and 165 applications have
already been received. This project is just starting to get under way and it is
expected that approximately 77 units will be ready in July. The only restrictions
for rentals in this project are that applicants must be residents of New Britain and
employed on defense work. Defense housing project No. 6032-X, calling for 200
units, is now under consideration. Restrictions will be the same on this project,
namely, that applicants must be residents of New Britain and employed on defense
work.
(b) School facilities:
New Britain: There is no evidence that high-school facilities will be taxed by
the increase in population due to defense production. An additional 2,000 pupils
can be accommodated in elementary grades and an adcntional 1,000 in junior
high schools. The senior high school, by crowding, can accommodate 500 more
on a single-session program. If a double-session program is adopted, approxi-
mately 1,500 more could be accommodated. Until the Mount Pleasant and
defense housing projects are tenanted, school officials are unable to determine to
what degree it may be necessary to enlarge facilities. There is no estimate of how
many children will be taken from other elementary schools if and when their
parents move to the Mount Pleasant and defense housing projects.
Plainville: High-school facilities crowded. The present high school was built
to accommodate 320 pupils, but present enrollment is 475, creating an over-
crowded condition. The schools are operating one session only. As a last resort
double sessions could be adopted. No definite steps have been taken to increase
present school facilities although school authorities have instituted a cooperative
program — the Stamford plan, whereby 40 pupils are accommodated through the
New Britain Trade School facihties. The same general crowded conditions
prevail in the elementary schools in Plainville. All in all, the school sj-stem in
Plainville is definitely overcrowded at the present time. While the increase in
enrollment during the past year has only been 10 or 15 over previous year's
enrollment, there is a strong feeling on the part of the school authorities in Plain-
ville that an increase in facilities is very desirable, to meet anticipated increase in
enrollment due to defense workers who are employed in New Britain and Bristol
and are taking up residence in Plainville.
Berlin: The superintendent of schools in Berlin reports that there has been a
slight increase of enrollment in Berlin due to influx of workers in this area. At
the present time, approximately 35 more pupils could be accommodated in the
grade schools ^nd 20 more in the high school than the present enrollment figure.
A proposal to erect a new elementary school building to cost approximately $90,000
failed to pass, and an emergency program was submitted by superintendent of
schools designed to take care of the overcrowded conditions which prevail at pres-
ent and will become more acute next fall. By a doubling up of facilities pupils
in grade schools will be taken care of, and fifth, sixth, and seventh grades will be
transferred to Kensington, where a new grammar school will be organized. Pres-
ent junior high school program will be eliminated and high school will take care
of 9 to 12 grades.
(c) Recreation: 25 parks with 930 acres (evaluation of $4,850,000), with ample
playground, swimming pools, and recreational facilities. Industrial baseball league
evenings and city baseball league on Saturdays; eight public park concerts during
summer months.
(d) Social: No serious social problems in this area. Relief load lowest in
years — amply taken care of by local welfare departments.
(e) Other: There have been a minimum of strikes in this area, due to the fact
that employers have paid bonuses and have increased wage rates.
6. While Berlin and Plainville, the only other towns in this district, might be
classified as rural, very few residents of these towns are engaged in agricultural
pursuits but rather in industry. Practically all of these workers are now engaged
in jobs in industry with the exception of unskilled and these are being rapidly
absorbed.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5071
7. We estimate the following percentages of those who have come to New
Britain as a result of —
(a) Advertising of Connecticut employers: None.
(6) News stories of defense work in Connecticut: 50 percent.
(c) Requests by employers through friends or neighbors who have previously
migrated into the State: 47 percent.
(d) Regular employment-service clearance: 3 percent.
(e) Private fee-charging agencies: None.
8. Types of migrants:
(a) Rural:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 1 percent; from other States, 1 percent.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 5 percent; from other States, 10 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 5 percent; from other States, 5 percent.
(b) Urban:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 5 percent; from other States, 3 percent.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 10 percent; from other States, 15 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 10 percent; from other States, 30 percent.
(c) Types of skills possessed by migrants are mostly mechanical, agricultural,,
mining, and some textile.
id) Percentage of —
(1) Boomers: 90 percent.
(2) Single men: 25 percent.
(3) Married men with families: 75 percent.
9. In general there has been no discrimination because of color, nationality,
citizen status which has resulted in loss of employment to these groups in favor
of migrants.
10. (a) Discrimination is relaxing with respect to age.
(6) Citizenship status: Only a very few factories have ever insisted on citizen-
ship status and these same concerns now hold defense contracts and, therefore,
insist on citizenship status.
(c) Color: No problem as regards color, excepting female Negroes in laundry
and dry-cleaning establishments where other workers object to their presence.
(d) Nationality: There seems to be a slight discrimination with certain con-
cerns as regards nationality, particularly Italian and Jewish.
(e) Married women: Discrimination is relaxing as regards married women.
11. There has been no wholesale acceptance of women by employers in defense
industries in jobs ordinarily held by men. New Britain employers have always
utilized the services of women wherever practicable. Jobs in industry where
women's services are utilized most are as follows: Foot, power, and drill-press
operators; assembly and inspection work; brazing; light milling-machine work;
racking; operation of sewing machines. Most manufacturers in this district are
studying local plant situations to see where women can be used to replace men
who are called into service or who might be used in more highly skilled opera-
tions.
NEW HAVEN DISTRICT
1. Estimate number of migrants who have come into your office:
(a) Estimate of number that have visited your office.
(1) From out of State: 350.
(2) From other parts of State: 75.
(6) Of this number (a), give estimate of number you have registered: 90.
(c) Of this number (6), give estimate of number of placements: 70.
(d) Estimate of number that went directly to employers.
(1) From out of State: 350.
(2) From other parts of State: 150.
(e) Estimate of this number (d), who found employment: 5 percent, dnas-
niuch as New Haven is considered an open-shop town, the employers in this
district hesitate to take employees from other States where unions are in effects,
inasmuch as local employers are very suspicious of these migrants being possible
agitators.)
2. Is number of migrants increasing or decreasing and to what extent: The
number of migrants is definitely decreasing. This is very evident among farm
workers and unskilled labor types.
3. Source of migrants from'other States:
(a) At beginning of migration: Pennsylvania, 25 percent; New York, 20 per-
cent; New Hampshire, 20 percent; Massachusetts, 20 percent; other, 15 percent.
(b) In January 1941: New Hampshire, 10 percent; Maine, 30 percent; Vermont,
20 percent; Pennsylvania, 20 percent; New York, 20 percent;
3072 HARTFORD HEARINGS
(c) At present: Pennsylvania, 30 percent; New Hampshire, 30 percent; Maine,
10 percent; Massachusetts, 10 percent; Southern States, 20 percent.
4. What difficulties have arisen in your territory with respect to —
(a) Housing: There are still rents available, but there is a scarcity of low price
rents ($20-$30 monthly) for the working class. There are rents available in
certain sections of the city which could be used if some repair work was done.
(b) School facilities: No problem created here locally.
(c) Recreation: More activity at local Y.
(d) Social problems: I have talked with Mr. Foley of the home registry bureau
and he advised me that at the present time there is no shortage of rooms for tran-
sients. He has a list of approximately 300 rooms which are available; and also,
rooms as listed in the classified section of the neswpapers show that there are suffi-
cient number of these still available.
(e) Other: There has been a slight increase in the prices asked for rents as
compared with 6 months ago, but this has not been too much up to the present
time.
5. What corrective measures have been taken with respect to No. 4:
(a) Housing: Mayor's defense council has set up a homes registry bureau where
:all available rents may be listed free.
(6) School facilities: Nothing done here, with the exception of plans for a new
trade school.
(c) Recreation: No known changes here.
(d) Social problems: Changes should be apparent in local budget for community
-chest, etc.
6. To what extent have rural towns in your district been depleted of workers:
The younger agricultural workers have secured industrial jobs in large numbers.
7. What percentage of those who come in have responded to —
(a) Advertising of Connecticut employers. None.
(b) News stories of defense work in Connecticut: 75 percent.
(c) Requests by employers through friends or neighbors who have previously
•migrated into the State: 15 percent.
(d) Regular employment service clearance: 10 percent.
(e) Private fee charging agencies: None.
8. Types of migrants:
(a) Rural:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, none; from other States, none.
(2) Semiskilled, from Comiecticut, 5 percent; from other States, none.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 95 percent; from other States, 100 percent.
(b) Urban:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, none; from other States, none.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, none; from other States, none.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 100 percent; from other States, 100 percent.
(c) Types of skills possessed by migrants (carpenters, mechanics, agricultural
-workers, etc.) : Majority have no specific skills, but are unskilled labor class,
with the exception of 60 trainees from Maine.
(d) Percentage of —
(1) Boomers: 5 percent.
(2) Single men: 80 percent.
(3) Married men with families: 15 percent.
9. In your opinion has discrimination because of .color, nationality, and citizen
status resulted in loss of employment to these groups in favor of migrants: No.
10. Is discrimination relaxing with respect to — •
(a) Age: Yes.
(h) Citizenship status: No; more rigid.
(c) Color: Yes.
(d) Nationality: Yes.
(e) Married women: Yes.
11. Are women being accepted by employers in defense industries in jobs
•ordinarily held by men and to what extent: No; not in New Haven at present.
NEW LONDON DISTRICT
The information contained herewith is based on estimates arrived at by the
manager and two supervising interviewers, on the basis of applications, referrals,
•etc., which we are able to check. The period covered is from January 1 to May 1,
1941, and all estimates are based on this period. We are unable to give even
approximate information concerning these matters prior to January 1, 1941.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5073
1. Estimate number of migrants who have come into your territorj- since start
■of work on defense contracts: 6,000.
(a) Estimate of number that have visited your office: 5,000.
(1) From out of State: 2,000.
(2) From other parts of State: 3,000.
(fc) Of this number (a), give estimate of number you have registered: 1,000.
(c) Of this number (b), give estimate of number of placements: 550.
(d) Estimate of number tliat went directly to emplovers: 1,000.
(1) From out of State: 600.
(2) From other parts of State: 400.
(e) Estimate of this number (d) who found employment: 500.
2. Is number of migrants increasing or decreasing and to what extent: Holding
•steady.
3. Source of migrants from other States:
(a) At beginning of migration (name States and percentages) : No estimate.
(6) In January 1941: Rhode Island, 25 percent; Massachusetts, Maine, New
York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, 25 percent;
in State, 45 percent; scattered, 5 percent.
(c) At present time: In State, 60 percent; Rhode Island, 25 percent; New York
Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine, 15 percent.
4. What difficulties have arisen in your territory with respect to, and
5. What corrective measures have been taken with respect to No. 4:
(a) Housing: Rents in New London proper have been "jacked up" by property
owners, because of the feeling that easy money procured in defense industries
should be shared by them, too. There is no acute scarcity of houses in New
London but those "that are available are highly priced. The available rentals
start around $40 for a flat of five rooms and range up to $100 for a single family
house in the better residential section. A large number of desirable homes are
for sale at prices in the $5,000 to $6,000 range in the town of New London.
In the town of Groton rents aie quite scarce at any price. There is, however, a
considerable amount of building both by private interests and by governmental
interests. Several hundred units of low priced houses are completed or in the
process of construction in the Groton area and should relieve the pressure on the
man of average income.
(b) School facilities: School facilities in the New London area, with the possible
exception of Chapman Technical High School, are adequate for any expected
increase in load for the next year. Chapman Tech is at present crowded beyond
capacity, although additions have been made to this school each year for the
last 3 or 4 years. Trustees of this school have requested a loan of $75,000 to
increase their facilities for the school year 1941-42.
In the Groton area, the school problem promises to become acute. One housing
area of 100 units, devoted exclusively to enlisted Navy persoiuiel, will add, it is
•estimated, 50 children of grammar school age and 200 more units adjacent to it,
are expected to add another 100 children. School facilities in this area consist
of a 2-room wooden school building, housing approximately 40 students. In
another school district area, 200 housing units will be ready in 45 to 60 days and
400 more units are contemplated, bringing another school problem to this district.
School authorities have been to Washington with this problem and expect to
receive governmental aid in handling it.
(c) Recreation: Does not seem to create a great problem in this area, which is
situated along the shore with many public beaches easily accessible and State
parks within easy automobile ride. Enlisted personnel in the armed forces are
being taken care of by local organizations, including Young Men's Christian
Association, Young Women's Christian Association, Knights of Columbus,
Diocesan Bureau, and Salvation Army. A United Service Organizations unit has
been organized and will gradually take over the functions now being carried on
by the above-named organizations. No facilities of this type are at present
available in Groton.
(d) Social problems: No comment.
(e) Other: Sanitary facilities in Groton seem to offer the greatest problem in
connection with the expansion load. Groton completed a water filtration and
pumping plant about a year ago and reports are that this plant is operating at
full capacity, 12 hours per day. Additional storage facilities and pipe lines are
required to set up a water reserve to care for expanded needs. Sewer facilities
in Groton are principally limited to those provided by Groton Borough. The
Groton sewerage system disposes raw sewage into the nearby Thames River
without treatment.
5074 HARTFORD HEARINGS
In the New London area, a recently completed sewage disposal plant treats
sewage before disposal of effluent into the Thames River from approximately
two-thirds of the city. One-third is still discharging raw sewage directly into
the Thames River. The city of New London is already taking steps to provide
for connection of the raw sewage lines with the sewage-disposal plant and it is
expected that steps will be completed along this line shortly. Some govern-
mental aid in this project is being sought by the cit.v of New London. The water
supply for the city of New London is deemed adequate for any reasonable increase,
although recommendations have been made during the week, that additional
facilities for storage be provided for the New London system, together with addi-
tional pumping facilities.
The city of New London is provided with electricity and gas by the Connecticut
Power Co. and both services are such that considerable expansion can be handled
without difficulty.
In the Groton area, there is no gas service. Electricity is provided by municipal
service of the borough of Groton. This municipal system is now carrying its
maximum load and the department has plans under way for expanding its trans-
former capacity to take care of an increased load. This will be provided for by
a bond issue of the department. Power is purchased by the department from
the Eastern Connecticut Power Co. at Montville.
In the Waterford area, building has not advanced as much as expected due to
the lack of public water supply, sewage facilities and gas. Electricity is pro-
vided generally in all parts of the town by the Connecticut Power Co. Houses
built in tliis town are usually provided with septic tanks and driven wells.
6. To what extent have rural towns in your district been depleted of workers:
It is estimated that 75 percent of the available, desirable type of w orkers residing
in the rural towns in this area have found jobs with industries here.
7. What percentage of those who come in have responded to —
(a) Advertising of Connecticut employers: None as far as known.
(6) News stories of defense work in Connecticut: 75 percent.
(c) Requests by employers through friends or neighbors who have previousl.v
migrated into the State : 5 percent.
(d) Regular employment service clearance: 20 percent.
8. Types of migrants :
(a) Rural:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 10 percent; from other States, 5 percent.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 30 percent; from other States, 5 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 60 percent; from other States, 90 percent.
(b) Urban:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 5 percent; from other States, 5 percent.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 30 percent; from other States, 5 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 80 percent; from other States, 90 percent.
(c) Types of skills possessed by migrants: Carpenters, machinists, chippers,
riggers, machine operators, plumbers, steam fitters, welders (inexperienced),
painters, unskilled.
(d) Percentage of —
(1) Boomers: 30 percent.
(2) Single men: 40 percent.
(3) Married men with families: 30 percent.
9. In your opinion has discrimination because of color, nationality, and citizen
status resulted in loss of employment to these groups in favor of migrants: No.
10. Is discrimination relaxing with respect to — •
(a) Age: Yes.
(6) Citizenship status: No.
(c) Color: Yes.
(d) Nationality: Yes.
(e) Married women : Yes.
11. Are women being accepted by employers in defense industries in jobs ordi-
narily held by men and to what extent: No shortage of men in this area as yet.
NORWALK DISTRICT
1 . (a) Approximately 250 people have come to Norwalk from out of the State.
(1) Approximately 50 people have come to Norwalk from other parts of the
State.
(b) Approximately 200 people have been registered.
(c) Approximately 200 people have been placed.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5075
(d) Seventj--five to one hundred people (but found emploj^ers had contact with
the Norwalk Connecticut State Employment Service) and in the main were all
referred to the office by employers.
(e) Probably 25 people without office contact.
2. The number of migrants coming to the Norwalk area has decreased approxi-
mately 50 percent.
3. Source of migrants from other States:
(a) From Pennsylvania 50 percent; Maine 40 percent; New York 8 percent;
Vermont 2 percent.
(5) Approximately the same percentage as above.
(c) From Pennsylvania 50 percent; remainder from New York State.
4. What difficulties have arisen in your territory with respect to—
(a) Some difficultv in regard to rooming-house facilities.
(b), (c), (d), (e): No difficulty.
5. No corrective measures have been taken with respect to No. 4.
6. Hard to estimate; probably 25 percent.
7. What percentage of those who come in have responded to —
(a) None.
(b) 30 percent.
{r) 70 percent.
(d) None.
(e) None.
S. Types of migrants:
(a) Rural;
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, none; from other States, none.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 20 percent; from other States, 20 percent,
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 80 percent; from other States, 80 percent.
(b) Urban:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, none; from other States, none.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, none; from other States, 20 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, none; from other States, 80 percent.
(c) Coal miners, construction laborers, truck drivers, clerical workers, woods-
men, agricultural workers.
(d) (1) 5 percent.
(2) 75 percent.
(3) 20 percent.
9. To a small degree.
10. (a) Yes; because of necessity.
(6) Not important factors in Norwalk.
(c) Some, but still definite barrier.
(d) Yes; considerably.
(e) Yes; to a small degree.
11. Little defense in Norwalk area. Where there is defense work, no displace-
ment has occurred, but movement is anticipated.
STAMFORD DISTRICT
1. Estimate number of migrants who have come into this territory since start
of work on defense contracts.
(a) Estimate of number that have visited this office:
(1) From out of State, 150.
(2) From other parts of State, 10.
(b) Of this number (o), give estimate of number we have registered: 25.
(c) Of this number (5), give estimate of number of placements: 20.
(d) Estimate of number that went directly to employers:
(1) From out of State: Small percentage.
(2) From other parts of State: Small percentage.
(e) Estimate of this number (3), who found employment: Small percentage.
2. Is number of migrants increasing or decreasing and to what extent: The
number remains about the same.
3. Source of migrants from other States:
(a) At beginning of migration (name States and percentages) : Maine, 10
percent; Pennsylvania, 50 percent; New York, 40 percent.
(6) In January, 1941 (name States and percentage): Same as (a),
(c) At present (name States and percentages): Same as (a).
4-5. What difficulties have arisen in your territory with respect to:
'{a) Housing: None.
5076 HAKTFOKD HEARINGS
(b) School facilities : None.
(c) Recreation: None.
(d) Social problems: None.
6. To what extent have rural towns in this district been depleted of workers?
The rural towns in this district are almost wholly residential. The workers have
always commuted. That condition has not changed.
7. What percentage of those who come in have responded to:
(a) Advertising of Connecticut employers.
(6) News stories of defense work in Connecticut: Almost 100 percent.
(c) Requests by employers through friends or neighobrs who have previously
migrated into the State.
(d) Regular employment service clearance.
(c) Private fee charging agencies.
8. Tvpes of migrants:
(6) Urban:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 10 percent; from other States, 10 percent.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, none; from other States, 10 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, none; from other States, 80 percent.
(c) Types of skills possessed by migrants (carpenters, mechanics, agricultural
workers, etc.): No skills; construction laborers and miners.
(d) Percentage of —
(1) Boomers: None.
(2) Single men: 80 percent.
(3) Married men with families: 20 percent.
9. In our opinion, has discrimination because of color, nationality, and citizen
status resulted in loss of employment to these groups in favor of migrants: No.
10. Is discrimination relaxing with respect to —
(a) Age: Yes.
(b) Citizenship status: No.
(c) Color: No.
(d) Nationality: Somewhat.
(e) Married women: There is no discrimination against married women.
11. Are women being accepted by employers in defense industries in jobs
ordinarily held by men and to what extent? Not to any great extent.
THOMPSONVILLE DISTRICT
1. We estimate that there, have been about 2,500 work seekers come into this
territory since the start of work on defense contracts.
(a) Of this number, about 1,000 have visited our office. Of these:
(1) Six hundred and twenty-five have been from out of State (since we neighbor
on Massachusetts).
(2) Three hundred an 1 seventy-five have come from other parts of the State.
(6) Of this number, we have registered 408.
(c) Have placed about 375 of these.
(d) We estimate that the other 1,500 went directly to employers.
(1) About 1,000 from out of State.
(2) Five hundred from other parts of State.
(e) Of this latter number, we doubt if more than 300 have found employment
in this territory.
2. Apparently the number of migrants is decreasing by about 25 percent.
3. At the beginning of the migration:
(a) Maine accounted for 40 percent, Massachusetts for 25 percent, New Hamp-
shire for 15 percent, and New York and Vermont 10 percent each.
(b) The picture then changed somewhat so that in January of 1941, Massa-
chusetts accounted for 30 percent, Maine 25 percen , New York and New Hamp-
shire 15 percent each, Vermont, Rhode Island, and New Jersey about 5 percent
each.
(c) At present due, in large measure, to the Windsor Locks Airport construc-
tion, Ma.ssachusetts accounts for about 45 percent. New York about 35 percent,
Florida about 10 percent and New Hampshire and Vermont 5 percent each.
4. The only difficulty which has arisen in this territory of those mentioned in
your letter, has been in regard to housing, of which there has been and still is a
shortage growing more acute daily.
5. No large scale measures have been taken to remedy this situation and with
typical rural reluctance, private enterprise has not been a corrective factor as yet.
6. The growing industrial shortage has attracted perhaps 30 percent of the
workers in the rural towns in this district.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5077
7. (a) News stories of defense work in Connecticut have accounted for 80 per-
cent of the migrants.
(6) Requests by employers through friends or neighbors who have previously
migrated into the State account for 10 percent, and
(c) Regular Employment Service clearance would account for another 10 per-
cent.
(d) Advertising of Connecticut employers, and
(e) Private fee-charging agencies have been negligible.
8. Type of migrants:
(a) Rural:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 79 percent; from other States, 55 percent.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 3 percent; from other States, 5 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 18 percent; from other States, 40 percent.
(b) Urban:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 25 percent; from other States, 63 percent.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 10 percent; from other States, 7 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 65 percent; from other States, 30 percent.
(r) Eighty percent of the skilled migrants have been trades people and skilled
machine and equipment operators. The other 20 percent have been supervisory
employees. The semiskilled have been 75 percent equipment operators and 25
percent production employees. In the unskilled groujjs, practically 100 percent
have been construction or agricultural employees.
(d) Twenty percent of the total have been boomers, 60 percent have been single
men, and the other 20 percent married men with families. Of this 20 percent,
about 10 percent are commuters from localities in or out of State sufficiently
nearby to permit it.
9. In our opinion, there has been no loss of employment, because of discrimi-
nation, to other groups in favor of these migrants.
10. Discrimination is relaxing with respect to all the items enumerated.
1 1 . Women are not as yet replacing men but such a move is contemplated by
at least one large manufacturer in the district. Women are, however, being used
to supplement work which could be done by men at the present time.
TORRINGTON DISTRICT
1. The number of migrants who have come into the Torrington area is estimated
as 1,200.
(a) Estimate of number that have visited this office:
(1) From out of State: 420.
(2) From other parts of Connecticut: 80.
lb) Number who have registered: 130.
(c) Number of placements: 64.
(d) It is estimated that 700 went directly to employers:
(1) From out of State: 600.
(2) From other parts of the State: 100.
(c) It is estimated that 300 found employment.
2. The number of migrants is increasing sharply.
3. Source of migrants from other Stites:
(a) New York, i30 percent; Pennsylvania, 20 percent; Massachusetts, 20 per-
cent; New Hampshire, 10 percent; Vermont, 10 percent; various, 10 percent.
(b) New York, 30 percent; Pennsylvania, 30 percent; Massachusetts, 15 per-
cent; New Hampshire, 5 percent; Vermont, 10 percent; various, 10 percent.
(c) New York, 30 percent; Pennsylvania, 20 percent; Vermont, 20 percent;
New Hampshire, 20 percent: various, 10 percent.
4. (a) The housing situation has become acute. There are frequent reports
that men seeking work did not report to their employers because they were
unsuccessful in locating living quarters. Fan ilies of three or more are reporting
living in one room or other inadequate quarters.
(b) The grade school facilities appear ample to handle the increasing enroll-
ment resulting from the influx of migrants. The local high school, already taxed
to capacity will be hard pressed to accommodate the new students.
(c) No organized recreational activities have been instituted.
(d) The local social agencies and the police department report no special social
problems having been brought on by the addition of the migrants to the city
population.
5. (a) A central renting bureau has been set up by the local Chamber of
Commerce and through an organized campaign the citizens of the city have been
5078 HARTFORD HEARINGS
urged to register with the Chamber any living facilities which they are desirous
of renting to newcomers.
(b) The campaign for a new high school has been given added impetus by the
influx of additional and potential students.
(c) The location of the city and the nature of the terrain make available to
residents many natural recreational activities. There is no organized program.
id) The municipal government is alert to the possibilities of new problems
arising from the new population and the situation appears to be well under con-
trol.
6. The rural towns in this district have been entirely depleted of workers.
7. Migrants who have responded to — ■
(a) 10 percent.
(b) 50 percent.
(c) 20 percent.
(d) 10 percent.
(e) 10 percent.
8. Types of migrants:
(a) Rural:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 20 percent; from other States, 10 percent.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 20 percent; from other States, 20 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 60 percent; from other States, 70 percent.
(b) Urban:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 20 percent; from other States, 20 percent.
<2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 30 percent; from other States, 20 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 50 percent; from other States, 60 percent.
(c) The skills possessed by migrants have been limited to machinists and
agricultural workers.
(d) Percentage of:
(1) Boomers: 20 percent.
(2) Single men: 60 percent.
(3) Married men with families: 20 percent.
9. No.
10. (a) Discrimination with respect to age is relaxing.
(b) With respect to citizenship status: No.
(c) With respect to color: Yes.
id) With respect to nationality: No.
(e) With respect to married women: Yes.
There is no problem in this area with respect to Negroes. They are being
employed but for the most part in reasonably large groups. These groups are
completely separate and there is little comingling of whites and blacks. In
isolated cases a Negro has been placed working side by side with a white man.
11. Women are being accepted by employers in defense industries in jobs
ordinarily held by men. It is estimated that approximately 10 percent of the
jobs ordinarily handled by men have been filled by women.
The activities of women are generally limited to performing press operations,
bench work, and inspection duties.
WATERBURY DISTRICT
1. We estimate that 3,883 migrants have reported to our office during the
period from June 24, 1940, to May 31, 1941. The first defense contract notifica-
tion was dated June 24, 1940.
(a) Estimate of number that have visted our office: 3,462.
(1) From out of State: 2,597.
(2) Froin other parts of State: 865.
(b) Estimate of number we have registered: 3,107.
(c) Estimate of number of placements: 621.
(d) Estimate of number that went directly to emplovers: 775.
1. From out of State: 620.
2. From other parts of State: 155.
(e) Estimate of this number (d), who found employment: 232.
2. Number of migrants is increasing. During the months of April and May
migrations stepped up about 10 percent.
3. Source of migrants from other States:
(a) At beginning of migration: New York, 55 percent; Pennsylvania, 15 per-
cent; Massachusetts, 15 percent; Rhode Island, 15 percent.
(6) In January 1941: New York, 45 percent; Pennsylvania, 19 percent; Rhode
Island, 9 percent; Massachusetts, 18 percent, Maine, 9 percent.
NATIONAL DEFENSP: MIGRATION 5Q79
(c) At present: New York, 30 percent; Pennsylvania, 30 percent; Massachu-
setts, 12 percent; Maine, 7 percent; Vermont, 5 percent; New Jersey, 3 percent;
Rhode Island, 3 percent; New Hampshire, 2 percent; others, 8 percent.
4-5. Difficulties which have arisen in our territory and corrective measures
which have been taken with respect to —
(a) Housing: There is a scarcity of apartments and homes which has grown
acute in the past few months. Bids for Federal Housing, 300 units, have been
awarded this past week and construction of these units starts very shortly.
This will alleviate immediate distress with regard to living quarters. There are
very few rooms available and waiting lists are maintained at the Room Service
and Young Men's Christian Association.
(6) School facilities: During the past few years, five schools have been closed
in the Waterbury district, but due to the influx of defense workers additions have
been requested in three schools.
(c) Recreation: Recreation has been inadequate during normal times and
I know of no concrete plans to better this condition.
(d) Social problems: The workers that have come to this community although
they are migrants, are not construction workers concerned with short period
employment, and are not living in temporary quarters such as tourist camps;
nor are they segregated from any other members of the community.
(e) None.
6. In a school registration taken during April and May, \\e found that the
young people in the rural communities are willing to work away from home or
within commuting distance. There seems to be no great unemployment in the
rural districts.
7. Percentage of those who come in have been in response to —
(a) Advertising of Connecticut employers: 10 percent.
(b) News stories of defense work in Connecticut: 45 percent.
(c) Requests by employers through friends or neighbors who have previously
migrated into the State: 40 percent.
id) Regular employment service clearance: 5 percent.
(e) No private fee charging agencies in this district.
8. Types of migrants:
(a) Rural:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 5 percent; other States, 1 percent.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 15 percent; other States, 10 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 80 percent; other States, 89 percent.
(6) Urban:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 10 percent; from other States, 9 percent.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 40 percent; from other States, 35 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 50 percent; from other States, 66 percent.
(c) Types of skills possessed by migrants: Miners, truck drivers, machine
operators, auto mechanics, clerical workers, agricultural workers, restaurant
workers.
(d) Percentage of —
(1) Boomers, 20 percent.
(2) Single men and women, 60 percent.
(3) Married men with families, 40 percent.
9. Because of discrimination of color and some feeling with regard to nationality
groups and of course citizen status, many of these migrants have not been referred
to openings which they would fit. Other employers have consistently refused to
see out of town or out of State applicants. During the month of May two firms
changed their ruling on this and are seeing people from certain States — namely,
Pennsylvania and Vermont.
10. Is discrimination relaxing with respect to —
(a) Age: Yes; with the exception of women 45 or up who look 45 and up.
(6) Citizenship status: No.
(c) Color: No; although efforts of the local interracial committee with the help
of Washington are making every effort to break down this discrimination in indus-
trial work.
(rf) Nationality: Except in the small plants, certain nationality groups are still
being excluded by order from the employer. The Manufacturers Association
committee members are endeavoring to lift this ban at the present time.
(e) Married women: Only one good-sized firm is still restricting its employ-
ment to single women. In commercial work this status has changed and married
women are being referred regularly on this type of work.
60396 — il— pt. 13 5
5080 HARTFORD HEARINGS
11. Women are not Vjeing accepted bj^ employers in jobs ordinarily held by
men except in rare instances. Because of a recent demand, we have instigated a
tracing course, the graduates of which will relieve young men of tracing positions
in drafting rooms. The hiring of women, industrially speaking, has not made the
strides hoped for.
WILLIMANTIC DISTRICT
1. Number of migrants who have come into this territory since start of work on
defense contracts:
(a) (1) From out of State: 100.
(2) From other parts of the State: 200.
(6) Have registered: 110.
(c) Have placed: 65.
(d) (1) Went directly to employers from out of State: None.
(2) Went to employers from other parts of State: 200.
(e) Obtained employment: 100.
2. The month of May showed 100 percent increase in luunber of migrants
registering at this office as compared with January 1941.
3. The sources of migrants from other States are as follows:
(a) New York, 30 percent; Vermont, 30 percent; Maine, 20 percent; Rhode
Island, 10 percent; and Massachusetts, 10 percent (at beginning of migration).
(b) New York, 30 percent; Vermont, 30 percent; Maine, 20 percent; Rhode
Island, 10 percent; and Massachusetts, 10 percent (January 1941).
(c) New York, 25 percent; Rhode Island, 33 percent; Ohio, Indiana, Ma.ssa-
chusetts, and Alabama, each 10 percent (at present).
4. There have been no difficulties in this territory with regard to housing,
school facilities, recreation, social problems or other.
5. There has been no need to take any corrective measures with regard to items
mentioned in No. 4.
6. Rural towns in this district have been depleted of 85 percent of workers.
7. What percentage of those who came in have responded to —
(a) None who have come in have responded to advertising of Connecticut em-
ployers.
(6) Practically 100 percent have come in response to news stories of defense
work in Connecticut.
(c) None have come in response to requests from employers through friends or
neighbors who have previously migrated into the State.
(d) None hav^e come through regular employment service clearance,
(c) None have come through private fee-charging agencies.
8. Types of migrants:
(a) Rural:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, none; from other States, 13 percent.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 60 percent; from other States, 60 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 40 percent; from other States, 27 percent.
(6) Urban:
(1) Skilled, from Connecticut, 5 percent; from other States, 13 percent.
(2) Semiskilled, from Connecticut, 55 percent; from other States, 60 percent.
(3) Unskilled, from Connecticut, 40 percent; from other States, 27 percent.
(c) Migrants possess skills as road-equipment operators, auto mechanics, and
factory laborers.
(d) 1. Boomers: 2 percent.
2. Single men: 25 percent.
3. Married men with families: 30 percent. (Balance composed primarily of
married women whose husbands are employed in this area or nearby areas.)
9. There has been no loss of employment due to discrimination because of
color, nationality or citizen status in favor of migrants.
10. (a) Discrimination is relaxing with respect to age.
(b) To date, citizenship status has not been an obstacle to placements.
(c) Discrimination has not relaxed with respect to color.
(d) Discrimination has relaxed with respect to nationality.
(e) Discrimination has relaxed with respect to married women.
11. Women are not being accepted by employers in defense industries in jobs
ordinarily held by men. Since there are no defense jobs in this territory limited
to men, employers generally have not had to substitute women for men workers.
In the cases of male employees leaving to enter other defense jobs, their places
to date, have been filled by other males.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
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NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5083.
Part III. Farm Labor Shortage
Since February 11, 1941, the Connecticut State Employment Service has been
actively working with the subcommittee on Farm Labor of the Agricultural
Committee of the Connecticut Council of National Defense composed of Ralph C.
Lasbury, Jr., chairman, farmer, and assistant secretary of the Connecticut
Regional Marketing Authority, Paul Putnam of the extension service of the Uni-
versity of Connecticut and Bradford Crossman, director of agricultural planning,
University of Connecticut.
In this report no attempt will be made to cover in detail the activities of this
committee in seeking a solution of the many serious problems encountered in
their efforts to assure that Connecticut crops are planted and harvested in this
emergency period. They have taken their responsibilities seriously and have
worked hard to find an answer to problems such as housing and transportation,
etc. They have made contacts with Federal and State departments and with
organizations of farmers, etc., including Civilian Conservation Corps, National
Youth Administration, Work Projects Administration, State board of education^
county farm bureaus, county farm agents, etc.
POLICY AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE
From the start the employment-service policy has been to accept definite respon-
sibility for
1. The recruiting and registration of workers and the development of every
possible source of labor supply.
2. Securing orders from the farmers and growers and filling these orders as
rapidly and efficiently as possible through the use of every facility of the service
and secondly to cooperate in every way possible with the general program of the
committee.
SURVEY
The survey made through the managers of the 18 Connecticut State Employ-
mert Service offices early in the year revealed the same general information as
the survey conducted by the farm labor committee, namely that Connecticut
farmers are faced with an immediate shortage of full time regular farm hands,,
particularly for dairy work and that in the harvest season, the shortage of seasonal
farm workers will be the most acute for any year since the World War. The figures
reported officially by the committee to the employment service indicate a short-
age of 2,400 regular farm hands and 10,000 seasonal workers. These figures have
been accepted as roughly indicating the vast extent of the shortage of labor al-
though to date current orders received from farmers and the farm orders placed
for July and August with the employment service do not approach these figures.
(The method being used to arouse the farmers and growers of the State to the
necessity of placing definite orders so that their actual needs will be known is
described a little later in this report).'
REASONS FOR SHORTAGE
The reasons for the serious shortage of farm labor in Connecticut are well known
and a few are merely mentioned here:
(1) The increased employment opportunities in both industrial concerns work-
ing on national-defense orders and in construction work.
(2) The large number of men leaving the State for service in the armed forces
of the United States through enlistment, through the calling out of the National
Guard and through the selective service law.
(3) The larger number of younger men leaving the farms for training courses
for national defense jobs.
(4) The fact that farmers have been unable to offer wages equal to the pay
offered industrial and construction workers.
RECRUITING AND REGISTRATIONS
It was apparent early in the year from a survey of the available labor in the
files of the Connecticut State Employment Service that it would be necessary to
secure workers for both full-time farm jobs and for work in the harvest season for
vegetable, fruit, and tobacco farms from groups not normally included in the labor
market and for the most part probably not registered with the Connecticut
State Employment Service. These sources for recruiting workers have, therefore,
been developed (and are still being developed).
I See p. 5093.
5084 HARTFORD HEARINGS
(1) The regular files of workers registered with the Connecticut State Employ-
ment Service including of course Negro registrants.
(2) Boys in high schools, junior high schools, preparatory schools and colleges
in the State.
(3) Married and single women who are interested in and qualified for this type
of work, probably to be found mainly among the foreign populations in cities and
towns.
(4) Alien registrants who are not eligible for Work Projects Administration
employment or for some defense industries.
(5) Transients who register at any of the State Employment Service offices and
are available for this type of work.
(6) Clearance between employment offices in the State and clearance with other
States.
A brief outline of the methods used to recruit workers in these groups may be
of interest.
(1) Regular file: For the past several years, the Employment Service has used
every possible method of securing the registrations of workers of every type and
during the past 6 months special emphasis has been placed on this function of the
service. Newspaper advertising, publicity, radio talks, talks by staff members to
organizations of every kind, announcements by priests and ministers to their
congregations, talks at schools and colleges, etc., an intensive combing of the inac-
tive file. These are some of the methods used to recruit the active file in each
oflBce.
(2) High school, prep, etc.: Through the cooperation of Commissioner Alonzo
Grace of the State department of education, registration of high school and junior
high school boys was handled by the principals and teachers in the schools, a
special farm work registration form being provided by the employment service
for this purpose. The farm labor committee handled the registrations of prep
schools and college students for farm work on this special form. These young
registrants are kept in a special file by towns and this file now includes over 3,000
students who will be available for seasonal agricultural work after school closes.
(Statistics showing registrations by district offices, towns, and age groups, fur-
nished herewith.)
(3) Married and single women: Local offices managers are arranging for talks
by the clergy in their districts in sections where women might be available point-
ing out that farm work is available for them and asking them to register at the
Connecticut State Employment Service.
(4) Aliens: The cooperation of Claj'ton Squires, director of the State aid divi-
sion of the public welfare, has been enlisted and he has had a letter sent to all
towns in the State urging them to make sure that aliens known to them and
aliens on their welfare list particularly are registered with the Connecticut State
Employment Service. For the most part, we believe aliens in the State are regis-
tered.
(5) Transients: A problematical source of supply for farm work as most of
them are interested in industrial jobs.
(6) Clearance: The use of clearance between offices to fill employer orders for
which no qualified applicants can be found in the office securing the order has been
extremely useful in filling many regular full-time farm jobs, particularly those
offering good wages. Clearance between States offers another sound method of
filling exceptionally attractive jobs with higher than average wages for full-time
farm work. However, in view of the shortage of farm labor in other New England
States and nearby States, the use of clearance offers but slight chance of filling
the usual type of farm job as similar jobs are available in the other States. To
arrange a uniform procedure so that clearance is used for all jobs which might
be satisfactorily filled by this method, the following uniform procedure has been
adopted. Offices will make use of clearance procedures in the State for all regular
farm jobs paying $60 or more for a single man and $75 or more for a couple.
Clearance between States will be arranged for all jobs paying $50 a month for a
single man and $70 for a couple until experience indicates the necessit.y of a
change in this practice. This procedure is adopted with the idea that the circular
letter and order blank to be sent to 11,000 farmers within the next few days will
result in a large number of orders for well-paid jobs. (The problem of clearance
in connection with large groups of workers for seasonal jobs will be covered a
little later in the report.) •
' See p. 5087.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5085
ORDERS FOR FARM WORKERS
On May 31, 1941, unfilled orders in the State totalled 411, divided as follows:
Tvpe of farm:
Dairy 95
Poultry : : 17
Fruit 57
Vegetable 93
Combinations of above 67
Tobacco (shade) 50
Tobacco (outdoor) 32
Total "in
During the week ending May 31, 46 placements were made in the State, divided
as follows:
Tvpe of farm:
Dairv 29
Poultry 1
Vegetable 1
Any combination of above 6
Tobacco (shade) 7
Tobacco (outdoor) 2
Total 46
These figures are a definite index to the general situation in regard to the
placement of actual orders with the Connecticut State Employment Service and
indicate the need of more definite information immediately regarding actual
present and future requirements of farmers, tobacco growers, etc. Only a month
or so from the date when the estimated shortage of 2,400 full-time workers and
10,000 seasonal workers, the total number of orders actually placed is a little
over 400. The report also indicates the difficulty experienced in filling even this
limited number of the total anticipated in spite of the earnest efforts of the
placement interviewers in the 18 offices.
To secure more definite information, a circular letter (appendix D') has been
prepared by the Connecticut State Employment Service (with the approval of
aU the cooperating agencies) to be sent to 11,000 farmers, a list selected by
county farm agents. (Copies of this circular letter and the order blank (ap-
pendix E -) which will be mailed with it are furnished herewith.) It is hoped
that the urgent appeal for prompt action by the farmers in returning this order
blank completed will result in the receipt of a reply from a good percentage of
the 11,000 farmers, with definite orders for the workers they will need either at
once or in July and August.
The order blank also requests information regarding these extremely important
matters: (1) Housing facilities available; (2) plans for transportation to and from
work and the distance farmers and growers will cover in order to use Connecti-
cut workers including the boys in the special file; (3) information in regard to
how manj^ farmers will pay transportation for out-of-State workers for seasonal
jobs, house them, and insure return to their home States after completion of
haj-vest.
If the farmers cooperate, we will then have the information needed to plan
intelligently, namely: how many men, women, and boys are needed, where
needed, when needed, rate of pay offered, transportation facilities provided by
farmers, and the number interested in out-of-State workers, etc.
REFERRAL AND PLACEMENT PROCEDURES
That the number of full-time farm workers available in the State is almost
exhausted is indicated by the May 31 report showing these figures:
Dairy workers 78
Poultry workers 9
Fruit workers 6
Vegetable workers 24
Workers for combination farms 54
Shade tobacco workers 3
Outdoor tobacco workers 4
Total 178
1 See p. 5091.
2 See p. 5093.
5086 HARTFORD HEARINGS
In addition there are 3,245 boys registered for seasonal summer jobs. A grand
tot.al supply of 3,423.
That there are unfilled orders in spite of the fact that 178 farm workers are
registered in the State is due to the fact that many men who are well qualified for
farm work will not accept farm work for a variety of reasons including (1) location
of job, (2) wages unsatisfactory (3) they are interested in better-paid construction
or factory work, etc.
When orders for seasonal workers are received, boys will be referred to those jobs
which they can handle satisfactorily. They will be assigned by Employment
Service interviewers to work for which they are physically fitted. Working and
sanitary conditions will be inspected by State labor department representatives in
places where large groups are employed. In some cases volunteer organizations of
women will assist in this inspection. The farm labor committee will also give every
possible consideration to arrangements which will insure supervision of the general
welfare of these younger workers. Employers when placing orders for boys will
be requested to agree to supervise personally their work assignments, to make sure
that boys not used to farm work are given work which will not overtax them, etc.
THE TOBACCO PROBLEM
It is very difficult to figure out the exact situation and the possible shortage in
July and August of tobacco workers due to rather conflicting reports. For
example, our Thompsonville office has kept in close contact with the tobacco
plantations in that district and reports that while the growers are aware of the
extreme difficulty experienced in securing a limited number of workers for the early
season work — all orders not being filled — the men in charge on the farms appear to
believe that they will have a large number of workers available from their regular
source of labor supply and while a shortage would exist they would get by with
women, boys, at little overtime, etc. This opinion was again expressed by some
men in another survey of the situation reported June 3, though some growers
expressed some anxiety over a possible shortage. None of them, however, appeared
alarmed to the extent of placing orders for workers to be secured regardless of
location, expense, etc.
The exact reverse of this opinion is, however, expressed by the manager of the
Thompsonville office who wrote on May 20 that "Many growers are depending on
their regular year-to-year help to carry them through the season without appar-
ently an awareness that this help will not be available," and "The wage current in
this territory, generally about $3.50 per day, is not attractive when the type of
work is compared with the industrial wage and the type of work required. Lack
of transportation is another problem. We do not know what the actual need is
except as orders are received. Our estimate of the availability of such workers is
that there will be an unprecedented scarcity."
Mr. William L. Harris, Jr., county farm agent, who is in a position to know
the situation agrees with this opinion and points out that with at least 5,000
workers needed in the shade tobacco fields alone, that "a very great shortage"
will exist even after all the men, women, and girls from local sources have been
put to work. (He also points out that a shortage of workers for dairy farmers,
vegetable and fruit growers and outdoor tobacco growers "will run into hundreds
or thousands.") He advocates taking "drastic steps," namely, clearance, possibly
from Tennessee where he understands the Southern Tenant Farmers Association
has a thousand men available. He has taken the matter into consideration of
having some tobacco grower hire 10 or 20 of these men to test their adaptability
for the work. This idea was approved by the Connecticut State Employment
Service. No definite information as to the decision of a grower to import this
test group is available at the time of this report.
The estimate of shortage made by the farm labor committee is about 4,000,
including shade and outdoor tobacco workers.
The answer to these conflicting points of view will be found, we hope, in the
reply to the circular and order blank which urge the supplying of definite infor-
mation by return mail as to actual workers needed.
THE STRAWBERRY SITUATION
An ear'y season for strawberries in Connecticut has resulted in a serious problem.
Reports received at the time this report is being prepared (June 5) indicate a
danger of loss of the crop imless several hundred workers are secured within the
next few days. Reports from the growers around New Haven and the large
growers in the vicinity of Glastonbury indicate an emergency requiring immediate
action. The files of workers in every classification are being combed to secure
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5087
berry pickers. In New Haven as many high-school boys as can be interested
who" are attending the afternoon session will be used in the morning, trucks
picking them up at 6:30 and returning them to town at 11:30. The farm com-
mittee and others interested are endeavoring to make some arrangement with
towns in the vicinity of Glastonbury, etc., to have high-school children released
for certain portions of the day or certain days to pick berries. A publicity cam-
paign calling on every person available to go to work picking berries is being
arranged through the Defense Council, farm labor committee, etc. (The actual
shortage of workers for this job may be an indication of similar shortage when
workers are actually needed in July for tobacco fields, vegetable farms, etc.)
CLEARANCE PROBLEM
The facts outlined previously lead to the serious question of clearance of
Negro workers or white workers from other States to meet the threatened shortage.
Before going into details regarding the methods to be used and the policy of the
Connecticut State Employment Service in connection with clearance, it must
be pointed out that at this time, regardless of the need, importation of workers
in large numbers into the State cannot be considered because of one important
unsolved problem^the question of housing. No organization, no concern, no
individual and certainly no State department would have any part in bringing in
a large number of workers and having them arrive at the Hartford railroad
station with no arrangements for a place to live. At the present time we know
of no housing facilities available for any large number of workers.
The farm labor committee has been working to secure the cooperation of the
Farm Security Administration to provide housing, living accommodations and
supervision for eitlier out-of-State workers or high-school boys from places in the
State too far to travel to and from work. They report they have not been able
to secure any assurance of any kind of assistance from the Farm Security Ad-
ministration. They are also endeavoring to secure the use of abandoned Civilian
Conservation Corps camps in the vicinity of tobacco plantations, etc. They have
made progress toward securing these Civilian Conservation Corps camps now out
of use but only on condition that some approved agency will provide supervision,
equipment, etc. The committee believed they could secure the cooperation of
the Farm Security Administration in the matter but, as noted, they report that
no arrangements have been made.
The farm labor committee also reports efforts to secure dormitories in prepara-
tory schools for use of workers on farms and tobacco plantations, but no definite
decision has been made.
If housing facilities for workers are made available, the Connecticut State
Employment Service could arrange for clearance of groups of workers between
States through the regula,r clearance channels if —
(1) The need for out-of-State workers was demonstrated because no available
labor supply in the State could be found.
(2) There is a definite job with a definite employer for every worker imported.
(3) There is housing available for these out-of-State workers.
(4) There is assurance that they will return to their home States after their
job is finished and that transportation will be furnished for this purpose.
The welfare of the State and of the workers from out-of-State demand that a
policy containing these minimum requirements be adopted by any State agency
involved in handling the migration of workers. (Some supervision of the general
health and welfare of any large group of this sort should also be provided.)
Section 1692 of the General Statutes has recently been called to our attention
in connection with clearance. This statute provides a penalty for "each person
who shall bring into and leave in, or cause to be brought into and left in, any town
in the State, any indigent person who is not an inhabitant of such town and who
shall become chargeable within 1 year after having been so brought into and left
in such town."
INFORMATION REGARDING NEGRO STUDENTS AVAILABLE IN THE SOUTH
In anticipation of the possible necessity of securing out-of-State workers, in-
quiries were directed in April to the directors of the State employment services
in all southern States east of the Mississippi River requesting information regard-
ing the number of Negro students who might be interested in work in Connecticut
during the summer. The replies indicated that no large number from any one
college were interested as work opportunities are available in the South. The
total number who were reported as available was 353.
5088 HARTFORD HEARINGS
SUGGESTED IMPORTATION OF TENNESSEE WORKERS
The suggestion of Mr. William L. Harris regarding the importation of white
workers from the Southern Tenant Farmers Union, Memphis, Tenn., has already-
been mentioned. No information is available at the time of writing this report
as to whether a group of these workers is to be brought in to fill jobs for some
tobacco grower.
NO NEW JERSEY BERRY PICKERS AVAILABLE
On learning of the serious situation confronting the strawberry growers, a
phone call was made to the director of the New Jersey State Employment Service
to secure information regarding the availability of strawberry pickers from that
State. The information received was that former berry pickers are now for the
most part working on construction jobs, that there is a shortage of farm labor of
15,000 in the State, and that berrypickers are available for clearance.
(The statistical data accompanying this report will furnish this information:
(1) Number of jobs for farm workers unfilled on May 31, 1941. Appendix A.
(2) Number of placements of farm workers week ending May 31, 1941. Ap-
pendix A.
(3) Number of farm workers and students in active file May 31, 1941. Ap-
pendix A.
(4) Report of farm placements, 1940. Appendix B.
(5) Report of farm placements 1941 to April 30. Appendix B.
(6) Registration of high school, junior high school, and college students.
Appendix C.)
Appendix A, Part III . Weekly report of farm-labor situation, week ending May 31,1941
Total
Regular full-time farm
hands (live in jobs unless
otherwise noted)
Seasonal farm workers
(workers employed by
day or week)
received, 42
Mar-
ried
couples
Men
Boys
Women
Mar-
ried
couples
Men
Boys
Women
Number of workers ordered
175
4
58
2
1
60
50
Type of farm:
Dairy
44
5
52
56
17
4
40
3
2
7
6
Poultry
2
Fruit..
25
24
25
Vegetable
25
Tobacco (shade)
1
1
Number of placements
46
2
32
1
9
2
Type of farm;
Dairy
29
1
2
26
1
1
Fruit
Vegetable
1
6
7
2
1
4
7
Tobacco (shade)
2
411
6
195
3
10
128
69
Type of farm:
Dairy
95
17
57
67
50
32
5
__
16
2
34
55
2
Fruit
27
40
18
28
Vegetable
27
Tobacco (shade)
10
10
4
Number of farm workers, active file
3,423
15
110
7
«
3,272
11
Type of farm:
Dairy
78
9
6
24
3,299
3
4
14
50
9
2
40
1
1
12
Fruit
4
11
3,245
Vegetable
4
6
2
1
4
5
Tobacco (shade)
2
Tobacco (outdoor)
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5089
Appendix B, Part III. Connecticut State Employment Service applicants placed in
agricultural employment by type of farm by months
Year 1940 and January to April 1941]
T
M
2,087
W
204
5
3
14
0
182
0
IT
0
1
0
3
10
0
V
107
42
28
5
3
1
31
7
4
0
5
10
5
73
39
14
1
3
14
2
60
48
30
15
0
1
1
"72"
113
43
27
0
5
10
28
1
■<
203
74
39
0
2
76
12
297"
1
182
54
45
0
4
59
20
a
431
49
8
300
11
3
325
76
60
9
6
167
7
110
55
13
0
5
31
6
1
i
i
CO
251
87
28
54
3
1
2
0
384
68
26
140
10
127
13
1
a
1
112
29
13
0
9
50
11
1
Total (1940)
2,291
59
General farms
643
344
205
64
913
122
638
341
191
64
731
122
26
15
Fruit and nut farms
Livestock and poultry
farms
0
K
Truck farms and crop
7
Agricultural services _
3
Total (1941)
518
504
General farms
126
73
2
31
248
38
126
2
28
238
26
16
0
12
4
2
23
17
0
4
16
12
36
19
0
6
24
4
41
21
2
9
204
20
Dairy farms
Livestock and poultry
farms
Truck farms and crop
specialties
Appendix C, PaetIII. Connecticut State Employment Service — Students registered
for agricultural employment by office district, by towns, by age groups,^ June 3, 1941
Total
14 and
under
15
16
17
18 and
over
Total 2....
3,364
996
1.174
743
316
135
Ansonia district
142
23
55
36
23
5
Ansonia _
Derby ._.
37
20
27
58
3
3
7
10
18
10
6
21
9
4
9
14
7
32
4
10
0
1
Shelton
3
Bridgeport district
221
Data not available.
186
5
9
10
1
5
5
East on
Fairfield
Milford
Monroe
Trumbull
Bristol district: Plymouth
14
3
8
2
9
»
Danbury district
14
3
<8
3
Data not available.
Bethel
Kent
Kidgefield
1 Shown only where complete age-group data are
2 Age group totals represent estimates derived from ratios represented in the available age-group data.
3 Females.
* Reported by Torrington office.
5090
HARTFORD HEARINGS
Appendix C, Part III. Connecticut State Employment Service — Students registered
for agricultural employment by office district, by towns, by age groxips, June 3,
i.947— Continued
Total
Hand
under
15
16
17
18 and
over
552
3
18
14
9
8
Eastford
5
4
12
8
14
1
8
0
0
1
0
2
0
0
■ 0
1
4
4
1
1
0
3
4
5
0
1
3
0
0
2
1
0
3
2
0
0
1
2
3
0
KiUingly
Plainfleld - -- -
Pomfret
Sterling -
Thompson
Hartford district
580
201
203
113
47
16
Bloomfield
6
98
7
1
4 49
5
5
6
0
52
0
0
145
I
2
0
28
4
0
168
2
0
0
0
4
6
0
0
100
0
0
1
2
0
6
3
0
33
1
2
2
0
6
0
3
0
Farmington
Manchester
1
South Windsor ..-
0
Windsor --
4
Meriden district
188
66
86
25
8
3
Meriden
169
18
1
61
5
0
77
9
0
22
2
1
0
2
Southington
1
WalHngford
0
95
Data not available.
14
10
10
18
68
1
1
29
'3
East Haddam
Essex
Middlefield
Portland
JNew Britain district
228
105
74
33
12
4
BCTlin
190
10
17
85
3
5
65
4
5
28
0
1
9
0
j^ew Britain
3
PlainvUle --
1
>Tew Haven district
929
239
320
249
86
35
East Haven
16
10
40
7
728
128
2
4
3
196
32
7
3
14
5
243
48
5
1
11
0
196
36
2
2
9
0
65
0
Hamden --
3
28
West Haven...
4
New London ---
154
96
31
12
10
5
2
1
9
131
1
9
0
1
4
89
1
0
1
0
0
2
27
0
0
1
0
2
9
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
0
5
1
Groton - --
0
Montville
0
1
Waterford....
Norwalk district : New Canaan.
85
0
1
1
1
2
» Only 7 with sufficient work experience to make them good referrals— remainder almost impossible to
place satisfactorily. „.„ ^^ „
« Includes Civilian Conservation Corps Camp Filley No. 2.
1 Includes Civilian Conservation Corps Camp Buck No. 3.
* 1 reported by Stamford.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5091
Appendix C, Part III. Connecticut State Employment Service — Students registered
for agricultural employment by office district, by toivns, by age groups, June S,.
i94/— Continued
Norwich district.
Bozrah
Colchester
Franklin
Qriswold
Lisbon
Norwich
Preston
Spraeue
Voluntown__.
Stamford district -
Darien
Greenwich.
Stamford . _
Data not available.
Data not available.
Thompson ville district.
Enfield
Sommers
Vernon (Rockville).
Windsor Locks
13
24
20
19
8
8
7
0
4
2
0
0
6
6
3
0
8
7
16
Torrineton district
Barkhamsted..
Cornwall-
Litchfield
Salisbury
Sharon
Torrington
Winchester
Waterbury district-
Middlebury.
Naufatuck-_
Prospect- -.--
Southbury...
Waterbury --
Wfttertown..
Wolcott
^'illimantic distriet.
Lebanon
Mansfield -
Windham -
Includes 10 from Civilian Conservation Corps Camp Lonergan.
A.PPENDIX D, Part III. A Message to Connecticut Farmers From the
Connecticut State Employment Service
the shortage of farm workers presents a most serious problem
These agencies are cooperating in an effort to secure workers for you :
The farm labor committee of the State defense council.
The county farm agents.
The county farm bureaus.
The extension service of the University of Connecticut.
The Connecticut State Employment Service.
They are in touch with your farm and growers organizations. They are en-
leavoring to enlist the support of every Federal and State agency which may be
ible to assist.
5092 HARTFORD HEARINGS
TO PLAN SUCCESSFULLY, THEY MUST HAVE COMPLETE INFORMATION
They must know how many men, women, boys are needed, where needed, and
when needed. This information can be secured onl}- from definite orders to the
employment service for the workers wanted. They must have knowledge of
housing facilities for workers, of transportation facilities, etc. They must plan
to make full use of available labor in the State and arrange, if necessary, to import
workers from outside the State, in cases where the necessary transportation has
been arranged.
To secure accurate, complete information, this communication is being sent to
11,000 farmers in the State with the urgent request that each of these 11,000 farm-
ers do his part by returning the enclosed blank to the proper office of the Con-
necticut State Employment Service, the agency named by the farm labor commit-
tee to endeavor to supply workers for you (without charge to you or to the
workers) .
THE CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE HAS BEEN MAKING EVERY EFFORT
TO RECRUIT WORKERS FOR FARM JOBS SINCE EARLY IN THE YEAR AND PRESENTS
THESE FACTS FOR YOUR INFORMATION
REASONS FOR SHORTAGE
Men usually interested in farm jobs are not available this year due to (1) better
paid jobs in factories or construction work, (2) the large number of men called
into the armed forces of the United States through the militia or the Selective
Service Act, (3) the large number of men training in 200-hour courses for industrial
jobs for national defense, (4) the fact that similar conditions in nearby States have
practically eliminated a logical source of farm labor supph'.
STEPS TAKEN TO RECRUIT WORKERS
The Connecticut State Employment Service has taken these steps to recruit
workers, (1) by all usual methods and by advertising for farm workers to secure
registrations of experienced men in the files of the 18 Connecticut State Employ-
ment Service offices, (2) by the registration of college, high school, and junior
high school boys for farm work in the summer, (3) registrations of married and
single women interested in and qualified for certain seasonal farm jobs, (4) regis-
trations of aliens, (5) registrations of transients. The farm labor committee
has also contacted Work Projects Administration, National Youth Administra-
tion, Civilian Conservation Corps, and similar organizations for workers.
THE PRESENT SITUATION
Orders were on hand on May 17 for about 250 farm and tobacco workers and
during that week 26 jobs were filled, leaving over 200 workers still needed. Every
effort is being made to secure these workers by combing the files of unemployed and
by clearance between offices. For jobs paying sufficient wages to offer induce-
ments to ovit-of-State workers, clearance orders are being sent to other States.
About 3,000 high school students are registered as available for summer work after
school closes. The number of men with farm experience registered in the State
employment offices is extremely limited and few are willing to accept farm jobs
due to location, hours, working conditions, and wages. A limited number of
Civilian Conservation Corps boys indicated an interest last week in farm work
and practically all of these who would actually accept farm jobs were put to work
at once. Women workers may solve the problem in conftection with some jobs.
MAIN PROBLEMS
But few experienced farm workers for regular live-in jobs are available. Their
number may be slightly increased by response to advertising and by clearance
from other States. Experience has indicated, however, that similar shortages
exist in nearby States so that little help can be expected from this source. Many
workers are demanding more money than offered by the farmers seeking workers,
as ordinary construction laborers are being paid 55 to 75 cents an hour. In
connection with seasonal work, a number of jobs undoubtedly can be filled by
the students registered if transportation from the cities to the jobs will be arranged
by the farmers or if housing for groups can be provided. The farm labor com-
mittee is trying to work out ]ilans regarding housing but needs definite informa-
tion as to when and where groups of seasonal workers are needed. If importation
of seasonal workers is necessary, the welfare of the people of Connecticut demands
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5093
that housing facilities be available and arrangements made for the transportation
of these workers to their homes when their employment is terminated. These
facts indicate the necessity of stating the best possible proposition regarding
wages when placing orders with the State employment service, as well as furnish-
ing the data on housing and tiansportation requested in the enclosed blank.
HOW FARMERS CAN COOPERATE
Farmers can assist the State employment service and cooperating organizations
by—
1. Completing and returning the enclosed order blank.
2. Placing orders directly with the proper office of the Connecticut State Em-
ployment Service. Experience has shown that in some cases farmers discuss
their labor needs with representatives of other organizations but fail actually to
inform the employment service of their requirements.
3. When employing younger workers — high-school students, etc. — by assigning
them to jobs they are physically able to handle, and by proper supervision and
personal interest in their welfare.
4. Placing orders as far as possible in advance of needs. Every possible method
of speeding up the filling of orders is being used but in filling any order, whether
farm, industrial, or commercial, it is necessary to find workers who are qualified,
available, and interested in the job open. To fill one job it may be necessary to
call in a large number of people.
Appendix E, Part III. Order Blank and Information Blank
(Please complete at once and mail to the office of the Connecticut State Em-
ployment Service in your territory — see list herewith of offices, and towns
served by each)
[If your labor needs are already arranged for, please state so in place indicated]
Name of farmer: Location of farm:
(State briefly how to reach)
Address:
Phone Number: Type of farm:
(Dairy, poultry, vegetable, fruit, tobacco)
Have you already arranged for all workers needed?
Have you already placed an order directly with State Employment Service for any
of the workers ordered below (state details)
I will need the following workers:
Number
State max-
imum rate
of pay
When wanted
From—
To—
How many hours a day for day workers?
Describe type of work to be performed _ .
Must man be able to milk? How many cows?
Operate tractor?
Operate other machinery? Drive truck? Driver's
licen.se necessary?
State any other qualifications needed
Can you use Negro workers? _--
If workers are needed in large numbers or for seasonal jobs have you housing
facilities?
For how many?
Can you furnish transportation to and from work?
For how many? And for what distance?
Would you be interested in trying to fill jobs from other States if no available
workers in Connecticut?
5094 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Will you pay transportation? From what distance?
If large number of workers are needed, will you arrange to insure return of workers
to their home States after work is completed?
(Signature) ..
Exhibit A. — Survey of Work Projects Administration defense register by office area
June 24, 1941.
Office
Number of
workers in
survey '
Number registered
Number
now
employed
Number
considered
referrable
Active file
Inactive file
17
112
22
69
34
157
24
53
33
187
36
73
59
123
30
46
83
20
5
37
16
28
23
18
3
23
7
38
16
55
33
54
12
75
6
41
i
30
26
149
20
18
26
69
30
26
12
8
6
„
Bristol - -
6
2
9
18
15
17
9
8
16
Hartford
21
1
Middletown --.-
22
New Britain
18
New Haven
92
24
Norwalk
3
15
4
Thompsonville
Torrington
8
16
8
7
11
20
71
12
20
45
Willimantic
5
Total
1,178
459
719
M25
3 385
61
10
32
' Represents Work Projects Administration workers who that organization believe are qualified for or
adaptable to defense employment.
2 Does not include Bridgeport and Stamford.
3 Does not include Bridgeport and Danbury.
Source: Connecticut State Employment Service.
Exhibit B. — Trade School Graduates, 1932 to 1940, Inclusive
Table 1.- — Danbvry, Pvtnam, Middletown, New Britain, Stamford, Torrington,
Willimantic
Auto and aircraft
Construction
Drafting
Electrical
Machine shop
Printing _
Patternmaking
Miscellaneous unspecified.
Total.
Em-
ployed
in trade
Em-
ployed
not in
trade
United
States
armed
forces
Present
occupa-
tion un-
known
Source: Connnecticut State Employment Service.
Table 2. — Danbury Trade School graduates
Trade
Gradu-
ates
Located
Not lo-
cated
Em-
ployed
in trade
Em-
ployed
not in
trade
United
States
armed
forces
Present
occupa-
tion un-
known
Construction
23
17
28
36
18
12
26
19
5
5
17
14
12
17
0
4
4
1
0
1
3
0
4
Drafting
Electrical _._
Machine shop
5
7
Total
104
75 1 29
45
9
4
17
Source: Connecticut State Employment Service.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
Table 3. — Putnam Trade School graduates
5095
Trade
Gradu-
ates
Located
Not lo-
cated
Em-
ployed
in trade
Em-
ployed
not in
trade
United
States
armed
forces
Present
occupa-
tion un-
known
22
31
2
25
44
13
22
31
2
25
44
5
S
0
0
0
8
20
22
0
10
38
0
9
2
15
5
0
1
0
0
0
1
5
0
Construction
0
0
0
0
0
Total
137
129
8
90
32
7
0
Source: Connecticut State Employment Service.
Table 4. — Middletown Trade School graduates
Trade
Gradu-
ates
Located
Not lo-
cated
Em-
ployed
in trade
Em-
ployed
not in
trade
United
States
armed
forces
Present
occupa-
tion un-
known
20
40
100
16
35
4
0
5
31
11
4
23
65
3
3
3
1
0
1
1
Draftinc
0
0
0
Total
167
127
40
103
16
7
Source: Connecticut State Employment Service.
Table 5. — New Britain trade-school gradiiates
Trade
Gradu-
ates
Located
Not lo-
cated
Em-
ployed
in trade
Em-
ployed
not in
trade
United
States
armed
forces
Present
occupa-
tion un-
known
\uto and aircraft
44
54
62
95
344
69
8
13
20
21
40
163
26
3
31
34
41
55
181
1
9
14
20
144
2
3
5
3
12
4
12
0
1
1
0
3
6
2
0
0
Construction _
Drafting
Electrical
7
4
5
Printing
5
1
Total
676
286
390
203
39
13
31
Source: Connecticut State Employment Service.
Table 6. — Stamford trade-school graduates
Trade
Gradu-
ates
Located
Not lo-
cated
Em-
ployed
in trade
Em-
ployed
not in
trade
United
States
armed
forces
Present
occupa-
tion un-
known
Auto and aircraft
43
51
99
1
1
2
0
1
3
3
77
0
0
0
1
42
48
65
22
1
1
2
0
0
0
0
66
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
1
3
3
5
0
0
0
0
Construction
li
Electrical
0
Printing
0
0
Total
266
84
182
66
2
12
4
Source: Connecticut State Employment Service.
60396— 41— pt. 13 6
5096
HARTFORD HEARINGS
Table 7.- — Torrington trade-school graduates
Gradu-
ates
Located
Not lo-
cated
Em-
ployed
in trade
Em-
ployed
not in
trade
Present
occupa-
tion un-
known
Construction. -
Drafting
Electrical
Machine shop.
Patternmaking
Total....
Source: Connecticut State Employment Service.
Table 8.- — Willimantic trade-school graduates
Trade
Gradu-
ates
Located
Not lo-
cated
Em-
ployed
m trade
Em-
ployed
not in
trade
United
States
armed
forces
Present
occupa-
tion un-
known
15
54
27
10
43
16
43
25
5
17
2
11
2
4
12
0
2I
0
4
0
0
1
3
1
4
1
Construction
24
15
Machine shop
3
Total
174
137
37
51
5
10
71
Source: Connecticut State Employment Service.
Exhibit C. — Inquiry on Negro Workers From the South
[The following letter was sent to directors of Southern State Employment offices]
[Copy]
• Connecticut State Employment Service,
April 18, 1.941.
Dear : We have been requested by interested parties to determine, if
possible, the approximate number of undergraauates in the College — ,
who might be interested in coming to Connecticut to perform farm worlc particu-
larly in the tobacco fields during the vacation periods.
This letter is not intended to initiate a recruitment of any given Jiumber of
Negro workers but is rather intended to obtain information regarding the possibility
of securing the services of this type of worker for this type of emplovment if such
becomes necessary.
We will appreciate your assistance in obtaining and forwarding this information
at your earliest convenience.
Very truly yours,
Leonard J. Maloney, Director.
[The above letter was sent to State employment offices covering territory which
included the following schools:]
Alabama:
Selma University, Selma.
Talladega College, Talladega.
Delaware: State College for Colored Students, Dover,
Florida: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes, Tallahassee.
Georgia:
Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youths.
University of Georgia, Industrial College.
Clark University, Atlanta.
Morehouse College, Atlanta.
Morris Brown College, Atlanta.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5097
Georgia — Continued.
Atlanta University, Atlanta.
Payne College, Augusta.
Jaynes Normal and Industrial School, Augusta.
Kentucky: Simmons University, Louisville.
Maryland:
Morgan State College, Baltimore.
Princess Anne College, Princess Anne.
North Carolina: ,
Negro Agricultural and Technical College, Greensboro.
Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte.
Kittrell College, Kittrell.
Shaw College, Shaw.
Livingstone College, Salisbury.
High Point Industrial School, High Point.
National Training School, Durham.
South Carolina:
Colored Normal Industrial Agricultural and Mechanical College, Orangeburg.
Allen University, Columbia.
Benedict College, Columbia.
Claflin College, Orangeburg.
Voorhead Industrial College, Denmark.
Fairmont Grade School, Fairmont.
Pennsylvania: Downingtown Industrial and Agricultural School, Downingtown.
Tennessee :
Fisk University, Nashville.
Knoxville College, Knoxville.
Roger Williams College, Memphis.
Virginia:
Virginia State College for Negroes, Ettrick.
Gloucester Agricultural and Industrial School, Capahosie.
Virginia Union University, Richmond.
[Copy]
Georgia State Employment Service,
Atlanta, Ga., April 21, 1941.
Mr. Leonard J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticut State Employment Service, Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mr. Maloney: We are pleased to acknowledge receipt of your letter
of April 17 relative to the possibility of interesting colored undergraduates in
coming to Connecticut during vacation periods to perform farm work, particularly
in the tobacco fields.
The colleges are unable to furnish any information in this respect without know-
ing more details such as the rate of pay, the approximate duration of the Job, the
location, living conditions, and if transportation will be paid.
If this can be secured, we will be very glad to make a thorough canvass of the
colleges mentioned. We might say that the Negro colleges, as a general rule,
have the cream of the Negro population and it is extremely doubtful if any of
them would be inclined to do manual labor.
Yours very truly,
Marion A. O'Connor, Director.
By Rex Huffman, Clearance Officer.
[Copy]
Tennessee State Employment Service,
April 21, 1941.
Mr. Leonard J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticut State Employment Service,
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mr. Maloney: This is in reply to your letter of April 18, 1941, in which
you request information concerning probable availability of colored college under-
graduates for vacation-period work in Connecticut tobacco fields.
Before we can secure this information it will be necessary that we have data
relative to working conditions, probable earnings for the season, transportation
reimbursement.
5098 HARTFORD HEARINGS
We are having increasing difficulty in securing seasonal farm labor in our own
area but will be glad to make these contacts for you upon receipt of the above-
mentioned information.
Very truly yours,
W. O. Hake, Executive Director.
Bv Paul Jessen, Director.
[Copy]
North Carolina Unemployment Compensation Commission,
April 21, 1941.
Maj. L. J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticut State Employment Service,
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Major Maloney: We will be very glad to inquire as to the number of
individuals in the Negro colleges of the State who may be interested in coming to
Connecticut to perform farm work during vacation periods. However, in view of
the unusual number of job opportunities for agricultural workers in this State and
Virginia, it will be futile to make such inquiry unless we can give definite informa-
tion about wages, length of employment, housing, specific work to be performed,
and hourly rates of pay. We would also like to know whether or not transporta-
tion costs will be paid to Connecticut and return.
I am sure you will appreciate the fact that it will be almost impossible for us to
obtain any usable information as to available workers, unless this information can
be furnished.
Very truly yours,
R. Mayne Albright,
Director, Employment Service Division.
[Copy]
Alabama State Employment Service,
April 22, 1941.
Mr. Leonard J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticut State Employment Service,
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mr. Maloney: This acknowledges receipt of your letter of April 17,
requesting the approximate number of undergraduates in certain Alabama
Negro schools who might be interested in coming to Connecticut to perform farm
work.
We are developing this information from these four schools and when received,
we will forward you the result.
Very truly yours,
C. F. Anderson, Director.
[Copy]
Morgan State College,
Baltimore, Md., April 23, 1941.
Mr. F. B. Gambrill,
Supervisor, Maryland State Employment Service,
Baltimore, Md.
My Dear Mr. Gambrill: I have your letter requesting the apj^roximate
number of undergraduates from Morgan State College who might be interested in
going to Connecticut during vacation period. Naturally the first question put to
me when I made the suggestion to several students was. How much is the amount
of compensation? I wonder if you can give me any idea of wages for such work.
Of course, the undergraduates here are interested in getting summer work which
will enable them to nearly meet the expenses for the next school year. And we
have a number of calls from passenger ships, railroads, summer hotels, etc., for
our young men.
If ,you can give me the information requested above I can let you know in a few
days any who might be interested in this kind of work.
Very truly yours,
George C. Grant, Dean.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5099
[Copy]
South Carolina State Employment Service,
April 24, 1941.
Mr. Leonard J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticut State Employment Service,
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mr. Maloney: This has reference to your letter of April 17 relative to
the request by interested parties for a determination of the approximate number
of undergraduates in our various Negro colleges who might be interested in coming
to Connecticut to perform farm work, particularly in the tobacco fields during the
vacation period.
Sections 1377 and 1378 of the South Carolina Code of Laws (1932) treats the
subject of solicitation of emigrants or hiring of laborers in this State to be em-
ployed beyond the limits of same. Inasmuch as we have just had a ruling by the
attorney general of our State on a question somewhat similar to yours, we suggest
that you write direct to each college.
We regret that we are unable to assist you further but feel sure that you will
fully appreciate our position.
Very truly yours,
Jos. L. Keitt, Director.
[Copy]
Tuskegee Institute,
Tuskegee. Ala., April 24, 1941.
Mr. C. F. Anderson,
Director, Alabama State Employment Service,
Social Security Board, Montgomery, Ala.
Dear Mr. Anderson: Dr. Patterson has referred to this office your letter of
April 22 with reference to securing some undergraauates for work in the tobacco
fields in Connecticut. I wish to advise that we shall be glad to cooperate m this
matter and that it will be possible for us to have any number of graduates to per-
form this work.
I take it that this is the information you desire but we would, of course, like to
know about wages, transportation and any other details which would be necessary
in sending a group of young men to Connecticut.
Very sincerely yours,
J. J. Flood, Personnel Director.
[Copy]
Princess Anne College,
Princess Anne, Md., April 25, 1941-
Mr. F. B. Gambrill,
Supervisor, Maryland Unemployment Compensation Board,
Maryland State Employment Se>-vice, Baltimore, Md.
Dear Sir: I thank you for your letter of April 21, concerning employment in
Connecticut, in tobacco fields. Eight of our male students are interested. Please
send me further details with a copy for each boy. Include in your information:
exact place or places of occupation, possible wage, extent of experience needed,
and living conditions.
Very truly yours,
R. A. Grigsby,
Acting Dean of Administration.
[Copy]
State Agricultural and Mechanical Institute,
April 25, 1941.
Mr. C. F. Anderson,
Director, Alabama State Employment Service,
Montgomery, Ala.
Dear Sir: With reference to your letter of April 22, several of our boys are
interested in securing summer employment. Because of the vagueness of the
request which you have mentioned, we have not attempted to get accurate in-
formation with reference to the number of boys who would be available for the
5100 HARTFORD HEARINGS
work in Connecticut. We have some 250 boys living on our campus all of whom
are dependent upon their own resources for securing sufficient money to return
to college. I would safely say that if conditions prove favorable, we can send
15 or 20 boys to this particular job.
Very truly yours,
J. F. Drake, President.
[Copy]
Maryland State EifPLOYMENT Service,
April 28, 1941.
Mr. Leonard J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticut State Employment Service,
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mr. Maloney: With reference to your letter of April 18 concerning the
possibility of securing undergraduates from Morgan State College and from
Princess Anne College for farm work in Connecticut during the vacation period,
I am enclosing copies of the replies which we have recently received from these
two institutions.
Please let me know if we can be of further assistance to you in this matter.
Very truly yours,
D. L. B. Fringer, Director.
[Copy]
Connecticut State Employment Service,
April 28, 1941.
Mr. Ralph E. Lasbury,
East Windsor, Conn.
Mr. Paul Putnam,
University of Connecticut,
Storrs, Conn.
Gentlemen: A number of letters have been received from State employment
service directors in the Southern States stating that they are unable to furnish
information regarding the availability of colored college undergraduates for summer
work in Connecticut tobacco fields unless they can secure data relative to working
conditions, wages, reimbursement for transportation, dates of employment,
housing facilities, location of the jobs, etc.
If you will furnish this information from your records, w-e will be glad to write
to the various directors again.
Yours verj' truly,
Arthur V. Geary,
Farm Placement Supervisor.
[Copy]
Florida State Employment Sehvice,
April 29, 1941.
Mr. Leonard J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticut State Employment Service,
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mr. Maloney: Replying to your letter of April 17, with reference to the
approximate number of undergraduates in the Florida Agricultural and Mechan-
ical College for Negroes, Tallahassee, who might be interested in going to Con-
necticut to perform farm work in the tobacco fields during vacation periods.
President J. R. E. Lee was contacted and told of this inquiry. He advised that
his school had previously received a similar inquiry from Mr. S. M. Jenkins,
2106 Main Street, Hartford, Conn., a social service director. A survey of the
students in the school developed the fact that 51 are definitely interested in this
type of work and Dr. Lee further stated that Mr. Jenkins was so advised.
If we can be of further assistance ill this matter, please do not hesitate to call
on us.
Very truly yours,
L. S. RicKARD, Acting Director.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 51()1
[Copy]
Connecticut State Employment Service,
April ^9, 1941.
Mr. Ralph E. Lasbury, Jr.,
East Windsor Hill, Conn.
Mr. Paul L. Putnam,
University of Connecticut, Storrs, Conn.
Gentlemen: You may be interested in learning that the director of the Mary-
land State Employment Service has received a report from the Princess Anne
College that eight of their students are interested in work in Connecticut, and
that a number of students at the Morgan State College are also interested.
Both schools request information as to place of employment, wages, experience
necessary, living conditions, etc.
Yours very truly,
Arthur V. Geary,
Farm Placement Supervisor.
[Copy]
Connecticut State Employment Service,
May 1, 1941.
Mr. David L. H. Fringer,
Director, Maryland State Employment Service, Baltimore, Md.
Dear Mr. F'ringer: Thank you very much for the information contained in
your letter of April 28 regarding the availability of colored undergraduates from
the Morgan State College and the Princess Anne College.
A letter containing detailed information of the type requested by the colleges
will reach you within the next few days.
V'ery truly yours,
Leonard J. Maloney, Director.
By Arthur V. Geary,
Farm Placement Supervisor.
[Copy]
State College for Colored Students,
Dover, Del, May 2, 1941.
Mr. Leonard J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticut State Employment Service,
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mr. Maloney: At the request of Mr. 10. H. Smith, of the Delaware
State Employment Service, I am writing you this letter.
We have between 15 and 20 young men who expressed a desire to know more
about the farm jobs that might be available in Connecticut this summer. Having
worked in the Connecticut River Valley on the tobacco farms for more than 5
years during the previous World War, I would be particularly interested in
securing opportunities for these young men if the conditions will be as fine as
they were during that time. I spent several years with the Farnham Corporation
at the P]ast Windsor Hill section.
'J'hanking you on behalf of the young men for any consideration concerning
summer employment, I am
Very truly yours,
R. B. Jefferson, Dean Registrar.
(The following letter was sent on May 2, 1941, to all State employment offices
in the territory covered:)
Dear Mr. — : We are furnishing below further information in regard to
working conditions, wages, etc., in the Connecticut tobacco fields as requested,
for the information of colored undergraduates who may be interested in such
emjDloyment.
The work will start June 15 and end about September 1.
All the jjlantations are located in Hartford County, Conn.
The Farm Labor Committee has made a check of wages, and has learned that
the shade growers plan to offer $3 a day for a 9-hour day. They believe that the
5102 HABTFORD HEARINGS
wages offered by the outdoor plantations will be approximately the same. The
growers also indicate their willingness to pay somewhat more for exceptionally
good men. Individual employers will discuss overtime pay with the workers in
their own fields.
The Housing Committee is planning to arrange for proper housing through the
Farm Security Administration.
The work will, of course, be under the supervision of the Connecticut State
Labor Department and working conditions will be in line with the requirements of
that department.
The Committee is endeavoring to secure definite information in regard to the
shortage within the next 2 weeks, and definite orders will be placed if this survey
indicates the need for importing workers from the South. You can readily under-
stand that the poHcy of the Connecticut State Employment Service will be to
insure the return to the South of workers brought north for this purpose.
Very truly yours,
Connecticut State Employment Service,
Leonard J. M alone y, Director.
[Copy]
Pennsylvania State Employment Service,
May 5, 1941.
Leonard J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticut State Employment Service,
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mr. Maloney: The Downingtown Industrial and Agricultural School
contacted in regard to your request for information relating to farm workers
during the vacation period, informs us that 12 students have signified their inten-
tion of going to Connecticut to work in the tobacco fields. Our local office believes
that the local demand for unskilled labor in factory construction and the demand
for farm labor with high wages, will probably absorb most of these students at the
end of the school term.
We will be pleased to obtain such further information on this subject as the
interested parties mentioned by you, may desire.
Very truly yours,
H. Raymond Mason, Director.
By George C. Porter, Clearance Supervisor.
[Copy]
Alabama State Employment Service,
May 5, 1941.
Mr. Leonard J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticut State Employment Service,
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mr. Maloney: This is in further reference to your letter of April 17 in
which you request the approximate number of undergraduates in certain Alabama
Negro schools who might be interested in coming to Connecticut to perform farm
work.
As indicated in our letter of acknowledgment to you of April 22, we contacted
the four Negro schools mentioned in your letter. However, to date we have only
heard from two, the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute at Tuskegee and
the State Agricultural and Mechanical Institute at Normal. We have not heard
from either Selma University or Talladega College, but are today writing them a
follow-up.
We are attaching hereto copies of the letters from Tuskegiee Normal, and
Industrial Institute and State Agricultural and Mechanical Institute, which are
self-explanatory.
We are also today in receipt of your subsequent letter of May 2 giving further
details with reference to working conditions, wages, etc. We are passing this
information on to all four schools. We will be glad to cooperate in every way
possible toward working out details, and await your further suggestions.
Very truly yours,
C. F. Anderson, Director.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5103
[Copy]
Georgia State Employment Service,
Atlanta, Ga., May 6, 1941.
Mr. Leonard J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticut State Employynent Service,
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mr. Maloney: This is with reference to your letters of April 17 and
May 2 requesting information as to the approximate number of undergraduates
in the Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youths, etc., who might be
interested in going to Connecticut to perform farm work.
Since our previous correspondence an acute shortage of farm labor has developed
in Georgia and the Employment Service is lending its aid in an effort to secure
workers for Georgia farmers. Under the circumstances we do not believe it will
be possible to export labor due to the urgent need here. Another problem that
we would encounter is that the wage scale is so much higher in Connecticut than
it is in Georgia.
Assuring you that the Georgia service will be glad to cooperate with you at
any time in "the future, and with kindest personal wishes.
Sincerelv vours,
M. A. O'Connor,
Director, Georgia State Em-ployment Service.
[Copy]
Connecticut State Employment Service,
May 8, 1941.
Mr. L. S. Rickard,
Acting Director, Florida State Employment Service,
Tallahassee, Fla.
Dear Mr. Rickard: Thank you for your letter of April 29 regarding the
availability of students in the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for
Negroes, Tallahassee.
No definite decision has as yet been reached in regard to the necessity of import-
ing colored workers through clearance as a recruiting campaign to secure Connec-
ticut workers is now being conducted. I will advise you as soon as a definite
decision has been made.
I note that President Lee received a similar inquiry from S. M. Jenkins, 210G
Main Street, Hartford. Jenkins is not connected with the Employment Service
or the Farm Labor Committee of the National Defense Council, and I have no
present information in regard to his exact interest in the matter. It may be pos-
sible that he is a representative of one of the growers who plan to import colored
workers directly and if so I presume that he will make definite arrangements with
Mr. Lee in the matter. Mr. Lasbury of the Committee is checking to learn exactly
what his interest in the matter is, aiid I will advise you further after learning the
details.
Yours very truly,
Leonard J. Maloney, Director.
By Arthur V. Geary,
Farm Placement Supervisor.
[Copy]
Connecticut State Employment Service,
May 6, J 941.
Mr. R. B. Jefferson,
Dean-Registrar, State College for Colored Students,
Dover, Del.
Dear Mr. Jefferson: Thank you for your letter of May 2, containing
information that between 15 and 20 young men are interested in farm jobs in
Connecticut this summer.
I will advise you immediately when a definite decision has been made in regard
to the necessity of importing workers from outside of the State. At the present
time an intensive recruiting campaign is under way to fill these jobs with Con-
necticut workers. In case it is found that not enough workers are available
5104 HARTFORD HEARINGS
liere, we will be glad to get in touch with you at once, supplying further details
in regard to the jobs in the tobacco fields.
Yours verj- truly,
Leonard J. Maloxey,
Director.
By Arthur V. Geary,
Farm Placement Supervisor.
[Copy]
Virginia State Employment Service,
May 7, 1941.
Mr. Leonard J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticut State Employment Service,
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mr. Maloney: This will acknowledge receipt of your letters of April 17
and Maj- 2 relative to employment of undergraduates from Virginia in the Con-
necticut tobacco fields during vacation period.
A tentative survey of the Negro schools in Virginia reveals that approximately
50 young Xegro men are interested in this type of work, and we shall be glad to
clear orders through our local offices if you find the need for transporting these
workers to Connecticut.
Very truly yours,
Frank A. Cavedo, Director.
[Copy]
Maryland State Employment Service,
May 14, 1941.
Mr. Leonard J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticut State Employment Service,
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mr. Maloney: I wish to thank you for your letter of May 2 outhning
the wages and working conditions in the Connecticut tobacco fields.
We have given this information to the Morgan and Princess Arme Colleges.
They have, however, advised us that while conditions and wages are favorable,
their students feel that they can obtain satisfactory employment here in Mary-
land. We are experiencing cjuite a shortage of farm labor here in Maryland and
are finding it very difficult to obtain workers for out-of-State employment.
Kindest personal regards.
Very truly yours,
D. L, Fringer, Director.
[Copy]
Unemployment Compensation Commission,
Division of the Department of Industrial Relations,
Frankfort, Ky., May 19, 1941.
Mr. Leonard J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticut State Employment Service,
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mr. Maloney: Referring to your letters of April IS and May 2, concern-
ing the approximate number of undergraduates of Simmons L'niversity, Louisville,
Ky., who might be interested in employment in the tobacco fields in Connecticut
during vacation periods, we have the following information:
Dean David Lane of the university advises that he has been able to interest
only three undergraduates but that they were reluctant to apph' for the job as
they were uncertain about being able to furnish their own transportation.
Very truly yours,
W. H. Fraysure,
Director, Employment Service.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5105
[Copy]
Tennessee State Employment Service,
May 34, 1941.
Mr. Leonard J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticvt State Employment Service, Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mr. Maloney: With further reference to your letter of April 18, 1941,
in*" which you requested information concerning probable availability of colored
college undergraduates for vacation period work in the Connecticut tobacco fields,
a survey made by the Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville offices is as follows:
Fifty-seven students of the Knoxville College, Knoxville, Tenn., have indicated
an interest in possible employment.
Fifty-four colored college undergraduates of the Lemoyne College, at Memphis,
Tenn., are interested.
Approximately 28 undergraduates of the Fisk L^niversity, at Nashville, Tenn.,
are mterested.
We find after canvassing the students that a large number had made arrange-
ments for working during the summer, thus the small number of applicants
interested in farm work.
Very truly yours,
W. O. Hake, Executive Director.
By C. E. Love, Assistant Director.
[Copyl
North Carolina State Employment Service,
May 24, 1941.
Maj. Leonard J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticut State Employment Service,
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mr. Maloney: In response to your request of May 2 we made a survey
of undergraduates in specified Negro colleges who would be interested in work in
Hartford County, Conn., tobacco fields.
The survey reveals that 164 undergraduates expressed a desire for this work.
This number is divided among the colleges as follows:
Agricultural and Technical College, Greensboro 55
Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte 54
Kittrell College, KittrelL_-I 10
Shaw University, Raleigh 8
Livingstone College, Salisbury 20
High Point Industrial School, High Point (')
North Carolina College for Negroes, Durham 17
' No report.
Should your emploj^ers be interested in employing any or all of these students,
we will be glad to handle your order through this office.
Unemployment Compensation Commission,
R. Mayne Albright,
Director, Employment Service Division.
By J. W. Beach, Clearance Supervisor.
[Copy of telegram]
Nashville, Tenn., June 2, 1941.
Director, Administrative Office,
Connecticut State Employment Service, Hartford, Conn.:
Twenty-five men students waiting word from you regarding tobacco farms,
risk closes today. Answer Western Union collect.
S. L. Gandy,
Director, Student Employment, Fisk University.
[Copy of reply to above telegram]
Connecticut State Employment Service,
June 2, 1941.
S. L. Gandy,
Director, Student Employment, Fisk Lniversity, Nashville, Tenn.:
No immediate jobs for southern workers. Will advise if needed later.
Leonard J. Maloney, Director.
5106 HARTFORD HEARINGS
[Copy of telegram]
Unemployment Compensation Commission,
Raleigh, N. C, June 2, 1941.
Maj. Leonard J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticut State Employment Service, Hartford, Conn.:
Re report May 24: Undergraduates available Connecticut tobacco fields-
Will workers be needed? Colleges close tomorrow. Answer Western Union.
J. W. Beach.
[Copy of reply to above telegram]
Connecticut State Employment Service,
Hartford, Conn., June 2, 19^1.
J. W. Beach,
Linemployment Compensation Commission, Raleigh, N. C:
No immediate openings for southern workers. Will advise if needed later.
Leonard J. Maloney, Director.
[Copy]
State Agricultural and Mechanical Institute,
Normal, Ala., June 5, 1941-
Mr. Leonard J. Maloney,
Connecticut State Employment Service,
State Office Building, Hartford, Conn.
Dear Sir: Several weeks ago we received communication from the Alabama
State Employment Service indicating the possibility of the employment of several
of our students in the Connecticut tobacco fields. There are 25 students who at-
tended our school during the past session who have expressed definite interest in
this work. I understood from your letter that some time would be required for a
definite check to see if there would really be a shortage of labor in your area in
jobs which these boys could fill. Recently I have been informed that several
groups have gone up from other Negro colleges in adjoining States.
Can you give me specific advice as to whether there will be a need for these boys
from our school? This information will be very much appreciated.
Yours very truly,
J. F. Drake, President.
[Copy]
Alabama State Employment Service,
June 10, 1941.
Mr. Leonard J. Maloney,
Director, Connecticut State Employment Service,
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mr. Maloney: This is in further reference to several communications
from and to your agency as to possible students in certain of the Negro schools in
Alabama who might be available for summer jobs in the tobacco fields in Con-
necticut.
We are continuing to receive inquiries from these schools which we contacted
at your request, and would appreciate very much if you could give us some defi-
nite information in regard to the possibilities of clearance orders for those who
have expressed interest.
Very truly yours,
C. F. Anderson, Director.
[Copy]
Connecticut State P^mployment Service,
June 11, 1941.
Mr. J. F. Drake,
President, State Agricultural and Mechanical Institute,
Normal, Ala.
Dear Mr. Drake: Your letter addressed to Mr. Leonard J. Maloney, director
of the Connecticut State Employment Service, has been referred to me for reply.
I was interested in learning that 25 students are definitely interested in work
in Connecticut on farms or tobacco fields. I am sorry that at the present moment,
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5107
we have no definite necessity for importing out-of-State labor through the em-
ployment service clearance system. A general questionnaire has been sent out
to all tobacco growers and upon receipt of the replies, we will be in a better
position to see how many men are needed and what arrangements the growers
will make in connection with transportation, housing, etc.
It is true that several small groups of southern workers have been employed
by Connecticut tobacco growers directly. I will advise you when I have more
definite information in regard to the need and greatly appreciate your interest
in aiding us to fill these jobs.
Very truly yours,
Arthur V. Geary,
Farm Placement Supervisor.
[Copy]
Connecticut St.\te Employmext Service,
June 17, 1941.
Mr. C. F. Anderson.
Director, Alabama State Employment Service,
Montgomery, Ala.
Dear Mr. Anderson: I was very much interested in your letter of June 10
stating that Negroes in schools in Alabama are still very much interested in work
in tobacco fields in Connecticut.
We are still unable to furnish any definite information with regard to the need
of importing southern workers into Connecticut, as we are faced with a problem of
housing which has not as yet been solved. The Farm Labor Committee of the
Defense Council is trying to arrange with the Farm Security Administration for
housing, so far without much success.
If actual job openings develop and housing is available, we will be glad to get
in touch with you again.
Assuring you of our appreciation of your interest.
Very truly yours,
Leonard J. M alone y, Director.
P^xHiBiT D. — Report of Survey of Needed Farm Labor
by leonard j. maloney, director, connecticut state employment service
July 24, 1941.
The replies to date from the 11,000 questionnaires sent to Connecticut farmers
and growers fail to substantiate the shortage of 10,000 workers indicated by farm
authorities in testimony before your committee. All but a few tobacco growers
failed to return the questionnaire.
The attached statistical reports, A and B, show the situation on July 19, 1941,
and are based on actual orders. received from farmers and tobacco growers by the
18 oflTices of the Connecticut State Employment Service. The report shows that
on July 19, actual unfilled orders were pending for 820 workers, including about
500 needed in August and September. Report B shows 1,605 placements from
May 1 to July 19.
The requirements of farmers and tobacco growers have been met to date by the
referral of Connecticut workers and it has not been necessary to import workers
for seasonal jobs from outside the State. It may be that tobacco growers who
usually import Negro labor from the South have increased their clearance of this
type of worker this year, but we have no information in this regard. A shortage
of dairy farm hands e.xists, as shown by 149 unfilled orders in that category.
Some dairy hands have been secured by clearance from other New England States.
5108
HARTFORD HEARINGS
A. — Unfilled orders for farm workers on July 19, 194-1
NUMBER OF JOBS STILL OPEN
Total
Regular
(live i
noted)
full-time farm hands
1 jobs unless otherwise
Seasonal farm workers (workers
employed by day or week)
Married
couples
Men
Boys
Women
Married
couples
Men
Boys
Women
Total
820
4
250
13
0
0
353
122
78
Tvpe of farm:
Dairy
149
11
107
60
127
319
47
3
135
9
i
5
2
3
3
Fruit
80
10
50
169
41
25
5
1
82
6
Vegetable
Any combination of
above
1
6
Tobacco (outdoor)
Comments: About 500 of these workers ordered for August and September.
B. — Placements of farm workers, May, June, and July 1-19, 1941
All farm placements:
May 193
June 773
July 1-19 639
Total 1,605
DETAILS OF PLACEMENTS
May
June
July
46
45
3
72
20
121
41
92
4
495
20
80
Dairy farms
96
Fruit farms
161
Truck farms and crops specialty (including tobacco)
298
Total
193
773
639
TESTIMONY OF MAJOR MALONEY— Resumed
Mr. Arnold. I will first ask you liow^ much employment has in-
creased in Connecticut since last June.
Major Maloney. That is a difficult question to answer. I can tell
you that we have made 80,000 placements since that time, up to the
close of business on last Saturday night.
If our estimates of the percentage of placements that w^e make
toward the total accessions is anywhere near accurate, the number
would run to 300,000 or 400,000.
Mr. Arnold. How much has employment increased in Bridgeport
and in Hartford?
Major Maloney. In Bridgeport we have made during the year
12,637 placements, wdiich might indicate 60,000 or more accessions;
and in Hartford 16,818, which would indicate 80,000 or more.
Mr. Arnold. You state that 107,000 persons or more have come
into Connecticut since the fall of 1939, looking for jobs. How did
you estimate the number of 62,226 that went directly to the employers'
offices?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5109
Major Maloney. By direct contact with the employers. We have
quite a comprehensive field contact service which requires contact
with the employers at frequent intervals. Through that structure we
obtained the information for the various defense agencies in Wash-
ington, and I think the figures we secure from our Connecticut em-
ployers are as accurate as they are able to estimate them at the time,
so that that number of 62,226 represents a check made with the
employers for the purpose of this investigation.
INTRASTATE MIGRATION
Mr. Arnold. And then you point out that 9,625 workers migrated
within the State. That is, this number visited a second employment
office. It seems to us that many other thousands of w-orkers must have
shifted within the State. Does the employment office have any way
of estimating this intrastate movement?
Major Maloney. No; we don't have any way of estimating those
other than through the registrants who visit them, but the people in
Connecticut are quite accustomed to using the employment offices
and when they do go into another section of the State, they will go
into the office.
I believe there has been some movement from one part of the
State to another, but not to any great extent beyond that indicated
by our report.
There have been orderly transfers involved in that 9,625 that we
show as having moved.
migration to BRIDGEPORT
Mr. Arnold. It seems that Bridgeport received 60,000 of the total
of 107,000 interstate migrants. How do you account for more than
half of the total migration going to this one industrial center?
Major Maloney. Bridgeport is very handy to New York. All
the New York metropolitan newspapers, the weekly periodicals,
the picture magazines, have their offices in New York. \Vlien they
w^ant to wa'ite a stoiy about the Connecticut defense industry, they
go to Bridgeport. Bridgeport's plants have been pictured in maga-
zines and each time one of those new^s stories appears, either in the
metropolitan papers or in the magazines, there is an influx of workers
to Bi'idgeport. They have borne the brunt of the migration.
Mr. Arnold. They draw heavily on the State of Pennsylvania.
How do you explain that?
M*ajor AIaloney. That is very easily explained. Bridgeport
employers seem to like Pennsylvania workers. That is true, too, of
Stamford and New Britain. One delegation of Pennsylvania workers
wall come into the State. They have been encouraged to bring in
others from their own home towns and they do bring them, in a con-
siderable nimiber from the mining areas, and they are found ver}'
acceptable.
TRAINING FOR IN-MIGRANTS
Mr. Arnold. Only one out of every five of the migrants obtained
jobs. Does Connecticut offer any training facilities to the unskilled
or semiskilled migrants?
Major Maloney. The Connecticut training facilities, of course,
w^e use so far as we can for the training of our own people — that is,
5110 HARTFORD HEARINGS
residents of the State. However, there have been a great number of
people from other States who have been trained in them. That is
particularly true of people from the adjoining States of New York
and Massachusetts.
Since early in our training program, when desirable material made
application for these courses, particularly when we had a dearth of
applicants for a particular course — I have in mind courses that require
more mathematics than the ordinary|machine courses and selection
had to be more refined — we did take in and train at our facilities
residents of those States. Connecticuthas also brought in and used
people trained in other States.
SOURCES OF LABOR
Mr. Arnold. You estimate that Connecticut will need 40,000 or
50,000 new full-time workers in the next 6 months, excluding the
10,000 for seasonal agricultural work. Where do you expect to obtain
that labor and how?
Major M ALONE Y. Just exactly as we have been doing up to now,
first, by utilizing to the fullest extent what we have in our own labor
pool. I don't think there is any question but that that will ulti-
mately be done. I speak particularly with respect to the minority
groups, because our own reservoir now has reached the point where
it is comprised largely of those special groups, groups that have been
affected by discriminatory practices and inhibitions against the em-
ployment of women, and particularly married women; there is every
indication that we will use up that pool.
RESIDENTIAL CLEARING CENTERS
Now, what we will need over and beyond our own supply we hope
to bring in in an orderly manner. We have changed, I hope — and I
believe it is true — the pattern for N. Y. A. operation in the State so
that the N. Y. A. now, instead of operating these work-experience
centers, will concentrate upon serving as residential clearance centers.
I think this is very, very important, not only to our State, but to other
States which will reach this same stage in their labor supply.
These centers are used to house and sustain people brought in from
out of the State until such tim.e as we can place them.
We have one center in operation where we have brought in about
100, and they haven't been residents for longer than 3 days in any
instance. They are youngsters who have been trained in New York,
Pennsylvania, and more recently, West Virgmia.
Mr. Arnold. Will you have a witness from the N. Y. A.?
Major Maloney. No, The N. Y. A. has also made arrangements,
I believe, for two other such centers. They hope to establish four or
five, located strategically, so that the supply into these centers will
be at the proper location and, of course, can be controlled through our
estimates of the numbers that should be brought in.
WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION ROLLS DOWN, 34,000 TO 7,000
I might say that I had hoped to get for the committee in this report
the results of a couple of studies that we have made, showing the
thoroughness with which we explore our own labor pool. Our
At the Pratt-Whilney aircraft engine plant in Hartford more than 18.000 men were employed in June 1911 ,
with a pay roll of about 24,000 scheduled for September. Only last year this company was employing a
total of 4, .500 men. Here is one of the plant exits at chansie of shift.
The above photograph and those on following- pages, portraymg
conditions in the Connecticut defense area, have been selected from
a group of pictures entered as a part of the record of the committee's
Hartford hearings. They were obtained from the Farm Security
Administration and other sources.
60396— 41— pt. 13
Oneoflhi iii iii\
iiiilM,,! ml a.
U MM 'M.ik- 111 ll
.1,1 aiv
1 isihf Kl,
nii.
H.iat
Co.'
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i lot on.
shown III h 1
Ill, 1 II 1 ol
ll. nil 1 11 -1
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111.' M
II ,if Ihr
il.ifi'i
oi;ra
11, Cuniu
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migiaiinii ml
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l| 1^1 ll. Il:l^ 111
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l.llll llf 111
lie 1
uiu 1
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) workiTs
which
means i uhli
111, 111 (.1 IIKIK
1 h 111 Ml) Ollll Ui'i
-IIIK. All
l;ll td.niio
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000 w
oikt_
IS will bo
iu'i>dt'd
bcfoic llu' >L'a
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'..It..
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^i>M^m^^^^&<-!^.
U'hen those cars shown on the opposite page start rolling in from East Hartford to Hartford, at i h^ > i
a shift, even broad bridges become traffic bottlenecks. Here the vanguard of the daily prnces'^K
starting across.
Sixty dollars a month for one room and alcove was the rent Mike Du Moml, worker at Colt Arms Co.,
had to pay when he brought his family into their first Hartford apartment. (His testimony before the
committee appears on p. 5275.)
Mr. Du Mond. expert at making gun barrels, can afford a good apartment, but said he could find none
vacant in Hartford. The one he has now— for $30 a month— is "peculiar," he told the committee. It has
no bath, and because of the sloping roof, the Du Monds had to set up their new refrigerator in the middle
of the room.
After a hopeless house hunt, Frank Knhhin-. «liiii-:iin
at Hartford, bought a trailer foi hinisrif aiil his fai
(apr Coil to work in llir I'ratt-Whitney I'lant
(His li'stiniony befoic the coiniiiittee apiiears
1
^Hhb^^^E^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^I
JP
i^
■^1
s ■
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r-^p
IH
dd^^^k 1^1
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■It IS raihiTiTowdcd. Im
miltiv. The famil> ha
"quite a ditfeicnro."
" M ,.f 1.- Mis I'larik Hcibhiiis , xpl.nii.'d Id Ihc (
C.iiK- Cul. aiul -Ml-,. Kohbin.s nhsciviMl that Iho
Fraak Robblns works at night, s.i Ann, u^i' i (aiMuci.and the three other ehiklieii imi.st be (iiiict in tli
daytime so their daddy can sleep in the trailer. Makiiisf these small children play quietly all day, sa>
Mrs. Robbins, is "very hard on the nerves."
#
f^^
^^
m
5.- ^
David Rnbbins, 7, and sister Aim, are shown "cleaning house." Payments on the trailer plus ground
rent cost the Robbins family $32 a month. In the bed occupied by the father during the day, two of the
children sleep at night.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION ^m
W. P. A. rolls in the State have been brought down from 34,000 to
under 7,000, and we have constantly combed those rolls for people
who might be referred to industry.
I would like to submit to the committee a report of a study of the
so-called defense register of the W. P. A., which contains the names
of W. P. A. workers whom the W. P. A. believe are qualified for or
adaptable to jobs in industry. It shows the number of people given
this extra study by us, and shows that with the relaxation that con-
stantly goes on in employers' requirements, we are still able to absorb
about one-third of the numbers remaining on W. P. A.
EMPLOYMENT OF TRADE SCHOOL GRADUATES
Another study was designed to find out whether the graduates of
our State trade schools — that is, the full 4-year course — were being
used to the fullest advantage and that the skills that they had acquired
in training w^re now being used in the emergency.
Wo have checked the graduates from 1932 to 1940, inclusive, all
during the lean years, on the theory that some of these youngsters
may not have got into the proper trades. The study does show" that
there are a number not employed in the trades for which they were
trained.
Characteristically enough, there are very few who were trained in
the machine-shop practices who are not now working in machine shops.
There are only 20, as a matter of fact, out of 761 graduates. I will
leave these with the committee.
Mr. Arnold. The committee will be very glad to have them.
(The two documents referred to were entered in the record. The
study of the W. P. A. defense register was marked as Exhibit A, and
it appears in this volume on p. 5094; the check on graduates of trade
schools, marked as Exhibit B, appears on p. 5094.)
NATIONAL YOUTH ADMINISTRATION NOT TRAINING LOCAL YOUTHS NOW
Mr. Arnold. You say the N. Y. A. centers are receiving young men
from outside the State? Aren't they training Connecticut boys in
the N. Y. A. centers?
Major Maloney. No. The accent in training in Connecticut has
changed materially. We have absorbed about all the likely material
for the D. I. T. courses, as we call them — "defense industry training,"
so we are swinging over our facilities to women. The N. Y. A. was in
competition, really, with the private employer and the employment
centers for the youth who might still be available. Consequently
they had to change their entire pattern, and while their work-experi-
ence centers are bemg used, tliej^ will be integrated with the whole
State training structure and they will concentrate instead on these
residential clearing centers.
One of the problems in the importation of people from outside the
State has been what to do with them between the time they get here
und the time that you can place them; and this N. Y. A. idea is going
to answer that problem.
-41— pt. 13-
5112 HARTPORD HEARINGS
PLANS FOR EMPLOYING WOMEN
Mr. Arnold. You spoke of women workers who coukl be called
upon in the future. Wliat are the plans in Connecticut for employing
this labor reserve?
Major Maloney. Well, the Manufacturers Association will offer
their own testimony this afternoon. I don't want to trespass in their
field. I will say only that a special committee of the Manufacturers
Association has been studying the skills in which women might be
trained and the jobs to which they might be adapted in industr}^ The
transition from men to women is on in all jobs for which we can
train them and for which they are adaptable.
The question of married women has not yet fully been settled.
There is a disposition on the part of the employers to relax their
requirements, and if they do, it will open up a new source of supply to
us because there are still unregistered and not yet actively seeking
employment — married women who have skills that they acquired
prior to their being married.
SHIFT OF LABOR INTO DEFENSE
Mr. Arnold. Wliat plans, if any, have been made to handle the
shift of labor supply from nondefense industries to defense industries?
Major Maloney. That is a thing that concerns me very much.
I was in attendance at the meeting of one of the O. P. M. committees
a few days ago in Washington — a committee on labor supply headed
by Arthur Fleming — and I inferred from its deliberations that the
materials priorities might be used to force a transfer from nondefense
to the defense industries, which would require considerable thinking
on our part if we are going to integrate properly what we might get
from the nondefense industries in the defense industries.
I recommended there that no arbitrary move in that direction be
made, and that it be well thought out, and that instead effort be
made to swing the nondefense industries into defense production
work. Here in our State we have been engaged in an orderly transfer
for over a year.
REGISTRY OF WORKING POPULATION
Connecticut, tln-ough its employment offices, has registered and
occupationaliy classified over 60 percent of its working population —
the men and women in the State who work for a living. Way back
last year we started checking our inactive and dead files to find skiUs
that might be used in defense industries, and in a good many instances
we have found people with those skills, and with the cooperation of
the employers involved, we have made the transfers.
We have also had several firms volimtarily enter into arrangements
with defense industries, whereby their skilled workers were loaned
to the defense industries with all their seniority and other rights
protected.
SHORTAGE IN FARM LABOR
Mr. Arnold. That is another instance in which your committee
has been working very thoroughly and efficiently, Major.
Now, with reference to workers in agriculture: You state that a
shortage of 2,400 full-time workers and 10,000 seasonal workers in
agriculture is asserted to exist. How were these estimates made?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5113
Major Maloney. Those estimates were made by the labor com-
mittee of om- State defense council, and they were made by contacts
with the growers and the farmers of the State. When I say "growers"
I mean tobacco growers and other farmers.
Mr. Arnold. Does the Farm Placement Service check on the state-
ment of shortages made by the State farm labor committee?
Major Maloney. Yes; by questionnaire to 11,000 farmers of the
State, we are trying to determine their full needs. There is mforma-
tion available on the results of that check to date that the committee,
may have, from the Farm Placement man. That can be prepared
for the committee. It is an actual check with every farmer in the
State.
Mr. Arnold. Of course, the figure of 10,000 seasonal workers-
might be too high, because they might go from one industry into
another, one type of harvest into another, and there might not be an
actual shortage of 10,000.
Major Maloney. That is true. I have never been satisfied
myself that that many would be needed. However, it was prepared
by a committee of men who Imow that far better than I, and I wouldn't
question the accuracy of the figures.
I think, though, that the result of this survey that we have made,
and a copy of the form, as included in this report, are sufficiently
advanced so as to give j^ou an indication of whether or not that
figure is too high.
indigent transfer law not enforced
Mr. Arnold. You quote section 1692 of the] General Statutes.
Has this section 1692 ever been enforced?
Major Maloney. Just what is section 1692, sir? I don't recall it.
Mr. Arnold. That is in connection with clearances. It provides
for a penalty for each person who shall bring into and leave in, or
cause to be brought into or left in, any town of the State, any indigent
person who is not an inhabitant.
Major Maloney. No, it has never been enforced.
Mr. Arnold. You mention in your statement that you have con-
tacted several southern States. Was the contact made directly or
through the regional clearance offices of the Bureau of Employment
Security?
Major Maloney. It was made through the Bureau to the Employ-
ment Service directors of the other States and the contact was made
by that State service with the colleges in those States.
Mr. Arnold. Would it be feasible for you to file with the committee
copies of all correspondence with the southern employment services
in regard to this year's question of recruiting farm workers?
Major Maloney. Yes, sir.
Mr. Arnold. The committee will be very glad to have copies of
the files on that subject.
[Copies of the correspondence referred to above were received by
the committee, subsequent to the hearing, and appear in this volume
under the heading "Exhibit C. — Inquiry on Negro Workers from the
South," p. 5096.
Major Maloney. And you want also the report of the survey of
needed farm labor?
5JT[4 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Arnold. Please.
Major Maloney. As far as it has gone? Or do you wish to wait
a while and get a more complete report?
Mr. Arnold. I think that would be better.
Major Maloney, I will submit that to you before the committee
leaves Hartford.
Mr. Arnold. That is all, Mr. Chakman.
[The report of the survey referred to above was received subsequent
to the hearing, and appears in this volume as exhibit D, p. 5107.]
EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION
Mr. Sparkman. Major Maloney, I was just reading something here
which I don't quite understand. I have read with much interest the
statement you make regarding employment discrimination against
persons of German or Italian extraction.
Major Maloney. That is right.
Mr. Sparkman. It seems that this is a pretty serious problem
up here.
Major Maloney. It has been a very serious problem. It is relax-
ing, but it is still of sufficient moment to merit discussion.
Mr. Sparkman. Do you feel that it is clearing up to some extent?
Major Maloney. Oh, yes.
treatment of negroes
Mr. Sparkman. You say [referring to the prepared statement]
"At present Negroes are acceptable for industrial training, but no
matter how able they may prove to be in training, they are not accept-
able to employers when tTaining has been completed."
Major Maloney. That is perhaps a little bit too general. We
have had some Negro trainees who have gone into the types of jobs
for which they were trained; but we do have, on the other hand, those
whom we have trained, and while they might have been accepted by
industry later, they were not accepted in the types of jobs for which
they were trained.
Mr. Sparkman. You don't have a very large Negi-o population
here, do you*^
Major Maloney. No, sh; I think currently we have about 1,000
Negroes in the active file — between 1,000 and 1,400.
Mr. Sparkman. You mean all over the State?
Major Maloney. All over the State — 2.8 percent.
Mr. Sparkman. Well, do they have difficulty in normal times find-
ing a place in industry?
Major Maloney. They have difficulty in finding the types of jobs
they want. There is discrimination by some plants, of course, and
it hasn't entirely relaxed yet. As a matter of fact, while the dis-
crimination against Negroes is less serious than that against any of
the minority groups, hiring of Negroes is still very spotty, both geo-
graphically and with respect to the number of plants in a given district.
Mr. Sparkman. I might say your statement in that connection,
while it is quite surprising to me, bears out a statement that I heard
a New England Congressman make a few nights ago relating to dis-
crimination against Negroes.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 51^5
He stated that it had been found that the discrimination against
Negioes in defense industries was much worse in the North, and par-
ticularly in New England, than it was where we would naturally ex-
pect it to be — in the South. I had never thought of it until I heard
him make that statement. I notice your comment bears him out.
Major Maloney. That is right. They are not in the types of jobs
that they should be m in the defense industries. There is no question
about that. And the largest industiy in our State doesn't hire them
at all except in the cafeteria of its plant.
Mr. Sparkman. Is the discrimination against the Germans and
Italians the result of prejudice or is it an inherent fear of disloyalty?
Major Maloney. Well, in the case of Germans I suppose it is fear
of disloyalty and sabotage, although the problem with respect to Ger-
mans is not very acute. They are ordinarily very skilled craftsmen,
and if they are aliens they can be segregated.
Followmg an investigation of them, of course, if a Federal agency
doing the investigating recommends dismissal they are dismissed; but
their numbers are so small you don't notice them, and they are ab-
sorbed in nondefense industries or somewhere else.
ITALIANS SUFFER FROM PREJUDICE
But our Italian population in the State is substantial, and I do not
think the discrimination against them has been so much the effect of
fear of sabotage, or of the fact that Italy is in the war, as it is — well,
I don't know how to express it — ^a feeling that the Italians were origi-
nally brought into the country to take the lower-paid jobs, and that
they made for cheap labor.
There are also some contentions by manufacturers that their work
habits are not too good. Invariably when we try to pin a firm down
which is not takmg its proper proportion of Italians, that is the
answer^ — that their work habits were "not too good." It is alleged
that they are ''inclined to complain," and they are "not as satisfactory
workers" as people of other racial extraction.
Mr. Sparkman. In other words, that discrimination would be one
of normal times, and not necessarily attached to the defense program?
Major Maloney. You notice it more now, as you get further down
into your labor pool, and a higher percentage of them remain.
Mr. Sparkman. That is all, Mr. Chairman.
discrimination now relaxing
The Chairman. Major Maloney, I understand you to say that dis-
crimination in employment is on tiie decrease?
Major Maloney. That is true; yes, sir. As a matter of fact the
discriminatory practices with respect to all groups — the physically
handicapped, married women, the aliens, the Negroes, and the dis-
crimination because of nationality — are all relaxing.
Mr. Sparkman. Isn't that true though because your demand for
labor is so much greater? In other words, when this thing starts to
taper off, won't they be the first ones to be let out?
Major Maloney. Unless the employers find their working habits
have improved. There is a campaign on, designed to correct such
habits. In other words, the leaders of their race have been told what
the fault is, and they have promised to try to correct it.
5116 HARTFORD HEARINGS
The Chairman. Major Alaloney, don't you think it is a question of
checking the individual person — the individual employee rather than
condemning them as a whole? Take for instance an Italian or a
German or a Negro who has been a good citizen here for years and
years, and is an American.in every way; isn't it a question of checking
each one rather than classifying them as a whole?
Major Maloney. Absolutely.
The Chairman. A check could be made, and as a result there would
be no discrimination of that kind?
Major Maloney. That is right. I have been fighting that for a
year and a half, sir, trying to break down these discrimmations, and
I think we have been fairly successful with respect to the aliens.
There are some complications, but I do think, and I have made
recommendations in my statement, that Washington can do a lot
to correct that by making it very clear just who can and who cannot
work m the defense industries, and b}^ establishmg the procedure
necessary to secure approval of the retention of aliens. It is so
involved now that employers shy away from it.
The Chairman. Are there any other questions?
LIMIT LABOR IMPORTS TO STATE SERVICE
Dr. Lamb. You recommend that the State employment service be
used for the clearance of labor from outside the State, and that service
exclusivelv. Would you wish the employers to agree to that volun-
tarily?
Major Maloney. Absolutely. We in Connecticut always have
believed that only voluntary agreements will function satisfactorily.
If such agreements are made, then no effort will be made to circumvent
them. I am hopeful that such an arrangement will be one of the
results of this manufacturers' committee study. It is the only way
that you can intelligently control the labor market and know what is
going on in it, and what is going on out of it. It is only by having
such a process as that. All firms are not cooperating now; if they
find an opportunity to bring in somebody from another State, they
do it, with the result that there is an addition to the labor market
that we know nothing about, and, too, it encourages other States to
do the same thing.
Dr. Lamb. Wliy would you say that some fail to use the services?
Major Maloney. Well, because they have hiring practices of
many years' standmg and they smiply haven't been sold on the
more modern method as yet. There are still some of the plants
which follow the old-fashioned idea of hiring through the foremen,
which is not economically somid nor in keeping with our defense
requirements. But they are one by one coming around, and we have
no complaint at all from an employment service standpoint.
I think you will find that we have as large a percentage of the total
employers dealing with the service as any other State service in the
Union.
Dr. Lamb. I have no doubt of that from your record here with
respect to the problem. For example, if the new labor demand is
of the volume of 50,000, or on the other hand if it should be as large
as 106,000 on a 3-shift, 7-day factory week, in your estimation,
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5117
ill either case the need for heavy reliance on interstate clearance is
going to be accentuated?
Major Maloney. That is right.
Dr. Lamb. From this point out?
FAR FROM PEAK OF PRODUCTION
Major Maloney. That is right; and I think that the machinery
that we are shaping up is already handling it, and I don't see any
additional difficulty. As a matter of fact, we still have not yet
reached peak production by any means in the State, even on our
first shift. We have, I think, on the first shift, 15,000 idle machine-
hours weekly on the types of machines that are used in producing
defense materials, and on our second shift there are 119,000 idle
hours, so that we will have a long way to go before we reach capacity.
Dr. Lamb. With respect to machines?
Major Maloney. With respect to machmes and manpower. We
may have to change our sources of supply, but we have so refined our
machinery here that at a recent discussion with our Bureau we were
allowed to take some liberties with the clearance structure and to
explore in connection with our planning to meet labor needs and to
send out our interviewers mto the States where there are pools and
line up those workers for Connecticut industries. It is all a question
of planning.
LABOR POOLS OUTSIDE CONNECTICUT
Dr. Lamb. Wliere would you say the prmcipal pools which could
be drawn upon by Connecticut are located?
Major Maloney. It depends on the needs. We still can tap New
Hampshire, and Vermont to a lesser extent; Massachusetts, upper
New York State, Pennsylvania, and West Virgmia. Now, it may be
that in 3 months we will have to extend that to some other States,
and we do have information as to where the pools are. It will be
simply a case of checking and finding out what are the local require-
ments or the requirements of abutting States, and whether or not their
requirements will use those people up before we do.
Dr. Lamb. That is a matter of exchange between State employment
services?
Major Maloney. That is right.
Dr. Lamb. That is all.
The Chairman. Major Maloney, we thank you very much for your
statement. You have been of valuable assistance to the committee.
If there is anything further you want to insert m the record, we will
give you that opportunity.
Major Maloney. Thank you very much.
TESTIMONY OF FRANK E. ROBBINS AND MRS. FRANK E. (JEAN)
ROBBINS, PRATT & WHITNEY TRAILER CAMP, HARTFORD,
CONN.
The Chairman. Mr. Robbins, will you and Mrs. Robbins come
around and bring the three children with you?
Mr. Robbms, will you please give the reporter your full name?
Mr. Robbins. Frank E. Robbins.
5118 HARTFORD HEARINGS
The Chairman. And Airs. Robbins, will you give your name to the
reporter?
Mrs. Robbins. Jean Robbins.
The Chairman. And where do you live?
Air. Robbins. In East Hartford.
The Chairman. How old are you, Mr. Robbins?
Air. Robbins. Twenty-seven.
The Chairman. And this lady with you is your wife?
Mr. Robbins. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. And these are your children?
Air. Robbins. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. Are these all the children you have?
Air. Robbins. No; we have a baby at home, 8 months old.
The Chairman. How long have you been married?
Mr. Robbins. Eight years.
The Chairman. What is the name of the little boy next to you?
Mr. Robbins. David.
The Chairman. How old is he?
Mr. Robbins. He will be 7 in September.
The Chairman. And the little girl?
Air. Robbins. She is 5 now and will be 6 by school time.
The Chairman. Airs. Robbins, would you care to tell the committee
how old you are?
Airs. Robbins. I am 26.
The Chairman. And what is the name of the little boy on vour
left?
Mrs. Robbins. Thomas.
The Chairman. And how old is he?
Mrs. Robbins. He is 3 years old.
The Chairman. And the baby is 8 months?
Mrs. Robbins. Yes.
The Chairman. Mr. Robbins, how long have you been married?
Air. Robbins. Eight years.
The Chairman. And where were you married?
Mr. Robbins. Plymouth, Alass.
The Chairman. How long did you live there?
Air. Robbins. Wliy, it is my wife's home town; 1 didn't live there
any length of time.
The Chairman. Where did you live immediately prior to the time
you came here to Hartford?
Air. Robbins. In Harwich, Mass.
The Chairman. And what was your employment there?
Mr. Robbins. I was service man for an illuminating gas company.
The Chairman. And what were your wages there?
Air. Robbins. $25 a week.
The Chairman. And what sort of a house did you live in there?
Air. Robbins. We had a six-room house with all modern conven-
iences and 3 acres of land.
The Chairman. What did you pay for that?
Air. Robbins. $25 a month.
The Chairman. How did you happen to leave there?
Mr. Robbins. Well, I wasn't making enough money to support my
family and I left to take employment where I could support them.
The Chairman. How did you happen to come to Hartford?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5^19
Mr. RoBBiNs. I saw an advertisement in the Saturday Evening
Post by the United Aircraft Co. The advertisement said they were
hiring 10,000 more men, so I thought I would try it.
The Chairman. That was an advertisement in the Saturday Eve-
ning Post?
Mr, RoBBiNs. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. Did it say anything about what wages you woukl
receive?
Mr. RoBBiNS. No.
The Chairman. Did you bring your family here with you?
Mr. RoBBiNS. No; I was here 3 weeks before my family came.
The Chairman. Did you do anything during the 3 weeks?
Mr. RoBBiNS. About wore myself out looking for a house.
The Chairman. But you were not employed during those 3 weeks,
were you?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Oh, yes.
The Chairman. Where did you go to work?
Mr. RoBBiNS. East Hartford, Pratt & Whitney.
The Chairman. And what wages were you receiving?
Mr. RoBBiNS. 70 cents an hour.
The Chairman. Wliat does that amount to a month?
Mr. RoBBiNs. Well, it came to $40.50 a week.
The Chairman. And what was your work there — what kind of
work were you doing?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Assistant tester.
The Chairman. Assistant tester of what?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Airplane engines.
The Chairman. And you left your family back at Harwich; is that
the idea?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. And when did you bring them here?
Mr. RoBBiNs. Three weeks after I first came here and started to
work.
The Chairman. And you spent about 3 weeks trying to get a house
for your family?
Mr. RoBBiNS. All the spare time that I could get away with.
The Chairman. What did you finally select?
Mr. Robbins. Didn't find anything I could afford to live in.
The Chairman. What were they asking for rent?
Mr. Robbins. Anywhere from $45 up to $65.
The Chairman. That was a month?
Mr. Robbins. Yes.
The Chairman. So you figured that wouldn't leave you very much?
Mr. Robbins. I don't think it would.
The Chairman. Now, you finally secured a house, did you?
Mr. Robbins. No; 1 live in a trailer.
The Chairman. What kind of trailer is it?
Mr. Robbins. Well, when I first came here I didn't have much
money for a down payment. I found two trailers, a small camping
trailer and a home-made trailer. I bought them from Mr. Moore in
East Hartford, a trailer dealer.
The Chairman. What did you pay for them, Mr. Robbins?
Mr. Robbins. The two of them came to $293.
The Chairman. And how much did you pay down?
5120 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. RoBBiNS. Thirty dollars.
The Chairman. Did you finally get them paid for?
Mr. RoBBiNS. No; I traded for one single trailer, a custom-built
trailer — a covered wagon. It is all metal.
The Chairman. Is that the one you are living in now?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. How large is that trailer?
Mr. RoBBiNS. 1 9 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 6 feet 2 inches, I believe,
from floor to ceiling.
The Chairman, ^^hat sort of trade did you make?
Mr. RoBBiNs. Mr. Moore took the old trailers back and he allowed
just what I paid him on them. I paid in $100 and he allowed me that
on the new one. The full price was $600 and I got it tor $500. I
financed it through the Aircraft Credit Union.
The Chairman. How much a month are you paying on that?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Twenty dollars a month.
The Chairman. Wliere is that trailer located now?
Mr. RoBBiNS. The Au-craft Trailer Park, right across from Pratt &
Whitney.
The Chairman. Are there man}^ trailers there?
Mr. RoBBiNS. About 75.
The Chairman. And how do you get along in the trailer, you and
your wife and the children?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Well, there isn't much room. I work nights. I am
on the night shift. I work from 20 minutes of 12 until 7:10 in the
morning, so that solves the sleepmg problem a little bit.
The Chairman. If you worked during the daytime it would be
quite a problem for you; wouldn't it?
Mr. RoBBiNS. At night we put two of the children in the bed that
I sleep in.
The Chairman. Two of the cliildren sleep in your bed at night?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Yes.
The Chairman. Now, what about water facilities and sanitaiy
facilities?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Well, you can pipe your trailer up to the city water
supply if you want to. You don't have to. I haven't yet. I have
a pump in there and a 20-gallon tank. Showers and electricity go
with your rent and you have a recreational hall there.
The Chairman. Now, you are paying $20 a month on the trailer,
aren't you?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Yes.
The Chairman. And what rent do you pay for parking privilege?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Twelve dollars a month.
The Chairman. In other words the whole thing stands you $32 a
month?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Yes; that is, electric lights and water.
The Chairman. How much ground have you with your trailer?
Mr. RoBBiNS. The lots are all the same size. I believe they are
35 feet long and 30-some-odd feet wide.
The Chairman. Thu'ty by 35 feet?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Yes, sir; just about square.
The Chairman. Is there plenty of room for the children to play m?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Well, they have the whole camp.
The Chairman. Are any of the children old enough to go to school?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5121
Mr. RoBBiNS. This boy here was going to school when we left
home, and the girl will be starting this year.
The Chairman. Well, are they now going to school?
Mr. RoBBiNS. They are going to school here; yes.
The Chairman. How do you like your work?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Verj^ much.
The Chairman. You are satisfied with your job?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Absolutely.
The Chairman. Congressman Sparkman suggests the question:
Wliat about winter? Will you be able to live in the trailer?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Yes. They are pretty well insulated. They have
double walls and insulation between the walls, and there is a regula-
tion trailer oil-bm-nmg heating unit.
The Chairman. You would rather live in a house, wouldn't you?
Mr. RoBBiNS. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. Congressman Arnold?
Mr. Arnold. I am just wondering how Mrs. Robbins gets along in
the trailer.
Mrs. RoBBiNS. Well, I just have to make the best of it, that is all.
It is rather crowded, but we always find some way to get around
in it.
Mr. Arnold. There is quite a diff"erence between a six-room house
and a trailer, isn't there?
Mrs. RoBBiNS. Much.
Mr. Arnold. But not as much work to do, is there?
Mrs. Robbins. Well, I keep busy all day.
Mr. Arnold. Does it make you nervous, living in such a small
place?
Mrs. Robbins. Veiy.
Mr. Arnold. Very hard on the nerves?
Mrs. Robbins. Yes. I have to keep the children quiet while my
husband sleeps.
Mr. Arnold. I was wondering if he slept very well with four
children around.
Mrs. Robbins. Well, he doesn't.
Mr. Arnold. That is all.
The Chairman. Mr. Sparkman?
Mr. Sparkman. Is the trailer divided?
Mrs. Robbins. Yes, sir; I have a door between the two rooms, but
I can't very well close it because I am going back and forth all the
time.
The Chairman. What about your laundry?
Mrs. Robbins. Well, there is a room provided in the hall for that,
so I do it all up there.
Mr. Robbins. There are washing machines there, supplied by the
trailer park for 25 cents an hour.
The Chairman. Would you rather be here in Hartford or back
where you came from?
Mrs. Robbins. I would rather be here.
Mr. Sparkman. Would you rather be here or back in Scotland?
Mrs. Robbins. Here.
Mr. Sparkman. How old were you when you came over here?
Mrs. Robbins. About 8 years old.
Mr. Sparkman. How did you happen to come to this country?
5122 HAKTFOKD HEAKIxNGf^
Mrs. RoBBiNS. Well, my mother and father had been here before
and were married over here. My grandfather was very sick and my
parents had to go back to Scotland again, but came back when I was
8 years old.
Mr. Sparkman. You came here with your parents?
Mrs. RoBBiNs. Yes.
Mr. Sparkman. Are they here?
Mrs. RoBBiNS. No; they went back because of my father's poor
health.
Mr. Sparkman. And you stayed here?
Mrs. RoBBiNs. I stayed here.
Mr. Sparkman. And they are in Scotland now?
Mrs. RoBBiNS. Yes.
Mr. Sparkman. That is all.
Mr. Arnold. No further questions.
The Chairman. Mr. Robbins, are you saving any money out of
your salary?
Mr. Robbins. Yes; I am.
The Chairman. In what way are you saving?
Mr. Robbins. Having the Aircraft Credit Union take it out of my
pay every week — they just take it out and deposit it to my credit.
The Chairman. Is that a voluntary agreement between you and
them or is it general throughout the plant?
Mr. Robbins. It is voluntary. You don't have to have that done
if you don't want to.
The Chairman. And how much do they take out of your wages
each week? *i
Mr. Robbins. $2.50 a week.
Mr. Sparkman. Is there a campaign in the plant urging employes
to engage in such a plan?
Mr. Robbins. No, I never heard of any.
Mr. Sparkman. Well, do they advertise it or put up posters or
anything? How does the individual worker learn of it?
Mr. Robbins. Well, I learned of it by going by the building and I
saw the sign in the window.
Mr. Sparkman. That is what I mean; you did see signs?
Mr. Robbins. Yes; I went in and inquired what it was all about.
Mr. Sparkman. Is any interest paid on those funds?
Mr. Robbins. Yes.
Mr. Sparkman. They are not invested in defense bonds or any-
thing like that?
Mr. Robbins. No; you can buy — I believe they make provision to
buy these defense bonds there — you can buy them if you want to.
Mr. Sparkman. But that of course would be in addition to this
regular weekly saving?
Mr. Robbins. Yes.
Mr. Sparkman. Do the workers generally participate in that
program?
Mr. Robbins. I believe they do.
Mr. Sparkman. That is all.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. and Mrs. Robbins,
and children. We have been all over the United States and we have
met many people like you, people who have gone through what you
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5123
have gone through. It always interests Congress very much because,
after all is said and done, we want to find out how the people them-
selves are getting along. Thank you very much for coming here.
The Chairman. Mr. Glover is our next witness. Congressman
Arnold will interrogate you, Mr. Glover.
TESTIMONY OF MILTON H. GLOVER, COUNCIL OF SOCIAL
AGENCIES, HARTFORD, CONN.
Mr. Arnold. Will you state for the record your name and address
and the official title of the organization you represent?
Mr. Glover. My name is Milton H. Glover. I am investment
ofiicer for the Hartford National Bank and I am representing here the
council of social agencies.
Mr. Arnold. Mr. Glover, you have submitted a very good state-
ment, but owing to the shortness of time we will not have you read it
now. We would like to have you enlarge upon it by answering some
questions.
[The statement referred to is as follows:]
STATEMENT BY MILTON H. GLOVER, COUNCIL OF SOCIAL
AGENCIES OF HARTFORD
The Directory of Social Agencies lists 125 social and health agencies operating
in the greater Hartford area, of which 45 are public agencies and 80 are private
agencies. Thirty-five of these are State-wide agencies and institutions rendering
some service in Hartford either occasionally or through a regularly established
branch organization.
The fields of service covered by these agencies are as follows: Child welfare is
covered by 25 agencies, family welfare and relief by 53 agencies, hospital care by
13 agencies, other health services by 27 agencies and leisure-time activities by 19
agencies. It is estimated that these 125 agencies employ between 400 and 500
professional workers in their service to the Hartford area. Eighty-five of these
agencies (24 public and 61 private) are institutional 'members of the council of
social agencies. Thirty-one of them are member agencies of the Hartford Com-
munity Chest.
For some years the Council of Social Agencies of Hartford, in cooperation with
the United States Children's Bureau, has been compiling figures on the total cost
of health and welfare services in the greater Hartford area. For the year 1940
these services are estimated to have cost $9,205,506. This figure is based on the
actual expenditures of agencies whose costs for this area can be segregated and on
estimates for certain State-wide agencies. The sources from which these funds
were derived are set forth in table I.
As table I shows, 65 percent of all expenditures for health and welfare services
in the greater Hartford area last year were provided by public tax funds. In
other words, as measured by expenditure, approximately one-third of the total
community program depends upon the voluntary support of private citizens
administered for the most part by nonofficial agencies. Fees paid to certain
agencies, especially hospitals and Young Men's Christian Association and Young
Women's Christian Association, for services received, amount to a little over one-
half of the private support with the balance provided by philanthropic funds.
The major part of the philanthropic funds are made available through the Hart-
ford Community Chest.
5124 HAETFORD HEARINGS
Table I. — Total expenditures for health and welfare services, Hartford chest area,
1940, by source of funds
Source
Amount
Per capita
All sources
$9, 205. 506
6, 095, 841
2, 339, 277
1, 734, 600
2, 021, 964
3, 280, 444
885, 318
748, 071
137, 247
497, 646
1, 701, 925
24, 776
$37 10
Publ'c funds
24 57
Federal
State -
6 99
Local
8 15
Contributions . - .
3 57
Chest
3 02
Endowment— ..- .-. .. .-
2 00
Beneficiaries (fees for service)
6 86
Another ...
' Includes East Hartford, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, Bloomfield, and Newington.
Hartford has long been notable for its highly developed sense of community
responsibility and for the generosity shown by its citizens in the support of worthy
community enterprises. This is clearly demonstrated in table II from which you
can see that although the total cost of health and welfare services in this area was
only slightly above the average for the 29 cities studied by the Children's Bureau
in 1938, on a per capita basis, voluntary contributions were higher than in any
other area and almost twice the average.
Table II. — Comparative per capita expenditures for health and welfare services in
Hartford and 28 other cities, by source of funds, 1938 1
Source
Per capita
expendi-
tures in
Hartford
Average
per capita
expendi-
tures in 29
cities
Hartford
ranked—
$45. 95
32.86
16.23
8.02
8.61
13.09
4.25
3.40
.85
2.16
6.36
.32
$44. 01
36.65
21.84
5. 58
9.23
£44
1.72
.72
.52
4.02
.38
Tenth.
Public funds
Seventeenth.
Federal
Nineteenth.
Sixth.
Local
Eleventh.
First.
Chest
Do.
Other
Thirteenth.
Endowment..
Beneficiaries
All other
First.
Fourth.
1 statistics compiled from "The Community Welfare Picture in 29 TTrban Areas, 1938" published by
Children's Bureau, U. S. Department of Labor, June 1939. The cities included In this study were Balti-
more, Bridgeport, Buffalo, Hartford, Providence, Springfield, Syracuse, Washington, Wilkes-Barre, At-
lanta, Birmingham, Dallas, Houston, Louisville, New Orleans, Richmond, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland,
Columbus, Dayton, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee. St. Louis, Wichita, Los An-
geles, San Francisco.
The distribution of the $9,205,506 spent for health and welfare services in this
area in 1940 among the major types of service is shown in table III. For the
family welfare and general dependency, the most important of the services,
$4,668,194 (nearly 50 percent of the total expenditure) was spent. Second in
importance is hospital care for which the cost was $2,534,650. This, however,
is one of the services which receives comparatively large sums in the form of
payments by beneficiaries.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5125
Table III. — Total expenditures for health and welfare services in Hartford chest area,
by types of service, 1940
Type of service
All services
Family welfare and general dependency
Care of children
Leisure time services
Hospital care
Other health services
Central planning and finance
Amount of
expendi-
ture
19, 205, 506
4, 668, 194
834, 331
534, 998
2, 534, 650
580.801
52, 532
Per capita
expendi-
ture
$37. 10
IS. 81
3.36
2.16
10.22
2.34
.21
' Includes Work Projects Administration, National Youth Administration, and Civilian Conservation
Corps.
In table IV the per capita expenditures for health and welfare services in Hart-
ford as compared to the average per capita expenditures in the 29 cities show
certain noteworthy variations. The per capita expenditure for family welfare
and general dependency in Hartford is below the average due to the low per
capita expenditure of Work Projects Administration and other Federal funds in
Hartford as shown in table II. A well-organized public foster home placement
service instead of an extensive program of institutional care combined with the
fact that Connecticut has not had aid to dependent children accounts for a per
capita expenditure for care of children that is more than double the average
expenditure.
Table IV. — Comparative per capita expenditures for health and welfare services in
Hartford and 28 other cities, by types of serince, 1938 ^
Type of service
Per capita
expenditures
in Hartford
Average per
capita ex-
penditures
in 29 cities
Hartford
ranked—
.$45. 95
$44.01
10th.
Family welfare
25.92
3.31
2.55
11.46
2.50
.21
31.68
L57
1.60
7.33
L63
.20
l"th
1st.
Leisiu'e time
4th.
Hospital care
1st.
1st.
Chests and councils
8th.
I Statistics compiled from The Community Welfare Picture in 29 Urban Areas, 1938.
The present organization for social welfare in Hartford is the result of a long
period of growth. The confidential exchange (now known as the social service
index) was created in 1914. Out of this came the Council of Social Agencies in
1920 and the Community Chest in 1924.
An important factor in oiu- preparedness for home defense was the Hartford
survey made in 1934 at the request of the Hartford Community Chest. During
the 5 years following the survey most of the important private agencies were
greatly strengthened as to staff and leadership. A powerful interest in coopera-
tive study and planning developed and the Council of Social Agencies itself, with
augmented staff, became an extensively used facility for joint action. In 1939
the council was reorganized and streamlined to better serve the expanding interests
of its members.
As now constituted the council has a membership representing 85 public and
private agencies working together through four autonomous divisions. Three
of these divisions — case work, group work, and health — have an open member-
ship which permits any professional worker or lay board representative to partici-
pate by indicating an interest in a particular division. The fourth division, the
Commimity Organization Division, is an over-all group with a membership com-
posed of agency executives. Other persons may be elected to membership by the
steering committee of the division. Each division has a steering committee which
plans the programs for the monthly division meetings and which sends representa-
tives to the council executive committee. The council executive committee is
5126 HARTFORD HEARINGS
composed of representatives, both lay and professional, from each of the four
divisions, officers and members at large elected at the council annual meeting, and
a few ex-officio members. This committee has ample powers to tie the whole
together.
CASE WORK DIVISION
The case work division is interested in matters of child welfare, family welfare,
and health from the case work point of view. Several committees of the division
work on special studies and projects within this broad field and prepare reports
for the entire division. Problems studied during the past year include housing,
care of transients, pre-school and foster day care, and legal aid. The division
sponsors discussion groups in a professional education program for staff workers
of case work agencies.
GROUP WORK DIVISION-
The group work division is concerned with recreation and education and helps
to coordinate the programs of community centers, church centers, the public
school program and the public recreation programs. The division carries on
such studies as are necessary to further the growth of constructive group work
programs in the community and to raise the standards of training and perform-
ance in group work.
HEALTH DIVISION
The health division exists to foster better understanding among workers in
the various health agencies, to serve as a medium for the exchange of information
about new developments, to serve as a channel for the technical review of problems
and to make provision for supplying desired educational opportunities for staff
workers or board members.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION DIVISION
The community organization division considers those problems which arise on
the administrative level. The division was organized to promote the study of
the institutional structure of social welfare in metropolitan Hartford, to promote
the study of the need for social and health services in various sections of the
metropolitan area, to assist the agencies in the promotion of public understanding
of their functions, and especially to promote the most effective coordination of
agency services.
CASE COUNCIL
A case council made up of executives or supervisors from all important agencies
operating on a case basis in both the social and health fields has been meeting
weekly for more than 10 years. This council renders advisory opinions on plans
for family treatment especially when disposition of children is involved and
facilitates the settlement of problems of agency jurisdiction and responsibility.
The meetings are discussions relative to a case presented by one of the social
agencies in which it seems necessary to have the help of a cooperating group,
the case council, in working out the best possible plan for the persons concerned.
The material presented for these discussions is in summary form from the con-
fidential case records of the case work agency seeking a plan. Such discussion
promotes disinterested and cooperative thinking about the problem on the part
of those workers present and lends to the recommendations the support of all the
case work agencies of the community. This support is significant particularly
in cases where commitment of children through the court is concerned. About
100 cases ere reviewed in this manner each year by an experienced group which
changes little in personnel."
The professional staff of the Council of Social Agencies consists of a half-time
executive secretary and three full-time assistants — namely, a case-work secretary
with psychiatric social-work background, a junior assistant with group-work back-
ground, and a research assistant.
SOCIAL SERVICE EXCHANGE
The council operates the Social Service Exchange, which has nearly 100,000
cards in its file and total aniuial clearings in excess of 40,000; 35 public and 37
private agencies use the exchange routinely. The Social Service Exchange is a
confidential alphabetical file in which are recorded the names and identifying
information of those families and individuals known to the social and health
agencies of the community. It recognizes and carefully guards the confidential
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5^27
nature of the relationship between cHents and agencies. Each card in the file
carries the names of those agencies which have previously registered the case,
together with the dates of their registrations.
Consistent and regular use of the exchange by social workers has values for the
client, the agency, and the community, as follows:
1. Gives information as to the extent and kind of agency services in the com-
munity used previously by the client.
2. Assists in clarifying agency responsibility before accepting client.
3. Facilitates mutual planning among the social workers on behalf of clients,
thus avoiding unnecessary investigation and conflicting plans.
4. Promotes greater coordination of effort among agencies, both public and
private.
5. Enables social agencies to avoid duplication and overlapping of services or
efforts for clients, thus making possible a distribution of available funds and serv-
ices to the largest number of those in need of assistance.
Besides the Council of Social Agencies there are three other important coordi-
nating organizations — the Community Chest, the Citizens' Committee for Social
Welfare, and the Central Planning Council for Social Welfare.
COMMUNITY CHEST
The 31 member agencies of the community chest include nearly all the important
private agencies — sectarian as well as nonsectarian. The chest raises about
$3.20 per capita (on the basis of 1940 population) and listed last fall over 87,000
contributors — one for every three inhabitants of the area. The chest and council
are separate organizations but share office space and facilities as well as certain
personnel including the executive.
citizens' committee for social avelfare
The Citizens' Committee for Social Welfaie is composed of delegates from some
275 social, civic, religious, cultural, occupational and other groups in the com-
munity, including agency boards — one delegate from each organization. It was
organized in 1934 under the joint sponsorship of the chest and council. It is
distinctly a layman's organization and is dedicated to the promotion, articulation
and coordination of the layman's interest in the social welfare field.
central planning council
The Central Planning Council for Social Welfare is an overall planning group
on the policy making level which was recommended in connection with the
reorganization of the Council of Social Agencies. Its membership is entirely
ex officio and consists of the steering committee of the Citizens' Committee for
Social Welfare, the chairmen of the four divisions of the Council, and the citizen
heads of some thirty important city departments and community organizations.
It is not an executive agency, but depends on its various constituent organizations,
particularly the Council of Social Agencies, for executive service. The Com-
munity Organization Division of the Council of Social Agencies brings together
the professional executives of the various organizations whose presidents make
up this Central Planning Council.
As a result of the development of these various facilities for community plan-
ning Hartford was very well prepared to meet the emergency. With the exec-
utive seci-etary and the four division chairmen taking the initiative the Council
of Social Agencies assumed the responsibility for reorienting the social welfare
program to defense needs. In June 1940 the steering committees of the four
divisions were constituted a joint seminar to explore the implications of the de-
fense program and the war and to integrate the thinking and experience of the
divisions and the agencies as they endeavored to meet the needs of the unfold-
ing future. The speculations and findings of the seminar were translated into
action by the divisions and their member agencies — especially by the Commu-
nity Organization Division through which suggestions were forwarded to the
executive committee and to various responsible individuals in the defense
program.
effects of defense program
The effects of the defense program which have been felt by the social and
health agencies of this community to date have been almost entirely due to the
industrial and economic aspects of the program and have been rather specialized
in character.
60396— 41— pt. 13 8
5128
HARTFORD HEARINGS
As may be seeu from an examination of tables VI and VII, total expenditures
for health and welfare work in the Hartford area were $888,902 or 8.8 percent
less in 1940 than in 1939 due primarily to a reduction in Federal and local relief
expenditures. Federal relief expenditures, chiefly W. P. A., declined $741,835 or
24 percent. Total expenditures from all sources for family welfare and general
dependency declined $754,678 or 16 percent. On the other hand, payments by
beneficiaries increased $204,519 or 13.7 percent. The only major class of serv-
ice showing a substantial increase as measured by expenditures was care of
children which increased $62,842 or 8.1 percent. This increase represents pri-
marily the steadily increasing number of children committed to State and county
agencies for permanent care.
Table VI. — Comparison of total expenditwes for health and welfare services in
Hartford area for 1938, 1939, and 1940, by source of funds
Source
1938
1939
1940
$10, 558, 165
$10, 094, 408
$9, 205, 506
7, 551, 102
3,728,497
1,843,941
1,978,664
7, 093, 752
3,081,112
1,961,067
2, 051, 573
6 095 841
2, 339, 277
State
1, 734, 600
Local
2, 021, 964
Private funds
3, 007, 063
3, 000, 656
3, 109, 665
976, 788
783, 773
193,015
496, 316
1,462,019
939, 150
765, 003
174, 147
507, 264
1,497,406
885, 318
Chest
748 071
Other
137, 247
Beneficiaries
1,701 925
Table VII. — Comparison of total expenditures for health and welfare services in
Hartford area for 1938, 1939, and 1940, by type of service
Service
1938
1939
1940
$10, 558, 105
5, 954, 598
759, 626
585, 670
2, 632, 925
575. 543
49, 803
$10, 094, 408
5, 422, 872
771, 173
589, 449
2, 663, 750
596,477
50,687
$9, 205, 506
4, 668, 194
834, 331
534,998
2, 534, 650
580, 801
52, 532
Expenditures are only an indirect measure of changes in the welfare program
of the community because so many different factors enter into them. We use
them to get an over-all picture of the community program because they are the
only figures we can get on a completely inclusive basis. Forty-eight of the more
important agencies in Hartford do, however, participate in the social statistics
project of the United States Children's Bureau in which they submit regular
monthly reports on the amount of work which they have done. From these
reports and one or two other sources we have compiled tables VIII and IX show-
ing trends in some of the more significant services. Table IX being based upon a
single month's operation is less reliable as an indication of trends than the annual
figures given in table VIII but it furnishes some basis for bringing our observa-
tions more up to date. The general indication of these tables is similar to that
of tables VI and VII namely that major effects of the defense program, to date,
have been felt chiefly by certain specialized services rather than by the com-
munity program as a whole.
The" reduction of the number of cases applying for puVjlic assistance is obvi-
ously a direct result of the defense production program. The same is true of the
decrease in cases accepted for active treatment by private family welfare agencies
since this decrease has affected only their relief case loads. Cases receiving
social treatment without relief have tended to increase slightly.
The increase in shelter services and travelers' aid are due directly to the migra-
tion resulting from the defense production program.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5129
Pressure on day nursery services has recently shown a tendency to increase as
indicated in table IX rather than to continue the easing trend suggested in table
VIII.
None of the other changes indicated in tables VIII and IX has any very direct
connection, as far as we can determine, with the defense program.
Table VIII. — Comparative statistics on selected services rendered by social and
health agencies in the Hartford area reporting to U. S. Children's Bxireaujor 1938,
1939, and 1940
Type of service
Number of case-s accepted by department public welfare for public
assistance
A^regate number of nights lodgings provided to transients and
homeless by shelters and other institutions
Number of new cases accepted for social service by Travelers' Aid
Society -..
Number of new cases accepted for active treatment by private
family welfare and relief agencies
Number of new dependent and neglected children accepted for care
away from home.-. -
Number of new children enrolled by the day nur'^ery
Number of new children accepted for treatment by mental hygiene
clinic
Number of women and girls accepted for care by the maternity home
Aggregate attendance at group work activities of local private agen-
cies
Year end enrollment of Boy and Girl Scouts
Number of public-health nursing visits
Number visits to clinics and medical conferences (not including
municipal hospital out-patient department)
Number visits to mimicipal hospital out patient department (fiscal
years ending Mar. .31 from annual reports)
Number new patients accepted for care by social-service depart-
ments, hospitals, clinics
Number of cases opened by legal aid bureau
3,641
41, 336
1,196
2,720
2,060
144
308
26
52,386
5,459
138, 717
66, 145
47,543
3,777
39,203
1,141
2,150
325
24
56, 057
6,179
143, 337
63, 796
59, 835
2, 561
2,557
43, 619
1,242
2,055
97, 555
1391747
69, 673
43, 912
3,021
945
Table IX. — Comparative statistics on selected services rendered by social and health
agencies in Hartford area reporting to Children's Bureau, in April 1940 and
April 1941
Type of service
Number of cases receiving relief from department of public
welfare (March)
Average daily number of lodgings provided to transients and
homeless by shelters and other institutions
Number of active cases reported by Travelers' Aid Society _
Number of active cases under care of private family welfare
and relief agencies
Number of dependent and neglected children under care
away from home
Number of children receiving day nursery care
Number of cases served by mental hygiene clinic
Number of women under care of maternity home
Average daily attendance at gToui>work activities of local
private agencies
Boy and girl members of Scout organisations
Number of public health nursing visits
Nimiber of visits to clinics and medical conferences (includ-
ing municipal hospital out-patient department)
Number of patients receiving medical social service in hos-
pitals and clinics
Number of cases opened by legal aid societies
Number
of agencies
reporting
April
1940
1,126
6,582
10,808
April
1941
1,811
94
165
1,106
6,634
10,051
Percent in-
crease (-f ) or
(-)
-f6. 55
-f34.31
-15.61
-1.25
-M3.25
+30. 95
-fl2.5
As part of the preparation for this hearing the council of social agencies made
a stud}^ of the applications to the principal social and health agencies in Hartford
during the first 2 weeks of May 1941. A total of 519 applications received during
this period were analyzed; 236 of these applicants had re.sided in this area less
than 1 year while 218 had resided here 1 year or more; 170 of the applicants were
married persons, 208 single, 46 unrepresented, 9 divorced, and 48 were widows or
widowers. A total of 211 of these applications indicated some connection with
5130 HARTFOKD HEARINGS
the defense program, and at least 183 of these had resided here less than a year;
12 presented problems growing out of the Selective Service Act, and 16 presented
problems growing directly out of the housing shortage; 44 were persons with resi-
dence under 1 year who needed temporary financial assistance pending receipt of
their first pay; 113 were unemployed persons with less than 1 year's residence
who needed temporary assistance; 26 presented other problems which could be
identijfied as connected with the defense production program. Of the 236 appli-
cations from persons with less than 1 year's residence, 148 were reported by the
temporary shelters, 54 by the Travelers Aid Society, 11 by the family agencies,
9 by the child caring agencies, 9 by the public welfare department, and 5 by
medical social service departments. These figures point to the same conclusions
as the data previously presented on expenditures and services rendered, namely,
that the community welfare program, viewed as a whole, has suff"ered no serious
dislocations as a result of the defense program although certain specialized
services have been confronted with rather sharply increased applications.
If we approach the matter from the standpoint of what is happening to people
in this community, however, we get a somewhat different view of the matter.
The experience of the social agencies during the past year furnishes considerable
evidence that living has become increasingly difficult for many people, and
particularly for those in underprivileged groups. There is no need for us to present
evidence here to prove that a .serious housing shortage has developed in this area
during the past year. The social agencies were among the first to become aware
of this development and to become articulate about it.
ROOMS REGISTRY
Early last fall several of our agencies joined forces to establish a cooperative
rooms registry service to help them increase their available supply of acceptable
rooms for single persons and couples without children. While this service proved
helpful in a limited way, it soon became evident that a situation existed which
called for a service extending beyond the scope of the social agencies. The
council of social agencies, therefore, urged the creation of a more inclusive central
homes registration bureau and cooperated with the loc?l defense committee in
developing plans for such a bureau which was opened in April by the Hartford
Chamber of Commerce.
Meanwhile, another committee of the council of social agencies had under-
taken to study the incidence of housing problems among the families coming to the
social agencies for help. The combined reports of the agencies interested primarily
in family services indicated that at least 16 percent of all those applying for assist-
ance during November and December were having some difficulties related to the
lack of dwellings. In addition to this 16 percent, over 20 percent of families already
active with the agencies were involved in similar problems.
Those most commonly encountered consisted of rent increases out of propor-
tion to the regular income of families, which called for supplementation or resulted
in real deprivation. Moderately priced rentals not being available, families
were forced to give up their homes to crowd into furnished rooms, double up with
relatives, or in some instances, to request placement of their children.
Numerous evictions had occurred for reasons other than nonpayment of rent.
AGENCIES IN JUVENILE FIELD
Agencies active in the children's field also reported that 25 percent of all
families applying for assistance during November and December presented
similar problems related to the housing shortage. Child-placing organizations
are suffering from a serious lack of adequate foster homes. They are also finding
it necessary to continue to care for children whose parents are only waiting for
a rental to reestablish the family unit.
Medical agencies reported that their patients also were concerned with the
problems of excessive rents and overcrowded conditions. Housing facilities in
many cases were below minimum standards in plumbing, ventilation, heating,
and cleanliness.
The pressure of the housing shortage has increased steadily throughout the
spring. Families not benefiting from the defense programs have been handi-
capped by their inability to bid against defense workers for housing as rents
have climbed. Families with children have been particularly handicapped and
have been the principal sufferers in a rising tide of evictions for reasons other than
nonpayment of rent. When our case council decided to publicize this situation
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5131
early in May, it found 75 cases among the families being cared for by the social
agencies which were under eviction orders, in most cases because they had children.
Nothing which has developed out of the defense program, to date, has given
\is quite so much concern as this unexpected turn of the housing problem. The
implications of unwanted children for the future of this community and of the
Nation are unpleasant to contemplate. There is one other implication of defense
migration, however, which is also giving us concern although it is still a future
eventuality rather than a present reality. If, as, and when, defense production
stops thousands of persons will be out of work in this community, many of them
with no other place to go. We realize that your committee has this eventuality
in mind and we sincerely hope that your investigation of defense migration will
be fruitful not only in terms of immediate help for pressing current problems
but also in terms of more fundamental constructive planning for the prevention
of more serious problems in the post-war period.
Exhibit A. — Study of Evictions in Hartford, Conn.
REPORT BY HARTFORD DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE, BASED ON STUDIES MADE
BY CASE COUNCIL OF THE COUNCIL OF SOCIAL AGENCIES, HARTFORD, CONN.
The following cases are included in the studj' of evictions made by the Case
Council of the Council of Social Agencies in April 1941:
No. 1: This is a colored family comprised of mother and three children. The
family lives in four adequate clean rooms. The rent originally was $15 per month.
In 1940, it was raised to $18 and at the present time it is $20 a month.
The mother is the sole support of the family and is employed on W. P. A.
Department of Public Welfare is supplementing her income. During the year
1940, she was ill in the hospital for a few weeks and became in arrears one-
half month on the rent. She offered to catch up on this, but the landlord refused.
Not only did he refuse this but also refused the Department of Public Welfare
"rent guarantee" or to have the client pay her rent.
The case was taken into city court and the client was ordered evicted. Client
is now without an available rent and the furniture is to be placed in storage by
the Department of Public Welfare and plans to move client and her children into
a private family will be made.
This family has lived in Hartford about 15 years. Client is wiUing to pay her
rent or is eligible for rent from this department, depending on the circumstances.
The department will allow any reasonable amount for the rent. The ages of the
children are as follows: A girl 932, boy 7, and a boj- 6.
No. 2: This is a white family comprised of two adults and nine children — girl,
age 3; twins of 5; boy, 6; girl, 8; boy, 9; boy, 10; boy, 12; girl, 14.
Family is being evicted. The landlord does not wish to keep such a large family.
They have had an extension of time on the rent. Man is employed in a local
factory and will average about $35 a week.
It has been impossible for this family to find a rent. They have been through
city court and are to be evicted the 2'lst of April. They have no relatives who
can take the children and client is able to pay for his own rent and should be able
to take care of his family with no further assistance from this department. This
family has lived in Hartford for about 14 years except for a period in 1939, when
they were away from Hartford for about a year and a half.
No. 3: This family is comprised of the mother and two daughters, age 9 and 2.
The mother returned to Hartford about 5 months ago having lived in Hartford
previous to that date. She lives in two furnished rooms which she keeps very-
clean and neat.
She has some furniture and could go into a rent of her own if she were able to
find a tenement.
Department of Public Welfare is paying $5 per week room rent. The landlady
is increasing the rent to $10 a week.
The mother has been notified that she is to be evicted within a week. Because
the mother could not locate a rent with the two children, it was necessary to
place the baby in the municipal nursery. That left the mother and the older
child at home. When the mother discovered that the baby was forgetting her,
she decided to take the babv home. Although her landlady notified her that she
would be evicted when she took the baby home, the mother decided to risk the
landlady's eviction and take the baby. Since she had the baby home, the land-
lady notified her that she was to move out. Since she could not locate a rent
with the two children, it was necessary to immediately return the baby to the
5132 HARTPX>BD HEARINGS
municipal hospital nursery. The mother is still looking for a rent but has not
yet found one.
The Department of Public Welfare will pay any reasonable amount of rent for
this family in either furnished rooms or a tenement.
Reported by the Family Service Society:
No. 4: The man was referred by a local business concern for suggestions in
finding a house. Six years ago he was persuaded by present landlord, a country-
man, to move in as a favor, but now he is threatened with eviction if he does not
move, and the reason given is "complaints of neighbors about the children.''
The man does not believe that this is the real reason and thinks that the landlord
sees a chance of getting more rent, which the man says he cannot pay on his
present income. There is no record of their ever having had any aid. He has
looked steadily for 2 weeks and found absolutely nothing except an undesirable
place on the fourth floor. He feels that he cannot take this because his wife has
painful varicose veins and his children could not get outdoors easily. He has
appealed to a great many individuals in the community without result. He has
tried his best to be accepted at one of the housing units but they tell him he is
ineligible because he does not live in a substandard dwelling. This does not
make sense to him because he says he will be "on the street and have no dwelling
at all, and what can be worse than that?" He says he is usually a happy, easy-
going man but he has become very nervous, so much so that his fellow-employees
have noticed it and questioned him about it. Wherever he goes they refuse to
consider taking his children. He has been advised to move into a substandard
dwelling in the hope of getting into a housing unit later, but he is unwilling to do
this as he believes it would be injurious to his children. He hesitates to consider
life in a trailer because he fears it would not be sanitary and a school might not
be accessible in the fall for his older child. He has not yet received a dispossess
but has no doubt that he will receive one in the near future. The famih' consists
of two adults and two children aged 6 and 3. Man regularly employed on same
job for 1.3 years; $25 a week. The rent consists of five rooms, uuheated; lived
there 6 years; $30 a month. Lived in Hartford 15 years.
No. 5: Stock clerk in factory. Employed same place since 1928, earnings
$30 — $32 with overtime. Five children. Evicted from rent he has lived in for
6 years. At time of application was living in furnished rooms with parents.
Nine people in three rooms. This case is now known to Federal investigators.
No. 6: Defense worker earning about $38. Evicted from $45 rent. Five
children. Could find no place to go. Had offered to attempt to meet rent but
landlady would not allow them to stay because of the children.
No. 7: Defense industry worker earning $38-$40. Evicted. from rent because
of disagreement with landlord. Could find no place which would accept children
and was living with another family in furnished rooms. There were four adults
and eight children living in four rooms. Four children belonged to family under
discussion.
No. 8: Man, 47; regularly employed, earning $26 a week. Woman, 32; girl, 10;
girl, ^Yi; boy 1. Living in cabin; .$4 a day, no inside toilet facilities. The family
have been here onh^ a week. They have $100 and hope to find unfurnished rooms
which they will furnish cheaply. They appear to be hard-working, thrifty people.
They had to bring the children here because they had no relatives nor friends able
to take them. It is a handicap to live so far outside the city in that it is difficult
to get to advertised rents. The mother is anxious to get the children settled and
in school. According to room registry there are no furnished nor unfurnished
rooms priced to fit their income. As their present expenses are greater than their
income they will soon use up their backlog of $100 without accomplishing anything.
No. 9: Man, 31; regularly employed for the last 6 years, earning $30 a week.
Woman, 34; girls, 11 and 3; boys, 10, 4}i and 9 months. Three rooms, $29; rent
has gone up $5 in last 5 months. Family have received their second eviction
notice for nonpayment of rent; landlady's brother would not accept rent as they
do not want any family with children. Family plan to split up until they are
eligible for housing placement, which will be in August, they have been told.
The mother and children will go with relatives. Man is also looking in the
suburbs for a summer place.
No. 10: Man 27; emploved at same place for about IJ^ years; earnings have
increased from $12 to $50. " Woman 26; boy 5>4; girls, 4 and l>i Five rooms, $25.
The family have always lived in cheap rents because of man's previous irregular
employment. They are forced to leave present rent where they have been about
17 months because their rent is being made into a store. One other family has
been asked to vacate. Family are willing to pay a rental up to $45 but no one
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5133
wants a family with three small children. Man is looking in suburbs for a rent
and family are now with relatives. This is a family previously known to the
Family Service Society because of domestic difficulties, caused by needing to
break "up the home because of irregular income.
No. 11: Family of 6 — parents and 4 children. Hartford residence 17 years.
Father skilled factory worker. Eviction notice in December due to clash with
landlord. Temporarily staying with friends. Four adults and eight children
in 4 rooms. Sleep on floor. Could pay $35 per month.
No. 12: Divorced woman, virtually on street. Supporting children. Needed
furnished rooms. Moved to Windsor. Present status (?).
Reported by the Diocesan Bureau of Social Service:
No. 13: Parents — 1 baby 5 months. Were living in three rooms. Rent was
first raised from $35 to $45, then they were threatened with eviction and forced
to leave because of baby. Need three or four rooms. Could pay $35. Income
$16 per week. Agency supplementing.
No. 14: Mother and child 4 years old, living with relatives. If she does not
leave, the relatives have been threatened with eviction. Father is in United
States Army service and is out of State. Need two rooms. Could pay $30.
Income $15 per week.
No. 15: Family have three children. Rent was raised from $30 to $35 for five
rooms and then family was given eviction notice. Can pay $30. Need five
rooms. Income $37 per week.
a\o. 16: Family have four children. Rent was raised from $19 to $25 for three
rooms. Landlord has threatened eviction. Need five rooms. Can pay $25 to
$30. Eviction because of children. Landlady says she wants family to leave.
Income $40 per week.
No. 17: Family have five children. They pay $23 for five rooms. Have been
asked to move and threatened with eviction. They were evicted from an apart-
ment in December 1940. At that time it was necessary to make plans for tem-
porary placement of children until they could find a rent. Eviction because of
children. Can pay $30. Need five rooms. Income $25 per week.
No. 18: Family have five children. They were evicted in November 1940
from an apartment. Three children were placed with relatives and the parents
and two younger children went to a furnished room. They are waiting to move
into a H. H. A. rent.
No. 19: Widower with five children, ages 15, 14, 13, 11, and 10; was evicted in
September 1940 from the home he had lived in for a long time in West Hartford
because they objected to children. At that time the children were separated
and placed with relatives. Father found a rent in Hartford. He was anxious
to keep his family together so he took the rent although it was in very poor
condition. (In 1939 the Hartford department of public welfare paid $16 rent
for a client living at that address.) Father had to pay $30 for the rent. He was
given an eviction notice but this agency has tried to arrange for'an extension of
time. Eviction due to children. Needs five rooms. Can pay $30.
No. 20: Family have six children, five rooms needed. Rent has been raised
from $22 to $30. Family has been threatened with eviction. Income $30 per
week.
No. 21: Family has 10 children. First the rent was raised from $30 to $35
and then when the family failed to move they received notice of eviction. Father
has been a city employee for years and earns over $40 a week. Six rooms needed.
Can pay $35.
No. 22: Family evicted in August 1940 because they had five children. At
that time the children were placed in Highland Heights. The children are still
there because the parents have been unable to get a rent. Parents in furnished
rooms. Need six rooms. Can pay $35-$40. Income $45-$50 per week.
No. 23: Rent raised $35 to $60 to turn into a rooming house. Woman just
home from hospital. Paid $35 per month 4 years. February 1941 raised to $45
per month. May 1, will be $60 per month.
No. 24: Property sold to be made into three-room apartments. Rent raised
from $40 to $60. No eviction notice. Recently came to town working at defense
industry. Family moved out of town.
No. 25: Father deserted a year ago. Mother in a convalescent home for nearly
a year. Two children placed by agency. Now ready to reestablish home but
can't find tenement. Mother earns $16 per week. Agency will supplement up
to $35 per month rent. Fear the year's work with mother and children will be
undone if cannot find quarters for them.
No. 26: Father, mother, and two children. Father earns about $40 per week
at Colt's. Known to agency through Visiting Homemakers' Service. Rented a
5134 HARTPORD HEARINGS
six-room apartment for $35 per mionth. Landlord made over building into two-
and three-room apartments. Family now pays $36 per month for a three-room
apartment in the same building. Mother is pregnant. Family unable to locate
other quarters.
In all these situations reported by the Diocesan Bureau of Social Service, the
families have sufficient income to pay the rent but the landlord objects to the
children and for the same reason it is impossible for these families to find new
rents. Their incomes are too high for the Hartford Housing Authority.
Reported by the Visiting Nurse Association:
No. 27: Rent increased from $22 to $35 a month. Income $25 per week.
Three children. Family given notice because landlord wanted a family of adults
with no children. Family moved in temporarily with husband's brother. Eight
living in five rooms. Unable to find a rent.
No. 28: Rent increased from $36 to $50 a month. Income $20 per week.
Family ordered to move because of three children — ages 5, 2, and 4 months.
Would have had to move at any rate because of inability to pay such a rent.
No. 29: Rent $16 a month for two rooms with outside toilet and no electricity.
Asked to move because electricity is being installed and rent to be increased.
Landlord wants tenant without children. One child in family and another
expected. Income $17-$20. Family broken up. Mother and children with
aunt in Windsor. Father boarding.
No. 30: Rent increased from $28-$30 a month. Family willing to pay but
asked to vacate as landlady does not want children in apartment. Three children
in family, age 4, 2, and 1. Income $35 per week.
No. 31: Family have always been independent of aid. Mr. U. earns $20 a
week. Mrs. U. in bed with rheumatic heart. Rent consists of four rooms.
Landlord wishes flat for a relative.
No. 32: Family evicted because house is being torn down. Moved to one room.
Mother pregnant. Cannot return to present quarters after confinement because
landlady cannot tolerate children. Patient to be delivered now. May have to
move in with relatives on return from hospital in a home which is now very much
overcrowded. Income $18 per week.
No. 33: A four-room apartment rented to two adults for $22 per month has
provided a home for six people continuously, according to the landlord. Tenants
claim they have had to take in friends who were unable to find housing facilities.
Landlord is threatening to evict tenants.
No. 34: Family evicted a week ago — given 3 days' notice. Reason given that
the building was to be torn down. Building has not been torn down, but is being
repaired. Three children in this family; one in tuberculosis sanatorium. Income
about $18 per week. Will go to live with another family unless they can find a
rent — three other families already living with the family who will take them in.
Rent had been increased from $18 to $25. Family unable to pay $25.
No. 35: Three very small dark rooms. Rent $17 per month; raising it to $25.
One child 3 years old. Income $18 per week. Family would try to pay additional
rent but were informed landlord had found a family who would pay even more, so
were asked to vacate.
No. 36: Tenement infested with lice and cockroaches; very low water pressure.
Family reported condition to board of health after talking to landlord. Were
given notice to move. Income $25. Employed at Colt's.
No. 37: Family evicted because of three children. Unable to find a rent.
Moved to Massachusetts. Landlady told them they would be unable to get a
rent in Hartford with three children. Income $34.
No. 38: Family evicted because of size of family — ^five children. Now living
in two rooms. Landlord has increased rent from $8 to $9 and is threatening to
raise it to $12. Is anxious for family to move because of so many children.
Income $20 to $25.
No. 39: Family evicted by landlord because he wanted house for himself.
Four children, rent, $42; income, $40. Court order received for their eviction.
Family have found rent for the present, but do not know how long they will be
able to stay. Rent $35.
No. 40: Landlord has been threatening to put family out all winter. Does not
like children. Mrs. D. said this week she expected eviction. Has been looking
for rent, but has been unable to find anything she can afford. Rent $34. Man
employed at Colt's.
No. 41: Man had an argument with landlord about need of heat and was told
to leave, given 1 week's notice Family have not been able to find rooms yet,
because of their children. Income, $23; rent, $8 per week.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5135
No. 42: Landlord wished to change 6-family tenement into 12- and is raising
rent $5 a month and says if you don't move within 3 months, I'll put you out.
One family moved after first raise in rent; the other unable to find a rent. Num-
ber of children, 2; income, $25; rent, ?40.
No. 43: Three families living in one apartment house. Rent has been increased
fr^m $25 to $30, and another increase has been threatened. Two families have
11 children, the third has 5 children. All incomes under $30. Landlord says he
will raise rents until the families leave ; he wants small families like newly weds.
No. 44: Rent raised from $17 in 1935 to $28 and landlady states it is to be raised
to $33. She knows that the family cannot pay $33, but wants them to move
because of their two children. Family income, $25. This family are so des-
perately anxious to find another rent that when they heard of another family who
might possibly move out, they made a deposit with the landlord so they would be
considered.
No. 45: Rent raised from $25 to $35. Family have to move as they cannot
afford to pay the increase. Income $27 a week. They are supposed to have
moved out April 1, but so far have been unable to find a place to go. They have
five children.
No. 46: Rent increased to $8 a week for two rooms, unfurnished, no bathtub
on floor. Three adults in two rooms. A child is expected, and they have to move
out. They are unable to find a rent. Moved into trailer. Income, $23 per
week.
No. 47: Three families in one apartment house: (1) Rent raised from $12 to
$19 in 6 months; income $20 to $25 a week; seven children. (2) Five children;
same increase in rent; income, $25 a week. (3) Income irregular; four children;
same increase in rent. All are being evicted as landlord is doing over the entire
apartment for adults only.
No. 48: Family have received court order for eviction. Second notice received
yesterday. They have no place to go. Mother ill. Five children in home, which
consists of three rooms. Rent raised from $15 to $18 as landlord does not want
the family to stay because they have too many children. They have appealed to
the mayor, to the chamber of commerce and to a lawyer. Evicted. Family of
seven moved into two rooms. Evicted again because of size of family. .
No. 49: Family have applied to the Federal Housing Authority for rent and
were put on the waiting list. Received eviction notice because of too many
children. Rent raised from $20 to $23. Landlady nagging family all the time to
move, but they are unable to find a rent. Family have lived in their present
quarters since their first child was born 6 years ago. There are now five children.
They have paid their rent every month.
No. 50: Family living in one housekeeping room. Two children, 4 years and
2J4 months each. Rent was $6; has now been raised to $10. Father has worked
for 4 years on Work Projects Administration. Family came here from New Hamp-
shire 2 months ago. House recently taken over by new landlord who wants no
children and familj- have been given 1 week's notice to get out.
No. 51: Family living in two furnished rooms. Mother just delivered of new-
baby. Landlady has raised rent because of new baby from $6 to $7 per week.
Employed at Colt's.
No. 52: Family have to move because the Fenn Manufacturing Co. has bought
the lot on which the house is situated, expecting to expand their factory because
of defense orders. Company is trying to find rent for family, but so far have been
unable to do so. Company willing to pav 3 months' rent because of inconvenienc-
ing family. Income, $25/ Rent paid, $22.
No. 53: Family living with paternal grandparents. Eleven individuals in
combined families living in eight rooms. Home too crowded and grandmother
unable to stand commotion the children make, so must find quarters for themselves
Unable to locate a rent. Income, $35.
No. 54: Rent raised $25 to $27. Man offered janitor's job at home, but unable
to take it along with present job. Family have received court order to move
but are unable to find any place to go. Landlord wants apartment for man who
will act as janitor and who had no children. Income, $26. Moved to Windsor.
No. 55: Family in same building as No. 54 ordered out by June 1. No court
order as yet. Rent raised $29 to $35. Family have lived in this apartment for
years. Income $26 to $30. Two children, ages 11 and 8.
No. 56. Rent raised .$30 to $36. Four in family, two adults and children ages
3 and 1. Told to get out even though able to pay increase (with difficulty)
because of children. Income, $19 to $22 per week.
5136 HARTFORD HEARINGS
No. 57: Family of eight ordered to move because landlady wants rent for her
daughter. Rent raised $25 to $35. Income, $39. Unable to find rent with
six children.
No. 58: Rent raised from $10 to $12 a week for two unfurnished rooms. Land-
lady wants to furnish rooms and charge more. Family have their own furniture.
Cannot afford more rent. Unable to find another place to which to move.
No. 59: Rent raised from $12 to $16 a week for two furnished rooms, unheated.
Last year rent for same two rooms was $7. Family asked to move as owner feels
he can get $16 a week from someone else. Income, $26.
No. 60: Family ordered to move. Rent, $22. One child. Family went to
see landlord's lawyer to try to straighten out rent. Allowed to remain but only
temporarily. Unable to find out why they were asked to move. Income, $20.
No. 61: Number in family— five children with mother and father. They have
four rooms, rent, $30 a month. It has been raised from $26 a month. " They
were told to leave in February because there were too many children. They
have not left this rent yet but have been told they must get out before the 1st
of May. This family is self-supporting, the husband earning $30 a week.
No. 62: (Reported by Children's Village) one child has been with her great-
grandmother since the separation of parents 3 years ago. Mother up until
August 1940 lived with her parents and their five children all unmarried and some
young enough to be in school. They lived in a six-room rent but were evicted
the last of August 1940 on account of the size of the family. Their rent was paid
up to date. The new rent that the grandparents could find was a five-room flat
at $35 a month. This landlord would not accept more than the grandparents
and refused to give them the rent if the grandchildren were included, so the
children at that time were taken into the Children's Village. Mother makes a
low wage, about $14 a week, and could not afford a home of her own without
supplementary aid.
No. 63: (Reported by the Hartford Board of Education, visiting teacher de-
partment.) The family consists of parents and five children ranging in age from
2 to 16 years. Father earns $28 a week. The family receive no supplementary
aid from any social agency. Family have lived at this address since September
1939 and have paid their rent regularly every month until April 1941. They have
not paid their rent thi,s month because on May 31, 1941, they received an eviction
notice from their landlord ordering them to move on April 7, 1941. They were
unable to find a rent by that. time. On April 8, 1941, another eviction notice was
given the family and it was followed by a court order. The family have been
paying $25 a month for this apartment which consists of five rooms. They have
asked the Housing Authority for an apartment of five or five and one-half rooms.
Mother appeared before the judge of the city court on April 15, 1941. At that
time landlord told the judge he didn't know why he was evicting the family. He
had absolutely no complaints to make. However, father had questioned him
before about reasons for the eviction notices and was told that the old couple who
live in the apartment below complained because the children make noise during
the day. This statement referred to the two babies, ages 2 and 4, who are at
home all day. They are always in bed by 6 o'clock. The judge ordered the
family to move by April 28.
[In addition to the above 63 families the Hartford Department of Public Welfare
reported on April 15, 1941, that in their case load 10 evictions were pending, and
8 families who had gone through evictions were living under unsatisfactory ar-
rangements at that time.]
TESTIMONY OF MILTON H. GLOVER— Resumed
Mr. Arnold. Would you go into a little more detail concerning the
historical development of the public welfare agencies here in Hartford?
Mr. Glover. I am sorry to say I am not familiar with the public
agencies. My entire interest has been with the private agencies.
Mr. Arnold. Could you enlarge on the problem of the social
agencies?
Mr. Glover. In the private group, prior to the middle twenties,
each operated independently, and at that tmie there were a number
of agencies which came together to form what is now Imown as the
community chest. Those agencies, as you know, get their support
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5137
thi'ough the chest. As pointed out in this report, these private agen-
cies stand high: Hartford stands high in per capita care through
private contributions, ranking first among the 28 cities.
Mr. Arnold. During the depression Federal welfare work some-
what reduced the importance of private welfare agencies. But today,
with the defense program on, many new problems are arismg which
will have to be handled by private agencies. In other words, the
private welfare agency seems destined to regain its former importance
during the period that is ahead. Don't vou thmk that is true, Mr.
Glover?
TEMPORARY CARE
Mr. Glover. I think it is true. Our private agencies here are
engaged in temporary care. We don't attempt to provide any per-
manent care in that group. We try to act as "shock troops," as it
were, to handle emergencies when they arise.
Mr. Arnold. Tabte 6 of your paper shows the decline of Federal
funds and the increase of private expenditures for total welfare
services since 1938. It is interesting to note the increase in shelter
and travelers' aid services in recent months. These indicate clearly
the destitute character of some of our present defense migrants, do
they not?
Mr. Glover. I believe so.
Mr. Arnold. Would you care to comment in more detail on these
aspects of the committee's problem?
Mr. Glover. I believe it is estimated that about 10,000 additional
residents are in Hartford in the chest area, as a result of the defense
program, and I suppose a great many of those people have come here
seeking jobs, and they naturally pass through our agencies when they
are in that position.
MANY CASES OF EVICTION
Mr. Arnold. How has the defense program affected your local
clients, specifically their housing situation?
Mr. Glover. Well, the council began to study the whole defense
impact last fall, and the first thing that was studied by the private
agencies was the housing problem. I believe that some 15 or 20 per-
cent of the cases reported to the case-work council last fall consisted
of housing problems. In May there were 75 specific housing cases
listed with our agencies. Many of those were eviction cases, the
direct result of children being in the family.
Mr. Arnold. Seventy-five cases?
Mr. Glover. Yes.
Mr. Arnold. Among families being cared for by the social agencies,
which were under eviction orders; is that right?
Mr. Glover. That is right; yes, sir.
need for family homes
The first thing that the council did was set up a rooms iTgistry.
I believe the problem has shifted in the meantime to the need for
family homes rather than single rooms.
Mr. Arnold. Would you be able to prepare for the committee's
records concise summaries of these 75 cases, without identifying, of
course, the people by name?
5138 HAKTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Glover. I believe that could be done by the agencies from
whom we got the records.
Mr. Arnold. The committee would be very much interested in
having those concise summaries if it is possible to get them, Mr.
Glover. You know that this committee is deeply concerned with
the problem of nonsettled persons. The present defense migration
will leave millions without settlement after the defense program is
over, and we shall face once again the problem of neeciy people who
haven't any work nor any legal residence status.
Do you have any further thought on this problem which you care
to leave with the committee?
DANGER OF INEMPLOYMENT AHEAD
Mr. Glover. Well, as far as the private social pi-oblem is con-
cerned, we are probably thinking much more in terms of what is going
to happen to us than what has happened. We r(nilize that most of
these 10,000 people who have come into Hartford will be out of a
job if the old notion that " the last one in is the first one out" holds
good. We are wondering what our problem is going to be, for obvi-
ously it will be one to be taken care of by social agencies, both, public
and private. We haven't been able to make any detailed or general
plans as to what we expect to meet, but we just feel it is there.
Mr. Arnold. You are too busy taking care of the present situation?
Mr. Glover. Insofar as we pointed out in our report, we haven't
found any solution yet. We have established a day nursery where
children are placed while their mothers are employed.
Mr. Arnold. I believe that is all, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Thank you very much for your very enlightening-
statement. We will have it inserted in the record in full.
Mr. Arnold. And you will supply the committee with the data
that I have requested?
Mr. Glover. Yes.
(The summaries of cases of eviction of families under care of private
social agencies in Hartford was received subsequent to the hearing.
This paper has been entered in the record and appears in this volume
as Exhibit A, p. 5131.)
The Chairman. Mrs. Despard is our next witness.
TESTIMONY OF MRS. IVY DESPARD, WATERS' TRAILER CAMP,
SOUTH WINDSOR, CONN.
The Chairman. Mrs. Despard, will you please give the committee
your full name?
Mrs. Despard. Ivy Despard.
The Chairman. And how old are you, Mrs. Despard?
Mrs. Despard. Twenty-six.
The Chairman. You are married?
Mrs. Despard. Yes.
The Chairman. How long have you been married?
Mrs. Despard. Nine years.
The Chairman. And are your parents living?
Mrs. Despard. Yes.
The Chairman. What is your father's occupation?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5139
Mrs. Despard. He works for the metropolitan water bureau.
The Chairman. Where?
Mrs. Despard. Farmington, West Hartford.
The Chairman. And you have two children, haven't you?
Mrs. Despard. Yes.
The Chairman. What are their names?
Mrs. Despard. Joyce is going to be 8 in September and Jacqueline
will be 3 in October.
The Chairman. Now, you have always lived in and about Hartford,
haven't you?
Mrs. Despard. Yes.
The Chairman. And what is your husband doing?
Mrs. Despard. Works at the Roj^al Typewriter.
The Chairman. How much money does he receive a month?
Mrs. Despard. Well, he makes 81 cents an hour. He makes $32
a week straight time.
The Chairman. What did you pay for the first house you lived in
since your marriage?
Mrs. Despard. Paid $28 a month.
The Chairman. How many rooms?
Mrs. Despard. Four.
The Chairman. How long ago was that?
Mrs. Despard. Well, we went to housekeeping 2 years after we
were married.
The Chairman. And how long iVn] you live in that house?
Mrs. Despard. Lived 3 years.
The Chairman. And you paid $28 a month?
Mrs. Despard. And then Mr. Rome raised the rent to $30, but
we still continued to stay there.
The Chairman. And then where did you live?
Mrs. Despard. Then for a while my husband was on short time
and we went and stayed with my mother for a while, and then we
went to Standish Street.
The Chairman. And what kind of a house did you live in there?
Mrs. Despard. Five rooms.
The Chairman. What did you pay for that?
Mrs. Despard. Thirty-three dollars a month.
The Chairman. And what vear was that?
Mrs. Despard. About 1940'.
The Chairman. And did you have any difficulty getting a house
at that time?
Mrs. Despard. Well, there was some rents but this one here, she
told us we could have it for $33. She was asking $35 but she said
$33 would carry the house.
The Chairman. Then when did you move from that house?
Mrs. Despard. We moved from th(n-e in September. We are
living now in a trailer.
The Chairman. Why did you leave the house on Standish Street?
Did your landlord raise the rent?
Mrs. Despard. Yes. We were there about 9 months. When we
first went in I told her I had the two children, and then when we were
there about 9 months she started complaining a little bit about the
children. You see my oldest girl was in school. She started to
complain about the children and then afterward the man across the
5140 HAHTPORD HEARINGS
street — he had the same kind of a place and eveiything, the same
kind of a house on the outside and everything — he raised his rent to
$45 and she started telhng me her rent was worth $45 because she
could get $45. She started telling my husband the rent would be
$45 and we couldn't pay it because at that time my husband was
only making $32. He hadn't gotten his raise.
The Chairman. What were you making at the time?
Mrs. Despard. $28 a week.
The Chairman. Did she say why she wanted to raise the rent?
Mrs. Despard. She said due to the fact that everybody started
to raise the rents she figured she could get it and she started com-
plaining about the children. I kept the children in the kitchen all
the time. We put locks on all the doors because she had scraped the
floors and when we moved in they didn't touch the apartment at all.
We moved in when the other people moved out.
The Chairman. Did you have any conversation with her in refer-
ence to your making out rent receipts or her making out rent
receipts?
Mrs. Despard. Yes. When we told her we couldn't pay her the
$45, she asked if I would allow her to give me a rent receipt for $45,
because when the other people came in, two families living together,
the mother and daughter and son-in-law, and both families hving there
together, she wanted to make out a $45 receipt so she could tell them
we were paying $45 with the garage, and I told her I. didn't think that
was fair and she got sort of mean and I went to stay with mother.
The Chairman. In other words she gave you notice to leave the
house?
Mrs. Despard. Either pay the $45 or leave so she could rent it to
the other people.
The Chairman. And then when you paid the last month's rent, she
wanted to make out a receipt for $45 so she could show other people
you had paid $45; is that right?
Mrs. Despard. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. And you refused to do that?
Mrs. Despard. I didn't think it was quite fair for the other people
bvccause I knew several that would have liked to have taken the house
if she hadn't raised it so high.
The Chairman. What did you do then about obtaining a house?
Mrs. Despard. Then we went around and looked for a house and
we went everywhere but couldn't find one.
The Chairman. Where did you Hve in the meantime?
Mrs. Despard. Well, we told her that we couldn't be out of there
for a month and to give us at least a month to find a rent, so I started
my little girl to school and we went out looking for rents and we
couldn't find one and we went and borrowed the down payment
on a trailer.
The Chairman. Is that where you are living now?
Mrs. Despard. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. How much did you pay for the trailer?
Mrs. Despard. Our trailer cost $950.
The Chairman. And how much did you pay down?
Mrs. Despard. Two hundred dollars.]
The Chairman. Did you have to borrow the money?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5141
Mrs. Despard. We had a side note we had to make m order to
get the down payment because you have to put a third down on
them.
The Chairman. Did you have to borrow the $200?
Mrs. Despard. Yes; we borrowed the money.
The Chairman. And how much a month do you pay?
Mrs. Despard. We are paying $44 a month.
The Chairman. On the trailer?
Mrs. Despard. Our notes are $30. There is a balloon note at
the end that we have to meet and then there is $10 a month for park-
ing it and then we have our furniture in storage. We have five
rooms in storage.
The Chairman. But the down payment on the trailer and the rent
where the trailer is parked cost you $44 a month?
Mrs. Despard. Yes.
The Chairman. And your husband's monthly salary is how much?
Mrs. Despard. He makes $32 a week and then he went out and took
a side job so he could try to get some money saved and buy a house,
but we can't seem to gain anything. In fact we have a buyer now for
the trailer but we can't get a rent to go mto if we sell the trailer.
The Chairman. How much ground space do you have with the
trailer?
Mrs. Despard. I think Mr. Waters allows us — •! know the lots are
larger than those at the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Corporation.
The Chairman. Are you comfortable in the trailer?
Mrs. Despard. Well, we are quite crowded. My mother had to
break up housekeeping and she came and stayed with us. Her house
was sold.
The Chairman. Your mother came to stay with you?
Mrs. Despard. Yes; and my brother had to stay with us too.
The Chairman. How old is he?
Airs. Despard. Fifteen.
The Chairman. Does your husband work nights or days?
Mrs. Despard. Days.
The Chairman. Well, you are pretty crowded m there?
Mrs. Despard. Yes; we are.
The Chairman. How large is the trailer?
Mrs. Despard. Our trailer is 24 feet.
The Chairman. You do your cooking in it?
Mrs. Despard. Yes.
The Chairman, And you do your washing on the outside?
Mrs. Despard. In the washroom — ^we have a washroom there.
The Chairman. You said something about furniture being stored.
You have your furniture stored?
Mrs. Despard. Yes.
The Chairman. What does the storage on the furniture cost you?
Mrs. Despard. Five dollars.
The Chairman. And what does that furniture consist of?
Mrs. Despard. We have five complete rooms of furniture.
The Chairman. And you pay $5 a month storage on the furniture?
Mrs. Despard. Yes.
The Chairman. You have spent considerable time looking for a
house?
5142 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mrs. Despard. Wo went to the Housing Authority and tried to
get one of the rents down there and she told us we had lost our resi-
dence in Hartford and she wouldn't even talk to us about getting one.
I asked her about getting a house on Flatbush Avenue and she told us,
No, that my husband wasn't considered a defense worker; although
they are doing some defense work over there at the Royal Typewriter,
she wouldn't listen to us on that.
The Chairman. You lost your residence where?
Mrs. Despard. In Hartford. We voted in Hartford and every-
thing. They came to the camp and brought us over to Hartford to
vote and our taxes were payable in Hartford.
The Chairman. Wliat were you paying taxes on?
Mrs. Despard. Personal taxes.
The Chairman. Furniture?
Mrs. Despard. Yes.
The Chairman. But still you were not eligible to have one of those
houses because you were told you had lost your residence in Hartford?
Mrs. Despard. Well, she claimed my mother lost her residence too,
but my father never lived out of the city of Hartford. He stayed in
Hartford and paid board and room there and my mother just stayed
with me. Her health broke down and the doctor told her she couldn't
stay in the trailer.
My father would get up in the morning, every morning he ran an
ad in the Hartford Times and he would get up every morning and go
down to the Hartford Times and wait for the Times to come on the
street and he would go looking for different houses and he found one
a month ago. He has four rooms.
The Chairman. Do they call apartments here rents?
Mrs. Despard. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. I still don't quite understand why the Housing
Authority woman told you that you had lost your residence. How-
did she make that out?
Mrs. Despard. W^ell, she claimed that due to the fact that my
husband lived over there we had lost our residence.
The Chairman. But you lived around here all your life?
Mrs. Despard. Yes, I was born in Manchester, Conn.
The Chairman. And your father lives here?
Mrs. Despard. He has worked 18 years for the Metropolitan
Water Bureau.
The Chairman. Mr. Sparkman.
Mr. Sparkman. I don't know that I am straight on this. Will you
please tell me where you are living now?
Mrs. Despard. South Windsor.
Mr. Sparkman. Wliere is South Windsor with reference to Hart-
ford?
Mrs. Despard. You go through East Hartford and it is 3 miles
from the city hall.
Mr. Sparkman. Is that a different town that you are in?
Mrs. Despard. Yes; South Windsor is a different town.
Mr. Sparkman. But it is of course, in the State of Connecticut?
Mrs. Despard. Yes, sir.
Mr. Sparkman. And the person you went to see about a house was
an employee of the town of Windsor, is that right?
Mrs. Despard. No; Hartford.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5^43
Mr. Sparkman. And she claimed that voii had lost voiir residence
ni Hartford?
Mrs. Despard. Yes.
Mr. Sparkman. So apparently you have local settlement laws here
in addition to State settlement laws?
Mrs. Despard. That is what she claimed, although South Windsor
claims if my husband was unemployed or anything, that Hartford
would still be responsible, due to the fact that we have lived here all
our lives.
Mr. Sparkman. Your husband is working for what company?
Mrs. Despard. Royal Typewriter Co.
Mr. Sparkman. And you say they are doing some defense work?
Mrs. Despard. Yes; they are. They have the American flag in
some departments already. That is when they go on defense work.
Mr. Sparkman. Is he engaged in that work?
Mrs. Despard. He is working in the Royal Typewriter now and
they are starting to change the factory over to defense work.
Mr. Sparkman. But they think you would not be eligible for one
of the defense houses?
Mrs. Despard. That is what she claimed.
Mr. Sparkman. Have you talked with any of the officials of the
State department of welfare or whatever agency you might happen
to have?
Mrs. Despard. No, I haven't.
Mr. Sparkman. Only with this woman?
Mrs. Despard. She seemed to be the only woman we could get to
see. She had all the authority over it and she told my mother she
couldn't make application and my mother found out that due to the
fact that n;y father never moved out of the city he could, and she had
my father file application. My mother's family was broke up into
three parts. 1 had my mother and brother and then my mother
couldn't stay there ancl she went to live on my sister and the three
of them were living in different places and my father was living in
Hartford and then my sister's landlord started to kick. He didn't
want the two families staying there and my mother made application
and they never came to see her and my mother now is paying $35
a month and she has to heat it and furnish the lights and gas and my
father only makes $26 a week.
Mr. Sparkman. Let me ask you about this rent increase that you
detailed earlier in your testimony. Is that more or less general, do
you think?
Mrs. Despard. Well, that is what she is getting now for the rent.
Mr. Sparkman. I am. not speaking of this particular landlady;
but is that condition more or less general throughout the city?
Mrs. Despard. It is all over, no matter where we go the rents are
increased and where my husband works different ones tell him how
the rents are increased.
Mr. Sparkman. You were virtually run out of a house into a
trailer by the increase in rents?
Mrs. Despard. Yes.
Mr. Sparkman. And the housing program engaged in by local
agencies or by Federal aid has not served to give you a place to live?
Mrs. Despard. That is right.
60396— 41— pt. 13 9
5144 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Sparkman. Arc you able to save anything on your present
earnings?
Mrs. Despard. Well, just a few dollars because we are still paying
on the loan that we borrowed for the down pa^vment. It isn't a
year yet. It runs a year. It is $17 a month on that.
Mr. Sparkman. On your down payment?
Mrs. Despard. Yes.
Mr. Sparkman. And then how much on the main debt for your
trailer?
Mrs. Despard. $30 and $10 for parking, and $5 for furniture
storage.
Mr. Sparkman. That is $62 a month that you pay out before you
have anything to live on?
Mrs. Despard. And I have insurance on the children and every-
thing. I have to carry that.
Mr. Sparkman. And your husband makes how much?
Airs. Despard. $32 a week.
Mr. Sparkman. It keeps you pretty well on your toes to keep things
going, doesn't it?
Mrs. Despard. Yes.
Mr. Sparkman. That is all, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. What the Housing Authority lady mentioned to
you was really the State settlement laws; it was the township settle-
ment laws, and she claimed you lost jouv residence by moving from
one town to the other?
Mrs. Despard. She claimed because we moved to South Windsor
we lost our residence, and I asked her if I moved back to Hartford
would I be able to get it and she said no, that I would have to stay
there a year.
The Chairman. That is all. We tiiank you very much. Our
next witness is Mr. Light.
TESTIMONY OF N. SEARLE LIGHT. DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF SUPER-
VISION, STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, HARTFORD,
CONN.
The Chairman. Mr. Light, Mi-. Sparkman will interrogate you.
Mr. Sparkman. Mr. Light, will you state your name and address
and the official capacity in vrhich you appear before us?
Mr. Light. N. vSearle Light, director. Bureau of Supervision,
State Department of Education.
Mr. Sparkman. Mr. Light, I have read your statement with much
interest. I wouldn't say that I have digested all these tables that you
have in your statement, but I have looked them over and the whole
thing will be made a part of our record.
STATEMENT BY N. SEARLE LIGHT, DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF SUPER-
VISION, CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLHOUSING AND THE DEFENSE PROGRAM
To date there has been little increase in school enrollment attributable to the
defense program. This is apparently because incoming workers have not tended
to bring in their families, possibly because of housing shortages or reluctance to
change schools in the middle of the year or change homes on a temporar3' basis.
There has been some indication that recent migrants have largely been families
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5145
with, children below school age. Probably full impact of the defense program on
schoolhoiiising will not begin to be felt until the 1942-43 term.
F]mployment pick-up in industrial centers will undoubtedly be felt strongly in
the suburban and rural areas surrounding those centers. Workers are commuting
and former residents seem to be moving outward.
In general the following effects on schoolhousing are indicated:
CITIES — ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Little immediate crowding because past decline in elementary-grade enrollments
has left free space in existing schools. Utilization of this space may involve con-
siderable transportation of pupils and redistricting, however.
CITIES HIGH SCHOOLS
Existing overcrowded conditions arising from past increases in high-school en-
rollments will become more serious and in some cases even critical. This despite
expected increase in high-school drop-outs due to increased employment oppor-
tunities.
SUBURBAN AND RURAL — ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
"Although generally not now crowded, there is little reserve capacity to take care
of comparatively large increases in enrollments to be expected.
SUBURBAN AND RURAL HIGH SCHOOLS
High schools are already seriously overcrowded and lacking in essential educa-
tional facilities. Expected enrollment increases are serious whether pupils attend
local high schools or nearby city high schools as tuition pupils.
Indications are that the Lanham Act will provide relief in the form of additional
school facilities and reimbursement for increased operating expenses and trans-
portation only in those towns actually having Federal housing within their bor-
ders. Rural and suburban towns having no Federal housing apparently will re-
ceive no Federal assistance on the theory that private or Federal Housing Admin-
istration housing goes on the tax lists and should be self-supporting. Allowance
is not made, however, for the fact that much of the private housing is of low tax
value and that there will be a considerable lag between the completion of the
houses and the appearance of new school children, on one hand, and the appear-
ance of new properties on tax rolls providing borrowing capacity so that additional
school facilities may be built.
BRIDGEPORT AREA
Bridgeport. — Elementary schools: Reserve capacity (2,700) sufficient for ex-
pected increase provided recourse is made to transportation.
High schools: Alread}^ overcrowded. Elimination of present tuition pupils
(400) would relieve need for additional facilities.
One thousand two hundred and fifty Federal housing units projected. Federal
aid for schools anticipated by the local authorities.
Stratford. — Elementary schools: Reserve capacity (75) insufficient for expected
increase unless seventh and eighth grades are removed and housed in new building.
High school: Filled to capacity. Cannot accommodate present seventh and
eighth grades on a 6-year program. Expected increase will cause overcrowding
even with new junior high school.
Four hundred Federal housing units projected to date in addition to consider-
able private building. Relatively little Federal aid expected because of large
proportion of private housing.
Fairfield. — Elementary schools: Reserve capacity (1,300) sufficient for expected
increase provided considerable transportatioTi is undertaken. This will increase
use of undesirable buildings, otherwise soon to be eliminated.
High school: Already overcrowded. Additional facilities badly needed.
Four hundred Federal housing units projected. Relatively little Federal aid
expected largely because of private construction.
Easton, Monroe, Trumbull. — Elementary schools: No reserve capacity for
expected increased enrollment.
High schools: None. Pupils go to Bridgeport. Withdrawal to a new regional
high school has been recommended.
Little or no Federal aid is expected because no Federal housing is projected for
these towns.
5146 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Milford. — Elementary schools: No data on hand except some children now on
part-time basis and more will be in the fall. Increase is expected in areas near
Stratford. No reserve capacity.
High school: No reserve capacity. Already overcrowded.
No Federal housing is expected and, therefore, no Federal aid.
Shelton.- — Conditions not known.
NEW LONDON AREA
New London. — Elementary schools: Reserve capacity (300) is probably suffi-
cient for limited increase now expected.
High schools: All private. Sufficient reserve capacity is reported. No Federal
housing or Federal aid anticipated.
Groton. — Elementary schools: No reserve capacity for the proportionately
very large increase (450) expected.
High school: No reserve capacity for the lesser increase expected. Seven hun-
dred Federal housing units projected. Federal aid is anticipated.
Ledyard. — Elementary schools: No reserve capacity for expected moderate
increase.
High school: No high schools. Pupils are sent to New London, Norwich, and
Groton.
No Federal housing; therefore, no Federal aid is expected.
Montville, Waterford. — No information.
Glastonbury. — High school: No reserve capacity to accommodate expected
increase.
No Federal housing and, therefore, no Federal aid.
Avon, Berlin, Bloomfield, Farmington, New Britain, Newington, Plainville,
Rocky Hill, South Windsor, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, Windsor Locks. —
No data.
WATERBURY AREA
Waterbury. — Elementary schools: Reserve capacity probably adequate with
transportation.
High schools: Overcrowded. No accommodations for expected increase.
Four hundred (?) Federal housing units projected.
Wolcott. — Elementary schools: No reserve capacity. No space for increases
now being felt or for expected increases (especially toward Bristol sidej .
High school: No high school. Pupils go to Waterbury and Bristol.
No Federal housing. Much low-cost private housing. No Federal aid.
Prospect. — Elementary schools: No reserve capacity. No accommodations for
increases now felt and expected.
High school: No high schools. Pupils go to Waterbury and Cheshire.
No Federal housing or aid expected.
Middlebury, Naugatuck, Watertown. — No data.
HARTFORD AREA
Hartford.- — Elementary schools: Reserve capacity (4,500) sufficient for ex-
pected increase with recourse to transportation and possibly redistricting for
attendance.
Junior high schools: Reserve capacity (900) sufficient as above.
High schools: Reserve capacity (800) sufficient as above.
One thousand Federal housing units. Federal aid probably available but not
needed.
East Hartford. — Elementary schools: Reserve capacity sufficient for expected
increase only if junior high school grades rehoused.
.Junior high schools: Space in present elementary school buildings insufficient
for expected increase.
High school: Some overloading expected, even though new provisions made for
ninth grade now housed in high-school building.
Five hundred Federal housing units projected. Probably more to follow.
Much private construction under way and expected. Probably some Federal aid.
Manchester. — Elementary schools: Reserve capacity (600) probably sufficient
for expected increase if transportation is undertaken.
High schools: No reserve capacity. Additional facilities necessary for ex-
pected increase.
No Federal housing now planned. Much private housing. Probably no
Federal aid.
Glastonbury. — Elementary schools: Reserve capacity (275) probably adequate
for next year and with much transportation. I Itimate shortage expected.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5I47
Comments of Superintendents of Schools
bridgeport area
Easton. — In East on there is a slight increase in school population and in total
population of the town, which probably is due to the same cause. There are,
however, no large developments underway, and there are no available houses for
rent in the town. The growth in that town will be slower than in the other town.s,
unless some contractor decides to open a new development.
Monroe. — The population in Monroe is receiving its increase from people that
have school children, and in the case of Monroe, the families entering the town
appear to have somewhat larger families than may be true in Trumbull. The in-
migration of workers into Monroe and Trumbull is \ev\ definitely affecting the
school enrollments in those two towns. In Monroe, we have over 300 children
in an eight-teacher school. This is the only school building in the town, and some
arrangement must be made in the very near future to provide for a further increase
in school population, wh'ch may be either through an elementarj- school building,
or by relieving the school by taking its seventh and eighth grades to a regional
high school.
Trumbull. — In the town of Trumbull, on several new developments, a consider-
able number of new houses have been built, and are being built. I would say that
their occupation was by young married couples with young children to a consider-
able extent, and in some instances, of young married couples with no children.
In Trumbull next year we will have every one of 24 classrooms occupied, and for
the most part, they will be occupied by classrooms of pupils of 35 or more in num-
ber. The town of Trumbull must do something very soon to care for its increasing
population. There is no question that war industries in Bridgeport are affecting
very definitely the enrollment in these two towns.
Miljord. — Our school population has been increasing. Many young married
couples with young children have moved to Milford and our schools have already
felt the increase. We expect more families of the same type will come to our town
during the summer. Two grade rooms have been on part-time since Easter and
next fall more rooms will follow.
HARTFORD AREA
New Britain. — There has been a general increase in the population of New Brit-
ain since the 1940 census, because of increased employment.
The chamber of commerce reports that most of this influx has been of un-
married men, and employers indicate the}- expect about 50 percent married and
50 percent unmarried, and about 39 percent from outside of this area.
School enrollment figures do not yet indicate any increase of children into the
schools as a result of the in-migration, but the immediate opening of 840 units
of Federal housing may present problems in school housing in the fall of 1941.
EAST HARTFORD AREA
East Windsor and South Windsor. — The population increase in South Windsor
has been made up mostly of families with children of school age. There is some
likelihood that the enrollment of the South Windsor schools will continue to
increase, especially if defense work continues.
We do not anticipate an increase so large that present school facilities will be
inadequate. If we do require additional room the high school will be the first
building where such room will have to be provided. All we can do for the present,
I feel, is to watch in-migration activity during the summer most carefully.
East Hartford. — As far as Pratt & Whitney aircraft employees are concerned,
they are mostly single men. Next in number are young married employees
without children or with very young children.
As a measure of what has happened during the past year in that respect, at the
present our elementary enrollment shows not more than 15 pupils than last year
at the same time. Our junior high school enrollment is down about 8 pupils and
our senior high school down about 70 pupils. The explanation is as above.
This is checked by the fact that recently driving around the town and counting
the new houses erected within the last year, most of which are occupied by young
people, very few families with children were noted.
The in-migration of workers will be regulated by the number of houses that are
available as all present houses are filled.
We expect very little change between now and October 1 so that the problem
will not reach anything like a serious phase for the next year or two.
5148 HARTFORD HEARINGS
We have ample school facilities to take care of the governmental developments
planned during the coming school year. After that it is probable that we shall
have to have additional schools.
Manchester. — During the past 2 years there has been built in Manchester a
large number of the smaller type of houses, but the increase in the number of
houses does not seem to have affected materially the enrollment in our schools.
We have no specific information concerning the number of children who may be
potential school members within a year or two but casual observation leads us
to believe that there are a considerable number of preschool children in the new
areas. It is reasonable, therefore, to expect that we might have a slight increase
in lower grade enrollments within the next 2 or 3 years.
NEW LONDON AREA
Groton. — Estimates of gains in school enrollment if defense housing projects are
completed include 338 elementary (grades 1 to 6), 112 elementarv (grades 7 to
8), 45 high school.
Ledyard. — We feel that the increase in Ledyard is largely due to the defense
work at the submarine base and the Electric Boat nearby in Groton.
WATERBITRY
Middlebury, Prospect, and Wolcott. — As I have observed the recent influx of
population in the towns of Middlebury, Prospect, and Wolcott, I am led to con-
clude that for the most part they are permanent family residents, moving out of
Waterbury and building their own homes. I expect that the in-migration will
continue in these towns next year.
Windsor Locks. — The establishment of the Army air base will, unquestionably,
increase next year's enrollment. For that reason, the estimate for October 1941
may be too low.
Estimated gain or loss in school enrollment in 2-year period September 1939 to
September 1941 (estimated), in terms of standard classroo?7is {30 pupils per
classroom)
1 To Bridgeport High School.
2 No data.
' Nonlocal high school.
« To South Windsor.
Elenw
ntary
Seventh and
eighth, or junior
high school
Senior high .school
Gain
Loss
Gain
Loss
Gain Loss
Bridgeport area:
Easton
1.3
Fairfield
-3.0
0.8
.6
.7
-0.9
Monroe
1.3
1.5
"""'Vi.o"
Trnmhiill
1301
-11.2
-9.0
-8.4
Milford
5.5
.8
-2.6
Stratford 2
Hartford area:
Avon
.5
(3)
Berim
-.6
-1.0
.4
.5
-.6
Bloomfleld
-.6
Farmington
1.0
L2
Plainville 2
Rocky Hill
3.4
6.4
2.0
5.0
2.1
Wethersfleld
-.2
-2.1
Wmdsor
4.5
1.3
-1.3
-30.5
-4.7
-34.7
-3.2
-.3
-.9
-36.2
New Britain
— .9
East Hartford-Manchester:
.5
-.3
East Windsor
-.2
L8
(')
.6
East Hartford
2.5
-.5
-4.6
-1.3
Manchester . ._____._
-3.8
3.4 1
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5149
Estimated gain or loss in school enrollment in 2-year period Septetnber 1939 to
September 1941 (estirnated), in terms of standard classrooms (SO pupils per
classroom) — Cont inued
Elementary
Seventh and
eighth, or junior
high school
Senior high s«hool
Gain
Loss
Gain
Loss
Gain
LOES
New London area:
Groton
11.4
.8
.5
.3
3.7
2.2
Ledyard
-L6
3L9
Waterford
.2
M'aterbury area:
Middlebury
LI
.9
-.7
-.5
-L8
3-. 3
(^)
.4
3.3
Wolcott
L2
.4
-18.3
-2.3
-9.9
-18.5
Windsor Locks
2.1
-.8
.6
To Bridgeport High School.
Enumeration of children between the ages of 4 and 16 (annually in Septe)nbcr)
Bridgeport area:
Bridgeport
Easton
Fairfield _.
Milford
Monroe
Shelton
Stratford
Trumbull
Total
Hartford area:
Avon..
Berlin...
Bloomfield
East Hartford.
Farmington...
Glastonbury.. -
Hartford
Manchester
New Britain...
NewingtOJQ
Plainville
Rocky Hill
South Windsor
1938
1939
1940
26,845
25, 679
24, 998
236
239
232
3,854
3,844
3,854
2,980
2.937
3,064
346
362
391
2,179
2,089
2,035
4,274
4,275
4,199
997
1,021
1,064
41,711
40,446
39, 837
421
433
435
1,071
1,049
1,020
879
921
905
3,622
3,484
3,442
1,024
L028
984
1,166
1,157
1,163
29, 592
28, 654
27,641
4.464
4,314
4,214
13, 891
13,217
12, 377
974
958
984
1,449
1,416
1,408
513
520
542
527
553
569
Hartford area— Con
West Hartford..
Wethersfield
Windsor
AVindsor Locks.
Total
New London area:
Groton
Ledvard
Montville
New London...
Waterford
Total
Watcrhury area:
Middlebury
Naugatuck
Prospect
Waterbury
Walertown
Wolcott
Total
5.266
1.579
5,596
1,331
2,557
176
18,301
5,246
1,652
1,926
747
67, 275
5,533
1,372
10, 159
5,400
1,685
1,876
734
65, 379
5,449
1,327
2,448
202
16, 925
1,751
5150
HARTFORD HEARINGS
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NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5151
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NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5153
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1,063
107
333
1,801
519
3,823
1,070
97
338
1,839
533
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HAIITFORU HEARINGS
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NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5155
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5156
HARTFORD HEARINGS
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11
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2§
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1,046
7,477
1,379
3, 476
317
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NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
:SSSc
I 05 -^ ^ :0 00 »0 00 »0 t^ IC C30O C
en cooo«>c — cor^— ciOMOJOc
S-g-§|||^|Sg
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5157
5158
HARTFORD HEARINGS
« .— ilN
2S
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NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5159
1
-" 1
£ 1
3. I
1
4£ 1
!
2s$
1,664
531
660
12. 325
2,214
6, 464
474
742
185
389
2,487
968
931
233
Grand tc
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5154 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Changes in Secondary-School Subject Elections for September 1941
Of 78 public secondary schools reporting during the first week in June 1941, 40
indicated no market changes in subject elections for September 1941. Twelve
private and parochial schools of secondary grade also report no change in pros-
pect.
Marked changes in the total picture are indicated only in shop work and lan-
guages. Many more pupils have elected shop work, a movement initiated earlier
than the defense program but undoubtedly accelerated by it.
A considerable shift from French to Spanish was reported with lesser decreases
in German and Italian. Latin gains a little, four schools reporting increases and
two reporting decreases.
Many schools report increased withdrawals to enter employment and several
report increased interest in trade schools.
One school in a residential suburb reports that the percentage of its pupils
enrolled in the college curriculum is to increase from 46 to 52 percent.
The only conclusion to be draw n from these reports is that to date the secondary
schools of tlie State have not been greatly affected by the defense program.
SHOP WORK
Thirty-t\ o schools report increases in shop-work elections, distributed as indi-
cated in the following table. Three report decreases. Additional courses are
being opened and girls are being admitted in some cases for the first time.
Plus
Minus
P,„s
Minus
Shop work and related subjects:
Industrial arts-- _._
19
4
1
6
2
_
Shop work and related subjects-
Continued.
1
Machine shop
Auto mechanics
1
Aeronautics
Mechanical drawing
Total
33
3
Industrial mathematics
HOMEMAKINCt
Five schools report increased elections of homemaking subjects. None report
any decrease.
BUSINESS education
The following increases are reported: Business (general field) four; office
machines, one; retail selling, one. Four report decreases in stenography. One
school reports a falling off in a consumers' education course.
social studies
In view of the widespread discussion of international relationships, internal
policies, and the "American way of living" increase in the selection of subjects in
this field might be anticipated. Such is apparently not the case. One school
reports an increase in history elections due to changes in college requirements; one
a general increase in social studies; one town the development of a course on the
Western Hemisphere. One reports a decrease in physical-geography elections.
mathematics and science
Five schools report increases in chemistry or physics or both and two report
decreases in biologj-.
One school indicates an increase in the course. Review of Mathematics; and
two in mathematics.
LANGUAGES
Thirteen schools reported increases in Spanish and 1 a decrease. Thirteen
schools reported decreases in French, 4 in German, 3 in Italian, and 2 in Latin.
Four reported increases in Latin and 1 each in French, Italian, and Polish.
AGRICULTURE
One school reported an increase in agriculture.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5165
Prospects of a Teacher Shortage in Connecticut
J. A. baer, director oe research and planning
F.arly in April a request was sent to superintendents throughout the State
asking for information with respect to the probable demand for teachers for
the coming year. Replies were received from superintendents representing
80 percent of the towns and almost 60 percent of the total number of teachers in
the State.
Specifically, replies w^ere received from 62 of the 77 town and city superin-
tendents, and 10 of the 12 field supervisors. The total number of teachers
represented was 5,931.
The 62 towns reported that 34 teachers had gone into military service since
September 1940. Of the 34. 5 were elementary, 9 were junior high school, and IS
Avere high-school teachers; 1 special teacher and 1 member of the administrative
staflf also left for military service. Leaves of absence were granted to 31 of the 34.
Two elementary and 1 high-school teacher seemingly were not granted leaves.
Li the towns under State supervision, one elementary teacher only left for
military service. A leave of absence was not granted.
Eleven teachers, 5 elementary, 2 junior high school, and 4 high school, left school
work for industry or business. One of the jmiior high school teachers was granted
a leave of absence.
The 62 towns reported 72 vacancies during the year, due to other causes than
military service, 44 in the elementary grades, 5 in junior high school, and 23 in
high school. A comj^lete distribution of the reasons for these vacancies is not
available, but among those given are 29 marriages, 11 resignations (reason not
stated), 9 maternity leaves; o health, 3 to take better positions, and other scattered
reasons.
DIVISIONS OF scarcity
The superintendents who filled out the questionnaires named the following
fields of difficulty in securing candidates: Art, commercial, domestic science or
homemaking, industrial arts, mathematics, and a general supervisor in music.
Men for the elementary schools also seem to be at a premium.
Most of the superintendents liestitated to hazard an opinion as to the extent of
probable shortage, but of those answering, only nine believe the situation to
be general, or at least State-wide. From this, it would seem that the situation
is not acute, and perhaps not as serious as some reports would indicate.
Still subject to the draft are 459 men teachers, 74 in the elementary schools,
125 in junior high schools, and 260 in high schools. If aU of these should be called
during the coming year, it would make heavy inroads into the teaching ranks of
the State. The probabilities, however, are that many of these men will receive a
deferred classification by local draft boards, since the announced policy is against
calling married men into service.
Superintendents and field supervisors anticipate 239 additional vacancies in
June, 101 elementary, 53 junior high, and 85 in high schools. Out of a total
of 5,931 teachers, this is an anticipated turn-over of only 4 percent. Even
when the 117 vacancies that have already occurred are added to the 239, the
percent rises to only 6, which is not excessive. In normal times, one expects a
turn-over of about 5 percent from natural causes, and in the 1920's, the turn-over
was as high as 10 and 12 percent.
The turn-over in high schools promises to be somewhat heavier than the
average, inasmuch as a higher percentage of men teachers is found here. The
increased demand for men in industry plus the calls of selective service will make
for increased oj^portunities for women in the high schools. The only manifest
shortage of qualified high-school teachers at present is for men teachers of indus-
trial arts.
Most of the superintendents either failed to answer the question, "In what
field do you anticipate a shortage of qualified candidates?" or answered ^'none."
Those who answered the question indicated expected shortages in various fields,
the most commonly mentioned being industrial arts, 18 times, and homemaking
with 6 mentions. Art, physical education, and secondary without further designa-
tion were each mentioned 3 times.
One man says: "We have several candidates for every vacancy at this time";
while another writes, "Good teachers getting scarcer. Never had enough good
ones." This last statement is the perennial contention of a small group of adminis-
trators.
5166
HARTFORD HEARINGS
NO UNUSUAL TEACHER TURN-OVER
Unless the superintendents do not have the facts, it would seem that the
teacher turn-over will not be unusually high, and that there will not be an acute
shortage of qualified candidates. A shortage may occur in the field most directly
affected by the defense program, namely industrial arts.
If the defense program continues, the high-school enrollments will tend to
decrease because of increased employment opportunities. This will, in turn, tend
to cause a decrease in the number of teaching positions, and thus tend to alleviate
the shortage.
On the other hand, increasing employment opportunities also tend to cut down
the supply of candidates in two ways, first because in the past few years many
college graduates turned to teaching since other jobs were not available, and
second, college enrollments will probably show a falling off because of employ-
ment and the draft, thus reducing the number of teachers in prej^aration.
Another varial^le is the increasing demand for women workers in industrj*.
This may react unfavorably on high school and teachers college attendance, and
further reduce the potential supply of teachers.
It seems reasonable to predict no serious shortage of teachers for the school year
1941-42, but the variables are such that a prediction beyond that time is little
more than a guess.
Sources for Teacuers
elementary
The four State teachers colleges at Danbury, New Britain, New Haven, and
Willimantic are the chief sources of supply for teachers of the elementary schools.
Enrollment has for a good many years been regulated by the State board of educa-
tion to meet the estimated need for teachers. No serious shortage i.s anticipated
during the next 2 years.
The table Ijelow gives the number of graduates this year by colleges. The
letter from the President of the New Britain State Teachers College quoted below
calls attention to a lo.ss of female graduates through marriage— an unconunon
loss in recent years.
Graduates. June 19 U
Elemen-
tary
Secondary
Business
educa-
tion
Indus-
trial
arts
Aca-
demic
41
56
67
25
14
11
22
New Haven
Willimantic
Total
189
14
U
22
Note.— This table does not include graduates via extension courses, because they are already employed.
SECONDARY •
The State Teachei's College at New Britain prepares teachers for secondary
schools in the academic fields of the social studies, English, mathematics and
science, and also in the special fields of business education and industrial arts.
The above table, "Graduates — June 1941," indicates 47. A number of the gradu-
ating men are to enter the Army during the summer or fall and, as a result, a
shortage of arts and industries teachers is developing.
The University of Connecticut at Storrs also prepares tearliers for the second-
ary schools, as do other colleges and universities in Connecticut and New England.
The supply is likely to be adequate except as indicated above.
Teachers of special subjects, including nrt, are drawn largely from sources
outside the State. The supply needed each year has in the past been so small
that no facilities for preparing them have been developed. The university,
however, is now preparing teachers of music for the public schools.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5167
ENROLLMENTS SEPTEMBER 1941
Figures reported bj^ the presidents of the teachers colleges (June 9, 19U),
indicate a considerable reduction in the totals of the entering classes. Estimates
follow:
Estitnaied entering classes Seplenihcr 1941 as of Junn 9, 19J,1
1911
Change
Quota
60
120
100
50
Slight decrease
Considerable decrease _
Slight decrease
Same as in 1940
90
155
115
80
XOT£. — Selections for preparation as teachers will bo made at the end of the second year.
A good share of the decrease is in the number of men. One president reports a
probable lowering in quality but another is certain of an advance.
The lowering of the draft registration age to 18 and the registration of those who
have become 21 since the first registration date will make for a still larger decrease
in the number of men.
DEFENSE
Two-thirds of these teachers have been drawn from industr}*, loaned with a
guaranty that their jobs will be held for them. The other third has been from
the unemployed. A few retired men 55 to 60 years of age, slower than younger
men on production but capable of teaching, have been used with success. A
minimum requirement of 7 years' trade experience was set but most of the instruc-
tors have had much more.
The quality has been good. Because industry expected to employ the persons
trained, it has been careful to recommend well-qualified men.
Instructors are getting more and more difficult to obtain. One of the reasons
is that in industry with long hours and overtime, earnings are much greater.
The training program affords 8 or 9 hours only.
MEMORANDUM
To: Mr. N. S. Light.
From: Dr. H. D. Welte.
Date: June 9, 1941.
Subject: Enrollments 1941 — Graduates 1941.
Dear Mr. Light: Confirming my telephone conversation with you this morn-
ing relative to probable enrollments for 1941-42 and the disposition of our 1941
graduates, I wish to report as follows:
1. Approximately 160 students ' applied for admission to the freshman class in
September. The average of the past 5 years has been about 225 so that the
decrease is 40 percent.
2. There is more interest in teacher placement this year than at any time during
the past 10 years. It seems quite likely that practically all graduates of the class
of 1941, who are not inducted into military service or married, will have little
difficulty finding employment. In some areas, the shortage is especially acute.
3. Following is a tabulation of the graduates and the availability for teacher
placement: (Since the situation in industrial arts is acute, I am listing the young
men in subsequent classes eligible for military service).
Class of 1941
Eligible for military service
Major field
Number
Military
service
1942
1943
1944
Elementary
English, social science
Mathematics, science
55
16
5
14
11
5
3
2
3
4
3
0
3
0
1
5
Business education
Fifth vear
7
Total
Total military service, 57.
106
18
20
9
7
Because of conflicts with holiday engagements another registration day is to be held at Now Britain.
5168
HARTFORD HEARIX(48
4. A considerable number of students are contemplating marriage. Thus far,
three girls in the senior class have been married and several .voung men will be
married in the near future.
I hope these are the data you requested. If not, please feel free to call upon me.
H. D. Welte,
(Herbert D. Welte),
President, Teachers College of Connecticut, N'eic Britain.
Defense Training Progr.\m
preemployment training
The trend in preemployment training is toward a decline. The {>eak was
reached in December of 1940. Industry has absorbed many of the available
voung men in Connecticut who have not already been trained so that the reservoir
is rapidly diminishing. Work Projects Administration was supposed to have
supplied 50 percent of those being trained in our defense-training program.
However, in no case have they been able to supply this amount. (See chart.)
Many of those left on Work Projects Administration are not adaptable to training,
so it is reasonable to assume that a very small number will be obtained from
Work Projects Administration in the future.
SUPPLEMENTARY TRAINING
At the present time we have approximately 1,700 registered in our supple-
mentary classes. This number will probably be maintained during the summer
months and we expect considerable expansion in this type of training next fall.
Many of the men in these classes are compelled to drop out because of conditions
in their places of employment, such as, transfer from day shift to night shift and
working overtime, which makes it physically impossible for them to attend classes
regularly.
Classes have been and are being set up to train those who are employed in
occupations other than defense industries. This group would include men such
as store clerks, gas station attendants, etc. These men would attend classes at
the schools in the evening, and would be required to submit to testing bj' the
State employment service to prove their mechanical aptitude.
women's PREEMPLOYMENT TRAINING
We have two or three classes organized for this type of training, and we expect
considerable expansion in the near future. Women will not lend themselves
readily to some of the heavier types of machine operation, but can be used to
advantage in such jobs as inspecting, assembling, foot-press operation, power-
press operation, drill-press operation, milling-machine operation and screw-
machine operation, and many similar jobs.
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING
As the tempo of job training increases it may be necessary to train men and
women in the factories for specific jobs. This means that in most cases industry
would select men and women and pay them while they are in training, providing
machinery and tools for this training purpose. We have three courses of this
type in operation at the present time: One at the Billings & Spencer plant for the
Pratt & Whitney Aircraft; one at the Russell Manufacturing Co. in Middletown,
training men and women to weave gun belts; and another at Cheney Manufactur-
ing Co. in Manchester, teaching women to weave parachute cloth. Only those at
Billings & Spencer are paid. These men are trained to operate one machine and
when they have become proficient they are transferred to the aircraft factory and
continue to operate that machine on a production basis.
Following is a graph showing the training trends and also a statement showing
the number and types of training that we have in operation at the present time.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5169
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5170 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Connecticut State Department of Education, Hartford
[Bull. II, May 19, 1941]
ENROLLMENT DATA, DEFENSE TRAINING PROGRAM
A series of bulletins including courses of study that have been developed in
defense training centers is being prepared by the State department of education.
Bulletin I is a printed document describing the general organization of classes.
This particular bulletin is concerned with enrollment trends during the past year.
The bulletins that follow will consider such subjects as description of courses
offered, courses of study in defense industries, history of the development of the
defense training program and others.
GENERAL DATA ON ENROLLMENT AND COURSES
Total number trained to date 7, 064
Total number placed in employment to date 5, 980
Total number trained before July 1, 1940 751
Total number trained since the defense training program started 7, 064
Total numl)er centers before July 1, 1940 4
Total number centers at present 28
Number new courses started within the past 2 months 11
Present enrollment:
Work Projects Administration 165
Others 771
Supplemental 1, 764
Girls' courses in operation at present: Possible girls' courses:
Red Cross Motor Corps. Power sewing machine operation.
Blueprint reading. Tracing.
Parachute making. Mechanical drawing.
Parachute assembling. Inspection.
Parachute shroud line making. Assembling.
Tracer's course. Drill-press operation.
Hand-screw machine operation.
Milling-machine operation.
Blueprint reading.
Filing and fitting.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5171
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5X72 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Table II. — New courses opened since Mar. 15, 19^1
Bridgeport Trade School-
Bristol High School
Hartford Public High School.
Hartford Trade School
Middletown State Trade defense
training center Xo. 2.
New Britain State Trade School. . .
New Haven, Boardman Trade
School.
Waterbury, Leavenworth High
School.
Willimantic State Trade School
^'^^TurTe""^"^ ^"^Ssf"""^' kode symbol Date opened
General machine.
do
General machine.
Foundry practice.
Tracer's course.
Red Cross Motor
Corps, defense
nursing.
Airplane engine
assembling.
Machine trade
theory.
Screw machine
set-up.
Welding.
GM-139.
rGM-136.
[GM-137-
AEA-102
fGM-133..
\GM-122..
/FP-102...
lFP-103 --
MTS-101.
/SMS-102.^
\SMS-101..
TR-101..
■ WS-101...
Apr. 9,1941
Apr. 21,1941
Apr. 14,1941
Apr. 21,1941
Apr. 23,1941
Mar. 17,1941
Apr. 29,1941
Apr. 1, 1941
Do.
Mar. 24, 1941
May 12.1941
Mar. 24, 1941
May 12, 1941
Apr. 14,1941
DEFENSE TRAINING COURSES DISCONTINUED SINCE MAR. 15, 1941
Middletown State Trade School....
Defense training center No. 1
Hartford State Trade
Gun belt making
GBM-102...
Mar. 21, 1941
BP-105
Mar. 27, 1941
-
Table III. — S>(?nmar>j of courses, defcjise (raining program, J^Iay 13, 1941
Ansonia
Bridgeport State Trade School.
Bridgeport Trade School, defense training center No. 1
Bridgeport Trade School, defense training center No. 2
Bristol High School
Danbury State Trade School
Greenwich High School
Hartford Public High School.
Hartford Trade School
Hartford State Trade School, defense training center No. 1_— .
Manchester State Trade School
Manchester State Trade School, defense training center No. 2.
Meridon State Trade School
M"i<ii!lrt(.\vn Pl'itr Trade S.-hool
Ali.i^llriow';] Slate 'lr:,il,. Scluinl. defense training Center No. 1.
Mi'!<llri(i\\ n State iiaile Sehdol. defense training center No. 2.
New Briltiii! Stale Tiade Sfjyiol..
New Britain State Trade School, defense training center No. 1
New Haven, Boardman Trade School
General machine.
Blueprint reading.
Hand screw machine.
Foundry practice.
General machine.
Radio circuit.
Analyzing.
^Machine assembly.
Aircraft blueprint reading.
Automatic screw machine.
Foundry mathematics and blueprint
reading.
Factory inspection.
Red Cross Motor Corps. '
Defense nursing.
Aircraft metal wnrkins.
Aircraft blueprint reading.
Aircraft lay-out and design.
Metallurgy.
General machine.'
Do.
Welding.
General machine.'
Do
Blueprint reading.
Airplane engine assembling.'
Special machine.
Aircraft inpsection.
General machine.
Parachute making.
Parachute assembling.
Parachute shroud lino making.
General machine, tool and die.
General machine.
Gun-belt making.
General machine.'
Do.
.\utoinatic •^erew.
Blueliiim leading.
Foniidi y jiract iee.'
General machine.
Do.
Filing.
Machine trade theory '
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5]^73
Table III. — Sumwary of courses, defense irainiug program. May 13, 1941 — Con.
Center
Courses
Xew London, Chapman TechniMl High School
General machine
Do.
Do.
Rockville, Rockville High School
Do
Do.
Torringrton State Trade School
Do.
AVaterbury, Leavenworth Hiiih School
Do
Screw machine set-up.
Tracer's course.'
AVillimantic State Trade School, defense training center No. 1....
Millimantic State Trade School, defense training center No. 2
Welding.i
Arc welding.
General machine.'
Courses opened since Mar. 15. 1941.
Table IV. — Women's defense training courses — enrolhneni May 15. 1941
Center
Supplementary courses
Code symbol
Total en-
rollment,
May 1, 1941
Net en-
rollment.
May 1, 1941
Red Cross Motor Corps
Defense nursing '
fRC-lOl...
.54
1.3
16
School.
iRC-102
in
Do
DN-101
BP-101
fPMS-lOl
\PMS-102_. . .
23
40
38
14
44
.•58
03
-Manchester State Trade
Parachute making
Parachute assembly
Parachute shroud line mak-
ing
Blueprint reading
Tracer's course (starting
May 12, 1941).
28
center Xo. 2.
New Britain State Trade
PAS-101
fPSS-101
\PSS-102
BP-107
12
2S
1
School.
"Waterhurv, Leavenworth
TR-101 --
High School.
347
Defense nursing at Brideeport Trade School is not yet in operation.
Alonzo G. Grace.
Cotnmissioncr of Educalion.
TRANSPORT \TION
Until more definite data are available no reliable information concerning
transportation pos.^ibilities can be assembled. Falling enrollment figures in the
cities and some towns have resulted in vacant classrooms and buildings which
can be used. Hartfoid expects to absorb into its school sj'stem all the children
housed in the new Flatbush area project (1,000 families) by a readjustment of
attendance district lines. Little if any transportation will be involved.
In other cities the same procedure will undoubtedly be followed. In growing
suburban areas this method will have little or no value.
A study of public-school transportation in the State is now in the printer's
hands and should be available in a few weeks. Copies will be filed with the
committee as soon as received from the printer.
School expenditures, 1938-39
Bridgeport area:
Bridgeport.
Easton
Fairfield.. .
.Milford
Monroe
Shelton
Stratford...
Trumbull..
.\rea total
Current ex-
penses
Capital out-
lay
.$637.
10. 194.
1,061.
585.
Interest on
debt
$132,681.25
2, 025. 00
39. 984. 00
1. 912. .50
1,817.26
3,861.26
16. 925. 21
7, 562. 50
206, 948. 97
, 237. 162. 40
31,467.17
432, 892. 27
251. 249. 98
33, 578. 51
155, 194. 93
333, 375. 30
104, 976. 57
13
School grants
.$81, 391. 70
10, 792. 41
15, 705. .39
9, 468. 58
12, 53G. 51
6, 046. 78
17,491.38
12,730.11
166, 162.
5174
HARTFORD HEARINGS
School expenditures, 1938-39 — Continued
Current e.\-
penses
Capital out-
lay
Interest on
debt
Total
School grants
New London area:
Groton
Ledyard
$157,757.14
27, 253. 55
89, 294. 16
509, 731. 24
118,072.27
$8, 659. 77
$7,668.32
$174, 085. 23
27, 253. 55
89, 294. 16
517, 923. 83
118, 887. 25
$.5, 013. 93
16, 256. 00
New London
415.09
214. 98
7, 777. 50
17 063 87
Waterford
16, 391. 50
Area total.-.,
902, 708. 36
9, 289. 84
15, 445. 82
927, 444. 02
63, 388. 02
Waterbury area:
Middlebury
Naugatuek
Prospect
Waterbury
Watertown
39, 576. 21
229, 814. 65
18, 509. 21
1, 588, 192. 63
147,39.5.06
26, 775. 19
77.97
39, 6.54. 18
229, 814. 65
20, 478. .58
1, 642, 062. 40
151,029.03
29, 467. 80
10 7.55 87
9 0:J9 68
1, 323. 12
1,111.58
3, 633. 97
1. 342. 61
646. 25
52, 7.58. 25
9.531.81
52. 241. 21
8 499 13
Wolcott
1, 350. 00
11.070.93
Area total
State total
2. 050, 262. 95
28, 764, 271. 61
7, 489. 25
1, 6.54, 600. 46
54, 754. 50
1, 515, 538. 91
2,112,506.70
31,934,410.98
101. 138. 63
1. 880, .509. 46
Hartford area:
44, 472. 59
80,031.53
82,841.00
321,209.12
110,409.37
102. 056. 28
3, 564, 696. 41
354,068.72
1,240,028.98
85,218.94
92, 109. 82
46,413.16
64. 225. 52
533,033.71
161,166.47
172.312.;i6
53, 700. &4
84.00
1,692.66
3, 247. 87
1.976.19
153,581.20
41. 556. 59
86, 120. 19
92, 838. 87
347,083.49
273, 499. 82
108, 828. 78
4,271,234.11
383, 609. 97
1, 538, 833. 61
88, 160. 26
92,951.94
46, 722. 70
67, 221. 75
617. 750. 73
175. 882. 72
174. 459. 86
53, 700. 64
4. .396. 00
0, 7.50. 00
23, 898. IS
n. 506. 25
6, 772. 50
359,064.00
29. 541. 25
108, 876. 25
Bloomfl"ld
4 .16 47
Farm'ngton
7 248 61
Glastonbury
Hartford
Manclie.ster
New Britain
6 631 57
347,4/3.70
" 189,' 928.' 38"
2,941.32
842.12
309. .54
1.546.23
2, 365. 77
89, 298. 41
15,516.44
37,097.59
Plainvillo
4 877 73
Rockv Hill
4 272 76
1.450.00
82,351.25
14,716.25
5. 3S6. 39
West Hartford
12 650 90
Wethersfield
3 911 95
2.117.50
Windsor I^ocks
6 088 24
AreatotaL
7,108,024.62
708, 109. 48
647,731.93
8, 463, 456. 03
234. 763. 76
School expenditures, 1939-40
Current
expenses
Capital
outlay
Interest on
debt
Total
School
grants
Bridgeport area:
Bridgeport
Easton...
Fairfield
Milford
Monroe
$2, 090. 900. 16
30, 130. 25
392. 054. 50
243.660.35
35, 374. 46
145, 879. 71
300, 364. 31
89, 403. 33
$1,341.68
1, 249. 75
10, 375. 61
240. 30
1, 010. 54
6, 331. 43
$124, .306. 25
1, 890. 00
39, 080. 00
1, 237. 50
1, 689. 76
3, 138. 75
16, 925. 21
7, 184. 25
$2, 216, 528. 09
33,270.00
441,510.11
245, 138. 15
38, 074. 76
155, 349. 89
317,289.52
96, 662. 58
$78. 270. 37
11,830.97
17,569.63
9, 314. 30
14 555 93
Shelton _. ._.
Stratford
5, 926. 19
15 699 85
75.00
13, 915. 34
Area total
3, 327, 767. 07
20, 624. 31
195, 451. 72
3, 543, 843. 10
167, 082. 58
New London area:
Groton
Ledyard
158, 929. 38
28, 121. 45
90,325.76
524, 293. 64
119.467.95
5, 537. 88
7, 354. 88
171. 822. 14
28.121.45
90. 325. 76
634, 324. 37
119.467.95
5, 230. 33
16, 019. 80
Montville-
8, 928. 60
New I.iondon
103, 558. 23
6, 472. 50
16 825. 13
13, 033. 22
Area total
921, 138. 18
109, 096. 11
13, 827. 38
1,014,061.67
GO, 037. 08
Waterbury area:
Middleburv
38, 655. 72
241,118.33
20. 130. 78
1. 675. 737. 26
145. 210. 91
28, 948. 01
726. 79
39. 382. 51
241,118.33
21,335.57
1, 720, 976. 81
168, 619. 74
30, 665. 96
11, 534. 94
8,979.03
Prospect _.
\\'aterbury
586. 04
1, 758. 30
23, 378. 83
409. 95
618. 75
43, 481. 25
i,'303.00'
11,041.34
51, 353. 48
11,234.09
Wolcott
12, 468. 49
Area total --..
State total
2,149,831.01
29, 145, 210. 45
26, 859. 91
1, 586, 010. 98
45, J08. 00
1, 369. 285. 65
2, 222, 098. 92
32,100.507.08
106,611.37
1, 886, 893. 63
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
School expenditures, 1939-40— Continned
5175
Current
expenses
Capital
outlay
Interest on
debt
Total
School
grants
Waterbury area— Continued.
\von
$43, 091. 45
87, 089. 12
84, 050. 45
321, 120. 01
117, 030. 91
103, 680. 18
3, 584, 250. 38
368, 572. 53
1,248,011.79
82, 107. 83
116, 870. 01
50, 354. 30
64, 455. 34
558, 165. 33
166, 493. 91
172,281.18
53, 635. 85
$260. 53
1, 978. 05
1, 495. 84
1,771.01
301, 884. 57
' 25,'542."30'
"111,216." 33'
2,528.07
1,170.97
142. 00
1,971.12
12,063,11
""" $4," 160^ 00'
6, 075. 00
22, 065. 62
20, 816. 11
6, 187. 50
317, 484. 00
26, 773. 75
97, 338. 75
$43, 351. 98
93, 227. 17
91, 621. 29
344, 956. 64
439. 731. 59
109, 867. 68
3, 927, 276. 68
395, 346. 28
1, 456, 560. 87
84,635.90
126. 315. 98
50, 496. 30
67, 776. 46
648, 019. 69
176, 807. 66
174. 942. 59
55, 266. 02
$12,296.56
Berlin
5 565 43
5. 545. 59
East Hartford
Farmington
9.811.19
7. 208. 42
6, 885. 93
Hartford
88, 987. 06
16, 889. 55
New Britain
Newington
35. 679, 25
3.307 10
8, 275. 00
4, 994. 79
Rockv Hill
4, 565, 43
Soutli Windsor
1. 350. 00
77, 791. 25
10, 313. 75
5.404 48
West Hartford^-
12, 589. 51
4. 080. 84
Windsor
2,661.41
1. 630. 17
4,935 35
Windsor Locks
5, 624. 45
Area total
7, 221, 260. 57
466. 309. 48
59». 630. 73
8, 286, 200. 78
234. 370. 93
General financial data
Bridgeport area:
Bridgeport
Easton
Fairfield..
Milford
Monroe
Shlton
Stratford
Trumbull
New London area:
Groton
Ledyard
Montville
New London...
^^ atcrford
Watcrburv area:
Midllebury....
Xaugatuck
Prospect
Waterbury
Watortown
Wolcott
Hartford area:
Avon
Berlin
Bloonifield
East Hartford..
Farmington
Glastonbury
Hartford
Manchester
New Britain
Newington
Plainville
Rocky Hill
South Windsor.
West Hartford-.
Wethersfield...
Windsor
AVindsor Locks.
1939 grand list
$245, 865, 380. 00
3, 392, 698. 00
41,804.525.00
33, 950, 732. 00
3, 315, 164. 00
12, 876, 220. 00
29, 560, 918. 00
1 7, 591, 546. 00
14,306.629.00
972, 862. 40
.5, 844, 775. 00
49, 940. 585. 00
8, 8:W, 145. 00
3, 949, 101. 00
21,0.33,415.00
1, 1.33, 246. 00
167, 199, 550. 00
11.068,045,00
2, 233, 694. 00
3, 766, 764. 00
7, 858, 242. 00
7, 735, 558. 00
37, 297, 383. 00
8, 178, 774. 00
9, 397, 490. 00
369, 187, 236. 00
36, 012, 296. 00
106, 045, 574. 00
7, 636, 237. 00
9, 679, 646. 00
3, 515, 052. 00
3, 512, 839. 00
83, 5.58, 201. 00
15. 005. 840. 00
15.575.001.00
5, 796, 339. 00
1940
rate,
mills
28.3
14.0
22.0
22.0
18.0
21.0
25.0
31.0
28.5
27.5
16.0
23.5
18.0
32.5
23.0
17.0
16.5
19.0
23.0
19.6
20.5
25.0
29,25
25.0
29.25
25.0
24.0
25.0
25.0
19.0
24.0
22.0
24.0
1940 levy
.$6, 906. 635. 70
47, 497. 77
920. 948. 02
747, 820, 17
59, 672. 64
371,916.40
827, 708. 60
1 204, 974. 10
300, 435. 91
24, 321. 56
181,190.40
1,423.306.67
243. 061. 44
63, 208. 73
494, 533. 56
20, 398. 43
5, 434, 109. 76
254. 594. 69
37, 959. 81
62, 151. 61
149, 310. 76
177, 579. 83
732, 542. 85
167, 666. 53
234, 937. 27
10, 798, 742. 67
900, 288. 25
3, 102, 368. 60
190,912.54
232, 311. 32
87, 876. 30
89, 330. 21
1, 587, 605. 82
360. 140. 57
342. 723. 08
139.112.08
Percent
collected
on all
rate bills,
current
and prior
levies.
Mar. 31,
1941
82.3
91.7
90.1
77.9
88.5
80.9
92.6
91.5
84.3
89.2
91^2
82.6
89.5
91.4
84.4
87.2
83.8
87.1
82.3
81.1
81.6
93.9
91.5
92.7
80.6
Debt at close of fiscal year
ending in 1940
$14,491,865.63
40,000.00
1, 132, 000. 00
466. 000. 00
48, 125. 00
435, 000. 00
1.466,000.00
137,000.00
262. 000. 00
17.000.00
80. 064. 77
5,699.000.00
155.000.00
670. 500. 00
25. 000. 00
44,000.00
117, 250. 00
185,511.70
1, 337, 000. 00
451, 000. 00
221, 000. 00
23, 336, 000. 00
1, 860. 000. 00
6, 121, 000. 00
293, 000. 00
193, 576. 00
176, 000. 00
71, 000. 00
2, 598, 900. 00
366, 000. 00
213. 000. 00
330. 000. 00
Net
$14, 491, 865. 63
34, 937. 50
909, 064. 81
466, 000. 00
48,125.00
431, 835. 04
1,406.000.00
137,000.00
262.000.00
17, 000. 00
80, 064. 77
5, 351, 371. 45
155,000.00
18, 668, 514. 36
25, 000. 00
44. 000. 00
1, 309, 491. 15
207, 355. 58
20, 205, 353. 16
6, 126, 775. 71
286, 253. 47
1 1938-39 fiscal year,
s Aug. 31, 1940.
60396— 41— pt. li
5176 HARTFORD HEARINGS
TESTIMONY OF N. SEARLE LIGHT— Resumed
Mr. wSparkman. I wonder if you care to summarize the statement
briefly, or would you rather proceed on a question-and-answer basis?
Mr. Light. I think I would rather proceed on a question-and-
answer basis. That might save time.
Mr. Sparkman. I will ask you a few questions, then. I gather
from reading your statement that in many localities in the State you
either have overcrowded conditions already, or you have conditions
which certainly indicate that if there is any appreciable increase you
are not going to be able to handle it with your present facilities. Is
that right?
Mr. Light. That is correct.
Mr. Sparkman. I notice also in your statement that the impact
of the defense program really has not been felt yet. How do you
explain that?
many children under school age
Mr. Light. Well, we have no data wdiich really explain it. The
inference we might draw from testimony of various superintendents,
and so forth, is that most of the migrant workers with whom they have
come in contact are young, and apparently the children among
them are under school age.
The expectation on the part of various superintendents in the
State is that the full impact of this thing is not going to be felt for a
year and a half at least, possibly not for 3 years, until these clildren
grow older and are of school age.
Mr. Sparkman. Well, is it not true also that a great manj
workers have come in without their families?
Mr. Light. Yes, sir.
Mr. Sparkman. Either not intending to move their families until
the work looks steadier or perhaps waitmg until their children finish
the school year in their respective home districts?
Mr. Light. Apparently a good many of them are waiting to see
how durable this arrangement is before they move their families.
Mr. Sparkman. I notice in one of the reports — I don't believe it
was yours — a classification of these workers who have come in here.
They were classified as single, married, and "boomers." Do you
classify them that way?
Mr. Light. No; that didn't come from tliis report.
Mr. Sparkman. And you are not able to explam that to me — just
what a "boomer" is?
Mr. Light. No; I couldn't do that.
Mr. Sparkman. If only 50 percent of the thousands of workers now
being added to Connecticut's pay rolls were family men, is it not
likely that additional facilities will be required?
Mr. Light. Yes, sir. It will depend a good deal on where they
settle.
Mr. Sparkman. In other words, in some places you do have
sufficient facilities?
Mr. Light. Yes, sir.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5177
ASCRIBES DIFFERENCES TO LANHAM ACT
Mr. Sparkman. And I notice in your report that in some places
you are overcrowded now and in other places you say that no further
reserves are available; and in other places you say that Federal aid is
anticipated ; and m still other places, you say there will be no Federal
aid. Just why do those differences exist?
Mr. Light. Well, as far as Federal aid is concerned, the general
understanding is that the provisions of the Lanham bill will be avail-
able only to those communities in which there are Federal housing-
projects. Now, some of these communities which are overcrowded"
are facing a rather difficult situation, either now, actually, or in
September in prospect. They will not be eligible because they have-
no Federal housing projects in prospect.
Mr. Sparkman. You refer to the Lanham Act that has just recently
passed and is in conference now between the two houses?
Mr. Light. That is correct.
Mr. Sparkman. And there is no such provision in the Lanham.
Act, is there?
Mr. Light. No.
Mr. Sparkman. But that is just the understanding that you have?
Mr. Light. Th.at is the understanding that we have. We are so
informed by the representative of the Office of Education of the
Department of the Interior, who has been working with us, studying
the problem here in Connecticut.
Mr. Sparkman. They say that they will tie it up with Federal
housing projects?
Mr. Light. Yes.
Mr. Sparkman. On the theory that the Federal housing projects
take away from your tax rolls?
Mr. Light. That is correct.
Mr. Sparkman. I notice that statement in your paper.
Mr. Light. That is correct. Private housing will add to the tax
rolls.
Mr. Sparkman. I am frank to say I had never heard that as being
one of the provisions in the act, or even the intention of the act. As a
matter of tact I have understood all along that the Government was
encouraging private houses everywhere that they possibly could be built,
and that the purpose of the Jjanham Act was to give relief where those
facilities were unduly taxed by reason of a heavy defense program.
I didn't know that it was intended that housing should be tied up with
it at all. I was interested in that statement in your paper.^
Mr. Curtis. Mr. Sparkman, if you will yield to me for a moment,
Mr. Sparkman. Certainly.
Mr. Curtis. Isn't it true that the administration of the Lanham
Act was delegated to a number of agencies? In some instances the
United States Housing Authority will receive a certam portion of the
money for development in a given area, and then perhaps in some other
place a different Government agency will handle it. Have youi
inquired into that?
Mr. Light. No; we have gotten so many reports of different tenors.
Mr. Curtis. I think under investigation you will find the Lanham
Act is farmed out in its administration.
' The Lanham Act, as amended and approved, subsequent to the hearing, appears in San Diego heas-
ings,p.5007.
5178 HARTFORD HEARINGS
SITUATION AT MILFORD
Mr. Sparkmax. Mr. Light, will you comment sperificaily on the
school situations at Milford and Groton?
Mr. Light. Yes; for Milford I have the figures up to date as of
yesterday. The situation there is that the schools have been and
were previous to this influx there, what you might call full for all
practical purposes. There is an increase of 95 in the elementary
schools and they anticipate a further mcrease of 100 in the elementary
schools this coming September. There was a little increase in high
school attendance but not in proportion to the increase in attendance
at elementary schools, which indicates that these are younger families
who are moving in.
Mr. Sparkman. When was the increase of 95?
Mr. Light. That was in April.
Mr. Sparkman. There will be a total increase in two seasons of 195?
Mr. Light. Correct.
Mr. Sparkman. Added to what num})er? What was your base
number, approximately?
Mr. Light. The total elementary school attendance runs to about
2,200 or 2,300.
Mr. Sparkman. And to that number will be added the 195?
Mr. Light. That is right.
Mr. Sparkman. In other words, that is approximntply 10 percent
increase?
Mr. Light. Correct.
Mr. Sparkman. But the high school increase will be small?
Mr. Light. Yes; the increase will be small, but they are over-
crowded now.
Mr. Sparkman. What about Groton?
Mr. Light. May I go on? There is more to the Milford situation.
Mr. Sparkman. Certainly.
Mr. Light. There will be six rooms on part time — that is double
sessions in the elementary schoolroom next year, one group of children
attending in the morning and another group attenduig in the after-
noon.
summer cottages converted
The difficulty at present is the uncertainty in the situation caused
by the tendency to convert a large number of beach cottages into
permanent, year-around residences. The real estate men advise us
that there will be a very considerable increase in that procedure after
the close of the summer season. Milford has a summer population
of about 10,000 in addition to its normal population. Now an un-
known number of those cottages will be converted this fall into year-
around residences. In addition to that, they are completing about
1 new house a day in the town. Permits for some 30 were issued
last Friday in one block. So that the Milford situation is becoming
a little worse all the time. The only defense industry within the
town is a small plant employing about 100.
Mr. Sparkman. Therefore, j^ou do not look for any Federal aid
there under the Lanham Act?
Mr. Light. Correct.
NATIONAL DEB^ENSE MIGRATION 5179
Mr. Sparkman. That will be a State policy?
Mr. Light. That is our understanding of the policy to be pursued
under this particular Lanham Act.
SITUATION AT GROTON
Mr. Sparkman. What about Groton?
Mr. Light. If I may, I would like to ask jVIr. Nichols to answer
that. He has been down there recently. Mr. Nichols is the super-
vising architect.
Mr. Sparkman. Then let him come up and sit with you or any
others who may be working with you.
TESTIMONY OF J. E. NICHOLS, SUPERVISOR OF BUILDINGS AND
PLANS, STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, HARTFORD,
CONN.
Mr. Sparkman. In order that the record ma}^ be complete, will
you state your name and address?
Mr. Nichols. J. E. Nichols, supervisor of buildings and plans in
the State department of education, Hartford, Conn.
Mr. Sparkman. Will you answer the question with respect to the
Lanham Act, please?
Mr. Nichols. In Groton, the principal pick-up in school enroll-
ment will be due to men coming in to the submarine base and to work
at the Electric Boat Co. They are settling in two areas primarily,
one near the submarine base where the United States Housing Author-
ity is building 200 housing units, and the other at the Electric Boat
Co., where 400 units are either under construction or projected.
At the submarine base there is now a 2-rooin school and a 1-
room school, making a total of 3 rooms, but we expect an increase in
that area of about 150 pupils, and of course the facilities there now
will have to be tremendously increased.
In the Electric Boat Co. area we expect about 300 additional pupils,
elementary school pupils, which will practically double the size of the
school that is there now.
There hasn't yet been any great increase in the number of pupils,
either high school or elementary, but the men are only just now moving
into the houses that have been erected and, of course, other houses
will soon be made available, so that we are expecting a pick-up next
year and certainly a great deal more the year following.
Mr. Sparkman. Now, as I understand your interpretation of the
Lanham Act, that place will be eligible for Federal aid?
Mr. Nichols. Yes. I have listened to the conversation here, and
our understanding of this is that the Lanham Act makes available
$150,000,000 that is to be used for water supply, sewage disposal,
and a great many other things, of which schools are only one. Per-
force we are going to have to limit that. There is hardly any chance
of getting money until it is absolutely necessary.
Mr. Sparkman. It wiU be scattered a little thin.
Mr. Nichols. Yes; and it will be only in those places where we
absolutely have to have schools, and probably the basis of determina-
tion will be placed on whether or not those areas have defense housing.
5180 HARTFORD HEARI>;GS
NUMBER OF PUPILS PER TEACHER
Mr. Sparkman. Wliat was your teacher load for last year?
Mr. Nichols. In Groton?
Mr. Sparkman. Well, I really would like to have it for the State,
Mr. Nichols. I haven't it here.
Mr. Sparkman. Do you have it for the entire State, Mr. Light?
TESTIMONY OF N. SEARLE LIGHT— Resumed
Mr. Light. No; but there is a wide range. It is about 32 per
teacher.
Mr. Sparkman. And you say there is a wide range. I wonder
what the maximum and minimum might be, or about how wide a
range might be expected.
Mr. Light. I wouldn't be surprised if there were some with over
50, and at the lower end probably some with approximately 10
or a dozen.
Mr. Sparkman. In other words, you would have teachers handling
as many as 50 or more pupils?
Mr. Light. Oh, yes.
Mr. Sparkman. Are the children of nonresidents permitted to enter
school without the payment of tuition?
Mr. Light. Oh, yes; but I would like to qualify that. If they have
moved into a town and are resident in the town, the children would
become immediately subject to the attendance laws and must attend
school.
Mr. Sparkman. And of course you do not require tuition?
Mr. Light. In some cases tuition is collected — when, for instance,
the families are brought into the State by placement agencies.
Mr. Sparkman. But a person just moving in ordinarily to partici-
pate in this defense program
Mr. Light. No; no tuition is charged.
DEFENSE training IN SCHOOLS
Mr. Sparkman. And that is really the migration that we are more
concerned with. We can recognize the fact that there would be excep-
tional cases as you state, in your placement service. For instance,
what changes, if any, have been made in the last year or so with refer-
ence to defense training in your schools as contrasted to the old classical
training?
Mr. Light. You are thinking now of the public schools?
Mr. Sparkman. Yes.
Mr. Light. Or trade schools?
Mr. Sparkman. Public schools.
Mr. Light. There is an increase in the amount of industrial arts
work. There has been the purchase of some machinery, as far as
market conditions permit in some cases, but no very great changes,
sir.
Mr. Sparkman. Have your schools here always carried these voca-
tional training courses — your public schools, I am referring to now?
Mr. Light. No; very few. And most of them have not been
treated as vocational training courses. They are prevocational
rather than vocational.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 51gl
Mr. Sparkman. Do you anticipate any further change in your
junior high school courses in defense training?
Mr. Light. Not very much in the junior high schools. There
would be an acceleration in the development of the mdustrial-arts
program in all of those schools, junior and senior high.
Air. Sparkman. Now, when you say "not much in the junior high
schools," do you mean to infer that there will be more in the senior
high schools?
Mr. Light. Yes; more in the senior high schools.
MORE DROP-OUTS TO TAKE JOBS
Mr. Sparkman. How does the age of those leaving high school in
the past year compare with those leaving in previous years?
Mr. Light. The number of drop-outs for employment reasons has
increased very sharpl}^ this last year and it seems likely to increase
in the future.
Mr. Sparkman. Do your high schools close earlier in the spring in
order to release students for work?
Mr. Light. Not any more than usual.
Air. Sparkman. Do you anticipate any of them opening later in
the fall or will that run along about the same as usual?
Air. Light. There are rumors that that will be done in some of the
agricultural communities.
Air. Sparkman. And that will be to supply agricultural rather
than industrial labor?
Air. Light. That is right.
Air. Sparkman. Has the State Employment Service cooperated
with the high schools in placements and vocational guidance of the
students?
Air. Light. Yes.
Air. Sparkman. Air. Chairman, that is all I have.
The Chairman. Air. Curtis?
TYPE OF building RELATED TO HOUSING
Air. Curtis. In reference to adcUtional buildings and plant equip-
ment for schools made necessary by these defense families coming in,
do you men favor the building of temporaiy or permanent structures
to meet that need?
Air. Light. It depends on the type of housing that is erected. If
it is temporary housing then we have tried to counsel these communi-
ties against any heavy investment in permanent school buildings;
where the housing erected is fairly permanent in nature, then they
have to face the possibility that that influx may be with them for a
good many years, and that changes the problem.
Air. Curtis. As school executives, are you proceeding on the theory
tliat these people will leave you — great numbers of them — when the
defense program is over?
Air. Light. Well, we are a little wary in laying our plans here
because of the changes which occurred during or following the World
War, when the situation was similar and at which time we had con-
siderable out-going of these workers from communities. The popu-
lation dropped terribly and we are just a little wary as to what may
happen.
5182 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Most of the scliool administrators in this State are not as yet posi-
tive m their own minds that this is even a 5-year situation that they
are confronting, and consequently they are a Httle cautious about
recommending any very heavy capital investments.
Mr. Curtis. You have a burden in the schools here by reason of
this defense migration. Where is the greatest emergency, the teacher
load or your plant equipment?
Mr. Light. At the present time it is hitting us hardest in the few
communities mentioned — ^Milford and so on — ^in the building load.
Mr. Curtis. That is all I have, Mr. Chairman.
EFFECT OF DRAFT ON TEACHER SUPPLY
Mr. Sparkman. Is the draft affecting your teacher situation?
Mr. Light. Only slightly. There have been onl}^ a few places
wdiere it has been bothersome.
Mr. Sparkman. I think you said there were 48 of your teachers
still subject to the draft?
Mr. Light. That is right.
Mr. Sparkman. But even if they all went it wouldn't seriously
hamper your activities?
Mr. Light. Except in one or two areas. One of them is in the
mdustrial areas where the supply of industrial arts teachers is being
cut off by the draft.
Mv. Sparkman. If the proposed amendment goes tlu'ough reduc-
ing the draft age to 28, will that give you some relief?
Mr. Light. Yes.
Mr. Sparkman. It would seem to me that if they are trainmg
these young people in the industrial arts they should be entitled to
preferment.
Mr. Light. The trouble is most of them are not engaged in work
which is connected with the defense program. It is a general arts
program as distinguished from the defense program. It is part of a
general education rather than strictly for defense.
Mr. Sparkman. In other words it is the normal training program
instead of being set up in connection with the defense program?
Mr. Light. Yes, sir.
Mr. Sparkman. That is all, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Is the supply of teachers gomg to be a problem?
Mr. Light. It will be a problem this coming September in a few
areas like the industrial arts areas. It will be no problem as far as
elementary schools or general academic subjects in the high schools
are concerned, but there will be some difficulty in getting industrial
arts teachers.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, gentlemen, for your valu-
able contribution. The committee will stand adjourned until 2 p. m.
(Whereupon, at 12:40 p. m., the committee adjourned until 2
p. m., the same day.)
afternoon session
The committee met at 2 p. m.
The Chairman. The committee will please come to order.
I want to announce at this time that copies of statements made by
witnesses are available to any persons interested in receiving them.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 51g3
We have a sufficient number on the table for those attending this
hearing, and you are perfectly welcome to help yourselves.
Our next vvitness is Mr. Nickerson and the gentlemen associated
with him, from the Connecticut Manufacturers Association.
TESTIMONY OF JOHN W. NICKERSON, CHAIRMAN OF THE EMER-
GENCY EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE OF THE MANUFACTURERS
ASSOCIATION OF CONNECTICUT, INC., MANCHESTER, CONN.
The Chairman. Will you please give your full name and address
to the reporter for the purpose of the record?
Mr. Nickerson. John W. Nickerson, Manchester, Conn.
The Chairman. And in what capacity do you appear here, Mr.
Nickerson?
Mr. Nickerson. I appear here as the chairman of the emergency
employment committee of the Manufacturers Association of Con-
necticut, Inc.
The Chairman. Now, will you please be kind enough to give the
names of the other members of the panel to the reporter?
Mr. Nickerson. Yes, sir.
Mr. Ernest A. Stowell, employment manager of Underwood-
Elliott-Fisher Co., Hartford, who is regional director of Training
Within Industry, of the Labor Division of the Office of Production
Management, Washington, D. C, and chairman of the committee on
emergency employment problems of the Manufacturers Association
of Connecticut.
Dr. Alillicent Pond, employment manager of the Scovill Manufac-
turing Co., Waterbury, Conn.; chairman of the subcommittee on
intrastate migratory labor of the conmiittee on emergency employ-
ment problems of the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut, and
vice president of the Connecticut chapter of the Society for the Ad-
vancement of Management.
Mr. Albert F. Snyder, industrial relations manager of the Win-
chester Repeating Arms Co., New Haven, Conn.
Mr. Donald S. Sammis, works manager of Underwood-Elliott-
Fisher Co., Bridgeport, Conn., and member of the board of directors
of the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut; a member of the
committee on problems of intrastate migratory labor of the com-
mittee on emergency employment problems of the Manufacturers
Association of Connecticut, and a member of the State subcom.mittee
on defense housing, representing the Bridgeport area.
Dr. Albert S. Gray, director of the division of industrial hygiene of
the State department of health, member of the joint committee on
industrial health of the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut and
the Connecticut State Medical Association.
Mr. Norris W. Ford, manager of the Manufacturers Association
of Connecticut.
The Chairman. Mr. Nickerson, you have filed with the committee
the material prepared by the Manufacturers Association of Con-
necticut, have you not?
Mr. Nickerson, Yes, sir.
The Chairman. It certainly is voluminous and it is a very valuable
document, and we are pleased to have it.
(The complete report referred to above is held in committee files.
From it have been excerpted the statements of mdividuals appearing
5184 HARTFORD HEARINGS
as witnesses, and these statements appear in the order of the testimony
as given and recorded on pages following.
At this point there is introduced as a part of the record a state-
ment by Mr. E. Kent Hubbard, president of the Manufacturers
Association of Connecticut, which was written as a foreword to the
material prepared by the Association. Mr. Hubbard's statement is
as follows:)
Statement by E. Kent Hubbard, President, Manufacturers Association
OF Connecticut
foreword to report of manufacturers association of CONNECTICUT
Because a harsb early environment forced the acquisition of the first habit as a
necessary weapon of self-preservation, Connecticut has had, almost without
exception, her productive and manpower facilities read}' for war ahead of her
sister States. The versatility developed by these earlier hardships, as well as the
disadvantages of location, likewise caused later generations of Connecticut workers
and management to continue the habit of being first in peace, as well as in war,
that they might continue to progress economically and socially.
From its earliest days in 1815, as The Society for the Encouragement of Con-
necticut Manufactories, through its corporate history since 1910, the directors,
officers, committee members, and staff of the Manufacturers Association of
Connecticut have conscientiously sought to discover and prescribe remedies for
difficult problems before they reached an acute stage.
Seeing the inevitable trend toward international strife after Munich, and the
invasion of Poland, the association started early to pave the way for action that
would place the vast productive facilities of Connecticut in readiness to become
once more, as in World War I, an "Arsenal of the Nation."
The association urged the formation of a State Defense Council. When, in
June 1940, Governor Baldwin established the organization, he appointed me as
president of the association, head of the industrial division of the council. The
recommendations of this division for a survey of industrial facilities were accepted
by the Governor and council and the survey made and the results compiled during
the summer and fall of 1940.
Likewise, the association and many of its member executives worked in close
cooperation with the Governor's committee on employment and the State depart-
ment of education to inaugurate short, job-training courses during 1939 and 1940
for the training and retraining of manpower to fill the everexpanding require-
ments of industries engaged in defense production.
Forewarned by many months of increased manufacturing activity, and by a
rapid decrease in the number of persons available for work, particularly the
skilled and semiskilled workers, and by the knowledge that defense production
activity was only in its initial stages, the association sponsored in March 1941, a
meeting of its members to consider, with Ewan Clague, Director of Employment
Security, Washington, D. C, and Leonard J. Maloney, director of the Connecticut
State Employment Office, ways and means of launching a prompt attack upon
rapidly developing emergency employment problems. A committee, represent-
ing Connecticut's leading, diversified industries from every section of the State,
was appointed and organized to launch an exhaustive investigation and make
procedural recommendations by July 1, 1941, on all emergency employment prob-
lems to all manufacturers in the State.
The progress reports of the prodigious labors of these busy men, who gave
enthusiastically hundreds of hours they could ill afford to spend away from their
regular duties, are recorded in the following pages for the thoughtful considera-
tion of the Select Committee on Migratory Labor. Progress reports of other
association activities closely related to the work of the committee on emergency
employment problems have also been included to round out the picture of Con-
necticut's efforts to make America strong by making the individual stronger.
It is the earnest hope that this contribution toward the solution of the migra-
tory labor problem is one which the members of the Select Committee may read
not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, but to weigh
and consider for the best interests of American democracy.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5185
TESTIMONY OF JOHN W. NICKERSON— Resumed
The Chairman. Now, we have several witnesses this afternoon,
and while we don't want to be in the position of curtailing your dis-
cussion, I would like to have the witnesses, in answering questions,
be as brief as possible. As you know, we have only 2 days here, and
there are many more witnessses to be heard this afternoon. That is
the reason for my request.
I would also like to make a further suggestion, that the various
members of the committee ask the witnesses prepared questions, and
that we go through those before there is any general questioning.
You are the moderator, Mr. Nickerson, and if we get into any trouble,
it is your job to settle it. If you are a sucesss this afternoon, we
may want to take you back to Washington with us. I think the first
witness will be Mr. Sammis.
Mr. Nickerson. I do have a few remarks that I would like to
make first, if I may. It will take but a few minutes, and you may
rest assured our remarks will be brief.
The Chairman. Very well.
Mr. Nickerson. It is my function to introduce to you six repre-
sentatives of Connecticut industry, who will very briefly sum up
certain studies which have been in progress for months on these
very problems which you are investigating.
The Army and Navy have now placed contracts in this State of
well over a half billion dollars. This tremendous addition to our
already weighty commercial problems has not only amplified the
technical and organizational phases, but has set up an entirely unique
array of employment problems.
industrial conference in march
It long ago became increasingly clear that not only must each plant
solve these conditions individuall} % but that it was vital that there
be a clearer understanding of the common problems so that intelligent
coordination might be developed.
On March 21, 1941, the Connecticut Manufacturers Association
sponsored a meetmg in Hartford which was attended by over 200
representatives of Connecticut industry. The chairman of this
meeting, Mr. D. S. Sammis, w^ho is one of our witnesses today, intro-
duced as the principal speaker Mr. Ewan Clague, Director of Employ-
ment Security, Washington, D. C. Mr. Clague presented the national
situation on employment problems and policies, forecasting many of
the very situations that today are demanding immediate action.
Major Leonard J. Maloney, director of the Connecticut State
Employment Service, in addressing the meeting, discussed as immi-
nent several conditions which today are universally recognized. He
urged that a committee of members of the Connecticut Manufacturers
Association be named to consider the problem of labor procurement
from all angles.
committee on emergency employment problems
Recognizing that the subjects presented at the Hartford meeting
on March 21 were of State-wide and national importance, Mr. E.
Kent Hubbard, president of the association, asked that a working
committee be formed immediately.
5186 HARTFORD HEARINGS
On April 10, this committee on emergency employment problems
was organized, a program adopted, subcommittees appointed and
assigned their respective responsibilities. The group as a whole was
selected so as to be representative of the entire State, both mdus-
trially and geographically, and representative of small as well as large
industries.
These committees, comprised of men already very busy in their
respective plants, have had many meetings which have also been
attended by various State and Federal officials. All possible sources
have been combed for data. This has not been for the purpose of
accumulating merely statistical tabulations, but in order to formulate
plans and recommendations for futin-e policy.
In constant attendance at these meetings was Major Maloney,
without whose efficient assistance and guidance the work could not
have been neai'ly so effective. Our committee has been both as-
tounded and gratified at the completeness of the data made available
by Major Maloney and his organization, and it is to him that 3^our
committee should turn for statistical information on employment.
Upon learning that this Congressional Committee was to honor
Connecticut first by investigating the status of its industry regarding
these matters, the Committee on Emergency Employment Problems
has assembled its up-to-the-moment findings and is presenting them
in three sections, each section to be covered by a witness.
SUBJECTS AND WITNESSES
On the subject, "Upgrading and Training," we present as witness,
Mr. Ernest A. Stowell, employment manager, Undenvood-Elliott-
Fisher Co., Hartford, Conn.; regional director of "Training- Within-
Industry," Labor Division of the Office of Production Management,
Washington, D. C; chairman of the Committee on Emergency Em-
ployment Problems of the Manufacturers' Association of Coimecticut.
On the subject, "Intrastate and Interstate Migratory Labor," we
present as witness, Mr. Millicent Pond, employment manager, Sco-
vill Manufacturing Co., Waterbury, Conn.; chairman of subcommittee
on intrastate migratory labor of the committee on emergency employ-
ment problems of the Manufacturers' Association of Connecticut; vice
president of the Connecticut chapter of the Society for the Advance-
ment of Management.
On the subjects, "Use of Available Labor Reserves in Connecticut"
and "Employment Problems Concerning Minority Groups Including
Race, Nationality, and Physically Handicapped," we present Mr.
Albert F. Snyder, industrial relations manager of the Winchester
Repeatmg Arms Co., New Haven, Conn.
So much for the committee on emergency employment problems.
The other three witnesses for the manufacturers' association will
cover the questions of housing, industrial health, and national-defense
contracts.
These subjects have been under constant study for many months
by those who will appear before you.
In the knowledge that the Bridgeport area has been subjected to a
serious impact in defense housing problems, and in the belief that the
procedure followed in this area of bringing together into one group
representatives of industry, real estate, utilities, housing authority,
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5187
bankers, and municipal officials, is the soundest method of arriving
at a rapid and satisfactory solution of the problems, the Manufac-
turers Association of Connecticut presents an authority on the Bridge-
port defense housing problem and one also with knowledge of the
State-wide defense housing problem as its witness:
Mr. Donald S. Sammis, works manager of Underwood-Elliott-
Fisher Co., Bridgeport, Conn.; member of the board of directors of
Manufacturers Association of Connecticut; member of the committee
on problems of intrastate migratory labor of the committee on emer-
gency employment problems of the Manufacturers Association of
Connecticut; member of State subcommittee on defense housing
representing the Bridgeport area.
The manufacturers of Connecticut are fortunate in that, to the best
of our knowledge, Connecticut is the first State to initiate an effective
program of industrial health, in which the State department of health,
the State medical society, and the Manufacturers Association of Con-
necticut are working in close cooperation. The broad scope of this
program and its modus operandi are presented by a witness who, in
his official State capacity, is in a position to fully and properly appraise
its value. We present as witness:
Dr. Albert S. Gray, director of division of industrial hygiene of the
State department of health; member of the joint committee on indus-
trial health of the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut, and the
Connecticut State Medical Association.
An early conclusion on the part of the manufacturers' association
that an inventory of Connecticut's industrial facilities was of para-
mount importance in speeding the Nation's rearmament program
resulted in such an inventory being completed in the fall of 1940.
The necessary procedures for relating this inventory to information
about currently available idle machinery is in operation with cooper-
ating in-State organizations.
Also in a position of prime importance is the complex question of
priorities as to their effect on the employment problem of manu-
facturers of defense and nondefensc products.
We present as witness Mr. Norris W. Ford, manager of the Manu-
facturers Association of Connecticut.
I want to bring out strongly, Mr. Chairman, the fact that Connecticut
industry is intensely desirous of working out this problem on a
voluntary basis, so that the thing, which probably can be much better
done voluntarily, may be done before it would seem to become neces-
sary to order certain things to be done. And in that connection I
cannot emphasize too strongly the cooperation we have had with
Major Maloney and I am sure our work would have been futile if it
had not been for that effort.
The Chairman. We heard Major Maloney this morning.
Thank you, Mr. Nickerson. If you have no objection we will hear
from Mr. Sammis.
5188 HARTFORD HEARINGS
(At this point the prepared statement of Mr. Sammis was
introduced as a part of the record. It is as follows:)
STATEMENT BY DONALD S. SAMMIS, WORKS MANAGER, UNDER-
WOOD-ELLIOTT-FISHER CO., BRIDGEPORT, CONN.
Report on Local Housing
subcommittee on local defense housing for the bridgeport metropolitan
AREA
This subcommittee is an outgrowth of the State committee on defense housing,
•of which the chairman of the Bridgeport subcommittee was appointed a member
in October.
Shortly thereafter it became necessary, in order that the State program might
be inteUigently conducted, to gather pertinent facts and figuies from the various
industrial centers, indicating what the housing situation might be as industrial
employment increased. In order to procure this information, it became desirable
for each member of the State committee to organize a local committee in his own
industrial area, which local committee would garner, digest, and present facts to
the State defense housing committee.
The Bridgeport Metropolitan Area Committee was organized, therefore, on the
basis of getting together in one group, representatives of industry, real estate,
utilities, housing authority, bankers, and municipal officials. All these interests
were included in the Bridgeport metro]3olitan subcommittee. The scope of the
■committee was to cover the residence area surrounding the Bridgeport industries
and, therefore, includes, besides Bridgeport, Fairfield, Easton, Trumbull, Monroe,
Stratford, and western half of Milford.
LOW VACANCY, BIG INCREASE IN EMPLOYEES
The first problem presented to this subcommittee was to determine how many
housing vacancies existed in the area and what the housing needs might be ex-
pected to be over a period of a year. The following facts were discovered: At
the time of the survej', October 21, the available vacancies in Bridgeport were 110,
quite a few of which were outside the reach of the ordinary industrial worker in
price. This against a normal vacancy in the area of about 800 houses during the
period of 1926-29. The towns surrounding Bridgeport had about the same
general situation.
A survey was made of the industries in the area, covering about 100 plants, of
which 92 reported, and these plants showed an estimated increase in expected
employment by the end of 1941 of 12,000 workers. The State employment
department informed us at the time that perhaps 2,000 of the individuals that were
then on their employment rolls and now living within the area, would be available
for industrial workers. The balance of the new workers would have to come
from outside of the Bridgeport metropolitan area. The general proportion was
about 78 percent male and 22 percent female. For the time being, the increase in
employment in stores, restaurants, and other commercial places outside the
industry, were not considered, although it is obvious that an increase in employ-
ment in industry would bring a corresponding increase in commerce.
SLUM-CLEARANCE PROJECT
At the time this was going on, the Bridgeport Housing Authority was carrying
on a slum-clearance project which would provide 1,700 dwelling units, an increase
of about 900 over the houses that were demolished in the area. A study of the
proportion of new wage earners, who might be locally housed already, those who
would come here for work and only require rooming space, and those that would
require family occupancy, indicated that we were going to be very much in need
of housing over and above what private enterprise might build.
During the year 1940 about 1,200 homes were built by private enterprise in
the area and it was anticipated that this pace would probably double in the year
1941. The record up to date indicates that this estimate is not very far out of
line. Most of the houses built for private sale were in the class from $4,000 to
$5,000 units and it was hoped that on the governmental end of the housing pro-
gram, single-family homes might be built in about the $3,500 figure, which, in mass
production, should give the same style of housing which was commonly most
acceptable in the area under the private-purchase plan. Then ultimately, the
Government-built houses might be sold to private ownership.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5189
ESTIMATE NEED AT 4,600 HOUSES
Early this year, following a careful determination of needs and an analysis
of the figures then available, it was decided that about 4,600 houses would be
necessary to meet critical needs of the area. With an estimate of 4,600 dwelling
units needed and the expectation that private enterprise would construct 2,400,
2,200 were to be met by public construction.
In the meantime, the mayor of the city of Bridgeport had made an approach
to the Federal Government for 600 single-family homes, to be constructed in
what is called Success Park area. Later, because of the then limited available
funds, it was found necessary by governmental authority to substitute row
housing for this-single family housing request, and 600 row-type family occupancies
were approved for this area and are now being constructed. Before the final
decision, however, many conferences were held both in Bridgeport and Washing-
ton on the subject, trying to find sufficient funds to put up single family homes.
With these 600 allowed for, it left 1,600 additional homes to be provided by
Federal agencies, and with the aid of the Federal Coordinator, Justin Hartzog, of
Mr. Palmer's office, we were able to present our needs to the proper authorities in
Washington, and the 1,600 homes were authorized for this area — part to be built
in Stratford, part to be built in Fairfield, and part to be built in Bridgeport.
These 1,600 liomes were authorized on the basis of either single-family homes or
duplex homes, which was satisfactory to local interests as well as the govern-
mental agencies. These projects are now under the jurisdiction of Mr. William
Davies, of the Federal Works Agency, and progress is now being made toward their
construction. Land has been chosen and plans are being drawn for early con-
struction.
ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY HOUSING
Pending the completion of these houses, some effort has been made to provide
additional housing of a temporary character. At one time the local subcommittee
requested the Government for 1,000 trailers to fill in that temporary need, thinking
that for perhaps 3 months these trailers might be used in this area. Considerable
opposition has always been registered against trailer camps in this area and the
mere fact of the need and the temporary nature of their use were the only factors
which made them acceptable. The unavailability of trailers, however, has
resulted in no temporary housing of that character Ijeing provided as yet.
At the request of Mr. Palmer's office, we organized late in the winter a homes
registry office under a competent director and staff, to provide a centralized place
where real estate agents, home owners, and particularly seekers of rentable rooms
could be gotten together to their mutual advantage. This registry service has
worked very satisfactorily to date and we still have available rentable rooms for
defense workers, which availability, however, may not last long.
A resurvey in March of our industries indicated that our original estimates were
very conservative and that there was an increase of 8,500 industrial employees
between November 1 and March 1, and estimated 9,400 additional employees
needed between March 1 and September 1. In other words, our original estimate
of 12,000 has now been conservatively boosted to 19,000, which mean that our
housing load may still prove a continuing problem as our original estimates may
not be adequate.
In the many groups represented in the subcommittee there has been some
diversity of opinion and in some instances there have been individual approaches
to Washington agencies expressing personal opinions rather than considered com-
mittee opinions. This, however, has not seriousl}^ interfered with the accomplish-
ment of the objectives set before the committee. While there have been a number
of items where there has been controversy of thought, in the last analyses, the
objective of getting housing here seems to be making good progress.
[As a supplement to this report, a memorandum was submitted, as
follows:]
Defense Housing
memorandum by gen. sanford h. wadham8, june 6, 1941
A little more than 2 years ago, Governor Baldwin foresaw the possibility of a
need for defense housing. He therefore called a meeting in his office of repre-
sentatives of the housing authorities of the State of Connecticut and other per-
sons with knowledge on this subject. It was the consensus of this group that a
5190 HARTFORD HEARINGS
careful, systematic survey should be carried out in all of the larger centers of
population with a view to determining just what the needs would be in case of
a considerable increase in emploj-ment in our industries.
A Work Projects Administration project estimated to cost well toward $300,000
was prepared and submitted to Washington. This project proposed not only to
determine the housing vacancies throughout the State but to collect other valuable
information on this general subject. While the project was ultimately approved
in Washington, there was so much delay that, before it had gotten under way,
the situation had materially changed. In other words, an acute housing shortage
already existed. As it seemed probable that it would require very nearly a year
to complete the systematic survey which had been contemplated, it was believed
that some other method which would furnish the information immediately needed
should be adopted.
STATE-WIDE HOUSING COMMITTEE
In the late summer of 1940, the Governor appointed a State- wide housing
committee. This committee was made up of representatives of the local housing
authorities throughout the State where such authorities were in existence. There
were also representatives of Federal agencies such as the Federal Housing Ad-
ministration and the Home Owners Loan Corporation. Each member of the
committee became the chairman of a subcommittee to represent his particular
part of the State.
These subcommittees immediately undertook to prepare the most careful
estimate of housing needs possible in a limited length of time. The office of the
Housing Coordinator, Mr. Palmer, had requested that such information be sup-
plied. The procedure adopted was to secure from the manufacturers of the
area the best possible estimate of the number of employees which it was antici-
pated would be added to the pay rolls of the respective plants. This information
was supplemented by inquiries from other sources such as real-estate offices as
to the availability of housing accommodations. When this information had been
collected, it was submitted to the whole committee, tabulated and promptly
forwarded to Mr. Palmer's office in Washington. The covering letter pointed
out that it did not constitute a housing survej^ but that it was an estimate care-
fully prepared and represented the situation as of that time, which was the latter
part of November 1940. The recommendations contained were as follows:
Units
Stamford 1.-. 200
Bridgeport 3,000
Waterburv 500
Meriden 200
Hartford ' 1, 000 Total 5, 700
1 This is the defense housing already approved Nov. 19, 1940.
In retrospect, it seems quite apparent that the estimate submitted erred on the
side of conservatism. It had been the intention of the committee, however, to
carry out a continuing check on the figures submitted, but this plan was aban-
doned for the reason that it soon became apparent that representatives of the
several housing agencies in Washington had their own field forces in the State
preparing estimates on housing needs. The committee felt that another agency
submitting such figures would only serve to add further confusion to the result.
VACANT HOMES REGISTRIES
Shortly after the first of the year, a communication was received from the
office of the Housing Coordinator requesting that the State undertake a pro-
gram of establishing in the centers of population vacant homes registries. A
representative from Mr. Palmer's office w^as assigned to the New England States
and has .spent considerable time in Connecticut. When the matter was sub-
mitted to the Governor, he volunteered to meet from State funds the salary of
a director to manage these registries, and the Work Projects Administration vol-
unteered to furnish clerical assistance. Such registries were established and
have since been in operation in those cities where the housing shortage has been
acute. They have served a very useful purpose.
The information collected from these registries reveals certain very definite
facts :
(1) Housing accommodations for the families of defense workers in the lower
rental groups are practically nonexistent. This is particularly true if it happens
that there are children in the familv.
Bristol
Units
100
New Britain
400
New London and Groton
300
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5191
(2) There appears to be some small surplus of housing accommodations in the
rental group of between $60 and $100 per month.
(3) There has been little difficulty in finding single rooms for unmarried workers,
both male and female.
As an illustration of this situation, it can be stated that, as of June 4, 1941, the
Hartford vacant homes registry had 11 vacancies in the $65 to $85 classification
and 1 at $100 per month. Al the same time, there were approximately 250
single rooms available.
In some communities volunteer workers have succeeded in placing in the
homes of people who would not under other circumstances take in a defense
worker a large number, both men and women.
RENT PROFITEERING
It was to be expected that under the circumstances existing complaints of rent
profiteering w^ould appear. Quite a number of such complaints were submitted
to the former defense committee. While the committee had no authority to take
any action, it has followed up all of these cases. The conclusions drawn from the
investigation of such complaints might be summarized as follows:
(1) The raising of rent by a very small minority of property owners who have
seen a chance to capitalize on the housing shortage; and
(2) That a considerable group of proprietors have taken this method of evict-
ing a tenant considered undesirable perhaps because of a large family and in the
hope that the tenement could be divided into two and thereby increase the pro-
prietor's income.
. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
The State, as represented by the State defense council and its predecessor
body, the State defense committee, has encountered difficulties in connection
with defense housing occasioned by the considerable number of Federal agencies
in the field. Many representatives from these various agencies have visited the
State and have discussed their several problems with the local officials. The
Federal Housing Authority has had surveys made in several of the larger cities
of the State. These, it is our impression, have been very carefully made, but as
they are confidential the State authorities are not advised of the conclusions
arrived at.
The result of having so many agercies all attempting to accomplish much the
same objective has caused a certain amount of confusion. The Defense Council
has made every effort to cooperate and assist those responsible for carrying out
Federal housing projects. It has been felt that valuable service could be rendered
through the established State agencies in connection with providing the services
such as water supply and sewage disposal for housing projects. Usually, how-
ever, the first notice that a project has been adopted is when that fact appears in
the public press. We have recently read that 85 housing units are to be construct-
ed near the Windsor Locks Airfield. As recently as Jur e 4, a letter has reached
this office asking where living accommodations for from 75 to 100 families of
married officers and enlisted men could be found in the Hartford area.
Before any intelligent reply to such an inquiry can be made, informatior must
be obtained as to the number of officers and the number of enlisted men to be
accommodated. It would be helpful also to know if these accommodations are
to be considered as temporary awaiting only the completion of the units W'hich
it is understood will be built.
The situation in the New London a,rea at the present time is very confusing.
Some projects are practically completed, others are well under way, and some are
about to be begun. Different Federal agencies are in charge of these projects.
A letter to the Division of State and Local Cooperation of the National Defense
Advisory Commission under date of May 16 asking for a list of the approved
projects and the name of the agency in charge of each has not yet produced any
information. This information would be helpful in this particular case in decid-
ing upon the questions of water supply and sewage disposal.
Our experience indicates that defense housing would be materially facilitated
if there were one individual in the State of Connecticut who represented all of
the various Federal housing agencies with whom the State officials could cooperate.
NEED FOR STATE LEGISLATION
A great deal of study has been given to the possible need for State legislation.
One bill considered by the general assembly w^as a rent-control act. This was
modeled on the bill w'hich had been prepared by the National Defense Advisory
-41 — pt. 13 12
5192 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Commission. A second bill would have created a State housing authority em-
powered to act in any town or city where no housing authority had been created.
Both passed in one body of the general assembly but failed in the other.
As to the rent control act, there were many who, while recognizing the need of
controlling profiteering, believed that enforcement presented substantial difficul-
ties. There was a strong sentiment for exercising control through local boards
or committees, the members of which would be carefulh- selected because of
knowledge and experience in the real-estate field. All complaints would be sub-
mitted to and investigated by this board. Where rent raises were found to be
unjustified and no satisfactory adjustment could be arrived at by the board, the
matter would be given pitiless publicity. This method had been tried out in at
least one Connecticut city during the last war with very satisfactory results.
The proponents of this plan admitted that it probably would not be workable
in large cities but believed that it would accomplish its purpose in the relatively
small cities of this State.
PRIVATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS
Private building is very active throughout the State. While much of it is in a
rental bracket beyond the reach of the average worker, there are a number of
private developments which are comparable to those of the Federal agencies in
cost. These houses are, however, built to be sold, and the down payment required
sharply reduces the number of defense workers who can secure a home in this way.
APPROVED HOUSING PROJECTS
As of May 31, 1941, Federal housing projects as shown on the appended list
had been approved in Connecticut.
[Note.— Ind.=Industrial workers. N-EC = Navy enlisted
Army enlisted. 2=Site acquired. 1
nd civilian. N-E = Xavy enlisted. A-E =
=Site not acquired.]
City
Number
of units
Occu-
pants
Approval
date
Site
Construction
begun
600
400
250
150
40
500
200
200
300
200
100
1,000
300
200
400
300
85
Ind
Ind ....
Ind
Ind
Feb. 3, 1941
May 5,1941
do
do
2
2
1
May 2,1941
Do
Do . ■---.
Do
Bantam
Ind
Ind
Ind
Ind
N-EC...
Ind
N-E
May 26, 1941
May 2, 1941
May 5, 1941
do
Nov. 25, 1940
Apr. 21,1941
do
Fairfield
Do
Do'
Do
Ind
Ind
Ind
Ind
Ind
A-E,...
Aug. 27, 1940
Feb. 3, 1941
May 2,1941
May 5,1941
Feb. 3,1941
May 5,1941
New Britain
Apr. 24 1941
Do
Waterbury
Prefabricated demountable.
TESTIMONY OF DONALD S. SAMMIS, WORKS MANAGER OF UNDER-
WOOD-ELLIOTT-FISHER CO., BRIDGEPORT, CONN.
The Chairman. Mr. Sammis, on the basis of 12,000 new workers
to be employed in Bridgeport by December of 1941, your subcom-
mittee on housing estimated that 4,600 dwehing units would be
needed. Your estimate of the available vacancies at that time was
110 in Bridgeport.
How did you arrive at the figure of 4,600 to house 12,000 new
workers?
Mr. Sammis. We had a conference on that subject in an attempt
to determine what proportion of workers would be boarders or roomers
and what proportion would be family individuals. We made a very
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5193
complete survey of the then existing employment in Bridgeport to
indicate the number of married people and the number of unmarried
people, both men and women then employed in industry, and tried
to arrive at some reasonable determination of this division.
Naturally it had to be arbitrary because there is no formula that
we knew of that could prognosticate the future, and what we would
be getting in the way of new employees from outside the immediate
area.
We did. however, estimate on the basis of the number of employees
who were available in our area, who had not yet been put in industry,
either trained or untrained, and that left us a residue to come from
the outside.
Then of this group from the outside we estimated that about 6,000
would be in the category of those who only needed rooms for them-
selves and had no family to worry about.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION
I think our records to date indicate that we were rather conservative
on that point, which left us a balance of 46 gross family units that
needed housing. We recognized the fact that we bad no available
housmg for those workers at the moment. That represented about
32 percent of our total estimate.
We knew that there were a certam number of units being constructed
at the time. We figured that private enterprise might be expected to
speed up to the point of increasing its previous year's record of
1,288 houses, and we used a 2,400-unit estimate for private construc-
tion on the supposition that private enterprise, which we were in
thorough contact with in connection with our general, local committee,
would do that without backing up because of public construction.
In most places because of public construction the private interests
would l)e frightened to do their full share, and on the basis of that
estimate, it left us a net balance of 2,226 houses for public
construction.
BRIDGEPORT APPLICATION TO GOVERNMENT
The mayor of Bridgeport had already made an application for 600
houses mider the origmal Lanham Act and had got approval for that
number of units, which are now under construction.
We followed that up with a request for 1,600 more houses, which
brought us up to 2,200, which are now being drawn up — that is, the
plans are being drawn by architects under the Federal Works
Administration.
The contracts are to be let in July with occupancy promised for
October. We have as yet none of that housing ready for occupancy,
but it is expected that ty the end of next month they will begin to put
tenants in the first 600 units.
That is as near as we could figure otit what our housing requirements
were at the time. The tendency has been for us to have more of the
roomer type of new employees, so I think that even though our esti-
mate of 12,000 has gone to 1.5.000 and then 19.000 new employees in
the area, we are apparently going to be adequately covered.
5194 HARTFORD HEARINGS
I notice in today's press they have held up the temporary barracks
housing which was allocated to Bridgeport by the Farm Security
Administration now until they have further figures on how the situa-
tion develops in the Bridgeport area.
ONE-THIRD ARE FAMILY MEN
The Chairman. Mr. Sammis, what percentage of the new workers
do you estimate to be family men?
Mr. Sammis. Thirty-two, or at least that is the way it worked out
in our figures — roughly, a third.
The Chairman. Only 1,200 houses were built privately in 1940.
yet you estimated 2,400 for 1941. "Wliat are the actual figures on
new houses constructed to date for 1941 at Bridgeport, and what are
the figures on permits for building issued? If you do not have those
figures, would you obtain them for the committee?
Mr. Sammis. ft is a little difficult to find out just how many have
been completed on the basis of permits issued, but there have been
50 percent more in the first 5 months which includes, of course, your
winter period than there were last year, and on the basis of new
projects which are more than single house projects, where they are
building 40, 50, or 60 or 100 houses under private enterprise as one
group, those are coming stronger daily.
Now, I thmk there is no question that our estimate will be met
before the end of the year.
The Chairman. You report that 2,200 units were publicly con-
structed. How many of these units have been completed to date?
Mr. Sammis. Six hundred have been started but not completed;
1,500 are in the plan stage.
The Chairman. Did your committee find any reluctance on the
part of Washington to release the funds for the necessary housing?
VARIOUS authorities
Mr. Sammis. No, sir; our problem, however, was a little more
difficult because of the fact that you have to deal with quite a number
of different housing authorities, which is a bit confusing, and made
some delay in getting to our final approvals. However, Mr. Palmer's
office, the Office oi the Housing Coordinator, has been veiy, very
helpful. All the men who have come to this area from his office have
been exceptionally able men and we have been very much pleased with
the facility with which we could work with them.
The Chairman. Now, your estimate of 12,000 new workers has now
been increased to 19,000, or more than one-third. Obviously, your
housing estimate should be increased by one-third. In other words,
even if 4,600 units are completed this year, Bridgeport will still be
2,300 units short. Is your committee doing anything about this
situation?
Mr. Sammis. We are studying the situation and particularly with
reference to the number of family groups that are coming in, as related
to the number of nonfamily groups coming in. The indication is that
if we have this supplemental work that is projected by the Farm Ad-
ministration, we will probably be amply taken care of. We still have,
without actually using the patriotic appeal for rooms, in the existing
dwellings about 1,000 registered unused rooms where single men or
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5195
single women can board. We have a homes registry bureau that we
set up at the request of the Coordinator's office.
The Chairman. Before I forget it, I thinlv the mayor and the
Governor both made some mention of the difficulty in contacting these
different housing agencies. Have you any suggestion about a central
clearinghouse so that you could go to one agency and clear with them
all? Do you think that would be helpful?
WANTED COSTLIER TYPE
Mr. Sammis. We have tried to simplify it by working more directly
through Mr. Palmer's office and letting him show us around to the
different places in Washington when the time came. It is bound to be
difficult when you find that some housmg is under one agency and
some housing to be constructed under another agency. One of the
things that was particularly grievous to us was the fact that the funds
available for housing did not allow quite sufficient money to provide
the type of housing we thought we should have.
Now, that may be presumptuous on the part of the community, to
ask for single or duplex houses where the money available will provide
only row housing; but again perhaps we were idealistic and we were
trying to look beyond the present emergency, knowing that the hous-
ing, once put up, would be with us forever.
TURN-OVER OF MIGRATORY WORKERS
The Chairman. Major Maloney's office has estimated that 60,000
migrant workers visited or entered Bridgeport since the fall of 1939.
Do you find that these workers, unneeded at the moment, have ac-
centuated the housing shortage?
Mr. Sammis. I would say not, because the migrant workers are in-
dividuals rather than families. In very few cases have we had fami-
lies come in and rest on their hopes in the area. The migratory
workers who cannot find employment in the Bridgeport area don't
s^ay there very long. They generally move out inside of a week, so
that there is a constant turn-over of those temporary visitors.
The Chairman. About what percentage of those coming in obtain
employment?
Mr. Sammis. Well, I don't know that I could give you any definite
figure with reference to that. That probably could be procured
through the local State employment office in Bridgeport, and that in-
formation might be available through Major Maloney's office.
REPORTS NO HOLDBACK FOR HIGHER RENTS
The Chairman. Do you find that the private builders are trying to
prevent expansion in the belief that they can collect excessive rents
on their present properties?
Mr. Sammis. I would say no, because most of the private builders
have been waiting for 10 years for an opportunity to do a lot of build-
ing, and the private builders and the real-estate operators — that is,
the agents in charge of rents — are two different groups. The persons
who might be trying to collect excessive rents are the real-estate rent
collectors — that is the recognized realtors who are not building, but
are managing properties. Up to the present time the real-estate board
5196 HARTFORD HEARINGS
in Bridgeport has, through its membership, given us wholehearted
cooperation in the program. We have given them all of oui' facts, and
they in tui-n have not proved gun-shy on this proposition of pushing
private construction.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. Sammis.
Mr. Sparkman will interrogate the next witness.
TESTIMONY OF DR. ALBERT S. GRAY, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE, STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
HARTFORD, CONN.
Mr. Sparkman. Dr. Gray, I believe your name and connections
have aheady been given to the reporter.
Dr. Gray. That is correct.
Mr. Sparkman. Do you have a statement which you would like to
have filed with the committee at this time?
Dr. Gray. Yes.
(The statement referred to above, together with related exhibits
excerpted from the report of the manufacturers association, follows:)
STATEMENT BY DR. ALBERT S. GRAY, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, STATE OF
CONNECTICUT
The nation-wide interest in the physical welfare of industrial workers, which
has been manifested in the creation of industrial hygiene units in health depart-
naents in more than 30 States and cities during the past decade, is symbolic of a
trend of interest in industrial health in which Connecticut was a pioneer and con-
tinues to be an outstanding example. This generalized increase in attention to
the physical welfare of the workingman was not stimulated by any marked de-
velopment of new health hazards, n.either was it due to physical changes within
the workers to make them more susceptible to occupational diseases, but to a
growing realization of the tremendous cost of preventable industrial illness to
industry, the individual, and the State.
Connecticut is a predominantly industrial State, and has always realized that
the health of its industrial population, comprising as it does almost half of those
gainfully employed, is an important part of its public health program. Even
before the formation of a separate bureau of industrial hygiene in the depatt-
ment of health, for intensified activity in this field, the health of industrial workers
constituted a definite part of public health activities of the State department
of health.
Since 1921 the Conference of State and Provincial Health Authorities of North
America has had an industrial hygiene committee concerned with this phase of
public health. The placing of industrial health activities of the department of
health in a bureau of industrial hygiene laid the groundwork upon which a com-
prehensive specialized industrial hygiene program has been built. The name of
the bureau of occupational diseases was changed this year by the legislation to
the bureau of industrial hygiene.
Connecticut has been very fortunate in the relationships which exist between
the various agencies concerned in industrial health. The medical fraternity, labor,
industry, and public health authorities, have all contributed to the development
of the Connecticut program for the conservation of the health of industrial
workers.
SEPARATE BUREAU CREATED IN 1928
The Connecticut State Department of Health has been actively engaged in the
control of industrial health hazards since the early 1920's, but the growing demands
for service and the interest manifested by industry, and particularly the Connec-
ticut Manufacturers' Association, lead to the creation in 1928 of a separate bureau
in the State department of health, particularly charged with the investigation
and control of conditions in industry which might affect the health of the workers.
Starting with but a small personnel, the demands for service have propelled the
bureau's program at a more rapid pace than even the most enthusiastic early
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5197
supporters ever anticipated. Progress of the industrial hygiene program has
steadil}^ increased until at the present time there are two inaustrial physicians,
three industrial chemists, four industrial engineers, and one industrial nurse —
all specially trained and experienced in their respective fields of industrial hvgiene
work. This technical personnel has been augmented by additional clerical woikers
and budgetarj- provisions have been made for the addition of additional indus-
trial physician and industrial chemist on July 1, 1941. This expansion of the
industrial hygiene program was a result of the growing realization that this phase
of public health should be further developed.
The objective of the department of health is to prevent illness, prolong life,
and raise the health level of the general population. To this end the industrial
hygiene program of the bureau of industrial hygiene is concerned particularly with
safeguarding the working environment of those engaged in industry so that the
health of the workers will not be adversely affected during their working hours.
At the same time the bureau can bring to them, because of its close association
with the industrial population, the other facilities of the department of health to
preserve health and prolong life.
Bureau of Industrial Hygiene
connecticut department of health
Organization of technical services
Commissioner
of
Health
Director
of
Bureau
PERSONNEL
Medical
Nursing
Chemical
Engineering
Medical and Nursing
DUTIES
MEDICAL
1. Investigation of occupa-
tional diseases.
2. Examination of workers.
3. Consultation service to
physicians.
4. Collection and analysis of
occupational disease re-
ports.
5. Investigations of plant
hazards.
6. Consultation service to
industry and labor.
7. Educational work.
NURSING
1. Consultation service to
industrial nurses con-
cerning preventive nurs-
ing activities.
2. Assistance to bureau phy-
sicians in occupational
disease diagnosis and
control work.
DUTIES
1. Surveys and studies of
industrial environment.
2. Analysis and evaluation of
data obtained in field
studies.
3. Laboratory analysis of toxic
materials.
4. Development of methods
used in evaluating health
hazards.
5. Consultation services.
6. Educational.
Control Engineering
DUTIES
1. Investigation of occupa-
tional health hazards.
2. Consultation service with
plant officials concerning
control of occupational
hazards, including type
and design of equipment
methods of operation,
etc.
3. Studies of effectiveness of
various types of control
measures.
4. Technical consultant serv-
ice to physicians, chem-
ists, etc., concerning cjn-
trol facilities and practice
5. General educational work
concerning control of
occupational health
hazards.
5198 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Occupational disease control cannot be reduced to a simple formula calling for
the removal of a machine here, shutting off a valve there, or taking some other
relatively elementary step of the type usually followed in safeguarding a fly-
wheel, enclosing an elevator shaft, or repairing a hole in the floor. To the con-
trary, logical and effective control of industrial health hazards requires sound
scientific knowledge of the nature and uses of the chemicals, materials, or pro-
cesses responsible for illness and the most effective means for their positive con-
trol. This work requires the application by specially trained personnel of precise
physical and chemical procedures, statistical interpretation, diagnostic technic,
with formulation and enforcement of recommendations, and embraces all of the
activities of a well-organized department of health.
The policy of the department of health in all jihases of industrial health haz-
ard control has been to provide the type of service which industry and labor will
recognize as sound and effective and which they will seek and respect. The
following is an outline of the activities of the bureau of industrial hygiene:
All activities of the bureau are under the supervision of the director who, as
administrator, passes upon all reports and recommendations, and is responsible
for all services rendered in the bureau. His duties also include consultation
service with physicians concerning the diagnosis of occupational diseases; special
investigations in plants and elsewhere of the circumstances connected with known
or suspected cases of industrial illness; receipt of reports of occupational disease
from physicians; evaluation of the incidence and trends of various types of ill-
ness arising in plants; interpretation to the chemists and control engineers of
the medical problems presented by industrial health hazards; dissemination of
medical and general information to physicians, plant officials, workers, and others
concerning occupational diseases, and special examinations of workers for the
purpose of evaluating the physical effects produced by various types of exposures.
An additional physician was employed in July 1940 and the above types of
medical services are now being carried out on a more extensive scale.
CHEMICAL
Basic analytical and chemical engineering services represent an indispensable
phase of the industrial hygiene service. Due to the rapid development of the
many and complex chemical procedures and their widespread use in industry,
more than 900 actual or potential health hazards exist. The control of these
hazards naturally requires the services of specialists in this field. The first
technical worker employed at the beginning was a chemical engineer and there
are now three in the Bureau.
The chemists are charged with the responsibility of identifying the various
chemicals and their byproducts involved in a hazardous occupation and of evalu-
ating their role in the hazard involved. To do such work often requires the
collection and analysis of samples of dusts, fumes, and other types of atmos-
pheric contaminants or identification of the chemicals known or suspected to be
involved in any given occupational disease problem. Many toxic chemicals and
materials may be safely used in industry, so it is the chemical engineer's duty to
determine whether such materials are being used in such a manner.
The data collected by the chemical engineers is combined with the findings of
the industrial engineers and physicians in order to assist in the best solution.
ENGINEERING
In the final analysis, the control of occupational disease hazards is the objec-
tive we are after and engineering services are an essential part of the set-up.
Industrial engineering services are required to devise ways and means of elimi-
nating health hazards or reducing exposure to levels not detrimental to the
health of workers.
The four industrial engineers in the bureau spend all of their time in consul-
tation within the different plants concerning ways and means of controlling
hazardous exposures. Oftentimes dangerous operations are made safe by simple
readjustments of existing control equipment, while on other occasions proper
protection of the workers is accomplished only by the installation of new control
measures. In all cases the spirit of the engineers is to assist in correcting defects
for which plant operators are legally responsible and the elimination of which
almost alwaj's is economical and profitable.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
NURSING
5199
One industrial nurse was added to our staff in January 1941, and her accom-
plishments already demonstrate the value of embarking on this course. In
addition to her many opportunities to be of service in connection with other basic
services, she serves as a consultant to nurses in industry concerning the preventive
aspects of their programs. Among the services which the industrial nurse can
render in plants maj' be mentioned assistance concerning standardized nursing
practices, uniform systems of recording services, and absenteeism studies.
SPECIAL SERVICES IN NATIONAL-DEFENSE INDUSTRIES
The bureau already had a great deal of information concerning health problems
in a majority of industries which have been called upon to manufacture materials
and equipment for use in the national-defense program. But, with the develop-
ment of these extra demands on industry the bureau immediately recognized the
potential influence of such abnormal industrial activity upon the physical welfare
of workers. During such periods the normal regime of plant operations may be
disturbed to the extent that the usual vigilance against illness is relaxed; old
hazardous processes are reinstituted; new operations possessing definite or unde-
termined health hazards are developed; physically defective and untrained
workers may be employed — these and other factors may be responsible for the
recurrence of old or the introduction of new hazards into the plant. During the
present emergency the role of industries in supplying defense equipment is greater
than ever before and the importance of conserving manpower in industry is
definitely realized.
Connecticut is one of the smallest States in the Union in respect to both area
and population, yet it is among the first in the importance of its industries, in
the defense program. To meet its obligations in this program, it is obvious that
no stone should be left unturned to insure the protection of the health of the
workers in this emergency. The bureau is concentrating its services in the
defense industries by placing such plants on its priority list for service. All of
these plants are being surveyed in detail to determine the nature and severitj'
of their health hazards, and all unsatisfactory conditions are given the necessary
amount of attention to insure that thev are effectivelv controlled.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The best example of the accomplishments of the bureau is the extent to which
the services have been exjaanded during recent years. Without proper appre-
ciation of the efforts of the bureau, demands for help on the part of industry and
others would not have created the need for personnel expansions. This type of
acconiplishment cannot be clearly illustrated in any statistical form. However,
the figures shown in the following table do serve as witnesses and also reveal the
extent to which some of the major routine services were rendered. It will be
noted that with the exception of studies, which are special activities, there was
a marked increase in work done during the latter two 4-year periods over the
previous periods. Special studies are carried out only when routine investigative
service will permit. This type of work fell off somewhat in the last 4-year period
because of the increasing demands for routine plant investigations and because
two of the more experienced workers left the service during the period and covild
not be replaced for several months because of no personnel being on the civil-
service list.
Activities of Bureau of Industrial Hygiene, by 4-year periods, July 1928 to June
1940, inclusive
1928-32
1932-36
1936-40
NTiirnhpr of fipld trips;
1,125
298
1,205
1,022
500
1,488
630
143
2,480
3,492
1,272
2,849
1,171
140
Field determinations
5,467
5,399
Consultations
3,294
5200 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Special activities have been engaged in from time to time in order to make
detailed evaluations of hazards presented by certain types of industries. One
of these studies has been that dealing with mercury poisoning in fur-cutting and
hat-manufacturing plants which was made in cooperation with the United States
Public Health Service. These special investigations added considerable informa-
tion to the literature concerning the effects of prolonged exposure to mercury
and its compounds, and also revealed the principal sources of poisoning in the
two types of industries. One of the principal facts demonstrated by these studies
was that the only practicable and effective way of dealing with the mercury
hazard was to eliminate it entirely from the operations. The bureau of indus-
trial hygiene immediately thereafter launched a drive for the suVjstitution of a
nonmercurial carrot for the old type which contained mercury. Manj' problems
had to be solved before this change could be made, the most important of which
was the development of suitable nonmercurial carroting solutions. This goal
finally has been reached and, as a result of a recent agreement reached bj* fur
cutters, hat manufacturers, labor, and health officials, regulations were drawn
up prohibiting the use of mercury in the carroting of hatters' fur after December
1, 1941. This accomplishment by the Connecticut Department of Health and
the hatting and fur-cutting industry will take its place, along with the measures
used in eliminating phosphorus in the manufacture of matches, as one of the
"historical mileposts in the progress of preventive medicine.
Other special studies have been made from time to time for the purpose of
procuring specific data on which to base control procedures. Industrial Hygiene
still is a comparatively new field of service and much information concerning
health hazards is incomplete. The bureau has added much information to the
store of knowledge concerning several phases of the work, notably, electrolytic
cleaning and stripping operations, electroplating, degreasing, radioactive sub-
stances, exposures to lead, cadmium, silica, asbestos, and some of the newer
toxic solvents. A study of exposures in dental laboratories revealed that of the
184 workers involved all of them were exposed to dangerous concentrations of
silica dust. Many of these people thought that they were using pumice in
polishing their work but the studies revealed that they actually were using silica
and were being subjected to a serious health hazard.
An important feature of the Bureau's activities is concerned with educational
efforts. Every opportunity is utilized to disseminate information by technical
papers, lay articles, radio broadcasts, illustrated lectures, demonstrations, and
personal conferences concerning occupational health hazards and their control.
The committee is respectfully referred to the annual reports of the State depart-
ment of health for further information respecting the work of the bureau.
RELATIONSHIPS OF THE BUREAU WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES
The bureau of industrial hygiene exists for no purpose other than to render
honest and impartial service in the prevention and control of occupational health
hazards and raising the general health level of the industrial worker. The bureau
has legal power to enter any plant in the State and the public health council of
the department of health has authority to formulate and enforce regulations in the
sanitary code governing occupational disease hazards. Whenever occasion de-
mand, these powers are exercised.
INDUSTRY
Industry is charged with the responsibility for complying with regulations
concerning occupational health hazards and the spirit of cooperation in this work
always has been in keeping with the character which has been a distinguishing
characteristic of industry in Connecticut. The creation of the service was made
possible by the legislature at the insistence of induistry. The relationships the
bureau has had with the manufacturers' association have been on a plane which
has materiallv assisted the bureau in its work.
The contacts with organized labor and with the individual worker have been
•exactly the same as those with individual industries and the manufacturers'
association. The cooperation received from organized labor has been helpful,
stimulating, and supportive to measures that the bureau desired to carry out in
studying particular problems. Many individual workers go to the bureau with
their occupational health problems or report unsatisfactory working conditions.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5201
These people have been given the best services which the bureau is capable of
rendering and many unsatisfactory plant conditions have been corrected as a
result of their cooperation.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
The medical profession represents the most effective medium in the accom-
plishment of many of the bureau's efforts. Industrial physicians occupy advan-
tageous positions to supervise industrial health practices and to bring about
adequate control of hazards. Just as the private physician is the most logical
person to practice public health, in its broader aspects, so is the industrial physician
equally well situated to practice preventive medicine in the plant. Even the
physicians who are not connected with plants see many types of illness caused by
or "definitely influenced by occupational exposures. The bureau recognizes the
services which tliese doctors are in position to render concerning industrial health
and every effort is made to cooperate with them.
That the State medical association is actively interested in the work is attested
by the recent publication of a brochure entitled "Conserving Manpower Through
the Extension and Improvement of Industrial Medical Service" which was pre-
pared bj' the joint industrial health committee of the Manufacturers' Association
of Connecticut and the Connecticut State Medical Society. Over a thousand
copies of this brochure have been distributed.
This unique document describes the scope, function, and organization of medical
service in industry and contains an inquiry form, which, when completed by
Connecticut manufacturers, will furnish valuable information concerning exist-
ing medical services. Upon request, manufacturers desiring information concern-
ing the inauguration or expansion of a health program will be given assistance.
It is hoped that the brochure will be the first of a number of cooperative enter-
prises on the part of the manufacturers' association and medical society, aiming to
further the interests of the preparedness program. For example, the need for
disseminating more information about organizing first aid training courses for
employees has been recognized, and other measures for improving employee
morale will undoubtedly become apparent.
The bureau renders consultation service to physicians concerning the diagnosis
and control of occupational diseases. This phase of the work has developed so
rapidly during the past few years that an additional industrial health physician
was assigned to the service in July 1940 and another one will be employed in July
1941, to assist with this program.
NURSING ASSOCIATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS
The bureau desires to emphasize industrial nursing service and the contribu-
tion which the State nurses' organization, the visiting nurses' association and
nurses in various branches of the profession are in position to render in extending
and improving industrial nursing services. Since an industrial nurse was added
to the bureau of industrial hygiene, definite attention is being given to the develop-
ment of plans for promoting plant nursing activities. The interest which is being
shown in this undertaking indicates that the nurses will keep pace with the
physicians in their efforts to develop industrial hygiene services in the plants.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
The State department of labor cooperates with the bureau of industrial hygiene
by reporting any health conditions observed in plants which should be investigated
-and the same cooperation is extended to them concerning accident hazards.
THE UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
The United States Public Health Service, through its Division of Industrial
Hygiene, always has rendered efficient and cooperative service to the bureau of
industrial hygiene. The studies of mercuiialism in the fur cutting and hat manu-
facturing plants which were referred to elsewhere in this report, are again cited
as working examples of cooperation.
LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS
Local health departments represent the first official line of defense against all
public health problems such as occupational disease hazards. The extent of their
participation in the bureau's activities is governed by the type and magnitude of
problems involved and by local facilities. In the majority of instances all control
5202 HARTFORD HEARmGS
work is carried out by the bureau because of inadequate personnel in the area,
but it is the policy of the bureau to encourage local health officials to participate
in the work as freely as possible. Many problems are reported by local health
authorities and they are invaluable aids to the program.
AMERICAN STANDARDS ASSOCIATION
The American Standards Association committee on limits of exposure to
industrial materials has rendered a very valuable service in developing standards
respecting the safe concentrations of dusts, gases, and other types of atmospheric
contaminants. The commissioner of health and director of the bureau of indus-
trial hygiene are members of that committee.
INSURANCE ORGANIZATIONS
Cooperative relationships exist between the bureau and the various insurance
organizations carrying occupational disease liabilities in Connecticut, and much
technical information is interchanged concerning industrial health hazards.
MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
The bureau of industrial hygiene maintains close and profitable relationship
with various other official and" nonofficial organizations — in fact, it may be said
that it counts as its allies any legitimate organization which is in position to be of
any service in the improvement of conditions in industry which may adversely
affect the health of the worker.
The special interests which are being shown in the phj-sical welfare of workers
in national-defense industries affords new and greater opportunities for the Bureau
to cooperate with the various agencies and organizations concerned. The attached
organization chart shows the manner in which cooperative relationships may he
maintained. The Bureau has long been actively engaged in occupational disease
control work in the State and, consequently, it is considered to be more adequately
equipped to serve as a source of genera] information concerning health problems
and as an agency for correcting hazards than any of the other organizations
which are concerned with any phases of this subject. It is anxious to receive
reports from such organizations concerning problems to be investigated and is
equally willing to supply any information possible which would be desired by
them.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5203
C3
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5204 HARTFORD HEARINGS
FUTURE PROGRAM
The Bureau of Industrial Hygiene plans to continue along the same general
course which has been followed in the past 13 years. The major activities will
continue to be concerned with the elimination of individual occupational disease
hazards. The work will be expanded to include any other indicated services
which can be handled. Some of future extensions of the service under considera-
tion are outlined be'ow.
MEDICAL SERVICE IN INDUSTRY
The Bureau is not directly concerned with industrial medical service but
recognizes that such service is of inestimable value in the control of occupational
disease hazards. Every effort wiU be exerted to assist the industrial physicians
in the promotion of this service.
NURSING SERVICE IN INDUSTRY
Reference already has been made to the values of industrial nursing service and
to some of the Bureau's interests in this work. All possible assistance will be
rendered to the nurses on a basis similar to that concerning industrial medical
service.
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL AND NURSING SERVICES IN THE CONTROL
OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
With the addition of another physician to the staff in July 1941, it will be
possible to make more complete medical investigations of all occupational diseases
reported to the Bureau. This service will be rendered for the purpose of procuring
epidemiological information concerning the nature of the cases and the various
circumstances in the plants and elsewhere which were responsible for the illness.
Nursing participation in this service also will be developed. Much valuable
information concerning the epidemiology of occupational diseases will be procured
and used in bringing about more effective control of conditions responsible for
such cases.
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS
Education is an important'phase of a preventive medicine program and special
attention will be given to the improvement of this service. The expanded pro-
gram will provide for more technical articles, general bulletins and pamphlets,
demonstrations and individual conferences dealing with various industrial health
problems.
CONCLUSIONS
The prospects for rendering effective service in the future appear more encourag-
ing than has ever been realized before. A great deal of progress has been made
in the development of proper appreciation of the importance of health conserva-
tion in industry. Industry, labor, and the medical profession are intensely
interested in tl:e work. The store of knowledge and the criteria for diagnosis and
controlling occupational diseases have been greatly advanced. Additional State
funds ai^propriated by the Legislature will provide more personnel and permit
more effort in dealing with occupational health hazards. With all of these
advantages it does not appear too optimistic to predict that past accomplishments
in this field of work soon may be looked back upon as just a small start in the
inarch toward the final goal — adequate control of every occupational health
hazard in Connecticut.
[With the above statement was submitted the following supplemen-
tal material:]
Occupational Environment — Sanitary Code, State of Connecticut
Regulation 280:
No person, firm, corporation, or other employer shall use or permit to be used
in the conduct of his business, manufacturing establishment or other place of
employment, any process, material or condition known to have an adverse effect
on health, unless arrangements have been made to maintain the occupational
environment in such a manner that injury to health shall not result.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 52Q5
Before any person, firm, corporation, or other employer shall undertake any
actual construction in connection therewith, the State department of health shall
be notified of any contemplated replacement, extension, or new installation of
any industrial exhaust ventilating system for the removal of dust, fumes, vapors,,
mists, or gases, w-hich may afi'ect the health of workers.
Exposure to dusts, fumes, mists, vapors, gases, or any materials that may
affect health shall be kept below the threshold limits as established in Regulatioa
281.
Threshold limits of toxic materials
Regulation 281 :
Material Concentration
Benzene (Benzol) 100 parts per million.
Carbon tetrachloride 100 parts per million.
Carbon disulfide 20 parts per million.
Carbon monoxide 100 parts pei milhon.
Chlorine 1 part per million.
Chromic acid 1.0 mg. per 10 cubic meters.
Formaldehyde 20 parts per million.
Gasoline 1,000 parts per million.
Hydrogen cyanide 20 parts per million.
Hydrogen chloride 10 parts per million.
Hydrogen fluoride 3 parts per milhon.
Hydrogen sulfide 20 paits per million.
Lead 1.5 mgs. per 10 cubic meters.
Mercury 1.0 mg. in 10 cubic meters.
Methanol 100 parts per million.
Nitrogen oxides 40 parts per million.
Phosgene 1 part per million.
Sulfur dioxide 10 parts per million.
Turpentine 700 parts per million.
Exposure to other materials not included shall be kept below injurious concen-
trations.
Dust (containing more than 90 percent free silica in the form of quartz) (smaller
than 10 microns in longest dimension), less than 5,000,000 particles per cubic
foot.
Dusts of other mineralogical composition shall be kept below concentrationg
which will be stipulated depending on the nature of the dust.
5206
HARTFORD HEARINGS
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5208
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NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5211
A Program for the Extension and Improvement of Indtjstbial Medical
Service in Connecticut
By CLIFFORD M. KUH, M. D.
The progress made iu recent years in providing medical and surgical service for
industrial employees is a measure of the changing concepts of the importance of
emploj'ees' health. It is not within the scope of this discussion to review develop-
ments in this field or to appraise the respective roles of industry, labor, and the
medical profession. The present level of proficiency in industrial health con-
servation has resulted from their combined efforts, aided in Connecticut by an
ably written compensation law wisely administered by Connecticut's compensa-
tion commissioners, and by an efficient bureau of the State department of health
for the control of occupational diseases.
Despite noteworthy progress, there are still many improvements to be made
before the general health status of employees reaches the highest possible level.
Industry is still carrying many of the expensive and unnecessary burdens of pre-
ventable illness and injury.
To employees, poor health means loss of wages, shorter periods of usefulness
and resulting social and financial privations which they and their dependents
must bear. To the employers, such health experiences mean loss of services of
the employee, forced use of less skilled employees, retarded production schedules
and increased manufacturing costs.
The national preparedness program creates demands which tax production
severely and put a premium on the physical well-being of employees. Health
problems of normal periods are accentuated and new ones will be created, as in-
dustry speeds operations, employs untrained and physically defective employees,
and institutes new processes of unknown or detrimental health significance.
Such problems will arise at the verj' time when the physical fitness of each em-
ployee will have a marked influence upon the extent to which industry will meet
the abnormal demands for its services.
Aware of the health problems which confront industry during normal times and
cognizant of the intensification of these hazards during periods of increased
industrial activity, the joint committee off"ers the following suggestions for the
extension and improvement of industrial medical service.
objectives of INDUSTRIAL MEDICAL SERVICE
The purpose of industrial medical service may be stated to be the preservation
and promotion of the health of employees. This implies first of all, the provision
of a safe and congenial environment for every employee and, secondly, his proper
placement and advancement within the organization through competent evaluation
of the employee as a physical and mental being.
Improved health and more effective utilization of manpower should make for
a better product. Less sickness and fewer accidents should result in less compen-
sation cost, fewer unjust claims for injuries, less absenteeism, less labor turn-over
and, hence, a better production schedule. A better product and a healthier, and
consequently happier, personnel should increase company goodwill. • ^
The employee as well as the emploj'er has an obligation in respect to the
maintenance of health. Every employee is expected to utilize the safety measures
provided by the plant. It is obvious that labor and industry have definite
responsibilities mutually concerning the protection of health. Efficient industrial
medical service of the type outlined below should be beneficial to both in their
efforts to bring about better health conditions and in improving general indus-
trial relationships.
FUNCTIONS OF THE SERVICE
The tj^pe of industrial medical service under consideration deals with the
following activities:
1. Control of plant environment.
2. Phj'sical examinations and supervision of employees:
(a) Preemployment examinations.
(6) Periodic examinations,
(c; Transfer examinations.
(d) Examinations following absence.
(e) Records and procedure.
1 Do Good Working Conditions Pay?, published by National Association of Manufacturers, New York,
N. Y.. 1<J39.
2 Who's Too Small For a Health Program?, published by National Association [of 'Manufacturers, New
York, N. Y., 1939. ^ . ^
5212 HARTFORD HEARINGS
3. Therapy.
4. Special investigations.
(a) Studies of accomplishments.
(b) Other special studies.
5. Education.
CONTROL OF PLANT ENVIRONMENT
The physician is actually the health director of the plant and responsible for
all phases of preventive medicine. He should have a thorough knowledge of all
processes and materials being used and of the actual and potential health hazards
involved. It is the physician's duty to see that the employees are adequately
protected against any conditions which might cause illness or injury. The pro-
vision of proper safety measures and the identification, measurement, and control
of dusts, fumes, gases, etc., usually are the immediate responsibility of the safety
engineer or others, but the plant physician should be able to assist in the evalua-
tion of the extent of these hazards and the effectiveness of control measures for
he sees the physical effect upon the employees of the lack of these measures.
Plant housekeeping, toilet facilities, drinking facilities, lighting, heating, ventila-
tion and air conditioning also play important roles in the health and safety pro-
gram of any plant. The extent to which the plant physician concerns himself
with these considerations — all preventive phases of his work — will determine
to no small degree the effectiveness of the services he renders.
One of the most satisfactory ways for the physician to assist in controlling plant
environment is to inspect periodically the plant and the personnel en masse,
submitting a written report of his findings on a special plant-inspection form.
He should be accompanied in the tour about the plant by an official of the com-
pany so that remedial measures may be pointed out.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS AND SUPERVISION OF EMPLOYEES
Physical examinations of employees are an important part of medical service
in industry. They are useful in determining the physical fitness of applicants
for employment; in permitting the proper placement in the organization of the
defective or older worker (particularly important in times of preparedness) ; and
in measuring the progress of efforts to control occupational hazards. Likewise,
physical examinations are beneficial to all in industry because physical defects are
discovered oftentimes when correction is still possible.
Physical examinations of employees may be classified according to type, as
follows :
(a) Preemployment examinations.— The preemployment or placement examina-
tion should be made, as the name implies, before the applicant is employed, so
that his physical fitness for any duty can be determined.
The extent of the preemployment examination cannot be defined here for all
industrial conditions, but sonie general phases may be mentioned. Whenever
practical, a careful clinical and occupational history should be taken and the
examination should include vision, hearing, blood pressure, the heart and lungs,
spine, extremities, abdomen, inguinal rings, etc. Routine urinalyses should be
made and under certain conditions it is desirable to include blood Wassermanns,
chest X-rays, and other diagnostic procedures.
(6) Periodic examinations. — Employees exposed to hazardous conditions or in
charge of operations which may be hazardous to other employees should be
examined as frequently as the circumstances indicate. These examinations may
be limited to a few essential observations and laboratory tests depending upon the
early manifestations of the occupational disease.
Employees showing evidence of occupational disease should be removed from
exposure and appropriately treated. Necessary steps should be taken to control
the hazard. The disease should be reported on forms provided by the Bureau of
Industrial Hygiene of the Connecticut State Department of Health.
Periodic physical reexamination of all employees whether or not exposed to
hazardous conditions is desirable at least every 1 or 2 years. When this is not
practicable, partial physical reexamination, depending on findings at time of the
last examination, and selected laboratory tests may be employed. Other minimal
types of periodic rechecking of employees are possible such as the employment of a
personal history form without physical examination, aiming to ascertain whether
symptoms or warning signals are present, with the idea of referring selected cases
to their family physician.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5213
Periodic reexamination should include office as well as factory employees. The
inclusion of executive personnel in particular often has the beneficial effect of
selling the examinations to the other employees.
Periodic examinations of members of employee mutual benefit associations are
desirable in order to lower morbidity and mortality rates. If examinations of this
type are made the records must be kept strictly confidential, aiid neither member-
ship in the association nor benefits derived should be affected by the results of the
examination. Depending on the method of financing accident, sickness and
death benefits, examinations before admission to the association may also be
indicated.
(c) Transfer examinations. — Employees to be transferred permanently or for
an indefinite period from one job to another varying in nature and physical require-
ments from the original occupation should be examined prior to the transfer to
determine any harmful effect of the old job as well as their physical fitness for
the new one. This refers not only to transfer to heavier work but in certain
instances, as in the case of older or disabled employees, to other work more suit-
able to their ph_vsical capacity.
(d) Examinations following absence. — Employees returning to work following
absence because of illness or injuries, or after prolonged absence for any reason
should be subject to examination in accordance with a plan acceptable to the
company physician.
(e) Records and procedure. — Detailed information is readily available concern-
ing the scope of the comprehensive physical examination and concerning forms
to be used for recording both the preemployment and periodic reexamination. ^ *
Where there are important physical findings the employee should be advised
to request his family doctor to get in touch with the examining physician. When
requested, a detailed report should be sent to the famih' doctor.
Complete records of all findings, instructions, estimates of disabilities, etc.,
should be kept strictly confidential and be available only to the physician in
charge or those under his supervision. Codes or other forms of physical classifi-
cation may be submitted to the proper officials so that they may know only the
employee's physical fitness for work.
The decision of the physician should be respected in all matters relating to the
physical fitness of, and medical care needed by, the examinee. All reportable
diseases, occupational or nonoccupational, as well as accidents should be brought
to the attention of the proper city or State officials.
The therapeutic functions of the industrial physician should be limited to the
care of occupational injuries and diseases, in accordance with the Compensation
Act of Connecticut;^ to the physical rehabilitation of injured workers; and to first
aid and other minor illnesses of nonoccupational nature for which the employee
would not ordinarily consult his family doctor. The plant physician should not
assume any functions in connection with his duties in the plant, which belong to
the personal or family physician.
SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS
(a) Studies of accomplishments. — An important phase of the industrial phy-
sician's duties involves the evaluation of efi'orts to safeguard the health of em-
ployees. Complete records should be kept of all services rendered; of sickness
and accident experiences, particularly those causing absence from work;^ of
special control measures which have been installed; and of costs of medical service
and of compensation. Periodic analyses of these data according to departments or
occupation, particularly the determination of accident frequency and severity
rates, represent one of the best possible means of measuring accomplishments
and substantiating claims for the continuation and expansion of the medical
service.
(6) Other special studies. — The factors and circumstances which do or may im-
pair the health of industrial employees present many opportunities for study
3 Medical Service in Industry and Workmen's Compensation Laws, published by American College of
Surgeons. Chica?o, HI , 1938.
* Wisconsin Physical Examination Proirram, Industrial Commission of Wisconsin, reprinted by Em-
ployers Mutual Liability Insurance Co., Wausan. Wis.. 1939.
6 Workmen's Compensation, Bulletin No. 15, issued by the Board of Compensation Commissioners,
Hartford, Conn., 1939.
« A Proposed Plan for the Recording of Industrial Absenteeism, published by the Division of Industrial
Hygiene, National Institute of Health, United States Public Health Service, Washington, D. C, 1940.
5214 HARTFORD HEARINGS
to the progressive industrial physician. Many of the hazards to be found in
industries are well known and readily controllable through existing methods.
Others are not so well known and their elimination or control necessitates more
specific knowledge.
It is not advocated or expected that industrial physicians devote a major portion
of their time to research or specific investigations. However, it is desirable that
whenever new processes or materials are introduced into a plant, the industrial
physician should be notified immediately by the management, in order that ' e
may be on the alert for any new occupational hazards.
Under the stress of the national preparedness program a number of universities
are extending their research activities to include industrial medicine. Industry
and the industrial physician should be afforded the opportunity to participate in,
or to benefit by, those studies.
Among the various conditions deserving further study by industry, the medical
profession and the university, may be mentioned the following:
1. Improved methods of diagnosing, classifying, and treating occupational
diseases and injuries.
2. Methods of measuring and controlling new and unusual health hazards.
3. The effect on the health and efficiency of employees of such factors as fatigue,
emotional strain (especially that of war or defense preparations), nutrition, social
and economic problems, housing, etc.
4. The influence of types of work or of general plant conditiorts (lighting, venti-
lation, sanitation, etc.) upon the health of employees, notably upon the spread
of respiratory and other communicable diseases.
5. The effect upon the mental and physical health of employees, of employee
relationships, and the attitude and policies of management.
6. Elucidation of standards of physical and mental fitness for work (including
aptitude tests) classified by job, with emphasis on rehabilitating and placing old
or handicapped employees.
7. The effect on the health and efficiency of employees of a deficiency of one
or more vitamins.
EDUCATION
Education is a fruitful phase of service for industrial physicians. Industrial
employees may be willing to do their part in safeguarding their health at the
plant, but they may not know what to do or how. Likewise employees do not
always fully understand the nature of some of their personal health problems or
how they may be brought under control.
The opportunities of the industrial physician are many for showing both em-
ployees and employers alike how they can make greater effort to safeguard their
general health, increase their personal efficiency, reduce absenteeism, and utilize
to the best possible advantage the control measures instituted by the plant.
The inauguration of American Red Cross first-aid courses will serve as a me-
dium of safety education and as a means of stimulating employee activity and
interest in the healthfulness and safety of the working environment.
ORGANIZATION OF THE INDUSTRIAL MEDICAL SERVICE
The character of industrial medical service will vary with individual needs,
but certain minimum standards (3) have been advocated:
1. The industrial establishment shall have an organized medical department
or service with competent medical staff including consultants and also have ade-
quate emergency, dispensary, and hospital facilities and personnel to assure
efficient care of the ill and injured.
2. Membership on the medical staff shall be restricted to physicians and sur-
geons who are (a) graduates from an acceptable medical school, with the degree
of doctor of medicine, in good standing and licensed to practice in their respec-
tive States or Provinces; (b) competent in the field of industrial medicine and
traumatic surgery; (c) worthy in character and in matters of professional ethics;
in the latter connection the practice of the division of fees, under any guise
whatsoever, shall be prohibited.
3. There shall be a system of accurate and complete records filed in an acces-
sible manner, such records to include particularly a report of injury or illness,
description of physical findings, treatment, estimated period of disability, end-
results, as well as other information pertinent to the case or required by statute
for workmen's compensation claims or other purposes.
4. All patients requiring hospitalization shall be sent to approved institutions.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5215
5. The medical department or service shall have general supervision over the
sanitation of the plant and the health of all employees.
It should be borne in mind that the above standards are to be considered as
basic ones only and that they may be below the actual needs of many types of
industrial organizations. On the other hand small companies often begin with
less and build up their medical services as fast as conditions warrant.
The medical department should be conveniently located and adequately
equipped. The physician in charge should be given sufficient authority and
freedom to facilitate the most desirable relationships within the plant and at
the same time be permitted to deal with the employees in the same ethical and
considerate manner as would be expected in private practice.
Whether the physician should be engaged on a full-time or part-time basis
should be governed by individual plant needs.
The question whether the doctor should be a surgeon or not is often raised.
In some plants surgical services represent the greatest medical need while in
others, not having important accident hazards but definite problems of disease
control, a well-trained internist would be more suitable than a surgeon.
Registered nurses perform a necessary and important function in any well-
developed industrial health program. Requirements will vary with the plant
and should receive individual consideration. Nursing services should always be
under the supervision of the plant physician.
PLAN FOR ASSISTING INDUSTRIES IN DEVELOPING THEIR INDIVIDUAL MEDICAL
SERVICE
Upon request, the joint committee on industrial health of the Manufacturers
Association of Connecticut and the Connecticut State Medical Society will be
glad to study the individual medical problems of any industrial establishment in
the State, in cooperation with its medical personnel, or when such personnel is not
available, with other company officials.
Furthermore, the joint committee is desirous of obtaining information con-
cerning the extent to which medical service is being provided at present by the
industries of Connecticut. Hence, the accompanying inquiry form has been
prepared. Plant officials are urgently requested to use it in order to supply the
joint committee with the information needed for a general survey of existing
conditions. At the same time the inquiry form will enable the committee to
serve those plant officials who desire assistance. All information submitted will
be considered strictly confidential.
Please return one copy of the form whether or not you seek advice. The com-
pleted inquiries should be mailed to the joint committee on industrial health,
Manufacturers Association of Connecticut and Connecticut State Medical
Society, 436 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Conn.
Nutrition for Workmen in Defense Industries — 'National Nutrition
Conference for Defense, Washington, D. C, May 26, 27, and 28, 1941
Under modern conditions, those who forge the weapons of defense are just as
important to our safety as are those for whose use those weapons are intended.
Every care is taken to provide healthful surroundings and good food for the armed
forces, who have been selected with the greatest care. The health and nutrition
of defense workers, many of whom may have been rejected for military services,
must nevertheless be maintained at high levels if industry is to meet the needs of
this emergency.
It is therefore urgently recommended that special attention be paid to the
diets and nutrition of all workers in industry and particularly of those most
directly concerned with the national defense effort. The pressing importance of
this problem should be drawn to the attention of the governmental agencies con-
cerned with defense industries, such as the Office of Production Management.
Supplemental feeding in factories should be practiced wherever it is found
that the diets of defense workers are not fully adequate from the point of view of
modern nutrition. Such feeding has been found to increase the worker's effi-
ciency, reduce accidents, and decrease the volume of absenteeism.
In this emergency, defense plants are being constructed in sparsely populated
areas where normal community facilities are lacking.
In such instances community feeding with its advantages of economy and expert
supervision may be required and is recommended.
5216 HARTFORD HEARINGS
It is also recommended that the approval of contracts calling for construction
or expansion of defense plants should include consideration of appropriate facili-
ties for feeding the workers. Special attention must be paid to the nutrition of
workers who are exposed to the effects of specific industrial techniques or hazards
such as are found in chemical factories.
Information regarding the diets of defense workers is not available, but it is
known that the diets of a large percentage of workers' families are inadequate by-
modern standards. In the emergency conditions confronting defense workers,
their diets will tend to become even less adequate than they are today unless
particular attention is paid to this problem.
It is therefore recommended that the families of low-income workers in defense
industries should be included in the distribution of protective surplus foods.
Education in the need for adequate diets is a continuing need and should be
carried on by the most practical methods.
THE LABOR RECRUIT
The health conditions among labor recruits are reflected by the results of selec-
tive service and Army medical examinations. A comparatively large proportion
of the new workers who are being employed by defense industries are undoubtedly
suffering from physical disabilities associated directly or indirectly with mal-
nutrition such as underweight, general debility, defective teeth, and low-grade
chronic infection.
It is therefore recommended that steps be taken to condition nutritionally
those classes of the population which are likely to become defense workers.
Such nutritional conditioning might well be carried out among organized groups
such as are found in Civilian Conservation Corps camps, National Youth Adminis-
tration, Work Projects Administration, and defense training schools. Such work
is already under way in Michigan and Wisconsin. Similar conditioning at an
English camp resulted in the induction into the army of 87 percent of 834 young
men who had previously been rejected.
DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM
Greater and more precise knowledge concerning the nutrition of defense workers
is an urgent need. Prompt and effective measures can be taken to improve diets
when it is known that they are inadequate in certain essentials. The improvement
in health which results when specific nutritional deficiencies are appropriately
treated is a great stimulus to education in diet. Properly controlled studies
provide the only convincing evidence of the benefits which result when the de-
ficiencies of inadequate diets are suitably supplemented.
It is therefore recommended that adequately controlled studies be conducted
in selected defense plants to determine the facts concerning the influence of diet
on health, working capacity, incidence of accidents, absenteeism, and the psycho-
logical state (industrial unrest).
Workers and employers who cooperate with governmental or private scientific
agencies in carrying out such studies will be performing a national service.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS
There are numerous agencies at Federal, State, and local levels to consider and
carry out the recommendations of the National Nutrition Conference for Defense,
in order to bring these recommendations promptly to the attention of State and
local agencies.
It is recommended that the governor of each State be asked to call at as early
a date as possible a State conference on nutrition in defense for the purpose of
formulating and devising ways and means by which the resolutions and recommen-
dations of the national conference may be carried out through the cooperative
efforts of the appropriate Federal, State, and local authorities and agencies, with
special reference to the particular conditions and needs in that State.
Nutrition Activities in Connecticut
Inasmuch as it has been recommended in section IV — Nutrition for Workers in
Defense Industries — at the National Nutrition Conference for Defense, April
26-28, held in Washington, D. C, that "special attention be paid to the diets and
nutrition of all workers in industry and particularly of those most directly con-
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5217
cerned with the national-defense effort," the facilities of Connecticut State De-
partment of Health and of the State nutrition defense committee are brought to
your attention.
The State department of health for many years has been carrying on an educa-
tional nutrition program in Connecticut to —
(a) Bring the latest nutritional information — as it relates to the need for protein
of the right kind, minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and iron and the vitamins
one by one as they have been discovered — to health leaders, health officers, public-
health nurses, industrial nurses, school nurses, dentists and dental hygienists,
social workers and other community leaders. This has been done by conferences,
short courses, leaflets, radio talks, bulletin articles, and exhibits.
(6) Special emphasis always has been placed on the interpretation of nutrition
principles in terms of daily food for the family. To this end assistance in adjust-
ing the family food budget to secure the best returns in health values for money
spent is constantly available to those leaders who come closest to the people in the
homes, such as public-health nurses, industrial and school nurses. Assistance is
given social workers so that they rfiay make sure that relief in food money or kind
is adequate to meet the health needs of their families.
Much was said at the National Nutrition Conference about "hollow hunger"
and "hidden hunger." For the former, it is only necessary to advise enough food
to meet the daily energy needs. The latter, "hidden hunger," is the more diffi-
cult problem facing us all today. To meet this need the use of protective foods-
milk, green and yellow vegetables, fruits, eggs must be emphasized in order to —
(a) Make sure that the young are not stunted in growth during the formative
period of life and sound dental structure is assured.
(b) Assist mothers to protect their own health and produce sound healthy
offspring.
(c) Improve adult food habits so they may carry on efficiently at the peak of
their economic usefulness.
The State nutrition defense committee on which the State department of health
is represented consists of agencies which have close contact with groups of every
type and can influence them to raise the standards of nutrition by the daily use
of food which more adequately meets the health needs of every member of their
families. It is anxious to serve industry witli every effort that can be made to
improve the health and efficiency of the worker on whom the burden of defense
naturally falls.
To be of the greatest service the State nutrition defense committee urgently
requests cooperation of industry in determining whether —
(a) The present lunchroom services for workers adequately meet their needs
as to "hidden hunger" as well as "hollow hunger."
(b) Whether supplementary midmeal food for the workers would make for
greater health and efl^iciency.
(c) Whether local lunch facilities in the area of the plant meet the required
standards for adequate food.
(d) Whether information about food is made available to workers through
educational methods within the plant or to their families by means of industrial
nurses and other personnel.
The State department of health and the State nutrition defense committee
pledge their support of industry in determining these needs and making improve-
ments found necessary to the health and efficiency of the workers.
Child Day Care Centers — Indications op Need and Initial Recommen-
dations OF Subcommittee by Manufacturers Association of Connecti-
cut, Inc.
As a result of a meeting of a group of representatives from the State public
health, public welfare, and education departments on April 24 at which considera-
tion was given to the problem of establishing child day care centers to care for the
children of women workers in defense industries, an organizing subcommittee
was appointed and given power to take such action on the problem as it deemed
necessary. Members of that committee named by the temporary chairman, of
the April 24 meeting, N. S. Light, director of the bureau of supervision. State de-
partment of education, included E. Kent Hubbard, president of the Manufac-
turers Association of Connecticut; Work Projects Administration supervisor of
nursery schools and representatives of the State public welfare department;
5218 HARTFORD HEARINGS
State health department; department of education; Yale University; Connecticut
Conference of Social Work; State employment service; and State council of defense.
Meeting for the first time June 2, the subcommittee elected Mr. N. S. Light as
permanent chairman and gave lengthy consideration to: (1) Extent of present need
for the establishment of day care nursery centers; (2) possible extent of future
need; (3) consideration of utilization of foster homes, Work Projects Administra-
tion projects and local community self-sustaining child care projects; (4) fitness
of groups that have already demonstrated an interest in establishing child care
projects and other groups that are likely to be interested in cooperatin.g on the
child care program; (5) best method for immediate approach to the solution of the
problem.
Out of this discussion came the suggestion that the problem appeared to break
down into a series of community problems and that the subcommittee should work
out a suggestive policy of action to be submitted to local child day care center
committees as rapidly as interested persons or groups could be induced to sponsor
an organization meeting to form such local committees.
In order to work out intelligent recommendations that might be passed on for
the guidance of community child day care committees, five subcommittees were
named to develop recommendations by June 16, 1941. These committees are:
(1) Health; (2) personnel; (3) program of activities; (4) intake and agencies;
and (5) administration.
After the recommendations of the five sub-subcommittees are received and
edited by the members of the subcommittee, it is expected that they will be printed
or mimeographed and distributed to community groups as rapidly as enthusiasm
can be engendered, by letter and personal contact, in each community to organize
a local child care committee.
Since the work of this State subcommittee on child day care is so closely related
to other emergency employment problems now being considered by the committee
on emergency employment problems, and since the association, the State employ-
ment and State public health departments are represented in the former group
close cooperation between the two committees and speed of action seems assured.
TESTIMONY OF DR. ALBERT S. GRAY— Resumed
Mr. Sparkman. Doctor, how many man-days of labor were lost in
1940 as a result of industrial disease?
Dr. Gray. We haven't that figure and I don't know that there are
any reliable figures available on that.
Mr. Sparkman. How about the man-days lost as a result of indus-
trial accidents?
Dr. Gray. We haven't that figure either. That would be a figure
that would be provided, if it were available, by the department of
labor and factory inspection; but if I may say so at this time, although
it doesn't come under our supervision, the deputy labor commissioner
informed me they did not have those figures.
We do know however, that both the accident rate and severity rate
have dropped since 1926. Also, you might be interested in knowing
that the American College of Surgeons made a study involving 166
companies in which three hundred and fifty-two thousand-odd workers
were employed, and found there was about six-tenths of a day lost
by each worker because of occupational disease and accidents.
Mr. Sparkman. That is six-tenths of a day each year?
Dr. Gray. Yes; and there is about 15 times as much time as that
lost from nonindustrial illness. To me these are rather interesting
and demonstrate the necessity for considering both industrial and
nonindustrial illness of the working population as an entity. Its
solution constitutes a major health problem.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5219
SANITARY CODE ENFORCEMENT
Air. Sparkman. How strictly is the sanitary code of Connecticut
enforced?
Dr. Gray. We have the right to demand that recommendations be
comphed with. It is very definitely enforced.
Mr. Sparkman. Is the State department of health adequately
financed or do you have a lack of funds?
Dr. Gray. Well, that rather puts me on the spot. Of course, as a
director of the industrial hygiene end of it, we always want more
money.
I have lived to be old enough, however, to be glad sometimes that
I didn't get what I asked for, and I must say that, compared with other
States, I don't know of any State that is spendmg more, and very few as
much, for this particular work. It is also my belief that Connecticut
was the first to recognize industrial hygiene as a problem that should be
tackled in a scientific way. We now have something like 32 or 33
States that have these bureaus in their departments of health; and
not to hide our light under a bushel, I am pleased to say they are
patterned very much on the type of organization we have here.
Furthermore, I think we have been very well provided for financially
in the last few 3^ears.
cooperation from industry
Mr, Sparkman. That is very mteresting. Do you receive cooper-
ation from the employers and the unions of Connecticut, or do they
wait for a check-up before they correct conditions?
Dr. Gray. Very definitely. As a matter of fact it is of interest to
know that a great deal of our work is actually requested by industry
itself. I think that is the answer to the question whether or not em-
ployers cooperate. There are black sheep, of course, in all families.
Unions also cooperate very well with us, reporting conditions they
feel should be investigated or remedied.
Mr. Sparkman. As a matter of fact they soon learned that it is
decidedly to their advantage to cooperate, didn't they?
Dr. Gray. I think that is just what happended, and isn't a question
of opinion in this work. Fortunately, we can make a determination
and show them the amount of toxic or poisonous material their
people are exposed to. It isn't something that is simply a question
of statutes. It is something that can be demonstrated. They can
be shown that certain amounts of certain materials are poisonous and
toxic and will affect health, and if you can show them definitely by
making determinations of the amount of material in the air, that they
have enough actually to cause poisoning, they will not tolerate that
condition.
CARE OF accident VICTIMS
Mr. Sparkman. What facilities are there in defense centers to
care for persons injured in plants — in plant disasters? Wliat pro-
visions have been made for caring for such situations?
Dr. Gray. Well, that would not come under my purview, but I
know there has been a great deal of work done in that line. As a
matter of fact I happen to be a member of the committee, and I am
5220 HARTFORD HEARINGS
quite sure that information could be provided for the committee, if
they would like it, I know they have done a lot of work on that.
Mr. Sparkman. If you could supply us with that information we
would like to have it for the record.
Dr. Gray. Yes; we will do that. Will you give me the question
again?
Mr. Sparkman. I simply asked what hospital facilities have been
provided in defense areas to take care of persons injured as a result
of a plant disaster ; whether the present facilities are adquate and if not,
what arrangements have been made.
Dr. Gray. We will see that the committee gets an answer to that.^
Mr. Sparkman. Mr. Chairman, that is all of Dr. Gray.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Dr. Gray, for your very
valuable contribution.
Mr. Nickerson, who is your next witness?
Mr. Nickerson. Mr. Stowell.
TESTIMONY OF ERNEST A. STOWELL, EMPLOYMENT MANAGER,
UNDERWOOD-ELLIOTT-FISHER CO., HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. Mr. Stowell, Mr. Sparkman, will interrogate you.
Mr. Sparkman. Do you have a prepared statement, Mr. Stowell?
Mr. Stowell. It is in summary form.
Mr. Sparkman. Mr. Stowell, will you please read us your state-
ment?
Mr. Stowell. Mine is on the question of training. [Reading:]
There are approximately 35,000 industrial workers being trained in
Connecticut under present conditions. Of these about 2,700 are
being trained in industry and of that number some 2,000 are being
trained in formal apprenticeship programs.
In addition to vocational schools and the defense courses in the
colleges, there are being trained upward of 7,000 workers.
The output of trained workers from the W. P. A. is practically
negligible as there is little trainable material left on the W. P. A. rolls.
The N. Y. A. has realized that it was not equipped adequately to
train men in Connecticut and is converting its facilities into clearance
centers for the importation of workers from outside the State. There
is one such center already in operation and four others are planned.
SEE SHORTAGE OF 106,000 WORKERS
The problem ahead of the manufacturers in the State of Comiecticut
is that under present commitments they are faced with a probable
shortage of 50,000 workers by September 1, and if all plants go on a
3-shift basis per day, this figure will build up to 106,000 workers.
To meet this need the manufacturers are bringing in workers from
outside the State for training purposes through the facilities of the
State employment offices. They are also upgrading their present
groups of employees in an effort to utilize the highest skills available
on the highest skilled jobs, and to develop material for promotion to
the supervisory staff.
1 A letter from Dr. Gray's ofHce, received subsequent to the hearing, informed the Committee that a
list of the hospital facilities referred to is included in the Hospital number of the Journal of the American
Medical Association. A copy of the issue containing this list will be held in Committee flies. W. Earl
Prosser, in his paper on "Social Services in Bridgeport," includes a note on this point. (See p. 5483.)
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5221
Manufacturers are realizing more and more that the greater part of
the training program must be done on the job within their own indus-
tries, and are depending upon schools for supplemental training in
related subjects.
MUST EMPLOY WOMEN
Wliile the recruiting from outside the State is controlled in a large
measure by the State employment service, there is of course con-
siderable independent recruiting by the larger companies for enroll-
ment in their training department. So far that has not resulted in
any criticism of consequence. The State recognizes that the reservoirs
of the unemployed in neighboring States will soon be exhausted and
they must use to a greater extent women on jobs that are now per-
formed by men.
Industry has absorbed practically 100 percent of all employees
trained under the various facilities set up for training outside of
industry and could continue to absorb substantial numbers so trained.
However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit trainees.
There has been some uncontrolled migration of trainees from other
States, but this is decreasing, and it is now being controlled through
the new clearance centers in cooperation with the State employment
service.
The whole question of training for industry is being rapidly resolved
into the single project of developing on the job programs in each plant
and coordinating this training with the facilities of the vocational
schools and the defense engineering courses offered in the university.
(Reading of the summary ends. The complete prepared statement
by Mr. Stowell is as follows:)
STATEMENT BY ERNEST A. STOWELL, EMPLOYMENT MANAGER,
UNDERWOOD-ELLIOTT-FLSHER CO., HARTFORD, CONN.
EMPLOYEE T7PGRADING AND TRAINING
In this in-transit studj^ the committee on employee upgrading and training is
not as yet in a position to report complete findings as to the extent to which the
manufacturers of the State are conducting formal training courses. Out of the
conferences held, the training material examined and a few spot checks, the com-
mittee is able to submit the following:
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
1. Connecticut got off to an early start on preemployment training in the fall
of 1939 and the 200-hour courses in the trade school, which exerted a constructive
influence on the national preemployment training program.
2. These preemployment courses stimulated the vocational schools to extend
their own work through the introduction of "refresher" courses for older people
and supplemental training courses in related subjects for employed people.
3. Because of the popularity of the vocational training program, many prospec-
tive employees were attracted to these courses and manufacturers, generally,
placed too great a reliance on the school system for training the workers.
4. Consequently, on-the-job training within the plants has not developed along
formal lines to any great extent.
5. There is an "apparent lack of realization, particularly among the smaller
manufacturers, of the seriousness of the present labor shortage and the unusual
demands for trained workers which will be confronting all of Connecticut industry
by September 1, 1941.
6. This is revealed by the slowness with which employers are introducing women
into the plant productive processes.
7. An outstanding job is being done by the Connecticut State Apprenticeship
Council in cooperation with the Federal Committee on Apprenticeship, both
because of the soundness of the program being promoted and the ability of the
field workers to put the program into operation.
5222
HARTFORD HEARINGS
8. There was a widespread response to the engineering training courses offered
through the universities and other institutions of higher learning.
9. The constructive way in which the State employment service organized to
meet the need for defense workers was outstanding.
10. The splendid cooperation from all of the Government agencies equipped to
assist in the recruiting and training of industrial workers was highly effective.
STATE LABOR RESERVES INSUFFICIENT
It has been estimated by the State department of labor that Connecticut
industries will need 50,000 additional employees by September 1, 1941, and if the
working schedules move to 3 shifts for a 7-day week, this figure will build up to
106,000 workers. There is not a sufficient reservoir of registered unemployed
available in the State of Connecticut to meet these needs. Employees have
already been moved across State lines for training purposes and final absorption
into Connecticut industries. As the neighboring States receive the full impact of
the defense program, it will not be possible to draw on the unemployed reservoirs
of the neighboring States. This will make it necessary for Connecticut manufac-
turers to explore the only two available sources of additional labor supply. One
will be found in the groups of young boj's and girls under 18 years of age who may
be placed in the productive processes of the plants on other than hazardous
machine operations and the other will be to induce married women to tak& up
again employment in industry, if only as a patriotic gesture. Until the second
source of supply has been explored and exhausted, there should be no attempt to
draw upon the younger age groups.
From the standpoint of training, the immediate urgency is for all defense
contractors to set up on-the-job training programs which will be tied in closely
with the work of the vocational schools, both through their preemployment
training courses and their supplemental courses in related subjects. It is generally
recognized that the most effective training of production workers can be done on
the job and it is the responsibility of management to assume this obligation.
It is recommended to the Manufacturers' Association of Connecticut, Inc., that
all manufacturers in the State develop these training courses along the lines set
forth by the training within industry section of the Labor Division, Office of
Production Management.
[Supplemental material was submitted with the above statement,
as follows:]
Supplemental and Preemployment Training, State Trade Schools
by w. a. montgomery
There are 11 State trade schools now in operation and located in Bridgeport,
Hartford, Danbury, Manchester, Meriden, Middletown, New Britain, Putnam,
Stamford, Torrington, and Willimantic. There is also the Boardman Trade
School, a city-owned institution in New Haven. Appropriations have just been
made for three additional State trade schools to be located at New Haven,
Waterbury, and Norwich.
The following courses are offered in the various trade schools:
BRIDGEPORT
Automatic screw.
Automobile repair.
Carpentry.
Design, ornamental.
Mechanical drawing.
Electrical.
Foundry.
Linotype.
Machine work.
Masonry.
Painting.
Paper hanging.
Pattern making, wood.
Plumbing.
Printing.
Sewing.
MERIDEN
Automobile repair.
Carpentry.
Ornamental design.
Drafting, mechanical.
Electrical.
Machine work.
Printing.
Sheet metal.
Silversmithing.
Tool, die making.
STAMFORD
Automobile repair.
Beauty culture.
STAMFORD — CONTINUED
Carpentry.
Design, industrial.
Drafting, mechanical.
Electrical.
Machine work.
Printing.
Sheet metal.
Carpentr}\
Drafting, architectural.
Drafting, mechanical.
Electrical.
Machine work.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5223
MANCHESTER
Carpentry.
Drafting, mechanical.
Electrical.
Machine work.
Textile silk.
MIDDLETOWN
Automobile repair.
Carpentry.
Drafting, mechanical.
Electrical.
Machine work.
TORRINGTON
Carpentrj^
Drafting, mechanical.
Electrical.
Machine work.
WILLIMANTIC
Automobile repair.
Carpentry.
Drafting, architectural.
Drafting, mechanical.
WILLIMANTIC — CON.
Electrical.
Machine work.
BOARDMAN TRADE SCHOOL
Automobile.
Drafting, mechanical.
Electrical.
Machine work.
Printing.
Dressmaking.
HARTFORD
Automobile repair.
Beauty culture.
Carpentry.
Drafting, architectural.
Drafting, mechanical.
Electrical.
Food trades.
Linotype.
Machine work.
Masonry.
Painting.
Paper hanging.
Plumbing.
Printing.
Sewing.
NEW BRITAIN
Automatic screw.
Automobile repair.
Beauty culture.
Carpentry.
Drafting, architectural.
Drafting, mechanical.
Electrical.
Food trades.
Linotype.
Machine work.
Masonry.
Pattern making, metal.
Plumbing.
Printing.
Sewing.
Tool, die making.
Aircraft, ground.
Carpentry.
Drafting, architectural.
Drafting, mechanical.
Machine work.
Masonry.
PREEMPLOYMENT
The main trade-school course available to those pupils of 16 years of age and
over is given 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, for a total of 4,800 hours. This course
is by no means full at the present time, and there are practically no pupils finish-
ing the total required hours. It might be said that all pupils who have reached
the age of 18 and have 1,000 or more hours have been released to industry. The
New Britain school, with a capacitv of 90, at the present time has an enrollment
of 45.
The second preemployment course is one of 8 hours per day, 40 and 48 hours
per week, based on 200 hours. However, many pupils run over their 200 hours.
The enrollment here is not up to capacity either, and most of the prospective
students are engaged in industry.
The third preemployment course is one of 3 hours per night, 9 hours per week,
based on a 200-hour total. This course is given to students who have passed a
mechanical aptitude test. The students are recruited from clerks, gasoline-station
attendants, and similar nonindustrial occupations. This department is running
to capacity in all schools. The mechanical aptitude test used in connection with
the entrance requirements of this training should be revised. The present test
skims the cream from the top of the applicants, but leaves behind a great many
men v.-ho would make acceptable mechanics and should be trained in the present
emergency.
SUPPLEMENTAL TRAINING
The supplementary course is one of 3 hours per night, 9 per week, based on a
200-hour total. The students for this course are recruited direct from industry.
They are already working at some mechanical job in factories. The course will
run through the summer and is taxed to capacity. The Boardman Trade School
has a maximum capacity of 50 in their machine shop and a present waiting list
of 280. We might say that the training facilities at this point are in the most
desperate need of enlargement of any place in the State, followed closely by Water-
bury and Norwich. The State board has requested Federal funds from Washing-
ton to the amount of $165,000 to equip the old jail factory as an additional train-
ing center. Mr. James Wain says this monev will not be available uiitil, when,
and if, the Congress of the United States acts^ favorably on a bih for $12,000,000
to equip various schools throughout the country. This bill is now being con-
sidered by the proper committee in the House of Representatives.
3— 41— pt. 13 14
5224 HARTFORD HEARINGS
I should like to recommend at this time that the State board of education
explore the possibilities of obtaining the use of idle National Youth Administra-
tion machinery, which at present is not being used anywhere near its maximum
efficiency. I might state here that the National Youth Administration will be
receptive to any concrete plan that might be worked out.
It has been established that it is much easier to get day men to take night
courses than night men to take day courses. This situation should be looked
into.
BOARDMAN TRADE SCHOOL
The Boardman Trade School has a capacity of 85 day-school pupils and 50
night pupils, and 40 in job training from 11a. m. to 7 p. m. The day school
has larger accommodations as one- third of the pupils are studying related work in
the cla8srooms. There will be 18 graduates of the day courses this year. Very
few of them are pupils of the school but are working at their trade.
There are three day instructors and three supplementary instructors in the
night school. There has been some agitation to give up the 9-hour-per-week
courses in the school but their popularity has made this seem inadvisable.
There is attached to this report a list of new courses opened by the Connecticut
State Board of Education in various training centers of the State and an analysis
of the student enrollment of the Boardman Trade Evening School, showing the
various companies having employees enrolled, and the occupation of the enroUee.
THE NATIONAL YOUTH ADMINISTRATION
The National Youth Administration is operating shops in the following centers:
STAMFORD NEW HAVEN (larger units) HARTFORD
Machine shop. Machine shop. Machine shop.
Sheet metal. Sheet metal. Sheet metal.
Gas and arc welding. Gas and arc welding.
WATERBURY
NORWICH DANIELSON ,, , .
Machme shop.
Sheet metal. Sheet metal. Gas and arc welding.
Machine shop. Gas and arc welding.
NEPAUG (UNIONVILLE) NEW BRITAIN-DERBY
Machine shop. Machine shop
Gas and arc welding. Sheet metal (to be opened
within 40 days) .
None of this equipment is used 24 hours a day and could very easily be used
at night by the State trade schools.
At the present time the National Youth Administration is not operating at
anywhere near capacity and is having rather a difficult time in keeping their
rolls up. They no longer require boys to be needy and are now experimenting
with the use of their centers as places to house youths imported from other States.
I might again repeat that some use should be found for the equipment from which
they are not getting the maximum benefit. The instructors in the National
Youth Administration schools are at present supplied by the State board of
education.
ENGINEERING TRAINING IN INDUSTRY FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE
Yale University and the New Haven Young Men's Christian Association
Junior College offer engineering courses of college grade to a carefully selected
eroup of men whom the entrance committee feel have a reasonable chance of
completing successfully. These courses by law must be of college caliber. There
are at present enrolled in New Haven 900 students, 200 in Waterbury, and 600 in
Bridgeport. New Haven and Waterbury might accommodate 100 more each
and Bridgeport 300 more. However that would be the maximum. The directors
of these courses at all times appreciate suggestions for any new training desired,
but they will not attempt any classes in any subjects for which a competent
instructor cannot be found. The possibility that instructors can be obtained from
industry must be examined. As the new courses start they expect them to be of
20 weeks' duration with 2}^ or 5 hours per week as needed. Executives of plants
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5225
with men enrolled should decide whether this work is of sufficient value and if so
make arrangements to have as little time missed due to overtime work as possible.
It would be well if arrangements could be made for prospective students to
have a pre-entrance training in such subjects as chemistry and physics and
particularly in mathematics. In some cases refresher courses would be all that
would be necessary.
These studies are designed to give men in industry a training in particular
engineering problems. There is at the present time an acute shortage of trained
engineers, therefore the need is being partially filled by men trained for a specific
purpose only. The Federal Government appropriated $9,000,000 for this work
but less than half of it has been used.
There seems to be a definite need for the State board of education to have, in
brief form, a list giving all the courses, entrance requirements and location of all
free mechanical education within the State. This information should be readily
obtainable by any person desiring it and should be prepared immediately.
Apprenticeship Training
BY W. R. COE
As regards the problem of apprenticeship training in the State of Connecticut,
the following plans or procedures may well be considered by the manufacturers
of the State.
1. Some companies, particularly some of the larger firms, are maintaining
company apprenticeship schools whereby the apprentice is taught not only the
mechanics of the trade, but also given his related instruction within the walls
of the plant. In most cases a formal course of instruction is offered and the boys
are indentured.
Other companies have a more informal system of apprenticeship training,
and while standards for the trade are decided upon, they do not sign up their
apprentices, but simply engage them with the understanding that their apprentice
wages will be increased as their instruction progresses.
2. Many companies are formally employing apprentices either on a community
apprenticeship plan or one worked out in conjunction with the trade school in
their locality. Their apprentices are sent for their related instruction to the trade
school a minimum of 4 hours a week. In some cases, boys are sent as high as
8 hours a week.
The State trade school acts as coordinator between the boys and the shop
and endeavors to see that the boys get in their related instruction subjects that
will tie in with their shop work. Manj- companies use the trade school as a
vocational center for apprentices. In other words, when they need an apprentice
the machine department of the school is approached and a boy who shows some
aptitude for the trade is employed and given the proper credit for the time he has
put in in the school.
GRADUATES READILY ASSIMILATED
Graduates from the trade school are readily assimilated into the various factories.
They are given advanced credit for the time they have put in the school and
generally speaking, after a year of instruction on the job, are considered full
fledged mechanics. This, of course, varies according to the individual abilities
of the graduate. In general, this covers the methods of training of apprentices
in Connecticut.
Eleven State trade schools are operated under the auspices of the State board
of education in the 11 important industrial communities in Connecticut and serve
as headquarters in each community for trade training. It is expected that within
the next few years State trade schools will be erected in the cities of Norwich,
Waterbury, and New Haven. This addition to our facilities will greatly augment
the chance for further apprenticeship training in the State.
Each school should be used by the industrialists in their locality for vocational
training in their community to the limit.
The Connecticut State Apprenticeship Council, created by the authority of
the Fitzgerald Act, is also working in Connecticut in an endeavor to stimulate
interest in apprenticeship training. They are endeavoring to promote the more
formal apprenticeship training by the use of more indentured apprentices.
_ The following is a description of the work of the council as furnished by Mr.
Kaler, of the staff of the Connecticut State Apprenticeship Council.
5226 HARTFORD HEARINGS
On March 9, 1938, the Commissioner of Labor of the State of Connecticut
appointed a committee known as the Connecticut State Apprenticeship Council.
This committee was appointed pursuant to the passage of the Fitzgerald bill,
enacted by the Seventy-fifth Congress, which established the Federal Committee
of Apprenticeship Training as a permanent advisory committee to the Secretary
of Labor.
The Connecticut State Apprenticeship Council is composed of three represen-
tatives of employers, three representatives of employees, and four representa-
tives of public agencies. The aim and purpose of this council is to stimulate inter-
est in bona fide apprentices in the skilled trades throughout the State of Con-
necticut and to promote and assist in formulating standards of apprenticeship in
firms desiring to establish apprenticeship-training programs.
The Federal committee has assigned to the State council four field representa-
tives who work under the direction of the State council and assist employers in
the State in problems relating to apprenticeship.
MINIMUM STANDARDS OF APPRENTICESHIP
The State council, in cooperation with the Federal Committee on Apprentice-
ship, has established minimum standards of apprenticeship which, it is believed,
are essential to any well-organized and efficient apprentice-training program.
Briefly, these standards are as follows: An agreement setting forth in some detail
exactly what will be expected of the apprentice and what it is intended that the
apprentice will be taught during the period of his apprenticeship. This agree-
ment should provide for a probationary period at the beginning of the apprentice-
ship during which time both the employer and the apprentice are given the
opportunity of evaluating each other and determining whether or not the appren-
ticeship should be continued. The agreement should also contain a schedule of
the work processes which the apprentice is to be taught and should contain some
estimate as to the time to be spent at each process. Such a schedule guarantees
that upon completion of the training period all essential phases of the trade will
have been learned.
The agreement should also contain a provision for a graduated scale of wages
which the apprentice will receive throughout his apprenticeship. These wages
increase accordingly as the apprentice's ability increases and they should average
at least 50 percent'of the journeyman's wage throughout the entire period of the
apprenticeship.
Provision should also be made in the agreement for the amount of time which
the apprentice will be required to spend in classes in related instruction at the
trade school. A minimum of 144 hours per year is recommended. The State
council furnishes each apprentice, upon completion of his apprenticeship, with a
certificate of completion signed by the State apprenticeship council, the super-
visor of vocational education and the emplo^'er.
The council maintains a register of all apprentices employed under agreements
recognized by the council but does not exercise any control over any apprentice-
ship system other than that it acts in an advisory capacity when requested. The
sole purpose of the council is to promote and encourage the training of apprentices
of recognized standards of apprenticeship.
The council has also been delegated to grant exemptions from the Fair Labor
Standards Act and the Walsh-Healey Act as regards the employment of appren-
tices of recognized standards of apprenticeship.
SEVENTEEN PLANTS TRAINING APPRENTICES
The Connecticut State Apprenticeship Council is recognized by the Federal
Committee on Apprenticeship as the most outstanding State council in the country.
The council has made remarkable progress in the promotion of apprenticeship
under recognized standards in this State and the progress of the council has been
especially notable since the first of the year. At present 17 manufacturing plants
are training apprentices on standards recognized by the State council and several
so-called joint committees have been established in the building trades in this
section of the State. Two of the larger firms cooperating with the council, as
well as the oldest from point of date established, have recognized standards of
apprenticeship training — the United Aircraft Co. and Remington Arms Co.
Anyone desiring any information regarding the program being promoted by
the Cotmecticut State Apprenticeship Council should write to Mr. Morgan R,
Mooney, deputy labor commissioner. State department of labor, Hartford, Conn.,
who is the secretary of the State council.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5227
In conclusion, we wish to emphasize the fact that it makes very little difference
how the job of apprenticeship training is done so long as it is done. One manu-
facturer may prefer one method, and one another. The main thing is that we
see to it that all of the facilities in the State that are available for this important
task be put to the fullest use inasmuch as the need for skilled mechanics has always
been a pressing one and is even more acute today.
Catalog of Defense Training Courses
The Manufacturers Association of Connecticut, Inc.,
Hartford, December 11, 1940.
To the Manufacturer Addressed.
Dear Sir: You will recall a recent letter explaining the general character of
the proposed educational program for defense industries. In order to arrive at
more specific action, a catalog of technical courses has been prepared which
covers the most common needs of industry. Other courses of instruction may
be set up by the engineering schools, if the need is indicated by industries. A
committee has now been formed to service this program as long as the emergency
requires.
The plan devised by the committee is as follows:
1. The catalogs accompanying this letter are intended to be distributed by the
employer to selected employees whose further training would benefit the defense
efforts of industry. Additional catalogs will be sent upon request.
2. The employee, if interested, is requested to consult his employer concerning
the program. In this way the prospective student may be advised as to the
instruction most pertinent to his future activities. There is no use in taking
instruction that will definitely not be used or useful in production. Further-
more the employer would be able to form some opinion of the employee's ability
to profit from instruction. In general it would be advisable to encourage em-
ployees since the future needs for trained men may be great.
3. If it is decided that the employee should undertake instruction, the employer
will give him an application blank. This should be signed by applicant and
employer and forwarded by the employer to the Committee on Engineering
Training in Industry, 436 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Conn.
4. The applications will be analyzed by the committee and further steps will be
taken by direct communication with the applicants.
5. Response is requested on or before December 20 by sending applications or
b.v stating that no instruction is needed. If instruction is desired that is not
listed in the catalog, notify the committee as soon as possible.
The plan provides for an orderly and effective clearance of employees by the
employer. It also provides for an orderly clearance of all applicants through
the committee. It is hoped that employers will find it of future value to encourage
the engineering training program.
Very truly yours,
E. Kent Hubbard,
President, Manufacturers Association of Connecticut, Inc.
John H. Lampe,
University of Connecticut.
Philip G. Laurson,
Yale University.
Lauren E. Seeley,
Regional Adviser , Chairman, Committee on Engineering Training in Industry
(The catalog of courses is as follows:)
Engineering Training in Industry for National Defense — Catalog of
Technical Subjects Tentatively Offered by the Engineering Schools
of Connecticut, January to July 1941
Committee on engineering training industry: E. Kent Hubbard, president of
the Connecticut Manufacturers' Association, Inc.; Dean John H. Lampe, Con-
necticut University; Prof. Philip G. Laurson, Yale University; Lauren E. Seeley
regional adviser, chairman.
5228 HARTFORD HEARINGS
FOREWORD
Some time ago it became evident that the rapid expansion of industries partici-
pating in the defense program would result in a greatly increased demand for men
with engineering training for specific jobs in industry. To help meet this demand
the United States Office of Education inaugurated a national-defense training
program which is now being conducted by engineering schools throughout the
country.
A preliminary study among manufacturers of Connecticut has convinced the
committee on engineering training in industry that a real need for technical instruc-
tion exists. The committee has, therefore, undertaken to establish such training
as may be needed to help the defense efforts of Connecticut industry. This
tentative catalog contains those subjects which appear to be most widely needed.
Special needs of industry for instruction not herein included will be considered
when brought to the attention of the committee.
Financed by the Government, the instruction is offered without cost for tuition.
It is restricted to qualified persons whose training will increase their usefulness to
national defense. The courses, all of college grade, short and intensive, will be
open only to persons having the specified educational background and, in some
cases, the specified experience in industry. This does not mean that only college-
trained men are eligible. The nature of the subject matter determines the
qualifications.
PROCEDURES FOR THE SELECTION OF STUDENTS
1. Any employee who wishes to apply for instruction should consult his employer
who, acting for the committee, will discuss the matter and provide an application
form for the prospective student to fill out. Provision is madte for a second choice
in case the preferred course is not given or is overcrowded, "this application will
be forwarded to the committee by the employer.
2. The prospective student will be notified of a date for a personal interview
with a member of the faculty committee on admissions.
3. The applicant will be notified of his acceptance or rejection as soon as possible
following the interview.
4. At any time during the instruction period if it becomes apparent that a
student is unable to profit further, the administrative officer in charge of the
program will notify the student and suggest that he withdraw from the course.
5. Any employed or unemployed person may apply for admission to a course
for which he considers himself qualified. The contribution to national defense
will be the most important consideration in student selection,
GENERAL INFORMATION
Due to the tentative nature of the program, the engineering schools cannot be
absolutely committed to conduct all of the subjects listed. The response by
applicants must warrant the expense of instruction and the contribution to national
defense must be apparent.
Whenever possible, classes will be held at places convenient to the majority of
students. Laboratory facilities may in some cases decide the place of instruction.
In general, courses will begin in January and end in May or June. Certain
courses will begin in January and end in April. Such courses maj^ be repeated
beginning in April.
Textbooks must be provided by the student. For drafting courses students
must provide their own instruments.
Address any questions or requests to^the Committee on Engineering Training
in Industry, 436 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Conn.
PROPOSED COURSES
It is expected that courses will begin in January and will be completed by June
30, and may end at an earlier date. Certain short courses may be repeated, the
second course beginning in April. It is planned that the courses listed below
will be given after working hours (late afternoons or evening).
Courses will require preparation outside of scheduled class hours.
1. Applied elasticity. — A study of the theories relating to the mechanics of
materials and their application to the analysis of stress in machine parts. Stress
concentration at fillets and holes, fatigue failures, more complicated problems in
the theory of flexure, torsion of bars on noncircular cross section, stresses in fly-
wheels and rotating disks, shrink fits, use of models for stress analysis.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5229
Prerequisites: Integral and differential calculus and a college course in strength
of materials. Two class periods of 1 hour each per week.
2. Vibration problems. — A study of the fundamental theory of vibrating system's
with apphcation to engineering problems. Free, damped, and force vibration,
methods of vibration isolation, theory of vibration measuring instruments,
vibrations of rotating machinery, vibration of beams, vibration absorbers.
Prerequisites: Differential and integral calculus and a college course in applied
mechanics including dynamics.
Two class periods of 1 hour each per week.
3. Inspection of materials. — This course is intended to help the industrial
workers to become inspectors and to understand specifications and a proper
measure of qualities of both raw materials and finished products. The course
will include general properties of materials, alterations in properties, measurement
of properties, surfaces, mass, strength, elasticity, ductility, malleability, hardness,
resilience, fatigue, impact, wear, soundness, strength-weight ratio," flexibility,
elastic stability, electrical properties, specifications for materials, and calibrations.
Prerequisites: Graduation from high school or a working knowledge of arith-
metic and algebra through quadratics, plane geometry, and high school physics.
This class will cover instruction over a 10-week period. It may be repeated for
a second group, beginning in April.
It is expected that men entering the course will have had some experience in
manufacturing which requires the use of tools, work in a drafting room, or work
in the procurement and handling of materials and equipment.
4. Strength of materials. — A study of the principles of the mechanics of materials
with particular reference to their use in design. Simple stresses, tension, com-
pression, and shear; theory and design of beams, struts, and shafts; combined
stress problems; riveted and welded joints.
Prerequisites: Algebra, trigonometry, and high-school physics.
Two class periods of 1 hour each per week.
5. Elementary dynamics. — A basic course in applied mechanics with emphasis
on dynamics and the application to engineering problems. Includes resolution,
composition and equilibrium of forces, rectilinear and curvilinear motion, trans-
lation, rotation, work, energy, power, impulse, and momentum.
Prerequisites: Algebra, trigonometry, and high-school physics.
Two class periods of 1 hour each per week.
6. Industrial electricity. — A brief review of direct-current circuits and machines.
Alternating-current circuits, machines, and distribution systems.
Prerequisites: High-school physics, algebra and trigonometry.
Two class periods of 1 hour each per week.
7. Electrical instruments and testing. — A study of electrical indicating instru-
ments and their use in testing materials and machines. Simple bridge circuits
will be included as well as methods of obtaining the characteristics of direct
current and alternating current motors and generators.
Prerequisites: High school physics, algebra, and trigonometry.
Two class periods of 1 hour each per week.
8. Electron tubes. — Electron emission, characteristics of vacuum- and gas-filled
tubes, and their applications in industrial control, rectification with special
emphasis on high power rectifiers, photocells and their application in relay
circuits and light measurements. This course is intended for those who have
little or no familiarity with electron tubes.
Prerequisites: Differential and integral calculus, a two-term course in physics,
and a two-term laboratory course in physics.
Two class periods of 1 hour each per week.
9. Elements of electrical illumination. — The nature of light. Photometric
concepts and measurement of photometric quantities. The reflection and trans-
mission of light. Calculation of illumination produced by point-sources, line- and
surface-sources. Properties of incandescent lamps, of gas discharge lamps, and
fluorescent lamps. Design of luminaires.
Two class periods of 1 hour each per week.
10. Engineering electronics. — ^The course deals with the theory of electric con-
duction in gases and the applications of this theory to problems in the field of
power engineering, such as: circuit breakers, fuses, lightning arresters, mercury
arc rectifiers, ignitrons, and other gas-filled tubes.
Prerequisites: Differential and integral calculus, differential equations, theory
of alternating current circuits.
Two class periods of 1 hour each per week.
11. Electric transients. — A study of electrical transients by the operational
methods of Bush, Berg, Heaviside, and others. ^Although the treatment will be
5230 HARTFORD HEARINGS
mathematical, the emphasis will be on the electric circuit and numerous practical
problems will be solved.
Prerequisites: Differential equations and electric circuit theory.
Two class periods of 1 hour each per week.
12. Power transmission calculations. — The calculation of various conditions in
transmission networks. Short circuits and unbalance calculations by symmetrical
components. The loading of transformers by ratio change and phase shift, etc.
Prerequisites: Electric circuit theory.
Two class periods of 1 hour each per week.
13. Electric-poioer transmission. — A study of a transmission line as an electric
circuit. The topics to be covered are the calculation of line constants, short lines
and approximate networks, long lines and hyperbolic solutions, circle diagrams of
performance, problems in stability.
Prerequisites: Differential and integral calculus and electric circuit theory.
Two class periods of 1 liour each per week.
14. High-voltage insulation. — Insulation and its use in power transmission. A
study of cables, transformers, circuit breakers, and other high voltage equipment.
The protection of lines and equipment from lightning. The testing of high
voltage equipment.
Prerequisites: Differential and integral calculus and electric circuit theory.
Two class periods of 1 hour each per week.
15. Theory of circuit-rxipturing devices. — An analysis of electric circuit conditions
during the period of interruption. The properties of the electric arc. Approxi-
mate methods of solution of arc interruption. Theory of arc reignition and its
application to switches, to backfires in mercury arc rectifiers, and to the design
of high power uses. Selected topics in the design of circuit interrupters.
Prerequisites: Differential and integral calculus, differential equation, alternat-
ing current circuit theory and electric transient theory.
Two class periods of 1 hour each per week.
16. Osctllography. — Theory of the magnetic oscillograph. Operating charac-
teristics of string- and bifilar-oscillographs. The crystal-oscillograph. Theory of
the low-voltage cathode ray oscillograph. The high-speed, high voltage oscillo-
graphs. Problems in photographic recording of oscillograms. Selected topics in
applications of oscillographic measurements.
Prerequisites: Differential and integral calculus, differential equations and
alternating current circuit theory. Two class periods of 1 hour each per week.
17. Engineering dr awing. -^The fundamental principles of engineering draw-
ing. Emphasis will be placed on the abihty to visualize while developing the
habits and skills necessary to make accurate and complete drawings. Lettering,
sketching, and simple calculations.
Prerequisites: Students should be high school graduates with one or more years
of industrial shop experience. Shop experience and general ability or aptitude
for the work should be given preference over definite scholastic requirements as
the instruction must be adapted to the special needs of the industries served.
Two class periods of 2]/2 hours each per week.
18. Advanced drafting. — Review of principles of projection; simple problems in
unusual views; difficult but not unusual projections; developments; intersections;
dimensioning -theory and practice; tolerances; methods of manufacture; surface
quality; office standards. Reflecting the demand, groups may be set up for
specific fields such as (a) tool drafting, (b) airplane drafting, (c) machine draft-
ing, etc.
Prerequisites: Two years of college or equivalent experience plus some draft-
ing instruction.
Two class periods of 2J^ hours each per week.
19. Applied machine design. — This course is intended for draftsmen who are in
training to become assistants to designers. It will attempt to give men already
conversant with the problems of their industrial organizations a chance to de-
velop the skill of detailing composite designs. The instruction will be adapted
as far as possible to the problems of the industries represented.
The course proposed covers an elementary study of mechanics and force equilib-
rium, the composition and resolution of forces, force moments and moment dia-
grams, stresses in simple structures, center of gravity and moment of inertia, the
strength and design of simple structural members and machine parts, the limit-
ing factors of machine accuracy and their effect on design.
Drafting room work will involve the application of the above-outlined prob-
lems to design, involving machine and structural members subject to bending
and torsional stresses, together with some study of the factors influencing design
other than theoretical strength.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5231
Prerequisites: Graduation from high school is desirable, but not absolutel.v
essential. Men who have had satisfactory drafting room experience or men who
have had training in drafting in addition to shop experience will be considered
for the course.
Two class periods of 2}4 hours each per week.
20. Machine design. — Definitions and principles; graphical methods; moment-
stress macliine elements; lubrication; gear design; velocity and acceleration in
design; cams, flywheels, connecting rods, engine balance, critical speeds, torsional
vibration; gear trains; proportions in castings and forgings; choice of welding or
casting; selection of material; simplification of detail in design.
Prerequisites: Two years of college inchiding mathematics and science or
equivalent experience indicating success in the course.
Two class periods of 2}^ hours each per week.
21. Tool design. — Elementary principles of mechanisms, mechanics of ma-
chinery, jigs and fixture design, materials of construction, actual drafting-room
problems in tool design.
Prerequisites: Two years of college, including mathematics and science, or
equivalent experience indicating success in the course.
Two class periods of 2 hours each per week.
22. Principles of metallurgy. — Theory and laboratory practice in the production,
properties and engineering applications of metals and alloys; the relation -of
structure to properties and their modification by heat treatment and work; the
effects of principal alloying elements and of difl'erences in production processes.
Prerequisites: Two years of college including mathematics and science or
equivalent experience indicating success in the course.
Two class periods of 2 hours each per week, or equivalent.
23. Weldiyig supervision. — The course in welding supervision is intended to
give experienced welders and designers an understanding of the correct applica-
tion of brazing, welding, oxygen cutting, and metal facing in fabrication of tools
and new products and in the maintenance and improvement of machinery. It
is intended to give experienced welders an understanding of the process and weld-
ing properties of materials to allow them to supervise others intelligently.
The course will include welding definitions, welding symbols, welding methods,
gas welding, oxygen cutting, metallic arc, carbon arc, resistance, blowpipe braz-
ing, furnace brazing, silver brazing, soft soldering, welding design, welding de-
fects, qualifying tests, welding specifications, repair welding.
Prerequisites: Men admitted to the course should be working as welders, de-
signers, or metal craftsmen of one sort oi another. A high-school course is not a
necessity, but they should be well-grounded in arithmetic, shop mathematics,
elementary physics, and chemistry.
The course will be conducted over a period of 10 weeks. It may be repeated
for a second group, beginning in April.
Two class periods of 2}^ hours each per week.
24. Scientific bases of ivelding. — The properties of metals and cl'anges resulting
from heating and cooling; factors affecting the weldability of metals; welding
processes and equipment; flame cutting; special techniques; alUed processes; de-
sign considerations; inspection; testing; qualification of welders; codes and speci-
fications.
Prerequisites: Two years of .college, including mathematics and science, or
equivalent experience indicating success in the course.
Two class periods of 1 hour each per week.
25. Power generation. — Theory of power production by steam and internal-
combustion engines, boiler-house practice, power-plant economics. Problems in
power plant calculation.
Prerequisites: Two years of college including mathematics and science or
equivalent experience indicating success in the course.
Two class periods of 2 hours each per week.
26. Production control. — This course is designed to train personnel in the various
phases of engineering and design effort; industrial procurement of materials from
vendors, including follow-up of orders placed for material, the possible steps that
may be taken to anticipate or to insure promised delivery dates, and the proper
disposition and storing of such materials when received at the plant; modern
methods of production control within the plant, such as proper operation rout-
ing, scheduling of work and maintenance of such schedules, the proper dispatch-
ing of the work to the first and subsequent operations; the approved methods of
maintaining a flow of finished or semifinished parts to the assembly departments
or erecting floor; proper methods of boxing and packaging, and, finally, a working
5232 HARTFORD HEARINGS
knowledge of shipping and traffic, so that the problems of the traffic department
may be appreciated and better coordination obtained.
The course will include considerations of the ownership of industry, plant loca-
tion and arrangement, organization of the plant, control of production, analysis
of plant operations, procurement of materials, standardization and inspection,
plant accounting, paying for quality and quantity, personnel problems, tools of
management, and economics of management.
The class is planned for a 10-week period. The class may be repeated for a
second group beginning in April.
Prerequisites: Graduation from high school. Consideration will be given to the
applicant's experience in this type of work.
Two class periods of 2)4 hours each per week.
27. Production principles. — Historical background; analysis of methods by
industries; organization; planning; routing; job study; time study; productive
operations; transportation; inspection, assembly.
Prerequisites: Two years of college plus 2 years of experience in industry or
sufficient experience to indicate success in course.
Two class periods of 2 hours each per week.
28. Advanced thermodynamics. — A study of advanced thermodynamic gas laws
and properties, and of gas mixtures and internal-combustion cycles.
•Prerequisites: Three years of college including courses in thermodynamics of
equivalent experience indicating success in the course.
Two class periods of 2 hours each per week.
29. Heat generation and transmission. — The principles of combustion of the
various industrial fuels, the laws of heat transfer and heat exchange apparatus.
Prerequisites: Three years of college including courses in thermodynamics
or equivalent experience indicating success in the course..
Two class periods of 2 hours each per week.
30. Cost accounting. — Standard costs and variable budgets; the distribution and
control of factory expenses; the effect of changes in volume on costs and profits.
Insofar as available information will permit, problems raised by recent legislation
governing defense contracts, wages, and hours, etc., will be considered.
For those familiar with accounting principles and practice.
Prerequisites : An elementary course in cost accounting or equivalent experience.
Probably two class periods of 2 hours each per week.
Committee for Engineering Training in Industry
hartford, conn.
New Haven, Conn., May 2, 1941.
The Honorable Robert A. Hurley,
Governor of Connecticut, Hartford, Conn.
Dear Sir: Knowing your concern for all matters pertaining to the defense of
the State of Connecticut and also of your interest in cooperation between various
agencies within the State and appropriate Federal agencies, you may be pleased
with a report of one activity very intimately concerned with defense production
in Connecticut industry. The activity is the Engineering Defense Training
(E. D. T.) program for augmenting the technical skills of workers in defense
industries by means of short, intensive, nighttime courses of college grade in the
general field of engineering.
Last October, Congress granted $9,000,000 to be administered by the United
States Office of Education for the purpose of providing technical training on the
college level with the object of providing more technical skills for our expanding
industries. The instruction was to be provided by acceptable schools of engineer-
ing'throughout the country. In Connecticut this meant Connecticut University
and Yale University. By virtue of a happy ability to cooperate, our junior
colleges — Bridgeport Engineering Institute, Hillyer Institute, New Haven Young
Men's Christian Association College, and New London Junior College — were
invited to join the undertaking and have done so unselfishly and efficiently.
It should be noted that the act of Congress was permissive in character and par-
ticipation was not compulsory for anyone. All contracts for instruction are made
with the Government by both Connecticut and Yale Universities on the '
of actual costs therefor.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5233
In November last, the program was an idea to be worked out in each of 22
regions by regional advisers. Connecticut and Rhode Island are in region 2.
In January, actual classes of instruction were under way. Today, out of 132
contracting institutions, Connecticut and Yale Universities rank among the
first 10 schools in numbers of enrolled students. By early July, between 3,500
to 4,000 persons will have completed a course of instruction under the engineering
defense-training program in Connecticut. While intensive training cannot per-
form miracles, one may confidently expect that the sum total of the training will
confer a distinct benefit upon Connecticut industry.
To appreciate the full extent of the cooperation received in connection with
this program it should be mentioned that the active supervision of the program in
Washington is managed by engineering educators on leave of absence from their
respective schools. Also, that the regional advisers all serve without pay and
are allowed a very small budget to pay the expenses of starting and carrying on
the work. In Connecticut alone the task of reaching its many industries was,
under the circumstances, jDractically impossible. The program was presented to
the Manufacturers' Association of Connecticut and after careful study it offered
its complete cooperation. This make it possible to reach all of Connecticut
industry at once. A careful and economical plan was devised for securing promis-
ing students and a committee was set up to implement the program. The asso-
ciation has spent considerable time and money on this program and continues to
do so.
The manufacturers of Connecticut are becoming better acquainted with the
work as time goes on. Some of the manufacturers who are most familiar with
educational programs in industry have included this program in their plans for
expansion in as capable a manner as one could find anywhere. Close contact is
maintained between industry and the schools by virtue of company coordinators
who follow the students' progress. In fact, one discovers that over the years
many manufacturers in a quiet and unspectacular manner have been giving
much time and effort to employee training. The records of our junior colleges
will show this clearly. The Connecticut plan for machine operator training is
further evidence. Our present situation is therefore not a product of neglect
but rather a reflection of new and heavy tasks suddenly imposed.
Major Maloney, of the Connecticut Employment Service, is completely informed
of the program and is taking into account the probable effect of the technical
training upon labor shortages. He has helped to locate trainable persons and is
prepared to offer greater aid when teaching facilities are available.
It is important to realize that the students in the engineering defense training
program are virtually all employed persons giving up hours of earned leisure for
new and often difficult classroom work. All of the teachers, many of whom are
from industry, are likewise shouldering an extra burden. Such effort, being
voluntary, ought to merit generous recognition. Simply because the whole pro-
gram is voluntary, its vigorous prosecution must be attributed to a high sense of
public service on the part of all persons involved. Your appreciation of this fact
is naturally of foremost importance.
Men whose continued efforts have been most helpful to the success of the
program are listed below for your information :
Members of the Committee on Engineering Training in Industry: E. Kent
Hubbard, president of the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut, Inc.;
Dean John H. Lampe, institutional representative, Connecticut University;
Prof. Philip G. Laurson, institutional representative, Yale University; Lauren E.
Seeley, regional adviser, chairman.
Members of cooperative schools: Dean L. A. Hoffman and associates, Bridgeport
Engineering Institute; Messrs. A. S. Wilson and A. B. Conrad, Hillyer Institute
(Hartford) ; Messrs. L. L. Bethel and C. W. Fawcett, New Haven Young Men's
Christian Association College; Messrs. R. P, Saiuiders and L. A. Lachman, New
London Junior College; Mr. Daly, on leave from the Hartford Public High School,
is assisting in extension courses of Connecticut University; Mr. Arthur Purinton,
of Waterbury Young Men's Christian Association, is assisting in extension work
of the New Haven Young Men's Christian Association College.
Members of the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut: Messrs. C. L.
Eyanson, A. E. Whitehill, and L. M. Bingham.
Connecticut Employment Service: Maj. Leonard J. Maloney.
Respectfulh" submitted.
Lauren E. Seeley,
Regional Advisor, Region 2.
5234 HARTFORD HEARINGS
sxjpplembntary observations on engineering defense training program
June 6, 1941
by lauren e. seeley, regional advisor, region 2
As the engineering defense training program progresses some of the early short
courses have been completed and within about 1 month all of the present courses
will be over. It is still too early to evaluate the program but instances of upgrad-
ing and improved work on the job have been noted. The full utilization of the
increased ability of trainees will be achieved when the training-within-industry
program under Mr. Ernest A. Stowell, director of region No. 2 is in full operation.
One definite problem which this latter program must solve is to make upgrading
really mean what it says to the employee. Upgrading a skilled machinist to
design work may involve a reduction in income which considerations of improved
status, steadier'long-time employment, etc., cannot outweigh. Upgrading must
be made desirable to the employee.
As to the engineering defense training program — it is being planned to carry
on during the summer with both pre-service and in-service tr.aining but not on a
large scale. Manufacturers are divided in their opinions concerning the possi-
bility of effective summer work. Naturally the attitude of management will
influence employees. An atmosphere of urgency, seriousness, and hard work is
created by the example of management. Tlie engineering defense training
program is voluntary in character. It cannot require action but it can and will
continue to be responsive to the needs which come within its scope.
TESTIMONY OF EARNEST A. STOWELL— Resumed
Mr. Sparkman, Mr. Stowell, I think you gave us a very interesting
statement right at the beginning. You gave us the number being
trained in Connecticut today. Will you repeat that? M
Mr, Stowell. There are approximately 35,000 industrial workers
being trained in Connecticut under present conditions.
Mr. Sparkman. That is what I wanted. Now, I believe you said
that the major portion of those were being trainccl in industry,
Mr. Stowell. Of this group it is estimated as nearly as we can
estimate it, 27,000 are being trained inside industry and 2,000 of those
are on the formal apprenticeship programs at present. The others
represent those that are going through various stages of on-the-job
training in the plants.
Mr. Sparkman. And I believe you said that those from the W. P, A.
are negligible?
Mr. Stowell. You could practically ignore their contribution to
this program.
ABSORBING ALL AGES
Air. Sparkman. I remember seeing a chart in one of the statements
today, probably the one of Major Maloney, which showed that the
W. P. A. had never trained as many as they at first anticipated train-
ing. Is that due to the fact that the age of persons who would seek
training under W. P, A, was probably above what you would look
for in industry?
Mr. Stowell. I wouldn't say it was above because in industry we
are absorbing all ages. This cry that has been heard for several years
of the "40-plus club" has practically disappeared in Connecticut. If
they are craftsmen we are glad to get them, even between 40 and 50.
They represent good craftsmen even if they have been away from their
jobs, because they can be trained.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5235
NATIONAL YOUTH ADMINISTRATION'S PART
Mr, Sparkman. What part is the N. Y. A. doing in this training
program?
Mr. Stowell. They are not doing any training in Connecticut
under present conditions. They are turning their facihties into clear-
ance centers to help bring in people from outside of the State, give
them residence and feed them into industry.
Mr. Sparkman. What about the colleges?
Mr. Stowell. The colleges, of course, in addition to their regular
engineering courses and others, have set up courses that we call the
engineering defense training courses. They are set up under Federal
funds and are offered to anyone who wishes to take advantage of them,
free of charge.
Mr. Sparkman. And that is true of secondary schools, is it not?
Mr. Stowell. It is true of secondary schools. Of course your State
vocational schools have been training a tremendous number in Con-
necticut and then the engineering defense-training program is super-
imposed on top of that, in institutions of higher learning. It is esti-
mated that about 7,000 have been trained through the secondary
schools and defense engineering courses.
PREREQUISITES FOR TRAINING
Mr. Sparkman. In order to get that training you just mentioned
in the secondary schools and colleges and so forth, is it necessary that
the applicants be residents of the State of Connecticut?
Mr. Stowell. I am not too sure of that. I believe it might be
equivalent to it, because the employer has to approve the applicants
for defense engineering courses. I think in that way it practically
restricts them to residents of the State.
Mr. Sparkman. I noticed in your statement that you read to us,
you said that if working schedules moved to three shifts for a 7-day
week, 106,000 new workers will be needed by September 1941.
OFFICE OF PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT WANTS THREE-SHIFT BASIS
Mr. Stowell. Yes; 50,000 if they stay on one shift as so many are
doing, but the desire of tne O. P. M. is to get all tne industries on a
3-shift basis. Some of our major industries, like Winchester and
the aircraft industries, are now on a 3-shift basis, but a lot of others,
particularly secondary contractors, are still on 1 shift. But they are
running substantial overtune. The urge is to have every industry that
has facilities for defense purposes to move to 3 shifts.
Mr. Sparkman. And in that event 106,000 additional workers will
be needed?
Mr. Stowell. That is the estimated figure.
Mr. Sparkman. Do you anticipate any difficulty in meeting that
requirement in Connecticut?
Mr. Stowell. I think not. I believe we can meet it because not
only will we, between now and then, still be able to draw on the un-
employed rolls of neighboring States, but we are moving more and
more toward using women in jobs that everyone has thought should
be filled by men. We have in this State married women of advanced
5236 HARTFORD HEARINGS
age who have had fine experience in the industries, who could be called
back if the pressure became great enough and who would be \villing
to come back to work.
RECRUITING OF LABOR
Mr. Sparkman. I was interested in your treatment in the matter
of recruiting labor. Obviously training is a more difficult process
than recruiting labor. I suppose it is easy for industrialists to look
toward recruiting rather than training this labor, but I believe you
brought it out in your statement, as a matter of fact, that it is rather
a short-sighted policy within itself.
Mr. Stowell. And in the long run it is more expensive than a real
training program.
Mr. Sparkman. And you tluiik that the Connecticut manufactur-
ers realize that that is true?
Mr. Stowell. There is no doubt about it. We have gathered it in
all these hearings that we have had, and we are running up against it
all the time. There seems to be a full realization that the manufac-
turers must assume the burden of training if they hope to meet their
needs.
Mr. Sparkman. I believe you stated that there is still some recruit-
ing but that it is diminishing.
Mr. Stowell. I think that probably the greater number of the
people who are coming in through uncontrolled channels are people
drawn here through the fact that we have more or less of a boom in
Hartford and they are attracted by the size of such training programs
as the ahcraft industry has. They have a lot of applications from out
of the State. They reach all over the country, of course, in times like
these. As during the last war. New England has become more or less
of a Mecca for many people. They hear of the high wages. Of
course, this time the defense industries are scattered pretty well all
over the country, and probably we are not feeling it quite as heavily
as we did in the last war.
Mr. Sparkman. Of the workers so far that have been trained by
various programs outside of industry, have practically all of them found
employment?
Mr. Stowell. The last estimate that I received was that approxi-
mately 100 percent of them had been absorbed. We may find a few
strays but when we do we tuck them away.
uncontrolled migration
Mr. Sparkman. I notice you refer to controlled and uncontrolled
migration of workers from outside of the State of Connecticut. Do
they come in in any great numbers?
Mr. Stowell. Well, what we mean by "controlled" is that the
importation is being made by the State employment service. They
come in various numbers, according to the demand. But we realize
that that will become less because the reservoirs are being dried up
in the neighboring States pretty rapidly.
Mr. Sparkman. Would you advocate closer integration of the va-
rious training courses or programs with the immediate needs of local
industry?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5237
Mr. Stowell. We have it reasonably well integrated in Connecti-
cut, but we have got to do more of it. It is the ultimate goal of the
whole training-within-industry program.
Mr. Sparkman. Will you comment a little more on your statement
that too great a reliance has been placed on the school system of
training of workers?
TRADE SCHOOLS DID GOOD JOB
Mr. Stowell. Yes. I think in the early days, long before the
country, as a whole, was aroused to the need of trying to do something
to equip the unemployed for positions in industry, there was started
these so-called 200-hour preemployment training programs through
trade schools. The boys were enrolled at their own expense for
work, say from 3 to 11 o'clock at night, and then they stretched into
another shift until 7 o'clock in the morning, so they were using those
facilities approximately 24 hours a day, and they were turning out
quite a number of people in the early days. The absorption was not
anywhere near 100 percent, but as the defense contracts began to
make their way into Connecticut there was no problem at all in
absorbing those people. The schools geared themselves up to do a
beautiful job, and I think that manufacturers began to feel — well
not only here but as I have gathered in various conferences in other
parts of the country — that they would like to build up these pre-
employment training courses, feeling that in this way they would
get a steady flow of trained help. And for that reason I think that
in Connecticut, particularly, there has been some reluctance to come
up to a real training program within their own shops, in the belief
that the schools could continue to train their people on the preem-
ployment courses. Actually it is becoming increasingly difficult to
secure trainees to go into the schools on their own time because they
can go right to the plants and secure jobs and be trained on the job.
It is just a matter of mathematics.
MUST IMPORT LARGE NUMBERS
Mr. Sparkman. Mr. Stowell, let me be clear on this: Going back
to one of the previous qmestions, you stated it would be necessary to
employ approximately 106,000 additional workers by September.
Now, I asked you awhile ago if you anticipated any difficulty in
getting that number. Do I understand that you think that that
number can be had here from Connecticut people, without relying to
any unusual extent on migration from other States?
Mr. Stowell. We will have to import a large number of workers.
Mr. Sparkman. I wonder if you could give some idea of what
proportion of those would be imported?
Mr. Stowell. I would rather have you take a statement of that
kind from Major Maloney, who is controlling that importation; but
I would say that if we get a quarter of that group from outside of the
State in that time, we are going to be fortunate, unless we move to it
immediately, because every week we delay in bringing them in, the
market is getting that much tighter. I believe our salvation is going
to be in absorbing all that we can take from the unemployment rolls,
even if they are down to very low-grade help, movmg from the non-
defense industries to the defense industries, and bringing the women
5238 HARTFORD HEARINGS
into jobs now handled by men. I believe we are going to make our
greatest contribution to this build-up through the greater use of women
in the defense industries.
SAFEGUARDS FOR HEALTH OF WOMEN
Mr. Sparkman. You suggest in your paper, and in your statement
just now, that the only remaining available sources of labor supply
left in Connecticut are the young people around 18 years of age and
the married women?
Mr. Stowell. Yes.
Mr. Sparkman. That you are bringing in?
Mr. Stowell. Yes.
Mr. Sparkman. If these two labor reserves are utilized, what
measures are planned to safeguard their health on the type of work
on which they would be employed?
Mr. Stowell. Let me say first, and I want to check with Dr.
Gray on that, we have very strict regulations surrounding the health
of our workers in Connecticut. Not only is that situation policed
by the State department of labor and factory inspection, but we have
check-ups by the department of health.
We have to satisfy them that we are meeting the requirements, so
we don't anticipate in most of these plants that it is a matter of addi-
tional facilities for safeguarding their health so much as it is a matter
of building up the supervision to take care of those people on the night
shift, so as to use facilities that have always been available to the day
shift.
We are using the plant facilities as they exist more extensively
under these conditions, so the working conditions don't change
substantially. It is just the strain of the night shift.
apprenticeship council
Mr. Sparkman. You mentioned in your paper the Connecticut
State Apprenticeship Council. I wonder if you will give us a brief
history of the work you have done in that connection?
Mr. Stowell. Well, of course, that is the program of the Federal
apprenticeship committee in Connecticut. The program that they
have been working on is to have all formal apprenticeship programs
conform to the standards approved by the Federal apprenticeship
committee.
Mr. Sparkman. The number trained through that medium has been
regulated, too, has it not?
Mr. Stowell. Well, the only regulation that you have ever had on
apprentices is such regulation as unions have felt should be imposed;
and I want to say for the unions in Connecticut generally, that they
have never argued much with manufacturers on that matter.
Under present conditions I don't think you would hear much of an
objection in most shops. There may be a few shops here and there
where there would be objections.
Mr. Sparkman. I am wondering if the 2.000 you said had been
trained through that system or were being trained now are something
like the normal number, or if that is an unusual increase?
Mr. Stowell. I would say that is a decided build-up over the
normal number. For instance, all through the depression period
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5239
most industries did very little on the training of apprentices. There
are some firms that have carried their apprenticeship courses along.
A large number of manufacturers have let them die down, but they
have now built their courses up again.
Mr. Sparkman. That is all, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Mr. Stowell.
The Chairman. Our next witness is Dr. Pond.
TESTIMONY OF DR. MILLICENT POND, EMPLOYMENT MANAGER,
SCOVILL MANUFACTURING CO., WATERBURY, CONN.
The Chairman. Congressman Arnold will interrogate you , Dr. Pond.
Mr. Arnold. Do you have a statement, Dr. Pond?
Dr. Pond. Yes. I should like to read a summary of it. [Reading:]
The two committees working on the problem of labor migration in
Connecticut have put the emphasis of their work on causes and effects
of migration, and upon possible remedies for some of the adverse con-
ditions, rather than upon the quantitative story.
1. Migration taking place: We all loiow that migration is taking
place, and that it is not new in terms of 1941. A recognizable flow
of applicants existed in 1937, 1939, and 1940, both interstate and intra-
state. In 1937 and 1939 this flow was resisted by employers, who gave
priority to local applicants for three reasons, which were: (1) Justice
to local applicants. (2) The opportunity to reduce local relief loads.
And (3) the danger of increasing company turn-over if nonlocal men
were hired.
Gradually, however, as the supply of skilled applicants required by
the industries of the State diminished, and then the supply of tall,
heavy, and muscularly strong individuals needed for mill and heavy
construction work became exhausted, migratory workers were hired,
first those who came from other towns within the State, and then
those from other States. The States most frequently represented were
the other New England States, and New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl-
vania, and North Carolina.
OBSERVE PRIORITY OF LOCAL APPLICANTS
2. Conditions under which migrants are hired: There is no clearly
defined date of change from the policy of rejecting migra to ly appli-
cants to that of accepting them. If the hiring rate of a firm is low,
the percentage of migratory apphcants accepted is also low, because
hirings are made from application files, and the priority of local appli-
cants is observed automatically. If the hiring rate is high, the
percentage of migratory acceptances rises because the applicant
files become depleted, workers must be obtained quitekly, and the
employment office representative fears that he will not secure suffi-
cient numbers of the required types if he waits for the local supply.
These statements are intended to include such use as each com-
pany makes of the Connecticut State Employment Service, which
has been an important factor in facilitating the employment of local
rather than nonlocal men and women.
-41— pt. 13-
5240 HARTFORD HEARINGS
CAUSES OF MIGRATION
3. Causes of migration: The causes of migration may be stated
very briefly. In the carher period, the majority of nonlocal appli-
cants stated that they were unemployed, and they probably were.
Through newspaper and magazine articles, through verbal communi-
cation from Connecticut, and through some labor advertisements,
they learned of increased employment in certain towns here, and they
came. The first search was for employment. Today, however,
many of these applicants are currently employed elsewhere, and
their search is for better employment. Tliis is an important shift,
indicating spontaneous action toward individual upgrading, which
is highly desirable from several points of view, and will be mentioned
again.
Unfortunately, the rumors of available work are often very unreli-
able as to type of workers required and rates of pay offered, and many
men have sought work here who have no qualifications superior to the
local personnel not yet absorbed by Connecticut industry.
DISADVANTAGES OF MIGRATION
4. Disadvantages of migration: There are many disadvantages
involved in unguided migration, including disappointment and cost
to the misguided applicant; possible increase of the local population
beyond the demands of employment in certain types of persons; a
heavy load of interviewing for the employer and for the Connecticut
State Employment Service; high turn-over, coupled with the waste of
training costs; and the possibility of friction between employers over
the problem of interplant migrations.
ADVANTAGES OF MIGRATION
5. Advantages of migration: On the other hand, there are also ad-
vantages in this migration, even though it has been unguided. To the
worker who has migrated successfully, there is the tonic effect of the
exercise of initiative — that is, growth of the individual, new experience,
and new goals — and this effect on the individual occiu's whether the
migration is from one locality to another within the State, or from one
State to another. For persons who have lived always in one of the
economically depressed areas of the United States, this effect is marked.
Moreover, employers have recognized that if a good selection can be
made of the migrants capable of learning and of doing the work re-
quired of them, this aspect of migration is of tremendous value to
them. The employer profits by the new motivation of employees.
Probably the most important advantage of free migration of labor,
however, is the effect on the personnel policies of the employing
firms, and to these the committees have given careful consideration.
Trends have already become apparent in Connecticut, which we have
tried to formulate and encourage in the following recommendations.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EMPLOYERS
6. Recommendations for Connecticut employers: We advocate
careful, continuous, and rapid training and upgrading of currently
employed personnel, because the present demand for skilled labor
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5241
gives the employer an unusual opportunity to work in this way, and
because realistic acceptance of this opportunity will reduce the neces-
sity for the migration of workers, in many instances.
We advocate adoption on the part of the employers of attitudes and
procedures which will encourage the employees to ask for transfer
within the company where he is currently employed instead of or
before seeking it elsewhere.
We advocate adequate standards of job evaluation and personnel
rating, to facilitate the foregoing policies.
We advocate free and sympathetic release of employees who are
leaving their current employment, since this is the best invitation to
them to return, if they find that they have been attracted by inflated
rumors rather than fact.
We advocate full cooperation with and use of the provisions of the
Connecticut State Employment Service, with the one exception that
we are not willing to promise what seems to us at present impossible —
namely, the hiring of nonlocal personnel from their lists only.
We advocate that employ ere in no way attempt to attract to them-
selves the employees of another company, whether through advertising,
or through word of mouth.
PROCEDURE IN JOB TRANSFERS
We advocate adoption of a standard procedure to be used when an
employee of one company makes application to another for work,
a procedure which will not penalize the employee, nor bar him in any
way from making such application, but which will permit the current
employer, as well as the prospective one, to enter into the negotiations.
We urge that this procedure be developed with such care that it can
be followed honestly b}^ employers, and need not be feared by em-
ployees, and that when it is used the possible change of position shall
be of real and not imaginary value.
The committees on migration of labor believe that if these attitudes
and policies can be accepted by Connecticut industry and consistently
acted upon, the disadvantageous types of labor migration can be
avoided, and the advantageous types facilitated.
(Reading of the summary statement ends. Dr. Pond's complete
prepared material follows:)
STATEMENT BY DR. MILLICENT POND, EMPLOYMENT MANAGER,.
SCOVILL MANUFACTURING CO., WATERBURY, CONN.
Problems of Intrastate Migratory Labor
Subcommittee No. 4 of the committee on emergency employment problems,
has studied diligently all aspects of intrastate labor procurement and migration
assigned to it, and for the purpose of integration it has included some considera-
tion of items currently under investigation by other subcommittees. Specifically,
it has investigated the possibility of finding and utilizing skills within the State
which are not at present in use, and of subdividing skilled processes in such a way
that persons who possess partial skills may be given further training on the job
with fair rapidity, and thus be upgraded.
It has considered carefull^y a very simple and practical transfer request system,
which in actual operation has facilitated the handling of employees' recjuests for
their own upgrading. It has heard reports on the diminishing local labor supply
as registered by the Connecticut State Employment Service, affiliated with the-
Federal Department of Employment Security, and on the possibilities of interstate
clearance through that service. In fact, it has examined with appreciation the
5242 HARTFORD HEARINGS
various forms of aid which the employment service is prepared and eager to give
to both employers and employees, and the forms of assistance which it is asking
of employers, for an increased effectiveness of its work. All of the foregoing are
problems largely of fact and ingenuity.
In addition "to these, the subcommittee has worked wholeheartedly on the
intricate problem of employer-applicant, or employer-employee relationship,
which has been called "stealing help." As shortages in certain types of skill,
training, and physical build increase, this problem will be come increasingly acute.
It presents a conflict between the right of freedom of movement for the employee
.and expediency for the employer. It also presents a long history of agreements
between firms which were repeatedly evaded, of agreements which limited the
freedom of the employee, and of conflicts between firms, so tliat any unanimity
now may be difficult to achieve. This subcommittee has reviewed numerous
types of procedure and specific case presentations, drawn largely, although not
wholly, from current Connecticut experience, and has attempted to discriminate
clearly between them on the basis of justice.
FOUR PRINCIPLES
As a summary of this portion of its work, and a background for more detailed
procedures which will be suggested in the pages to follow, it presents four princi-
ples, believing that a frank recognition of them by all Connecticut employers will
be to the advantage of employers, employees, and the national-defense program:
I. That American men and women have the right to work for, or to seek work
with, any employer.
II. That every effort should be made to see that skilled and trained men and
women be employed where their skills can be used best, either in their own com-
panies, or, if necessary, elsewhere.
III. That, on the other hand, inadequately considered and restless moves on
the part of employees are often unprofitable to them as well as to their employers.
Hence, in fairness to the latter, they should be avoided whenever possible.
IV. Finally, that since all Connecticut industry contributes directly or indirectly
to the national-defense program, it m^ust function cooperatively and efficiently,
maintaining its recognized high standards, and reaching a higher level of produc-
tion that heretofore.
We can now turn to a more detailed report of the findings of the subcommittee,
SOURCES OF SKILLED PERSONNEL WITHIN THE STATE
Probably the best of the sources now is persistent upgrading and training of
employees within each organization. It is thought that upgrading has already
been carried out vary extensively in Connecticut industry, but illustrations cited
for a different purpose certainly indicated that the process of upgrading should
be a continuous one. It is strongly recom-inended, not only as a source of skills,
but also as a stabilizing influence in each organizs.tion.
Subdivision of skilled work processes so that upgrading can take place in reason-
ably small steps when necessary was illustrated by a description of the experimental
placement of production grinders on surface grinding work, with provision for
instruction, and a learning rate of pay for 1 month. Another committee is
studying this item.
An important investigation made by the Connecticut State Employment Service,
and reported to this subcommittee is that of the present occupation of all mechani-
cal graduates of the State trade schools for the years 1932 to 1940, inclusive.
Names furnished by the trade schools have been traced by the local employment
service offices, the individuals finally reached and interviewed. Although many
are now using the skills learned in the school, a sufficiently large proportion to
warrant continuing the investigation are not doing so. Those wlio are working
in lower level jobs with a firm that needs the skills will be referred to their own
employer for upgrading. Others will be registered as rapidly as they are found,
and referred to skilled work in their own communities. Even if the skill has been
out of use for some time, the retraining required is much less than full training.
A PRACTICAL TRANSFER REQUEST SYSTEM
In connection with its upgrading process, one large Connecticut firm has made
provision for a written request for transfer, available to any employee. In view
of the fear which many employers have that such an instrument would bring in
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5243
an unmanageable number of requests, the subcommittee examined the form,
procedure, and results in this firm with care.
The form reads "I am employed as a
in Dept and would like to be transferred to Dept
My reasons for wanting this transfer are as follows
" Spaces for signatures of employee, foreman, and superintendent
follow, also for a record of action taken.
The foreman holds the supply of blanks. The employee applies to him for
permission to fill one out, the foreman signs it and consults the superintendent.
One or both of them talk the matter over with the employee and the latter is then
interviewed in the personnel department. If the request is simply for a change
in shift, the foreman keeps the request on file. No openings on the first shift are
filled by the personnel department without a statement from the foreman that he
has no transfer requests in his file.
This procedure has been in effect since September 1939. Out of 5,000 employ-
ees, 408 transfer requests have been received, 211 for more responsibiUty. Of
these, 75 have been granted, 2 canceled, 134 are in abeyance. Requests for shift
changes number 186, of which 106 have been granted, 3 canceled, 77 held up.
It is felt that the procedure has given reasonable opportunity for expressions
of ambition or desire, that it has not resulted in an avalanche of requests, that it
saves the foreman the necessity of remembering a verbal request for change, and
that it saves both the foreman and the company from the accusation of lack of
attention to verbal requests.
DECREASED REGISTRATION OF UNSKILLED APPLICANTS
The subcommittee has considered very carefully the report of the Connecticut
State Employment Service on the reduction of numbers of registered unemployed
workers even without skill or special training. Month by month the number is
decreasing. The situation is serious, even if it is assumed that in times like these
persons who become unemployed may not register at once.
On the other hand, there is the possibility that the operation of priority restric-
tions on the supply of raw materials may throw large numbers of persons out of
employment quite suddenly in this State. To the extent that it happens in small
group.s, reemployment in defense industries will absorb the laid off employees,
but the differences in type of employee required for different types of work may
seriously delay the reemployment of larger groups.
Of the young people who will graduate this month from the high schools of the
State, it is predicted those who are over 18 years of age will be absorbed in em-
ployment very quickly — 12 percent of the total number of graduates are already
definitely engaged for work.
WHETHER TO HIRE THE APPLICANT WHO IS EMPLOYED
It is apparent, of course, that the principles given on page 1 do not provide a
mode of procedure for the employer who for any reason believes that he would
be able to interest and could use an employee of another firm. As steps toward
such a procedure, in recognition of the principles enunciated, the subcommittee
urges :
1 . That new personnel be taken to the fullest extent possible from the ranks of
the unemployed.
2. That no employee be penalized in any way for attempting to place himself
in work which utilizes his best capacities, whether with his present employer or
with another.
3. That the greatest care be taken by personnel departments in the appraisal
of these capacities when any change of employment is contemplated, and of other
factors which would be involved in a change, such as:
Loss of seniority rights or privileges, or of work security due to long service.
Transportation and/or housing expense.
Loss of income for the individual during the learning period.
Possible loss of position for the individual if an error in placement has been made.
4. That in any contemplated change of an employee from one employer to
another, the first employer be given an opportunity to interview his employee
before final commitments are made either by the second employer or by the
employee, but that this shall not be construed to mean that the second employer
may not indicate the nature of available openings for which he considers the
applicant qualified.
5. That no employer attempt to attract to himself any of the employees of
another firm, by advertising, or by verbal messages of any sort.
5244 HARTFORD HEARINGS
*? It is recognized by the subcommittee that the procedures thus set forth are to
some extent followed now by Connecticut industry — they are not original with
the committee. They will only become fully active, however, if they are incor-
porated in the basic policies of each industrial company. It is suggested that
when these principles and procedures are sincerely followed, the transfer of a
worker from one employer to another should not be called nor considered
■".stealing."
USE OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE
The Connecticut State Employment Service will register employed as well as
unemployed persons. When an employed person seeking work is referred to an
employer, it will be stated on the referral card that the applicant is employed,
and by whom.
When employed individuals register at the State employment office, every
effort will be made to persuade them to discuss their problems witli their present
employer, or to permit the employment service to do this for them. Moreover,
the employment service urges employers to use the service in cases of employed
persons who apply directly to them.
The subcommittee endorses the work of the Connecticut State Employment
Service, and recommends that Connecticut employers cooperate with and use
this service to the fullest extent possible.
[With the above statement, supplemental material was submitted,
as follows:]
Problems of Interstate Migratory Labor
By FRED S. SPARROW
Having had in our subcommittee meetings, the benefit of an exact and up-to-
date picture of the registered and available unemployed workers, unskilled,
semiskilled and skilled in the State of Connecticut as presented by the employ-
ment service, and having had the counsel of the Civilian Conservation Corps,
National Youth Administration, Work Projects Administration, and other such
administrations, and having been currently advised by the State employment
service as to the availability of desirable workers that might be moved into
Connecticut from other States, this committee feels that its recommendations to
the committee on emergency employment problems of the Manufacturers Asso-
ciation of Connecticut may be correctly summarized by:
"Connecticut manufacturers should cooperate in full with the State employ-
ment service on the problem of direction and control of unemployed coming
from out of State so as to meet Connecticut needs as to trade, training, and skills."
In its investigations, this subcommittee has given cognizance to the following
interrelated facts:
1. Less than 1 in 5 undirected and uncontrolled industrial workers coming
into the State from out-of-State has qualifications needed by Connecticut industry.
2. Labor pools in other New England States are practically exhausted and
with our needs being filled now, mainly from Pennsylvania and States more dis-
tant, question of clearance of qualified workers into this State is of even greater im-
portance. As we find it necessary to reach out farther for additional workers,
the question of transportation becomes a serious stumbling block.
3. There is considerable flow of labor into the State, due to misleading inter-
pretations of the size of weekly pay checks in Connecticut industry in such cases
as where only the total amount of a week's pay is emphasized without any relation
to amount of overtime involved.
4. The amount of newspaper and magazine publicity that has been given to
the volume of defense contracts awarded within the State of Connecticut, and
from a limited number of Connecticut manufacturers advertising for workers in
out-of-State newspapers, and from word going l)ack home from out-of-State
workers now employed in Connecticut citing the intense industrial activity
within the State, all tends to encourage an uncontrolled and undirected flow of
labor into the State, a substantial part of which flow is qualified only for clerical
work in which classification our own in Connecticut registrations of availables is
expected to be adequate.
5. The phrase "industrial tourist" aptly describes many out-of-State workers
coming into Connecticut and going from city to city and plant to plant in hopes
of locating just the job for which they are qualified. These "industrial tourists,"
moving from community to community, add to rooming problems.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5245
6. The undirected and uncontrolled flow of labor into the State can tend to
retard our own within-State program of placing in-State availables into employ-
ment first, thus lessening our relief rolls and reducing movement from one com-
munity to another with the attendant expense and difficulty as to housing, trans-
portation, and other such involvements.
7. Importance is given to the fact that, if a set of training standards be pre-
sented by Connecticut to other States for instruction of out-of-State workers
before they come to Connecticut, a greater percentage would find employment
after arriving here.
8. It is obvious that with little more detail and work on the part of the State
employment service it can just as easily place its out-of-State requisitions for
several hundred workers of a given classification as for a more limited number.
9. With high schools closing shortly the present program of the National
Youth Administration in using in-Connecticut National Youth Administration
work centers as in-Connecticut residential centers for out-of-State National Youth
Administration youths should provide for orderly clearance of these available
young workers.
10. Some Connecticut manufacturers have posted their employment offices
with a printed sign to the effect that employment of workers is handled at the
plant only after clearance through the local State employment service office.
A broader use of such a card would tend to more orderly clearance.
11. Many manufacturers have not as yet fully informed themselves of the
complete service that can be offered them by their local State employment office.
A personal visit and closer understanding of this service is urged.
This committee has seen fit to offer to the committee on emergency employ-
ment problems, the following recommendations:
"That each manufacturer designate within his plant an individual or group as
a point of service contact for new out-of-town or out-of-State employees on the
question of rooming or housing; either for direct personal assistance or as liaison
with recognized established local organizations serving in that capacity. This
in appreciation of the effect of living conditions on morale, health, and produc-
tivity of such employees."
This committee recognizes: "It is extremely urgent that manufacturers furnish
the State employment service with daily advice as to accessions, separations, and
anticipated requirements, euiphasizing again that an indication of anticipated
needs does not imply obligations as to later cmployn-ent. If the State employ-
ment service is to function at top efficiency in cooperation with tlie manufacturers
of the State, they must be given daily information and at least a 30-day working
period to bring in substantial numbers of out-of-State workers in the designated
classifications needed."
The plan for interstate clearance submitted by Leonard J. Maloney, director
of the State employment service under date of May 28, 1941, and as per the follow-
ing page is recommended for thorough study and adoption in the report of this
subcommittee to the committee on emergency enrployni'ent problems.
Plaxs for Interstate Clearance
by leonard j. maloney
There is a well-established clearance system in operation in Connecticut
by means of which it is j^ossible to clear workers not only within the State but also
between Connecticut and other States. This system has been in operation since
1934 and has been developed to a point where we can expect reasonable efficiency
in its operation. This report is continued to the use of the clearance structure in
bringing into our State the workers that you need.
At the ])resent time, here is the way it works. A Connecticut employer places
an order for workers. Workers of proper qualifications cannot be found locally
nor can they be located in the State. We send the order giving complete detailed
description of tyi>e of worker waiited to any State or to any section of a State
where there is a possibility of finding what is needed.
The cooperating State agency sends a transcript of personal history and work
record of applicants directly to the order-holding office. These records are pre-
sented to the employer for selection. The cooperating State agency is notified
to refer those selected for final selection by the employer.
Let us examine some of the weak spots of such a clearance system. First we
are working with many separate orders of individual emjjloyers. In the present
market and in the anticipated market of the future there is a lot of waste motion
5246 HARTFORD HEARINGS
in such a procedure. If employers throughout the State can anticipate shortages
for which out-of-State workers will be needed, the State employment service
could then clear a pool of workers to take care of the needs of the entire State.
Workers in this pool could then be parceled out as needed to individual employers.
A keystone of a successful clearance system calls for careful planning and
anticipation of future needs by all employers in th-e State. This point must be
enjphasized. The employment service must seek out adequate reservoirs of labor
to meet your needs. The more time we have to conduct such a search, the better
the chances are of finding reservoirs of good workers. We must have the fullest
cooperation of employers in the anticipation of their labor needs in order to plan
our clearance program to care for their needs.
Another inherent weakness of any interstate clearance system is distance. The
prospective worker is not at your office for interview. You have to judge his
possibilities as an employee from facts on records sent by other State agencies.
We do not want to bring workers from other States into Connecticut unless we
are relatively sure that they are going to go to work. This is not an insurmount-
able difficulty. Many individual employers have used interstate clearance with
good results. Close cooperation between the State employment service and
employers will result in a minimum of trouble. There might be merit in the
idea of employer representatives interviewing and hiring on the spot where a
good size group of applicants is available. This has been done successfully in
some instances.
In many cases you will wish to clear into Connecticut from other States specific
workers by name. This can be controlled through our present clearance structure.
When the employer tells us that he has a job for John Smith, of Lowell, Mass.,
we have facilities for having him notified and sent down by the Lowell office.
These cases can be handled by phone in instances where speed is essential.
I might add that we are trying in every possible way to streamline our inter-
state clearance procedure so that it will work as smoothly as possible. We are
trying to eliminate as many steps as possible so that we can get workers into the
State when you employers need them.
TESTIMONY OF DR. MILIICENT POND— Resumed
Mr. Arnold. I am sure, Dr. Pond, that you have given a very
comprehensive statement and one that is very interesting to the
members of the committee. Perhaps each of them will want to ques-
tion you on some phase of the statement. I want to ask you what
suggestions you would make for eliminating labor stealing.
Dr. Pond. The committees have several suggestions and they are
indicated in what I have read, and so I will simply list them again if
that is satisfactory.
Employers should realize that labor is going to change, is going to
want to change, and that they should clean house or I should say —
instead of indicating that the houses are not clean — they should go
further than they have in the progressive policies of industrial rela-
tions, building upon the desire of labor to move, that they should be
active in transferring their own employees so that there shall be as
much personal progress within each firm as possible.
That is something that is a little hard for an employer to do because
he feels that once he gets a person trained, that person ought to stay
placed. It is easier to have him stay than to hire somebod}'- else.
But if the employer wishes to avoid losing his people he can do some-
thing about it by transferring them frequently upward, also the
employer should adopt an attitude of cordiality when the employee
asks for a transfer. Not always can transfers be granted, but there is
something that can be done there.
Each employer should realize that extensive training, according to
the outline as given by Mr. Stowell, will tend to satisfy the workers
who can accept that trainmg, and that he should adopt a sympathetic
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5247
attitude toward the employees who want to go on rather than bar
them from advancement. That alone will stop some of the people
from going. It will help them to analyze their present situation, or if
they make a mistake in going, they will come back again.
This is material that has been handed to the committee in testi-
mony. Finally, employers should make a careful analysis of the pur-
poses of applicants who come to them from another firm or of appli-
cants who have recently given up work with other firms in order to
apply. It is often possible to find out why the applicant wishes to
make the change and to discover why the grass on the other side of
the fence looks greener. If the employer will take that into consider-
ation he can stop some of this turn-over.
Air. Arnold. Those are your recommendations. Now, are the
manufacturers at the present time cooperating in that program?
Dr. Pond. These ideas have all come to the committee from
reports of representatives of firms as to what the different firms axe
now doing. Not all firms are doing all of this. Some firms are not
doing much of it, but others are doing a good deal.
REJECTS COMPULSORY USE OF STATE SERVICE
Mr. Arnold. Would you recommend compulsory use of State
employment services by all employers who do hiring?
Dr. Pond. No; I am sorry I would not. We recommend as full
use of it as possible and as full cooperation with the State employment
service as possible. There is an industrial relations factor there. If
such a rule were put into effect in all cases there would be a good
many unnecessary rejections with no cause except that the people
were not referred by the State employment service.
Mr. Arnold. Would you care to comment on the shipbuilding
stabihzation committee, which you know is mstituting uniform wages
in the shipbuilding industry? Would uniform wages for other defense
industries help to reduce the priority of labor?
Dr. Pond. I suppose they would help. The desire of labor to
change working places often is a desire to go mto a higher type of woik,
however, so even if you had the same rates of pay for the same grades
of work in the various companies, there still would be some migration
of labor. There would be the younger man who is capable of learn-
ing new work, w^ork different from the type of job that he is now on,
with another company.
SHORTAGES OF MATERIAL
Mr. Arnold. I notice that you mentioned unemployment created
by priorities. We understand that many small firms are closing for
short periods because of material shortages. Is there anything that
can be done to eliminate such a practice?
Dr. Pond. I mentioned that out of fear of what might happen
rather than because it had begun to happen. It does not involve
only the small firms, because the larger firms may have to release
employees from certain kinds of work, which are not defense work, at
the same time they are hiring other types of employees for defense
work.
5248 HARTFORD HEARINGS
That has started to occur in the firm with which I am connecte'I.
I am not sure how many had to be kiid off — I should think 30 or 40 —
in the last 3 weeks whom we could not transfer to another occupation.
Later we may be able to take them back. They will be called back if
it is possible, but I am not certain that workers released on account
of a shortage of materials for commercial orders will immediately be
absorbed in other work. I am not sure that I am right in my fear,
and I have no suggestion to make about it. I don't know enough
about the working of priorities, I am sorry to say.
Mr. Arnold. That is all I have, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Thank you. Doctor.
Our next witness is Mr. Snyder.
TESTIMONY OF ALBERT F. SNYDER, INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
MANAGER, WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO., NEW HAVEN,
CONN.
The Chairman. Congressman Curtis will interrogate you, Mr.
Snyder.
Mr. Curtis. Do you have a statement you would like to read,
Mr. Snyder?
Mr. Snyder. Yes, sir. [Reading:]
For several months past one of the primar}^ objectives of the com-
mittee on emergency employment problems of the Manufacturers
Association of Connecticut has been to analyze and utilize every avail-
able labor reserve in the State. This is not only fairj and just proce-
dure, but sound and farsighted economy.
We have not considered it sufficient merely to cite a body of workers
as a possible or probable source of additional employees, but we have
almost without exception and with the full cooperation of the adminis-
trators of such bodies, analyzed the qualifications for employment in
defense industries of each available individual. I refer in particular
to the files of the State emplovment service, the W. P. A., the C. C. C
and the N. Y. A.
We are exploring and assisting in the broader application of draft
deferments for those with skills immediately, or anticipated as, trans-
ferable and essential to the defense industries of the State. The larger
percentage of Ciualified 1941 high-school and college graduates have
already found their place in industry.
urging employment of women
We recognize women as the largest group of available workers and,
through our committee activities, are urging their employment in
greater numbers, not only in jobs for which they have already been
proved efficient but in many additional job openings and industries.
Again with a view of utilizing every available qualified worker in
Connecticut, we have studied the employment problems concerning
race, nationality, and the physically handicapped.
It is plainly evident that concurrently with the work of this com-
mittee of the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut, there has
been a substantial prowth in the willingness of employers to give
Negroes opportunity for industrial employment if and when possessed
of the required qualifications to serve industry.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5249
The number of Negroes in the available group is relatively small and
complete absorption may be reasonably anticipated.
In recognizing the traditional role of the United States as a melting
pot for all nationalities, employers may understandably wish to balance
the proportions of nationalities within their plants. Skilled men have
little difficulty in being placed in industry. It has been strongly
urged that, through employee upgrading and training, jobs be opened
up for additional unskilled men of Italian extraction. It is further
urged that such workers accept their proportion of agricultural jobs.
And in closing, it can be reported that even in spite of an exception-
ally favorable situation as to the employment of physically handi-
capped persons in Connecticut, an intensive program is in operation
to place a still greater number of them in industry so as to release
unhandicapped workers for further upgrading.
Connecticut may well be regarded as intelligently and aggressively
proceeding to the full use of its available labor reserves.
(Other prepared material submitted in connection with Mr. Snyder's
testimony follows:)
MATERIAL SUBMITTED BY ALBERT F. SNYDER, INDUSTRIAL
RELATIONS MANAGER, WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO.,
NEW HAVEN, CONN.
Use of Available Labor Reserves in Connecticut
by g. roy fugal, supervisor of personnel, general electric co., bridgeport,
CONN.
Every possible effort should be made to discover and make adaptable all avail-
able Connecticut labor to meet Connecticut labor needs. The most conservative
estimates indicate that the required man-hours necessary for Connecticut produc-
tion called for under the emergency greatly exceeds the available labor supply.
Maj. Leonard J. Maloney has presented two very important sets of figures,
the first resulting from a recent check made by the State employment service by
personal contact with 306 employers in the State, and these individual employers
indicated that they would need 2.'3,000 additional employees by September 1. "
The second set of figures indicated that if Washington orders schedules of
7 days, 3 shifts, it will require 106,000 more employees. To these totals also must
be added such additions as will be required by nondefense industries, distributional
and retail business, and other such consumer services, the business of all of which
will necessarily be further stimulated. These figures are held to be conservative,
DRAFT DEFERMENTS AS A SOURCE OF LABOR SUPPLY
In attempting to find further potential sources of labor a close scrutiny of
deferred men in the selective service was deemed advisable. The findings have
proven far beyond expectations and have developed into a State-wide investiga-
tion. On two checks made at the Hamden, North Haven Draft Board No. 12A,
the following percentages were noted:
Of 47 IB men, 4.2 percent were foimd to be in jobs not related to national
defense; of 100 men in class 3A, 15 percent; of 90 in class 4F, 6.6 percent. A
second check at this same board taking the last 104 men classified in 3A showed
16.5 percent available for defense work. This all led to the Labor Department
approving an additional questionnaire which is now accompanying the selective-
service questionnaire to give us more detailed information regarding men and their
abilities. Inasmuch as the selective-service questionnaire only asks for occupa-
tional experience within the last 5 years, we are attempting to go back as far as
possible. To further expedite the matter one meeting of the advisory board of
12A has been called; and since the advisers in the greatest percentage are the
only men who come in personal contact with the registrant, they are attempting
to delve into matters of importance.
Thus far, however, the response on the part of the registrant has been so excellent
to give full information that in local board 12A an additional 1,500 questionnaires
5250
HARTFORD HEARINGS
are going to be added to each and every of the balance of selective-service ques-
tionnaires to be sent. To further this experiment, meetings of all other local boards
in the New Haven area are being called as soon as possible, and the same procedure
as outhned above will be followed.
3A men are those with dependents and undoubtedly their reticence in leaving
their present form of employment is due to the usual considerations such men
apply. I have no percentage figures regarding the abilities of the 16 percent avail-
able for defense work in this group, but casual inspection shows the majority to
be mechanics of some nature.
SIXTY-FIVE DRAFT BOARDS, 223,520 REGISTRANTS
In the State of Connecticut there are 65 draft boards and divided among them
there are 223,520 registrants. This figure is as of December 16, 1940. In local
board 12A of the first 1,501 classified, 932 were in class 3A, 104 were in 4F, 79
were in IB, and the balance were in classifications wliich are not of interest to our
problem. This means that out of every 1,500 men, 1,114 men offer us reasons for
investigation. Further figures at local board 12 A show that 3 A men run about
75 percent of all those classified. Assuming this percentage to be approximately
true, that gives a rough estimate of approximately 167,640 class 3A men will exist
in the State of Connecticut at the end of this present registrant group. Further
findings would then show that this would release approximately 26,862 men who
are working in jobs not necessary to national defense and who could well be
used in the proper industries.
Within 30 days close to 12,000 men will have been careful y examined in the
New Haven district alone. It might be worth while to note that this question-
naire being sent out will probably catch potential lA men physically and capably
able to work successfully in defense industries prior to their being classified; and
if these men are shifted prior to classifications, deferments will gladly be granted
since it is of utmost^importance to speed manufacturing.
WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION AS A SOURCE OF LABOR SUPPLY
In conjunction with the United States Employment Service this source is being
carefully studied. Findings to date indicate the following:
The Work Projects Administration rolls are being combed down very rapidly
with about 2,000 supposedly still available. The Work Projects Administration
defense register shows that the proper type of persons from the standpoint of age,
good physical condition, and previous work experience are now being trained for
defense industry. The register shows that those left to be trained for defense
industry are definitely a type who need the training if they can be used in any case.
For persons now qualified for defense industry, the New London district is still
worth considering. A careful check of that district shows the following:
Referable 32
Not referable, due to character and physical condition 7
Not on local register 14
Total 53
A sample of Bridgeport district shows that that territory has been completely
drained of any likely qualified prospects.
A tabulation of findings in other districts follows:
Findings in Work Projects Administration defense register, May 22, 1941, at the
State office at New Haven
District
Qualified
for em-
ployment
Now
being
trained
Who
need
training
Fairfield
167
152
153
53
10
15
6
11
51
43
22
1
0
276
Hartford
173
New Haven
336
110
Litchfield
47
Middlesex
59
5
Windham
39
Total ... - -
567
199
1,045
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5251
NATIONAL YOTJTH ADMINISTRATION AND CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS FILES
In reporting the situation as applied to the National Youth Administration
today, it is found that the present training program conducted by the National
Youth Administration does not offer any substantial contribution to industry.
The turn-over of boys is exceedingly rapid and they are mostly too young.
A study of the National Youth Administration set-up in Connecticut discloses
that this agency is having so much trouble recruiting youths for its projects that
it is believed to be actually in competition with the State employment service
and with private employers for the service of desirable youths. When the
National Youth Administration is able to recruit boys over 18 years of age for
its work-experience centers, these youngsters are in training for such a brief period
before they can be placed by the emploj^ment offices or employed by private
employers that the process seems wasteful.
The situation, however, as now developed at the Nepaug National Youth
Administration work center is that 60 boys have already been brought into Nepaug
as an experiement using the depot as a residential clearing center. These boys
have been well selected by the National Youth Administration in New York
Citj', are housed and cared for at Nepaug and the first group has been practically
entirely absorbed by industry. The success of this experiment would indicate
that possibly all 6 centers in the State, each of which could accommodate 60
boys at a time, will possibly be used in this same manner. The boys are carefully
classified before being sent into Connecticut, examined as to their qualifications
after they reach Nepaug, and those who do not have qualifications are sent back
home.
It is reported that this plan has the approval of the Washington National
Youth Administration Administrator, that he is pleased with results to date and
that a similar program may be adopted throughout other States.
Insofar as the Civilian Conservation Corps are concerned, it is found that they
continue to offer an excellent but limited supply of labor for Connecticut indus-
tries, defense and otherwise. The Civilian Conservation Corps has followed a
policy of reducing its facilities to meet the needs of a particular State. This has
resulted, in Connecticut, in a reduction of a number of camps from 21 to 5, and
2 of these 5 camps will be closed soon. The present enrollment is 400.
The Civilian Conservation Corps does not actively recruit for the camps and
concentrates on 17-year-old boys.
EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN IN INDUSTRY
The practice of employing more women in industry is the best and only con-
siderable source of new employees. This can be accomplished through further
specializing the job and upgrading the employee.
In compiling the report on the investigation of women working on jobs formerly
done by men some 57 different concerns throughout Connecticut were contacted.
Answers were received from some 38 concerns, totaling approximately 91,400
employees. Of this number 10 replied that they are now using women on jobs
that were formerly done by men. In some instances this has been a gradual
process that has been going on, as in the case of one hardware concern ^hich
quotes the following figures: "The proportion of women to men in this plant in
1931 was 23 percent. The proportion May 1, 1941, was 33 percent. The classes
of work affected have been mostly in light assembly, light machine operation,
polishing small parts and light product."
One very large rubber concern quotes "whenever conditions on the job are
changed which lighten the work or make the job more pleasant, we do not hesitate
to replace a man on that job, alwa\^s of course, making sure that we transfer him
to ec|ual or better work somewhere else in the plant. Welhave about 55 percent of
our force female; 10 years ago this was about 45 percent."
One fabric concern states that the total replacements of men by women has
been about 20 thus far. This has been in production dispatch offices, inspection
department, research department, and also in the weaving department.
Another concern reports that it would be able to rejilace women on some men's
jobs if they could work on shifts later than 10 p. m.
One other large hardware concern reports that they are now using women ia
what they call dry scouring, on drill presses, on Brown & Sharpe Automatic
Machines, and some types of clerical work formerly done by men. They are
constantly .studying the situation and are going to add a great many more in a
verv short time.
5252 HARTFORD HEARINGS
A gun company reports that it has 16 women doing work formerly handled bv
men. These employees are working in the drill department, hand mill, file, wood-
working, stock finishing, and miscellaneous shipping.
Another gun plant has been trying women on drill-press work, gunstock finishing,
polishing, and filing, punch presses and eyelet machines.
Most of the concerns say that they have not replaced any men with women but
feel that they may be forced to consider this before very long.
JUNE HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE GRADUATES
The report as to June 1941 high-school and college graduates is as follows:
From ha^gh schools, there will be 16,329 graduates with 7,443 bovs and 8,886
■girls.
Fifty-four percent of the above have already registered at the State employ-
ment service and it is anticipated that about 80 percent will have registered
shortly after graduation.
About 25 percent of the total have already been definitely earmarked for
specific employers, and it is the present belief that all registered over 18 vears
of age and will be immediately employed by maiuifacturers. Shortly "after
graduation only 16-year-old and 17-year-old students will be left, and those
mainly want clerical work and are too young to be taken into industries employed
in hazardous production.
As to the college graduates, there does not seem to be any sizeable labor pool
here. They want mostly a continuation of work along the lines of their present
studies. One company, however, reports that it has signed up 25 to 30 Yale
.undergraduates for the 12 weeks of the summer vacation.
Placement of Negroes
by john williams, industrial relations manager, yale & towne manufac-
turing co., stamford, conn.
As chairman of this subcommittee, at the meeting held May 6, I assumed the
task of investigating and reporting on the availability, restrictions, and limitations
affecting the placement of unemployed Negroes.
Before proceeding to an objective discussion of this problem, I ask your in-
dulgence while I make a few general observations which express my views on
certain aspects of the subject:
The question regarding the employment of Negroes in northern industrial
establishments should be considered with complete detachment; it should not
be confused by the injection of issues which of themselves bear no relation to
a sound solution of the problem. We must think straight and talce account of
all known facts that are related to a fair and just answer to the question.
The proportion of Negroes to the white population in our northern States is a
factor to be reckoned with; and, also, we cannot overlook the age-old disinclina-
tion of whites to associate on terms of equality with members of the colored race.
This is not merely race prejudice. It is something that industrial managers
cannot overcome or eradicate by managerial fiat. Equality is not established
in that way.
We recognize the principle that, before the law, all men are equal. But that
principle cannot be relied upon to establish a claim to industrial equality. That
kind of equality depends upon individual capacity to render comparable services
in any given field of industrial activity.
The average northern-born Negro, and the overwhelming majority of the
Negroes who have migrated north from the Southland, are of the common labor
class; therefore, these men, by and large, are not qualified to enter those occu-
l^ations in our industries where developed skills are required.
I believe that we should concede that this condition is not necessarily due to
any inherent deficiency in the Negro. It must then be attributed largely to^the
lack of opportunities for the Negro to demonstrate the possession of|latent skills.
Be that as it may. These facts are with us. We cannot brush them aside.
And those who prate glibly about the failure of industry to treat the colored man
fairly are doing the race a disservice. They well know that no miracle can be
performed that could endow colored men with the knowledge and skill that would
permit them to enjoy industrial equality with trained whites.
Skill may and can be acquired. But the process is slow and painstaking.
The Negro^ like his white brother, must be willing to travel the slow road. By
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5253
persistence and perseverance he may reach the goal of industrial equality. But
he must carve his own path. He must justify his plea for equal opportunity by
demonstrating his capacity to serve industry as well as the white man. Can he
do that? In the last anslysis, he alone must supply the answer.
In connection with this problem, industry, today, is confronted by two things:
1. Its need of an ample, efficient force of manual w'orkers to meet the demands
incident to the tremendous national-defense program.
2. The allegation that it fails to tap a considerable source of manpower by its
unwillingness to hire members of the Negro race.
It is a part of our job to explore the situation in order to determine (1) the
size of the problem in Connecticut , (2) whether our industries have adopted hiring
policies that are inimical to the interests of colored workers, and (3) what recom-
mendations should be made, if any.
Major Maloney supplied me with a compilation showing the occupational
grouping of active registrants who had contacted the State employment offices
between March 1 and April 26.
There were available for referral during that period 29,278, including men and
women and youths under 21. Of this total, the colored group numbered 1,950
or slightly under 7 percent.
Taking the combined figures for the unskilled and semiskilled males we find a
total of 9,214, or which 700 or 7.5 percent were colored.
If we examine the figures covering skilled males we find complete confirmation
of my remarks in the statement I have presented. Out of a group of 3,521, only
36 colored men claimed to be skilled workers, or just 1 percent.
A further study of the situation convinces me that in Connecticut the Negro
is not subjected to discrimination by the managers of industrial establishments.
The concensus of opinions expressed by those who are in close contact with
employment practices is, that such handicaps as are imposed upon the Negro
job seeker arise out of either the known objection of white workers to intermingling
of racial colors, or the fear of such condition entertained by management.
It is encouraging to note, however, the evident grow^th of a more tolerant
spirit and of the willingiiess of employers to respond to the plea that the Negro
citizen, if and when possessed of the required qualifications to serve industry,
should have his opportunity. The state of the labor market is conducive to
continued improvement in this direction — the need will absorb the supply regard-
less of barriers. But the permanency of the relationship brought about through
need will depend upon how well the Negro fills the picture: If he does well, this
problem will cause no trouble; it will be solved by natural process.
I believe consideration should be given to questions arising out of the actual or
assumed discriminatory attitude of white workers:
Should management submit to prejudice among employees against Negroes?
If not, how should such a condition be dealt with?
Should we recommend that a hiring policy be adopted and declared regarding
nondiscrimination between citizens?
I have not felt it to be necessary to deal in statistics. The number of Negroes in
the available group is relatively small. And since complete absorption may
reasonably be looked for, according to our best information, I do not see the
necessity for affirmative action except to urge that opportunities should be open
to young trained Negroes to prove their capacity and fitness to serve in such
occupations as they have been trained for.
Available colored applicants by office, by sex, Apr. 26, 1941
Total
Men
Women
Total
Men
Women
Ansonia
Bridceport
110
.3
19
3
297
1
10
25
279
52
117
14
2
213
0
12
20
187
19
29
2
;j
5
92
New Lonc'on
4r,
19
31S
10
104
1
34
68
15
255
10
9
62
1
12
9
4
63
Daniel.«on
Thcmpsonville
0
3
42
0
Tctal
New Haven
1,450
1,072
378
Source: Connecticut State Employment Service.
5254
HARTFORD HEARINGS
Available colored applicants, by occupational groups, sex, and age groups, April 26,
1941
Occupational group
Total
Under 21
years
21 to 44
years
45 years
and over
Professional
6
0
7
87
94
2
96
36
36
161
539
0
0
0
1
1
14
16
0
8
7
16
74
3
1
0
5
3
48
55
1
53
i?
98
309
3
Seniiprofessional
0
Clerical and kindred
1
Sales and kindred
3
Personal service
23
Protective service
Agriculture, fishing, forestry
10
Skilled
14
Unskilled
156
Total
1,072
138
616
FEMALE
Professional _..
Semiprofessional
Managerial and official
Clerical and kindred
Sales and kindred
Domestic service
Personal service
Protective service
Building service
Agriculture, fishing, forestry
Skilled
Semiskilled
Unskilled ■_
Total
2
1
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
10
9
0
0
0
292
37
202
17
2
14
0
0
0
5
1
0
0
4
0
0
0
32
1
27
18
3
12
378
44
272
Source: Connecticut State Employment Service.
United States Citizens of German and Italian Descent
BY ROBERT H. MURPHY AND WILLIAM W
At the first meeting of subcommittee No. 5 on "Employment Problems Con-
cerning Race, Nationality, and Physically Handicapped" on May 6, Mr. Murphy,
with Mr. Ball, was asked to "investigate availability, restrictions, limitations, and
further placement of United States citizens of German and Italian descent."
That these groups constituted a major defense-employment problem was evi-
dent from the figures supplied by Major Maloney, director of the Connecticut
State Employment Service.
The Italian- American, however, is niore of a problem that the German-Ameri-
can. While the German-American seems to be doing fairly well, the Italian-
American is rapidly developing into a major part of the available labor pool.
This is especially so in communities of high Italian population, such as Water-
bury and New Haven, where one-third of the population of Waterbury is Italian
and the concentration of Italians in New Haven is at least as high, if not higher.
The percentage of Italians in the labor pools of these two cities stood, on May 19,
at 28.1 percent for Waterbury and 29.4 percent for New Haven.
By checking at the Hartford and Waterbury offices of the State employment
service, through figures supplied for the State as a whole and for some individual
cities, and by personal observation and interview with other manufacturers, we
are fully convinced of two things:
First. German-Americans do not need any special attention at this time.
Second. Italian-Americans now constitute a growing percentage of the available
unemployed.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5255
At first it seemed logical to assume that these people were being discriminated
against because of the acute international situation now developing. This feeling
would be both fostered and aggravated by defense contracts prohibiting aliens
from working on defense material, by Federal Bureau of Investigation activity
along this same line, and by the enforced example of leading manufacturers of
any community as well as by a natural fear that these men, if hired, might soon;
have to be fired to comply with defense requirements.
This was not found to be true.
It was not true because: First, German- Americans were not seriously affected;
second, only aliens are barred by defense contracts, and then only by a small
proportion of such contracts; and here special permission can be obtained, although
at great trouble to the employer; third, the Italian-Americans seemed to be most
seriously affected, but without regard to their status as citizens or aliens: and,
fourth, Italian-Americans are not increasing in numbers on the unemployed rolls,
they are just not being absorbed as fast as other nationalities.
The reason for this seems to be that the Italian-Americans have congregated
in large numbers in relatively small urban areas. As no employer wants to
employ all Polish, all Swedish, all Italian, or all of any one nationality, and as he
quite naturally wants to fulfill the traditional role of the United States as a
melting pot for all nationalities, he cannot absorb these high local concentrations
of Italians and still have a reasonable proportion of his plant made up of other
nationalities. Consequently he is more anxious to employ non-Italians and thus
more fairly balance the nationalities employed than he is to hire more Italians
and thus further overbalance the percentage of other nationalities.
As a skilled man has little or no difficulty in finding employment, and as un-
skilled Italian laborers seem unwilling to accept jobs in agriculture, we offer
two suggestions at present:
1. We suggest the training of unskilled help now employed in factories so as to
open up unskilled positions for new men of Italian extraction.
2. We suggest that some Italians and aliens be referred to agricultural jobs
and persuaded to take their portion of these jobs.
Employment of Aliens
BY JAMES F. PENNING
the State of Connecticut.
The survey of the alien portion of the labor market
was made with two objects in mind:
First. To study the geographic distribution of aliens in the hopes that such
available or unemployed aliens could be directed and placed in employment such
as agriculture, road work, etc., where no alien restrictions are or would be imposed.
Second. To determine the attitude, both present and future, of manufacturers,
toward the continued employment of aliens now on pay rolls and toward the
hiring of aliens.
An analysis of record^s furnished by Mr. Clayton S. Squires, director of State aid,
showing the number of persons, adults, and children, receiving State aid in their
various locations was made. It is believed that these figures represent a good
and fair cross-section of the distribution of aliens throughout the State.
This analysis proved what was believed and feared to be true — namely, that
alien concentration is decidedly in industrial areas.
By taking the counties of the State and dividing them into quadrants; No. I
being the northwest; No. II, the northeast; No. Ill, the southeast; and No. IV
the southwest; the percentage of alien population may be applied as follows:
Percent Percent
Litchfield County.
•'
No. I
No. I
.27
. 15
No. II
2.09
No. II
2.88
No. Ill
.65
No. Ill
16. 63
No. IV
.18
No. IV
6.24
60396— 41— pt. 13-
5256
Tolland County
HARTFORD
Percent
1.01
.09
.35
.08
.49
HEARINGS
New Haven County
No. I
No. II
No. Ill
No. IV
Middlesex County
No. I
No. II
No. Ill
No. IV
New London County
No. I
No. II
No. Ill
No. IV
Pei cent
29. 91
No. I
No. II
No. Ill
No. IV
7.84
2.31
14. 34
5.42
Windham County
3.72
2.74
No. I
No. II
No. Ill
No. IV
.02
.35
2.29
1.06
2.39
.03
.32
0
Fairfield County
24.81
8.65
No. I
No. II
No. Ill
No. IV
2. 12
.89
10. 66
11. 14
2.79
.64
.73
4.49
It can be seen from the above figures that, since it is impossible to shift and
proportion the alien population as we might desire it, our best procedure is to let
the burden of alien placement fall on the shoulders of the State employment
offices and to urge all employers to hire through these employment offices and to
freely accept aliens in such occupations in which there are no alien employment
prohibitions or restrictions
An analysis of hiring and employment policies of manufacturers in the Bridge-
port area showed the following:
Percent
1. No aliens are being hired, and, as yet, no attempt at segregation from
other employees 48
2. No aliens are being hired and present aliens are being segregated from
other employees, placed in departments where they will not be working
on, or handling materials for, an}' type of defense order 28
3. No restrictions on alien hiring or employment 17
4. No aliens hired or employed 7
It can be noted that nearly half of the companies make no attempt to exclude
or segregate present employees, but it was interesting to see that all companies
qualified their statements by saying "as yet." It seems to be the general opinion
that as we get further into defense work or actually into the war, nearly all manu-
facturers will be making something directly assignable to defense and alien restric-
tions will be imposed.
It can therefore be expected that the alien employment situation will become
worse unless the manufacturers of Connecticut give this problem immediate
consideration and action.
Permission for aliens to work on most service contracts can be obtained by the
filling in of questionnaires and submitting them to either the Army or Navy
Departments, as the case may be, and waiting for such permission to be granted.
Some companies are currently following this procedure of submitting applica-
tion for permission to work aliens for present long-time employees or valuable
employees who are aliens, but in most cases it is easier to either segregate or
eliminate aliens. Other farsighted companies are preparing themselves by giving
present alien employees a list of questions to be asked and asking them to supply
themselves with the necessary information so that if and when it becomes necessary
to make application for them, a minimum of time will be lost.
It seems that the wisest move for manufacturers to make at once is to prepare
themselves by either making plans for alien segregation, having present alien
employees obtain necessary information, or actually filing application for permis-
sion to work present alien employees.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5257
Problems of the Physically Handicapped
by charles s. burr, chairman, c. r. burr & co. nurseries, manchester, conn.
This report is based on the findings of two lengthy meetings of the committee,
phis interviews with Chairman John Williams, industrial relations manager, Yale
& Towne Manufacturing Co., Stamford.
The data and information were gathered primarily by Mr. Walter R. Ketcham,
of the State employment service, and Mr. Edwin P."^ Chester, of the State depart-
ment of education.
The fundamental problem of the committee was to ascertain how in the present
emergency of acute shortage of labor, the untapped supply of employable physi-
cally handicapped, who are now unemployed, could be efficiently employed in
Connecticut industry, either on —
1. New jobs.
2. To replace some physically unimpaired person who could be released to take
on another job.
The problem resolves into one of supply and demand.
SUPPLY
The supply was the first to be studied witli the following findings:
The department of education and the State employment service conservatively
estimated that there were approximately 1,500 unemployed physically handi-
capped who are employable. It was felt that there are "probably many more
who have not yet been registered due to the characteristic timidity of the physi-
calh' handicapped.
Mr. Ketcham and Mr. Chester already have a listing and (promised to have
more in the very near future) of each individual, which listing describes a person's
handicaps and degrees of impairment, together with their experiences and abilities.
Preliminary and incomplete figures of applicants available have already been
submitted, tabulated by areas, from Bridgeport, Hartford, New Britain, New
Haven, Torrington, and Waterbury, totaling:
Total loss of vision in 1 eye 58
Partial loss of vision in both eyes 40
No vision 3
Totally deaf . 41
Hard of hearing 35
Speech defect 12
Total loss of use of 1 hand 54
Partial loss of use of 1 hand 69
Loss of use of legs; cannot walk 14
Loss of use of legs; can walk but must be seated while working 15
Partial loss of use of legs, causing varying degrees of lameness. Can work
standing ' 113
Cardiac 39
Tuberculosis 156
Others 110
Total 759
A summary of these areas represents only a portion of Connecticut's total
physically handicapped.
One can, without much imagination, realize that the above-mentioned people
could be fitted into certain jobs where their handicaps would be no great drawback.
The fact that this available supply is usable is borne out by the studies made bv
Mr. Cornelius, secretary of the Hartford County Manufacturers Association.
His survey among 59 manufacturers in Hartford County disclosed 404 recorded
physically impaired employees, who are satisfactorily being used. All but 28
of these were hired by firms who conduct a preemployment physical examination;
and these people were hired with the employers' full knowledge of their handicaps.
They are doing satisfactory work ©n such jobs as box makers, bench work, inspec-
tors, machine operators, tool clerks, messengers, assembly, grinders, and stenog-
raphy.
That this supply of physically handicapped is usable is further borne out by
very exhaustive experiments made by the Ford Motor Co.; Mr. Deitz, of the
Western Electric Co., and Dr. Ball among Canadian World War veterans. These
g258 HARTFORD HEARINGS
experiments conclusively proved that this type of labor could well hold its owd
with normal employees.
HELP OF FEDERAL AGENCIES
The physically handicapped are made more readily available than the public-
realizes by certain helps of Government agencies. For instance, the State of
Connecticut has a fund of $20,000, matched by the Federal Government dollar
for dollar, that can be used for the purchase of appliances and teaching to enable
the handicapped person to become so equipped that he can earn a hvelihood and
fit into industry .
In some instances the State is so enthusiastic, and believes so firmly in the
ability of the handicapped person, that it has agreed to pay the handicapped
person's salary during the trial period.
They have likewise gone so far as to agree to handle what might be embarrassing
to the employer — that is, discharging a worker if, in remote cases, he should be
unsatisfactory.
It was further brought out in the committee meetings that observations seemed
to prove that this type of person very often seems to have the faculty for com-
pensating, or more than compensating, for any loss that he may have sustained.
A large part of the above-mentioned supply will be available in the very near
future, each one listed individually with complete details as to their impairment
and degree of impairment; also with full information as to their experience and
abilities.
DEMAND
The demand for the physically handicapped in Connecticut has been very
definitely and unsoundly lessened by misunderstanding on the part of some Con-
necticut employers. These misunderstandings fall into three catagories:
1. The fear on the part of the employment manager or foreman that the hiring
of physically handicapped persons may result in criticism from superiors, due to
the incorrect feeling that such a person may not come up to production require-
ments.
Obviously, of course, the physically handicapped should be intelligently placed
on such a job where his employment will not interfere.
2. Fear of greater possibilities of second injuries seems to be very prevalent.
A letter received by Chairman Burr from State Compensation Commissioner
Noonan states:
"The experience of this office over a period of many years has been that physic-
ally handicapped persons make loyal and conscientious employees and are less-
prone to injury than so-called physically normal men."
This evidence from a person who is in a position to really know, it seems to the-
committee, should be entirely conclusive, proving that this fear of second injury-
is largely unfounded.
3. Ignorance on the part of many of the fact that the Connecticut State law
provides for the use of a waiver for the physically handicapped where an injury
can be traced to the specific handicap mentioned.
Quoting again from Commissioner Noonan's letter, he says:
"The waiver provisions of the statute amply protect the employer against any
undue hazard that the physically handicapped may possibly impose, and we are
in Hartford County approving about 1,000 of these waives each month."
However, in spite of the three above-mentioned draw-backs, we are proud to
state that in Connecticut the State employment service has placed more people-
than all other States in New England combined. This does, of course, indicate-
a demand.
A poll made of a small but rather representative group of manufacturers in the
recent meeting proved that Yale & Towne Manufacturing Co., Stamford, the
Connecticut Co., New Haven, the Wiremold Co., New Haven, C. R. Burr & Co.
nurseries, Manchester, at the present time are using physically handicapped peo-
ple, and are very willing to go still further in employing this type of help.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The committee came to the following conclusions and recommended that the
Manufacturers Association lend their support in the following fashion:
1. Cooperate with the State department of education and the State employ-
ment service in further truthfully acquainting the manufacturers with the ad-
vantages of taking on physically handicapped persons, also acquaint manufac-
turers with the workings of the waiver.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5259
2. That the Manufacturers Association approve setting up of local committees
of members of the Manufacturers Association in the areas of Hartford, New Bri-
tain, Bridgeport, and Waterbury, to represent manufacturers in their area, and to
learn what supply is available from the State employment service and the depart-
ment of education , then in turn to acquaint the manufacturers in their area of this
supply.
TESTIMONY OF ALBERT F. SNYDER— Resumed
Mr. Curtis. We appreciate your contribution, Mr. Snyder. Do
you feel that the 7,500 people still on W. P. A. are primarily unemploy-
able, or do you feel it is just a question of age or training or both which
is preventing their employment in defense industries?
Mr. Snyder. Well, I feel that the lack of training is the principal
trouble with the people on W. P. A.
Mr. Curtis. Do you know their average age?
Mr. Snyder. It is not so much because of age.
Mr. Curtis. Do you know what their average age is?
Mr. Snyder. I am not sure, but I don't believe it is over 45.
Mr. Curtis. Do you think they ever will be absorbed in the ordi-
nary peacetime industries of Connecticut?
Mr. Snyder. Yes, sir.
Mr. Curtis. The W. P. A. people?
Mr. Snyder. Yes, sir.
Mr. Curtis. How can that happen?
Mr. Snyder. They are being employed now. We are taking them
in and training them.
Mr. Curtis. And when you state that they will, that is because you
are training them?
Mr. Snyder. We are going to train them, that is right.
national youth ADMINISTRATION COMPETING WITH INDUSTRY?
Mr. Curtis. Are the N. Y. A. training centers competing with
industry for young people?
Mr. Snyder. Yes; I think they are. I feel that they would do
better to follow this procedure that is now being worked here in
Connecticut, and put in these centers and put their people through the
State employment service and train them in industry.
Mr. Curtis. And limit the N. Y. A. to out-of-State youth?
Mr. Snyder. Yes.
Mr, Curtis. Would you make any specifications as to qualifications
for youth to be recruited by the N. Y. A. out of the State?
Mr. Snyder. Yes. I think that we ought to specify certain
qualifications.
Mr. Curtis. Generally, what would those qualifications be?
Mr. Snyder. Some training in industry, and age — of course, in
these defense programs we have to get them over 18 years of age.
Mr. Curtis. Is there anything that is preventing the rapid em-
ployment of women in this State?
Mr. Snyder. I don't believe any particular thing except the feeling
that it is an old idea that women can't do this or that in factories.
I think that industry is rapidly becoming educated to the fact that
there are a great many jobs which were always considered as men's
work that women can do, and in a good many cases do a lot better.
5260 HARTFORD HEARIN<^tS
Mr. Curtis. Will it be easier to cushion ourselves for the let-down
when this defense activity is over if we utilize women in industry
during the period of rushing the defense program?
Mr. Snyder. I don't know as I quite got that question.
Mr. Curtis. Do you think that it would be better to employ the
women of Connecticut in these defense industries than to import
men from distant States, in view of that time when the defense pro-
gram is going to stop?
Mr. Snyder. Yes; I do. In our plant we are taking a great num-
ber of married women on the late shifts, so that when things let down
these women will go back into their homes as they were before.
Mr. Curtis. In most cases is that what might be termed "supple-
mentary income" for the family, or is it the sole income?
Mr. Snyder. No; I think it is supplementary income in most
cases.
training open to negroes
Mr. Curtis. Wliat training do you have open for Negroes at the
present time?
Mr. Snyder. Well, in a good many plants now they are taking
them in and training them on the job. A good many of them have
had training in this defense program — this 200-liour training which
has helped a good deal in many plants. They are taking them right
into the factories now and training them the same as other workers
on machine jobs.
Mr. Curtis. There is no hesitancy on the part of industry to take-
them? Or would you say it is lessening?
Mr. Snyder. It is lessening greatly.
Mr. Curtis. In your paper you indicated that the Italian-Ameri-
cans are suffering real discrimination at the present time. What dO'
you suggest could be done to eliminate that?
Mr. Snyder. Will you ask that question again, please?
Mr. Curtis. I understand you to say that there is discrimination
against Italian-Americans. Wliat do you suggest to eliminate that?
Mr. Snyder. Well, we have found that in some plants there has
been discrimination. I think it is largely emotional at this time.
We have been working on that and recommending that they employ
them more and more.
LARGE ITALIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES
Now, in some centers, such as New Haven and Watcrbury, where
we have very large Italian colonies, we have tried to make this a
melting-pot for all of them. Employers don't like to have too many
of any nationality in their factories. So where you have a large
group of any nationality like the Italians, if you were to hire all of
them you would soon have your plant predominantly Italian or Amer-
ican or something of that sort. They hold back on them in order to
balance the nationalities in the factories, which appears as though
they were discriminating against them.
Mr. Curtis. Do they fear sabotage, or can't the workers respond
to the training?
Mr. Snyder. Oh no; I think that in many cases they do fear
sabotage. They respond to training as well as any one else; no ques-
tion about that.
Mr. Curtis. That is all.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5261
TESTIMONY OF NORRIS W. FORD, MANAGER, MANUFACTURERS
ASSOCIATION OF CONNECTICUT, HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. Mr. Ford is our next witness.
Air. Ford, if you have a prepared statement we shall be pleased
to have it.
Mr. Ford. Yes; I have. At this time I shall read a summary.
[Reading.]
The most important phase of the defense program up to the present
time has been the production of all the many items that are necessary
to equip an army for war. Included are articles ranging all the way
from machine tools and textiles to gmis and ships. There is every
indication that there will be no change in this situation in the imme-
diate future.
It necessarily follows that, being a highly industrialized State, Con-
necticut should participate heavily in the preparation for defense.
The first step toward preparing for the transition from civilian pro-
duction to defense work was an inventory of machinery. This was
undertaken during the summer of 1940 and by mid-October over 1,500
of the approximately 1,900 manufacturers, having equipment adapt-
able for making munitions or other articles required by the Govern-
ment, had returned the five-page questionnaire that was prepared for
this purpose.
Arrangements were then made for tabulating the information that
was gathered from the surveys. This required a series of indexes that
were compiled with the assistance of engineers loaned by various indus-
tries, representatives of the Air Corps, the Navy, and the Hartford
ordnance district, and experts from the International Business Ma-
chines Corporation. The material has since been used extensively in
furthering the "farming out" program and also by branches of the
Army and Navy.
Fourteen manufacturers' organizations and chambers of commerce,
located throughout the State, have assisted ui bringing together prime
contractors desiring to subcontract certain components and manu-
facturers who were found to have the necessary equipment. Con-
versely, potential subcontractors have been aided by bringing to the
attention of prime contractors the idle facilities that might be utilized
for defense work.
The Connecticut State Employment Service has used its field force
to gather information concerning idle machine hours. This has
greatly facilitated the program.
FAIR DISTRIBUTION OF ORDERS
As a consequence, there is a very fair distribution of defense orders
in Connecticut. This statement is not intended to indicate that all
plants capable of producing munitions of any character are engaged
in defense work. On the contrary, there is considerable idle capacity
even on the first shift, and but a relatively few concerns are engaged
on a second or third shift.
Alanufacturers in this State have endeavored to maintain a fair
balance between defense and essential civilian work. This has tended
to stabilize employment.
It was natural, in the first instance, for the Army and Navy to place
heavy orders with those companies already engaged in the manufacture
5262 HARTFORD HEARINGS
of munitions and having substantial plant capacity. Under this
program, a number of important contracts were awarded to industries
in Connecticut. Our participation in defense work is still confined
largely to airplanes, submarines, guns, ammunition, and machine tools.
We can appreciate the desire to allocate defense orders as equally
as possible among the several States, but doubt if the mere location
■of State lines should be allowed to retard the program. Certainly
the "farming out" of defense orders at this time would be greatly
implemented if contracts were awarded more speedily.
UTILIZATION OF SMALL PLANTS
In order to utilize the smaller plants, offices such as the Hartford
-ordnance district should be authorized to award contracts for com-
ponent parts. This procedure is followed by the various arsenals,
but the Hartford ordnance district can place orders only for complete
articles.
Furthermore, it would be of great assistance if the Hartford ordnance
district office had authority to award prime contracts. Such an
arrangement was ultimately found necessary in the last war. At
the present time, the Hartford ordnance district acts primarily as a
forwarding office.
PRIORITIES AGAINST METALS
We are cognizant of the fact that priorities may be expected to
play an increasingly important part in the manufacture of nondefense
items. Connecticut is primarily a metal-working State. And the
more urgent priorities have been placed against metals or materials
used in the production of metals. Therefore we cannot escape the
adverse effects of this system. We can only hope that due consider-
ation will be given not alone to the need for an item from the stand-
point of defense, but also to the effect that the closing of a plant will
have upon employment, particularly when only a relatively small
:amount of an article on the critical list might allow a plant engaged
in nondefense work to continue its operations.
Connecticut manufacturers may be depended upon to cooperate
fully with the Federal Government in its preparations for defense.
Furthermore, industry in this State will exert all the ingenuity at its
command to adapt itself to any necessary restrictions. In return,
we ask for sympathetic understanding on the part of the Government.
(The complete prepared material submitted by Mr. Ford is as
ioUows:)
•STATEMENT BY NORRIS W. FORD, MANAGER, MANUFACTURERS
ASSOCIATION OF CONNECTICUT, INC., HARTFORD, CONN.
"Farming Out" for National Defense
The organization of a Connecticut Defense Council was authorized by the
Governor on June 12, 1940. This was one of the first commissions of its kind in
the country. It was composed of representatives from several of the State
•departments and citizens who were active in various branches of industry, labor,
agriculture, finance, etc.
As chairman of the Industrial Division, Mr. E. Kent Hubbard, president of
the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut, Inc., was quick to realize that,
•while there were adequate records available concerning the normal products of
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5263
manufacturing concerns, these companies would soon be called upon to produce
an entirely new line of items for defense.
After carefulh^ weighing the relative value of all projects, which might be
pursued, it was concluded that an inventory of Connecticut's industrial facilities
was a paramount importance in speeding the Nation's rearmament program.
QUESTIONNAIRE TO MANUFACTURERS
By August 1, 1940, after a thorough check among leading production execu-
tives of the State, and Federal procurement officials, a five-page questionnaire
was completed, printed and mailed to all manufacturers in Connecticut. This
has since been used as a pattern by other organizations, including the National
Association of Manufacturers. By mid-October over 1,500 of the approximately
1,900 manufacturers having equiprhent adaptable to defense work had returned
their questionnaires.
The next problem appeared even more difficult. It contemplated the assem-
bling of the voluminous data in usable form. Fortunately the survey had been
broken down to show separately the equipment of various industries such as
textile manufacturing, chemical processing and companies working with metals.
Engineers from these several groups spent 5 days reviewing the material with
representatives of the air corps, the Navy and the Hartford ordnance district,
together with experts from the International Business Machines Corporation,
seeking first to determine the type of information that would be necessary and,
second, a practical method of classification. Ultimately a machine classification
code was developed. A copy of this is shown below [see p. 5265]. It formed
the basis for the entire tabulation.
After all of the machinery that was recorded on the questionnaires had been
coded in accordance with this classification, the information was reduced further
by the International Business Machines Corporation punched-card method to
six indexes of Connecticut's industrial facilities. The indexes were produced by
running the punched cards through the Alphabetic Accounting Machine and are
designed to establish promptly both the names of the concerns having any par-
ticular machine in their plant and also the number of such machines. Other
tabulations list the machinery, including a complete break-down of machine tools
by both industry code and machine code. The location of the companies and num-
ber of employees are also disclosed. Actually the question concerning the facil-
ities of any plant or group of plants is available in the. study from six different
approaches. As indicative of the wide range of information that was available,
it was learned that certain textile plants in the State had complete tool room facil-
ities for making their own machinery. These facilities are now being fully utilized
in defense work.
"CONNECTICUT PRESENTS ARMS"
Although the material taken from the surveys has been in constant use since
its completion, an effort to increase its usefulness to prime and subcontractors
resulted in the issuance of a booklet entitled "Connecticut Pre.sents Arms,"
which was distributed in March of this year. The indexes of Connecticut's
industrial facilities were taken from this pamphlet. [See pp. 5267 and 5268.]
In consideration of the fact that approximately 500 new manufacturing estab-
lishments have been organized in Connecticut since the original survey was corn-
pleted and as numerous of these have not supplied information concerning their
facilities, and in further consideration of a desire to obtain the greatest possible
participation in the "farming out" program on the part of both prime and sub-
contractors, the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut invited representatives
of several manufacturing organizations and chambers of commerce, strategically
located throughout the State, to discuss a procedure for improving the subcontract-
ing program in this State.
A plan was formulated, which contemplated dividing the cities and towns of
Connecticut in such a manner that they would all be served directly by one of the
cooperating agencies or the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut, Inc., which
was to service towns and cities not included within the other jurisdictions. A
copy of the letter that was sent out to over 2,300 manufacturing concerns, describ-
ing the plan and indicating the organization that would serve each of the towns,
will be found below.
5264 HAKTFOKD HEARINGS
PLAN OF SUBCONTRACTING
Briefly, the idea that met with general approval was that a prime contractor,
desiring to subcontract any component part of a defense order would describe
the item, together with the type of machines that would be required to perform
the operation, and an estimate of the number of machine hours, this information
to be sent to the representative of the organization in which his town was located.
The same method would be employed by subcontractors having surplus machinery
that was available for defense work. If the representative first contacted was
unable to locate the necessary machinery or find an opportunity for utilizing the
idle machinery of the potential subcontractors in his district, the information was
passed along to the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut who acted as a
clearing house and advised all of the other participating organizations. In this
manner it has been possible to contact all of the manufacturers throughout the
State with a minimum of time and efl'ort.
AID OF STATE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE
Another innovation that has supplemented the "farming out" program in
Connecticut has been the cooperation that has been given by the Connecticut
State Employment Service. This organization has 18 district offices located
throughout the State and it has utilized the facilities of these offices and the
services of its inspectors to obtain current information relative to idle machine
hours. A copy of the form is shown.
The State employment service has made no effort to arrange contacts between
prime and subcontractors but has made the information that it gathered available
to organizations such as those previously described. Furthermore, through its
18 subdivisions, it has in emergencies been able very quickly to assist in locating
needed idle machinery. At least insofar as the manufacturers producing items
necessary to national defense are concerned, the State employment service has
attempted to maintain current data that ordinarily have been brought up to date
about every 2 or 3 weeks.
We are cognizant of the fact that priorities may be expected to play an increas-
ingly important part in the manufacture of nondefense items. Connecticut is
primarily a metal-working State. And the more urgent priorities have been placed
against metals or materials used in the production of metals. Therefore, we can-
not escape the adverse effects of this system. We can only hope that due con-
sideration will be given i!ot alone to the need for an item from the standpoint of
defense, but also to the effect that the closing of a plant will have upon employ-
ment, particularly when only a relatively small amount of an article on the
critical list might allow a plant engaged in nondefense work, but employing a
large number of people, to continue its operations.
The priorities system should act as a further incentive for nondefense plants to
devote a portion of their equipment to subcontract work for defense.
CONTRACTS OVER HALF A BILLION
Up to May 15, 1941, the Army and Navy have placed contracts with industries
in this State amounting to $567,755,598. This places Connecticut as eighth among
all the States of the Union in the amount of defense orders for which contracts
have been awarded. With such an important stake, it is only natural that those
interested in industry in Connecticut should wish to bring the "farming-out"
program to a high state of efficiency. Those who have had the matter in hand
will at all times be glad to receive suggestions concerning possible improvements
or additions.
r
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
Machine Classification Code
5265
1.
Abrasives.
8.
Welding equipment.
2
Containers and shipping supplies.
9.
Woodwoiking machines.
3.
Dies, special tools, jigs, etc.
10.
Textile machines:
4.
Factory equipment.
1. Needle trade machines.
5.
Hand and precision tools.
11.
Paper-making machines.
6.
Machine tools:
1. Paper-product machines.
1. Bending.
12.
General machinery:
2. Boring.
1. Rolling mill:
3. Broaching.
2. Ferrous.
4. Cut-off tools.
3. Nonferrous.
5. Drilling.
4. Precious and al-
6. Files.
loyed metals.
7. Forging.
5. Foundry equipment.
8. Gear cutting.
6. Ferrous.
9. Grinders.
7. Nonferrous.
10. Honing.
8. Chemicals.
11. Keyseating.
9. Leather and artificial leather
12. Lapping.
10. General machinery (miscel-
13. Lathes (engine).
laneous) .
14. Lathes (turret).
11. Wire drawing.
15. Lathes (automatic)
13.
Plastics.
(screw machine).
1. Rubber products.
16. Milling.
14.
Die castings.
17. Planers.
1. Aluminum.
IS. Polishing and buffing.
2. Zinc.
19. Presses.
3. Bronze.
20. Punching.
15.
Forging and drop forging.
21. Riveting.
1. Steel.
22. Shapers.
2. Aluminum.
23. Shearing.
3. Brass.
24. Blotters.
16.
Heat treating.
25. Threading.
17.
Plating.
26. Welding.
18.
Printing machinery.
27. Special.
28. Miscellaneous.
19.
Felt and felt products.
20.
Construction and roa^i-building ma-
29. Machine-tool accessories.
chinery.
7.
Testing and instruments and gauges.
PARTIAL LIST OF QUESTIONS ASKED IN QUESTIONNAIRE
Nature of Product.
1. Standard products.
2. What other types of products is your equipment adapted to, if any?
3. Have you manufactured for the United States Government? Direct bid.
Subcontract. Describe items produced.
4. Are you working on Government orders?
Survey of Production Facilities.
Equipment in operation:
1. Could you purchase or rent additional equipment necessary for production
of defense items?
2. Would you rent or sell surplus equipment for use in defense program?
(Describe such equipment on separate sheet.)
3. Would you rent space with equipment? Without equipment?
4. Please describe the types, sizes, and quantity of production equipment now
in use in your plant. (Headings below were set up primarily for listing of ma-
chine-tool equipment. For listing other equipment which cannot be described
adequately by these headings, please cross out those not applicable and insert
those which are applicable. For example, tex-tile companies would list primary
equipment as "looms" and secondary equipment as "spindles," etc.)
To be answered only by companies working with "metals":
1. What heat treating and plating facilities have you?
2. Have you had experience in machining of steel SAE — 6150, steel SAE — 4620,
other steels, gray iron, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, nickel alloys, copper
alloys, other metals and alloys? (Please list.)
5266 HARTFORD HEARINGS
3. What is the closest tolerance to which you work? I
4. (Foundries only.) Have you ever made castings to Army and Navy speci-
fications?
These questions to be answered only by companies doing chemical processing:
1. Have you pressure vessel equipment for chemical manufacture?
2. What type of lining in vessels? Ceramic. Other. (If ceramic designate
which one.)
3. ■ Have you open vessels? Heated. Equipped with mechanical stirrer.
4. Have you distillation equipment? Fractionating. Nonfractionating.
5. What type of lining? Ferrous. Nonferrous. Ceramic.
6. Have you evaporators? Vacuum type. Atmospheric.
7. What type of lining? Ferrous. Nonferrous. Ceramic.
These questions to be answered only by companies doing textile manufacturing:
1. Names of principal operating machines (looms). Secondary machines
(spindles).
2. Adaptability of machines for other types of product (lower or coarser types) ,
(higher or finer types) .
3. Description of diflferent machines for making products of plant.
4. Number of different types?
INDUSTRY AND MACHINE CLASSIFICATION CODE
(Sample excerpts)
Numerical listing
INDUSTRY
Code
Classification
Section
Code
Classification
Section
141
Ammunition and related
products
4
27
14
14
14
14
244
248
250
251
261
Tools. Not including edge
tools, machine tools, files,
or saws
206
Abrasive wheels, stones,
paper cloth, and related
products
14
Foundry products, gray
iron, and malleable iron. . _
Aluminum products
14
224
Files
Firearms
Forgings, iron, and steel.
Made in plants not oper-
ated in connection with
steel works and rolling
mills
Screw machine products and
17
225
235
Clocks, watches. Time-re-
cording devices including
materials and parts, except
watchcases
Nonferrous metal alloys and
products. Except alumi-
num, not elsewhere classi-
fied - --
17
ir
MACHINES
Machine tools (continued) :
12. General machinery:
7. Forgmg.
1. Rolling mill:
8. Gear cutting.
2. Ferrous.
9. Grinders.
3. Nonferrous.
10. Honing.
4. Precious and alloyed metals.
11. Keyseating.
5. Foundry equipment:
12. Lapping.
6. Ferrous.
13. Lathes (engine)
7. Nonferrous.
14. Lathes (turret).
8. Chemicals
15. Lathes (automatic) (screw machine) .
9. Leather and artificial leather.
11. Paper-making machines:
10. General machinery (miscellaneous).
1. Paper product machmes.
11. Wire drawing.
13. Plastics:
1. Rubber products.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRxVTION
Sequence of break-down by I B M method
5267
SURVEY
SHEETS
ALPHABETICAL
COMPANY
INDEX
EQUIPMENT
BY MACHINE
& COMPANY
EQUIPMENT
BY MACHINE
C- INDUSTRY
COMPANY
INDEX BY
INDUSTRIES
Fig. 1
F.g. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Sample, alphabetical index (fig. 1)
Company name
Location
Industry
code
Company
number
Number
of em-
ployees
West Haven _.
Hartford
Waterbury....
New Haven. .-
Pequabuck
South Nor-
Willk.
Bridgeport
241
123
458
127
108
299
206
131
150
181
200
210
220
240
Aetna Stamp and Engravina; Co
4
Albert Bros
Charles I. Allen, Inc
28
This index answers the following questions:
1. How many persons does any given company in Connecticut as of date
of question employ?
2. Where is the company located?
3. What is its industry classification?
5268
HARTFORD HEARINGS
Sample, company index by industry (fig. 5)
Company name
Location
Industry
code
Company
number
Number
of em-
ployees
Alderman Bros. Inc
New Haven_-_
do
127
127
127
127
127
127
200
1,130
1,760
1,882
1,070
2,030
Bingham Paper Box Co
Bone& Son, Inc ._
Bradley & Scoville, Inc
New London..
No town
New Haven.. _
Bridgeport
10
iT,
This index gives the answers to the following questions:
1. What companies are in the machine tool or any other industry located
in Connecticut?
2. Where are these companies located?
3. How many persons do they employ?
The Manufacturers Association of Connecticut, Inc.,
Hartford, May 13, 1941.
To: The Manufacturer Addressed.
Subject: "Farming Out" for National Defense.
Gentlemen: Arrangements have recently been completed whereby the organi-
zations shown on the attached sheets will serve manufacturers located in the
towns listed with their names in an effort to stimulate the farming-out program
in Connecticut for both national defense and commercial business.
Under this plan, requests from prime contractors for available facilities to do.
subcontract work, as well as subcontractors seeking participation in defense
orders, should initially clear through the local organizations. If it is determined
that the facilities are not available in the immediate vicinity, the requests will be
sent to our office and we in turn will circulate the information to all of the coop-
erating agencies and those manufacturers who are to be served from this office.
As an important contribution to the .success of this plan, the Connecticut State
Employment Service has agreed to make available to us the information concerning
idle machine hours that is being gathered by its field staff. This does not repre-
sent a duplication of effort, but rather it supplements the activities of the par-
ticipating organizations who will endeavor to bring together the prime contractor
and the potential subcontractor.
With this project in operation, we believe that almost any demand for machine-
facilities on the part of prime contractors can be met expeditiously. In fact,
several companies having machines that are in the greatest demand have indicated
a willingness to increase their capacity by adding another shift if this will aid the
defense program.
We particularly urge prime contractors to give consideration to the possibility
of using the subcontract service thus made available.
Yours very truly,
E. Kent Hubbard, President.
Organizations and Representatives Participating in the Farming-Out'
Program, Together With a List of Cities and Towns That Each Will
Serve
bridgeport area
Representative: Alpheus Winter, executive vice president, Manufacturers'
Association of the City (of Bridgeport, 211 State Street, Bridgeport. Cities
and towns served: Bridgeport, Fairfield, Southport, Stratford, and Trumbull.
derby-ansonia district
Representative: Dean Emerson, secretary. Industrial Association of the Lower
Naugatuck Valley, care of Star Pin Co., Derby. Cities and towns served: An-
sonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 526^
HARTFORD COUNTY
Representative: Sidney E. Cornelius, manager and secretary, Manufacturers
Association of Hartford County, 612 Capitol Avenue, Hartford. Cities and
towns served: Addison, Avon, Berlin, Bristol, Burnside, Collinsville, East Berlin,
East Glastonbury East Hartford, East Windsor, Elmwood, Enfield, Farmington,
Forestville, Glastonbury, Hartford, Hazardville, Hockanum, Kensington, Man-
chester, Milldale, New I3ritain, Newington, Pequabuck, Pequonock, Plainville,
Plantsville, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, Southington, South Glastonbury, Terryville,
Thompsonville, Unionville,. Warehouse Point, West Hartford, Wethersfield
Windsor, and Windsor Locks.
^ MANCHESTER SECTION
Representative: E. J. McCabe, executive vice president, Manchester Chamber
of Commerce, Manchester. Cities and towns served: Andover, Bolton, Broad
Brook, Buckland, Highland Park, Rockville, Somersville, South Coventrv, Staf-
ford, Stafford Springs, Staffordville, Talcottville, Tolland, and West Stafford.
MERIDEN AND VICINITY
Representative: W. J. Wilcox, secretary, Manufacturers Association of Meri-
den, 30 Colony Street, Meriden. Cities and towns served: Cheshire, Meriden,
South Meriden, Wallingford, W^est Cheshire, and Yalesville.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Represenative: Mrs. Regina S. Cotter, executive vice president, Middletown
Chamber of Commerce, Middletown. Cities and towns served: Centerbrook,
Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hamp-
ton, Essex, Gildersleeve, Higganum, Ivoryton, Middlefield, Middletown, Moodus,
North Westchester, Portland, Rockfall, Saybrook, Tylerville, and Westbrook.
MYSTIC-STONINGTON
Representative: E. Allen Olds, Jr., president, Mystic Chamber of Commerce,
Mystic. Cities and towns served: Mystic and Stonington.
NEW HAVEN COUNTY
Representative: J. S. Whiteside, Jr., executive secretary, Manufacturers
Association of New Haven County, 185 .Church Street, room 624, New Haven.
Cities and towns served: Branford, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Milford,
Mount Carmel, New Haven, North Haven, Orange, and West Haven.
NEW LONDON SECTION
Representative: Bryon A. Fones, secretary, New London Chamber of Com-
merce, New London. Cities and towns served: East Lyme, Groton, Montville,
New London, Niantic, and Waterford.
NORWALK AREA
Representative: Thomas A. Kirkwood, secretary, Norwalk Chamber of Com-
merce, Norwalk. Cities and towns served: East Norwalk, Georgetown, Norwalk,
Saugatuck, South Norwalk, Westport, and Wilton.
PUTNAM GROUP
Representative: Omer J. Milot, secretary, Putnam Chamber of Commerce,
Putnam. Cities and towns served: Eastford, East Woodstock, Mechanicsville,
North Grosvernordale, Putnam, and Woodstock.
STAMFORD AND VICINITY
Representative: Elliot G. Kingsbury, secretary, Stamford Chamber of Com-
merce. Cities and towns served: Darien, Cos Cob, East Portchester, Glenbrook,
Glenville, Greenwich, New Canaan, Old Greenwich, Springdale, and Stamford.
5270
HARTFORD HEARINGS
WATERBURY DISTRICT
Representative: Frank J. Green, secretary, Waterbury Chamber of Commerce,
Waterbury. Cities and towns served: Beacon Falls, Naugatuck, Oakville, Pros-
pect, South Britain, Southbury, Thomaston, Union City, Waterbury, Watertown,
Waterville, Wolcott, and Woodbury.
WILLIMANTIC SECTION
Representative: Albert B. Smith, president, Willimantic Chamber of Com-
merce. Willimantic. Cities and towns served: Amston, Columbia, Eagleville,
Hebron, Mansfield, North Windham, South Windham, Willimantic, and Wind-
ham.
MISCELLANEOUS TOWNS TO BE SERVED DIRECTLY BY MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
OF CONNECTICUT, INC.
Baltic
Bantam
Bethel
Brookfield
Canaan
Central Village
Colchester
Danbury
Danielson
Dayville
Eastfor
East Killingly
Falls Village
Fitchville
Franklin
Gihnan
Glasgo
Goshen
Hanover
Hawleyville
Jewett City
Killingly
Lakeville
Lebanon
Lisbon
Millstone
Moosup
New Hartford
New Milford
Newtown
Norfolk
Norwich
Norwichtown
Oakdale
Oneco
Oronoque
Pawcatuck
Pine Meadow
Plainfield
Pomfret
Preston
Quinebaug
Redding
Ridgefield
Riverton
Salisbury
Sandy Hook
Sharon
South Willington
Taftville
Tariffville
Thompson
Torrington
Uncasville
Versailles
Voluntown
Wauregan
West Mystic
West Willington
Willington
Wilsonville
Winchester
Winsted
Yantic
Sample, Connecticut State Employment Service Form
Report of machinery available for defense contracts
Form CSES-130
(Rev. 3-26-41)
Name of firm Individual
Address Title
City
Is firm interested in using idle machinery for defense subcontract work
Type of machinery
Size
Idle hours per week
Maker's name and
model No.
Is local
of
machines
First
shift
Second
shift
Third
shift
labor
available
Remarks :
Date Reporting office Interviewer
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5271
TESTIMONY OF NORRIS W. FORD— Resumed
Mr. Curtis. How much subcontracting is being done in this State
now?
Air. Ford. Unfortunately, I can't tell you that. We haven't made
a study to determine that. It would be difficult to get that answer.
We have been at times supplied with information from some of our
members concerning the amount of farming-out that they were doing.
However, the figures haven't been at all uniform. For example some
have been given on the basis of percentage and others on the basis of
dollars and cents and it has been difficult to reconcile them.
The range is anywhere from 40 percent or slightly more down pos-
sibly to no farming-out at all. I recently read that the Office of Pro-
duction Management is now requesting the 5,000 manufacturers with
which it has prime contracts or with which the Government has prime
contracts, to supply this particular information, and I think they will
be able to obtain it more accurately than we would because there is a
reluctance on the part of anyone not subcontracting to a very great
extent to disclose the figures, even though it is not their fault. Wlien
I say it is not their fault I mean that the nature of their requirements
is such that there just aren't the facilities available for doing it.
Mr. Curtis. Do you find that primary contractors are unwilling to
subcontract at a price that is satisfactory to the so-called small man?
SUBCONTRACTING DONE AT PREMIUM
Mr. Ford. No; we don't; but there are practical difficulties there;
For example, all of these prime contracts are awarded on a com-
petitive basis, and the person who is awarded a prime contract has,
naturally, figured the cost of all the components. I think it is
generally agreed that it is almost impossible to find subcontractors
that will do business for the same cost that the original prime con-
tractor has figured; therefore, it is going to cost him a premium to
subcontract the work, and it just depends on how much of a premium
he can afford to pay and in fact, is willing to pay.
We have heard of instances where subcontracting has cost the
prime contractor up to 50 percent above his return for that particular
item, and in some instances they found such an operation profitable
but generally speaking that is somewhat too high.
I recently heard Colonel Crawford, of the Boston ordnance district,
say that he had been authorized to go around to prime contractors
and oft'er them some additional amount provided they would sub-
contract a portion of their work. That seems to us to be a very
satisfactory way to get at this problem of subcontracting.
NO PREFERENCE FOR NONDEFENSE WORK
Mr. Curtis. Does the small businessman seem to prefer to hold
on to his nondefense business as long as possible?
Mr. Ford. No. Especially not in these times. I think the
majority of them recognize that their only hope for continuing in
business is to get into the Government program to some extent,
particularly those that are working in metals.
Mr. Curtis. Is that because of the priority question?
60396— 41— pt. 13 17
5272 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Ford. Generally speaking, it is. A good many of them are
going to find it very difficult, although there is a great surplus of
certain types of equipment in Connecticut, for instance, stampings
and press work, and the people that have that type of equipment and
are engaged in manufacturing of that character just cannot turn their
plants over to defense work. They would like to, but it is not always
possible.
Mr. Curtis. Isn't it true that many of the subcontractors are not
necessarily small concerns?
Mr. Ford. That is true. Some of the very largest ones that have
prime contracts are also doing subcontract work.
Mr. Curtis. And subcontracting does not necessarily mean decen-
tralization?
Mr. Ford. No, sir.
Mr. Curtis. That is all, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Any questions, Mr. Sparkman?
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN IT'S OVER?
Mr. Sparkman. Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask just one
general question. I doubt if I will get an answer to it, but I would
like for these gentlemen to be thinking it over: What is going to happen
to all these people that you are training in industry when this thing is
over?
Mr. NiCKERSON. I suppose it would be a difficult thing to get a
concrete answer to that question, but I think the committee can rest
assured that it will be the purpose of the Manufacturers Association of
Connecticut to start even now working on the question and to keep it
up because we would recognize it as being one of the most important
questions that is before us.
Presumably we will have to backtrack to some degree as we have
gone forward, but we should certainly think now and before the time
comes, how we can overcome the difficulties which we encountered
as a result of the last war.
I believe it is safe to say that in our opinion a great deal can be done
so that we will not run into such effects as we had before. To answer
that question more concretely, I think, would be quite difficult.
Mr. Sparkman. It is something which we will need to be thinking
over because it is a matter of real concern to the entire country.
voluntary savings plan
The Chairman. There was a witness this morning by the name of
Mr. Robbins, who said there was a voluntary saving plan in some of
the plants.
Of course these out-of-State migrants were unemployed, or they
would not have come here. They are getting good wages and if
some plan of voluntary savings could be introduced, under which a
certain amount of money would be taken out of their wages every
week or every month and deposited to their credit, so that at the end
of this emergency they would have a few hundred dollars to hold
them until the Government could get in shape some way or other,
it might provide a real cushion against the after-effects of this emer-
gency.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5273
Mr. NiCKERSON. That is right.
The Chairman. Because out of it they should save something,
which would go a long way toward helping the Government get on
its feet aft^r this thing is over.
COMMUNITIES SHOULD BAR EXPLOITATION
In addition to that, the communities where defense industries are
located should see to it that these workers are not gouged in the mat-
ter of rent and other municipal services.
There has been an Executive order calling for a survey of public
works to be carried on after the war is over, but so far there is no
appropriation and we may not have any money at the end of the war
with which to do it. This has been brought to my mind by Congress-
man Sparkman's question, which is right to the point.
DISMISSAL W^AGE
Do any of you gentlemen know about any plants in Connecticut
where they have this so-called "dismissal wage," in which they add
to the cost of production a certain amount and lay that aside so that
in case of the discharge of employees or on account of the slackening of
w^ork, that money may be paid to an employee to tide him over until
another position is secured? A witness testified to that at our hearing
in San Diego, but 1 have never been able to find out anything about it.
Mr. Sammis. There has been some discussion of that, but I don't
know of any place where it is in effect. Our legal restrictions are such
that it is very difficult to do anything to help a man save except to
preach to him. You can't make deductions for savings out of his pay
even though he wants you to.
Mr. Stowell. We are answering that by urging in most of the
plants right now the purchase of bonds and saving stamps, but they
buy those outright.
The Chairman, I am really amazed to see so little being done in
that direction. However, you gentlemen and Dr. Pond here are alive
to the situation and are trying, as we say, to form some cushion for
the shock that is sure to come after this thing is over. Proper atten-
tion was not given to the problem during and after the World War,
and we all know how long it took us to get over that.
I think, however, that the American people, the American em-
ployers and their workers are alive to the situation, as they should be,
because nobody knows what the condition is going to be after this
war is over. It can be just as serious as an attack on the ec^iintry
by a hostile nation.
can't tell when peak will come
Mr. Curtis. When will the peak of employment be reached in
Connecticut under this defense program?
Mr. Stowell. Wlien the full impact of the defense program is felt
in Connecticut, and it hasn't been felt yet. If you can give us the
answer to that we will give you your answer. If we followed along
the suggestions of Mr. Ford and got the plants fully manr.ed, we could
tell you very definitely.
5274 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Curtis. You have no estimate of it? Perhaps I did not state
my question properly. Do you feel, then, that Connecticut can and
will do, say, twice as much as it is doing now in the way of employing
people in defense industries?
Mr. Ford. That sounds rather vague. I doubt if it would go quite
as high as that.
Mr. Curtis. How much unemployment would there be in Connec-
ticut if the defense program stopped abruptly now?
Mr. Ford. I don't think I could tell you. You mean how much of
a decline there would be in emplojrment?
Mr. Curtis. Yes; how much of an unemployment problem would
you have here in the State if this entire program ended right now?
Mr. Ford. I think some of these gentlemen would be able to answer
that better than I.
NO LET-UP OF HOUSING ACTIVITY
Mr. Sammis. I asked the question in Washington in connection
with the housing requirements, and I was informed there would be
no let-up after this war; that, having learned the lesson of the last
war, we would have full, continuous operation of our industries after
this war is over.
Mr. Curtis. Who told you that?
Mr. Sammis. That came from one of the men in the Federal Works
Agency. I put this question: I assume that perhaps we can work on a
normal basis of one shift for the existing industries, but when it comes
to working three shifts for the existing industrial capacity in the
State of Connecticut, after the war is over I rather doubt the ability
of any of us to provide that amount of employment. I do believe
personally that after this effort is over, if it isn't chopped off on some
predetermined date, and we are allowed to complete our defense
orders, there will be some slack time, or at least operating time in
which to get geared up. again for private enterprise on perhaps our
own products or on new developments. For that period, we can try
to meet the curtailed needs of the public for consumer goods. In
other words, people are going to go without a lot of things in the next
year or two because they can't get them, and their wants are going to
continue to increase; and that may provide at least a measure of
industrial activity immediately following the cessation of defense
orders.
How long that will continue, however, depends upon the ingenuity
of industry in supplying public needs and the cooperation of the
Federal Government in allowing the program to be fostered to the
best advantage of the general public.
Mr. NiCKERsoN. If, as your chairman has suggested, the American
public could see that it was right to save and sacrifice now, then when
this thing comes about, as Mr. Sammis says, those savings and those
sacrifices could be turned into proper and legitimate consumption
spending, which would carry us beyond the time.
The Chairman. Thank you very much gentlemen. We still have
four witnesses to be heard this afternoon. We have been discussing
a subject on which we could spend days. I think you all appreciate
that. But even in our limited time, you have given us a very valuable
contribution, and we appreciate, Mr. Nickerson, your appearance
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5275
before the committee, and the appearance of Dr. Pond and these
other g-entlemen. I know your testimony will furnish a valuable part
of our record when the time comes for reporting to Congress.
Our next witness is Mr. Du Alond.
TESTIMONY OF MIKE DU MOND, HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. Mr. Du Mond, will you give your full name and
address and state your present employment to the reporter?
Mr. Du Mond. My name is Mike Du Mond and I live at 22 Brooks
Street, Hartford. I am employed in the Colt Arms Co.
The Chairman. That is an ammunition plant?
Mr. Du Mond. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. Are you a native of Hartford, Mr. Du Mond?
Mr. Du Mond. No, sir.
The Chairman. Where did you come from?
Mr. Du Mond. I operated a gun shop in Wisconsin.
The Chairman. Are you a native of Wisconsin?
Mr. Du Mond. No, sir.
The Chairman. Of what State are you a native?
Mr. Du Mond. Kansas.
The Chairman. How long did you live in Wisconsin?
Mr. Du Mond. I lived in Wisconsin since 1918.
The Chairman. WTiat did you do prior to operating the gun shop?
Mr. Du Mond. I was a regular gmi worker, machme worker m
various places. I worked for a gun company in Milwaukee.
The Chairman. In other words you learned the business and then
finally opened a shop of your own?
Mr. Du Mond. I more or less grew up in the business. My father
was a gunsmith before me.
The Chairman. Now, tell us the circumstances under which you
came to Hartford.
Mr. Du Mond. Well, I did considerable special barrel work for the
Colt people, and as j^ou probably know, we had until this^I don't
know how it is out there now, but there has been a bad depression
in the ^Middle West for the last 10 years. Well, my shop was small.
I did all the work out there myself, with the exception of around
deer season when I usually employed one or two helpers.
I had an opportunity to come to Hartford and work for the Colt
people and they gave me an attractive proposition so I came down
here.
The Chairman. You never had worked for them before, exceptmg
for what work you did for them as you mentioned?
Mr. Du Mond. Special barrel work; no. I never worked for
them before that.
The Chairman. How long have you been with them?
Mr. Du Mond. Since the 20tli of August last year.
The Chairman. And what did thev give you to start working for
them?
Mr. Du Mond. I started at $40 a week.
The Chairman. Are you getting that now or have you had a raise?
Mr. Du Mond. I have had several raises.
The Chairman. Ai"e you married?
Mr. Du Mond. Yes, sir.
5276 HARTFORD HEARINGS
The Chairman. Have you any children?
Mr. Du MoND. Two.
The Chairman. Did you bring them to Hartford with you?
Mr. Du Mono. No; I didn't. I couldn't find a place to put them.
The Chairman. But they are here now?
Mr. Du Mond. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. Tell us something about your experience in trying
to find a place to live.
Mr. Du Mond. Well, I came to Hartford the 20th of August last
year and I was here until about the middle of December. I can't
tell you the exact time that passed before I found a place where I
could bring my family. They came about that time, about the
middle of December. I had an apartment for them here.
The Chairman. \Miat were you paying for that apartment?
Mr. Du Mond. I paid $60 a' month.
The Chairman. ^Qiat did it consist of?
Mr. Du Mond. A room, one room with a bed and a bath and
another small sort of — not exactly a room
The Chairman. An alcove or something like that?
Mr. Du Mond. Yes; and there was a day bed in there and that is
where I put the kids.
The Chairman. And for those accommodations you paid $60 a
month?
Mr. Du Mond. That is right.
The Chairman. Wliat about your meals?
Mr, Du Mond. I had to eat outside.
The Chairman. Your family took their meals outside?
Mr. Du Mond. Yes.
The Chairman. That made your living pretty costly, didn't it?
Mr. Du Mond. Extremely costly — too costly.
The Chairman. How long did you continue to live there?
Mr. Du Mond. I was there 6 weeks.
The Chairman. And then where did you go?
Mr. Du Mond. To this place where I am now, 22 Brooks Street.
The Chairman. In Hartford?
Mr. Du Mond. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. Wliat kind of quarters do you have there?
Mr. Du Mond. Not so good; it is an attic apartment on the third
floor.
The Chairman. How many rooms?
Mr. Du Mond. Well, there are four.
The Chairman. Do you have to heat it yourself?
Mr. Du Mond. Yes.
The Chairman. Wliat do you pav for that?
Mr. Du Mond. $30 a month.
The Chairman. Do you have all conveniences?
Mr. Du Mond. No; there is no bath.
The Chairman. Have you tried to find a house?
Mr. Du Mond. I'll say I have.
The Chairman. Would you prefer to live in a house?
Mr. Du Mond. Absolutely, especially on the ground floor. There
is no place for the children there, and it is rather difficult to keep
children in a place like that.
The Chairman. No place for them to play?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5277
Mr. Du MoND. That is right.
The Chairman. Have you given any thought to a trailer?
Mr. Du MoND. Yes, sir; that is where I met your representative
from the committee, in a trailer camp.
The Chairman. You happened to be out in a trailer camp?
Mr. Du MoND. Yes; looking for a trailer.
The Chairman. And I suppose you found that a trailer would
not be very attractive to you and your family?
\h\ Du Mono. It would be all right — ^I think we could live in a
trailer all right, but I don't see my way clear to put $1,000 in a trailer
when I own my own home in Wisconsin.
The Chairman. What are you doing with your home?
Mr. Du Mond. Nothing — there is nothing out there.
The Chairman. Not even renting it out?
Mr. Du Mond. No.
The Chairman. What did you do with your shop back there?
Mr. Du Mond. That is running now.
The Chairman. Wlio is runnmg it?
Mr. Du Mond. A friend of mine.
The Chairman. Is he paying you rent?
Mr. Du Mond. He is paying me rent.
The Chairman. But your house is not occupied?
Mr. Du Mond. That' is correct.
The Chairman. Have you tried to find a defense house — are there
any defense houses completed here yet?
Mr. Du Mond. There wasn't the last time my wife was down there.
There were some other houses but I couldn't get one because I made
too much money. I think they are to be for people who make less
than $25 a week, or some such figure as that, and I make over twice
that much, so I couldn't get one.
The Chairman. So you don't know whether you would be able to
qualify for a defense house under any circumstances?
Mr. Du Mond. No, sir; I don't know.
The Chairman. Are you saving any money, Mr. Du Mond?
Mr. Du Mond. Yes; otherwise I wouldn't be here.
The Chairman. You feel that the better pay you are getting here
does serve to offset some of the disadvantages that you are having to
put up with?
Mr. Du Mond. That is right.
The Chairman. And you are able to lay by at least a small nest egg?
Mr. Du Mond. Yes; but that is a question. I have to move by
the 19th of July. That place is in liquidation, I understand, and so far
I haven't been able to find a single thing to go to. If I have to pay
$1,000 for a trailer, I can't see any point in doing that. It would
cost me at least $1,000 if not more, to buy a trailer large enough to
accommodate my family, due to the fact that I work nights and have
to sleep days, and I work long hours. I work an average of 11 hours
every night, and in the winter time we work 13, and it takes — I have
to sleep, you know, and at the same time we must have a place for
the children.
The Chairman. You say you work 11 hours at night?
Mr. Du Mond. I do now; yes, sir.
The Chairman. How man}^ nights a week?
5278 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Du MoND. Five nights a week.
The Chairman. 55 hours a week?
Mr. Du MoND. That is right.
The Chairman. Mr. Du Mond, how large an apartment are you
living in now?
Mr. Du Mond. Well, it is a peculiar apartment, you understand.
The rooms aren't square. What I mean is the roof comes down and
you can't utilize the entire room. For mstance I bought a refrigerator
and I couldn't find any place to put it. I can't put it in the corner of
the room. It has to set in the middle of the room because the roof
comes down at an angle at the corners of the room. There are prob-
ably only 4 feet between the roof and the floor at the corners and sides
of the room. You have to walk through the center of the room.
The Chairman. How many families live in the apartment house?
Mr. Du Mond. Three.
The Chairman. What floor are you on?
Mr. Du Mond. The third.
The Chairman. Are there any fire escapes m the building?
Mr. Du Mond. No; there is a stairway. They don't need to be
fire escapes. I think there are two stairways — one in the rear and
one in the front.
The Chairman. That is all, Mr. Du Mond. We thank you very
much and appreciate your coming here.
Our next witness is Dr. Osborn. Mr. Curtis will question you,
Doctor.
TESTIMONY OF DR. STANLEY H. OSBORN, STATE COMMISSIONER
OF HEALTH, HARTFORD, CONN.
Mr. Curtis. Will you please state for the record your name,
address, official title, and the organization which you represent?
Dr. Osborn. My name is Stanley H. Osborn.
Mr. Curtis. Wliat official position do you hold, Dr. Osborn?
Dr. Osborn. State commissioner of health. I live in West Hartford.
Mr. Curtis. Dr. Osborn, I understand there have been about
107,000 migrants who have come into Connecticut in the past year.
What medical assistance would be provided one of those migrants if
he became ill here and without funds, not being a resident of the
State of Connecticut?
Dr. Osborn. The State law provides that the town shall take care
of all sick people who have no funds.
Mr. Curtis. Irrespective of residence?
Dr. Osborn. I couldn't reply to that. That would be under the
welfare department.
Mr. Curtis. What is the extent of the hospital facilities in Hart-
ford? How many beds do you have here?
Dr. Osborn. That could'be determined by looking at the hospital
number of the Journal of the American Medical Association in each
State. I haven't that figure with me.
Mr. Curtis. Wliat is the approximate population of East and West
Hartford?
Dr. Osborn. East Hartford has an estimated population as of the
1st of July of last year of 18,652, and West Hartford, 33,943.
Mr. Curtis. Wliich city was it that was affected so seriously by
the floods in 1936 and 1938?
r
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5279
Dr. OsBORN. Of those two cities East Hartford was the one that
suffered the more.
Mr. Curtis. Were you able to provide all the necessary hospital
facilities at that time?
Dr. OsBORN. Yes, sir.
PREPAREDNESS AGAINST EPIDEMICS
Mr. Curtis. What provisions does your health department have
for handling epidemics in time of floods or other emergencies? Just
answer it in your own way. I realize my question is not too well put.
Dr. OsBORN. We had all the facihties we needed in 1936 at the time
of the flood. In 1938 we bad the hurricane and the flood which came
tbe same week, and. we did eveiything that we felt should be done.
Of course our work and the aid we gave was supplemented by the
work of the town health officers and personnel of those towns.
Air. Curtis. The committee has been informed that I'three popu-
lated wards of New Haven are without any sewerage lines; is that true?
Dr. OsBORN. Three wards of New Haven are without sewer lines.
The wards and their population according to the 1940 census are as
follows: Ward 31, 3,682; Ward 32, 5,340; Ward 33, 2,572, a total
population of 11,594.
New Haven city has requested a project mider the Lanham Act
for sewers and treatment plants for these three wards, which are in
the eastern part of New Haven. A hearing was held under PWA in
New Haven on July 18, 1941, on this matter, and the estunated cost
of the project was given as three and one-half million dollars for
sewers and sewage treatment.
Air. Curtis. Do you have any papers or statement that you would
like to submit at this time?
Dr. OsBORN. I have submitted one to the committee. I presume
you gentlemen got copies.
(The statement referred to above is as follows:)
STATEMENT BY DR. STANLEY H. OSBORN, COMMISSIONER OF
HEALTH, CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
SPACE FACILITIES
The present space facilities consist of the following square footage:
State Office Building: Square feet
Third floor 10, 192
Second floor 414
Ground floor (stock room) 1, 320
Ground floor (active storage) 648
Subbasement (dead storage) 720
1179 Main Street, laboratories (3d, 4th floors) 17, 150
1179 Main Street, Bureau of Industrial Hygiene (5th, 6th floors) 2, 100
410 Capitol Avenue, department garage 3, 000
Totals:
State Office Building 13, 294
1179 Main Street 19, 250
Garage, 410 Capitol Avenue 3,000
Total square footage 35, 544
It is estimated that at least 4,000 additional square feet of space, located
preferably in the State Office Building, is necessary for convenient and efficient
operation of the State department of health. The public health council of this
department recommended in the 1941 budget, and in others during past years,
5280 HARTFORD HEARINGS
that a building be erected to provide quarters for the entire State department of
health for as indicated above the bureau of laboratories and the bureau of indus-
trial hygiene of this department are located at 1179 Main Street, Hartford, which
is obviously not a convenient arrangement and involves lost time in commuting
back and forth. It was suggested that such proposed building be located prefer-
ably within a block of the State Office Building to facilitate cooperative activities
with other State departments. It was requested that parking space be provided
for at least 40 automobiles, for State cars assigned to department personnel and
for visitors to this department. It was requested that the building and appur-
tenances be such as to provide for expansion should the occasion arise.
PERSONNEL
At the present time there are 194 permanent employees of this department, 6
of whom are part-time (orthopedic surgeons receiving $100 per month for attend-
ance at crippled children clinics and necessary treatment of children) .
They are divided as follows:
Male 64
Female 130
Total 194
Classifications appear as follows:
Employees of State department of health according to classification
*Public health physicians or specialists (including six orthopedic surgeons,
part-time) 20
*Public health nurses 19
Dentist 1
Dental hygienists 5
*Sanitary engineers 8
*Industrial hygienists 3
*Industrial engineers 4
Sanitary inspectors 2
Psychologist 1
*Mental hygienists (psychiatric social w^orkers) 4
Medical social workers 3
*Physiotherapy technicians 2
Drug inspector 1
Nutritionists l}^*
Public health educationists i;4*
Inspectors (hairdressing and cosmetology) 2
Chemist and bacteriologist 3
Chemists 4
*Serologists 3
Microbiologists 10
Laboratory technicians 9
Laboratory helpers 7
Business manager 1
Executive assistant 1
Statisticians 3
Librarian 1
Stenographers 50
Clerks and typists 16
Key-punch operators 4
Junior messenger 1
Mechanics (garage) 3
Total 194
In addition there are 12 temporary workers in the department at present, 10
of which are clerical, 1 microbiologist and 1 serologist.
^Potential supply. — The filling of positions in the classifications marked "*"
has been found difficult and the personnel department has been unable to main-
tain a waiting list of trained and experienced workers eligible for these positions.
It has been found necessary in some cases to secure such personnel on a pro-
visional basis pending examination by the personnel department under the pro-
visions of the merit system now in effect but this has been found unsatisfactory
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5281
in many cases because few people wish to accept positions on such an indefinite
basis.
It might be mentioned that the United States Pubhc Health Service has available
a list of public health physicians, public health nurses and sanitary engineers who
might be assigned to States particularly in defense areas and this department has
requested assignment of one physician (industrial), one engineer (industrial) and
one sanitary engineer. Salaries of these men will be paid by the United States
Public Health Service and they are loaned to the department.
Several (approximately 28) of the men in this department fall within the draft
age or are in the Reserve Corps. Eiforts have been made by State health officers
through the Conference of State and Territorial Health Officers to defer key
people, and this matter has been taken up with the Surgeons General of the United
States Public Health Service, the Army and the Navy. This department has
requested deferment of the following key people — that is, we have requested that
those holding such positions be placed on the deferred list, when necessary;
Key persons essential to maintenance of Connecticut State Department of Health
who are enrolled in the Officers' Reserve Corps, and First Reserve, Red Cross
Nurses
Associate sanitary engineer (direct supervision of water supplies) 1
Chief chemist (Bureau of Laboratories) 1
Chief, division of dental hygiene (only one in direct charge of dental hygiene
activities) 1
Chief, Division of Local Health Administration (immediate control and super-
vision of local health departments) 1
Note. — Since this list was requested, the position of chief of the division of
local health administration has been vacated and has not yet been filled.
Public health nurses 5
(All five are either specially trained for a specific branch of the nursing
service offered by this department or are the principal supervising public
health nurses in their respective fields.)
Under the provisions of the merit system appointing authorities of State depart-
ments are permitted to recruit substitutes for those called to military duty outside
the eligible lists for the duration of military leave of the incumbent where there is
no eligible list available. This will facilitate the temporary fiUing of such vacan-
cies, for should it be necessary to await an examination for the filling of a vacancy
for 1 year, it would be practically impossible to secure such employees.
APPROPRIATIONS (AVAILABLE FUNDS FROM STATE AND FEDERAL SOURCES)
A total State budget of $506,744 and an appropriation from Federal sources of
$345,410 is available for the fiscal period July 1, 1941— June 30, 1942 divided as
indicated in the following table:
Total funds available for use by Connecticut State Department of Health, 1941-4^
State appropriation, Julv 1, 1941 to June 30, 1942 $450, 749
Cancer (special act, 1941-43, 2 years) 50, 000
Special contingent fund 10
Prenatal funds (for laboratory blood test) 5, 985
Total State funds 506, 744
Federal Funds (All Funds Estimated)
children's bureau
Maternal and child health fund A (matched) $48, 029
Maternal and child health fund B (unmatched) 20, 000
Crippled children fund A (matched) 60,000
Crippled children fund B (unmatched) 25, 490
U. S. Public Health Service 100, 465
Venereal disease control 48, 980
Local Health Departments:
U.S. Public Health Service Social Security Act title VI 3 1 , 226
U. S. Public Health Service venereal disease control 11, 220
Total 345, 410
Grand. total Federal and State funds 1941-42 852, 154
5282 HARTFORD HEARINGS
The Water Supply of Connecticut
The urban character of Connecticut's population is reflected in the fact that
about 90 percent of the people of the State are furnished with water from the 109
public water systems within our borders. These supply 202 communities repre-
senting an approximate population of 1,511,600. Of the 109 systems, 86 are
privately owned and supply water to approximately 772,500 persons. The
-remaining 23 sj'stems are under direct public ownership and control. Details
as to the ownership of each supply, the communities served, the population served,
and the methods of treatment may be found in the annual reports of the State
department of health. The annual reports of the public utilities commission also
contain considerable information about various water-supply systems in the State
A map showing the sources of Connecticut's water supplies is appended. A rough
estimate shows that about 31.4 percent of that portion of the State population
served by public water systems receives water that is filtered, and about 79.4
percent receives water that is chlorinated. These figures correspond to approxi-
mately 27.9 and 70.6 percent of the population of the State, respectively. Only
1.3 percent of the population, supplied by public water systems, receives surface
water that is neither chlorinated nor filtered.
DEVELOPMENT OF CONNECTICUT'S WATER SUPPLIES
The first public water supply system in Connecticut was developed in Durham
in 1798. Increase in the number of public water supplies was slow until about the
time of the Civil War. From then on, the growth was rapid. The term "public
water supply" as used in this discussion refers to supplies which are furnished to
the general public, regardless of whether the ownership is public or private. The
largest town in the State without a public water supply now is the town of Mont-
ville, with a 1940 census population of 4,128. Niantic (in East Lyme) and East
Hampton are among a few sizeable communities where public water supply sys-
tems have been considered but not built. There still remains some field for new
public water distribution systems in the State, although the only towns with a
population of over 3,000 without a public water supply are East Lyme and Mont-
ville, and there are only 7 towns with a population of over 2,000 which are without
any public water supply. In most of these smaller towns, the population is scat-
tered over a considerable area, sometimes including 2 or 3 well-separated little
villages.
SOURCES OF WATER SUPPLIES
All of Connecticut's larger water supplies are obtained from surface sources.
Of the 109 public water supplies, the sources of 69 are from lakes, impounded
reservoirs or streams; 32 are from wells or springs; and 8 are from both surface
and ground water sources. The largest ground water systems in constant use in
the State are the dug well supplies of the Watertown Fire District (estimated
population served, 3,000), the Masonvill Spring Water Co. in Grosvenordale
(estimated population served, 3,000), and the spring supply of the Connecticut
Light & Power in Thompsonville (estimated population served, 11,000). New
Britain has a large auxiliary shallow well supply at White's Bridge which is in the
nature of a filter gallery. Several of our large State institutions have well systems,
such as the University of Connecticut, Mansfield State Training School, J'airfield
State Hospital, and Southbury State Training School. All of these institutional
supplies are dug, driven, or gravel packed wells, ranging from 25 to about 60 feet
in depth, securing water from gravel or sand. At the new Army air base at Wind-
sor Locks gravel packed wells are being developed for the source of water supply,
A few small communities such as Suffield, Broad Brook, and Hazardville derive
their supplies from drilled wells in rock, usually ranging from 100 to 200 feet in
depth. Two hundred feet is the usual maximum depth of drilled wells in Con-
necticut.
QUALITY OF CONNECTICUT'S WATER SUPPLIES
Connecticut is very fortunately situated with regard to its available water
supplies. Most of our large cities and towns are located along the shore or in
the valleys of our larger reservoirs and it has been possible to shun the use of
waters polluted by these same communities and secure water, frequently by
gravity, from relatively clean upland areas. There are no sewerage systems in
Connecticut discharging into tributaries of public water supplies.
Connecticut's public water supplies are of good sanitary quality. They meet
the United States bacteriological standards of quality for waters used for inter-
state carriers. Except for the few supplies obtained from drilled wells in some of
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5283
the smaller communities, the water supplies are soft. The color is generally low,
ranging from 0 to 20 parts per million. In some cases where color from swampy
areas has been troublesome, rapid sand filters have been installed. Most of
the supplies are of good physical quality without objectionable taste and odor.
The few remaining instances of supplies showing noticeable tastes due to algal
growths or similar causes are being rapidly reduced in number by installation of
filtration plants. The hardness of supplies is usually under 50 parts per million.
WATER SUPPLY ADEQUACY
Inasmuch as most of our Connecticut population is dependent upon public
surface water supplies, the adequacy of such supplies and computations and esti-
mates as to adequacy based on rainfall and run-ofi are highly important considera-
tions to water supply officials and also to the State health department. The
State department of health has made yield estimates of every public water supply
in the State, either in cooperation with local water officials or independently.
These estimates have been of great value in predicting future shortage and in some
instances in the past few years, exhaustion of public water supplies was predicted
and warned against in advance. By and large, the local officials in charge of our
Connecticut public water supplies have acted wisely and well in planning against
future shortages. Some of the steps undertaken in recent years have been
entirely upon local initiative, such as the developments to increase the sources
of supply in Bridgeport, Hartford, Waterbury, New Haven, and Stamford, to
mention only a few of the larger supplies. Others have been taken as a result
of adoption of recommendations by the State department of health or by consult-
ing engineers called in on various water supply problems, or have been forced
by actual shortage. Among improvements in the latter group may be men-
tioned the enlargement of the Norwich, Danbury, and Torrington water supplies,
connections between Bridgeport, Shelton, and Derby, connections between Green-
wich and Stamford, construction of auxiliary well supplies in Lakeville and Jewett
City and connections between Hartford and East Hartford, Unionville and
Farmington.
No attempt has been made to make a complete list of recent water supply-
adequacy improvements, as such a list would be long. These improvements are
of the following types: Development of new watersheds; addition to storage on
existing watersheds; construction of auxiliary well supplies; connections with
near-by systems; and mettering and waste elimination programs to reduce
consumption.
A question has been asked as to the amount of water supply available for present
population needs and the maximum population that can be supplied from the
existing sources. It is somewhat difficult to answer this question unless each
supi)ly is discussed separately. However, as a matter of general information,
a tabulation has been made of the 38 larger supplies in the State which include
all of the defense and large industrial areas. These systems furnish water to a
population of approximately 1,443,000 persons. Daily total consumption is in
the neighborhood of 148,830,000 gallons. The estimated safe yields of these
supplies, based on rainfall records in the past, indicate that at the same per capita
consumption rate as evidenced by these figures (103.1 gallons per capita per day),
the supplies grouped together would be capable of furnishing water to 2,315,000
persons. This means that as a whole, based on all existing rainfall records back
for a great many years, the water supplies of the State are adequate. It must be
borne in mind, however, that such total figures must be viewed only as of general
information because the question of distribution of population and possibilities of
getting water from one section of the State to another are controlling. It might
be stated that the yield figures quoted above do not include supplies which will
soon be added to the systems of Bridgeport and Hartford.
The principal problems facing Connecticut's cities and towns at the present
time are in connection with distribution from the source. Some of the more
important projects receiving consideration in the State are as follows:
EAST HARTFORD
The water supply at East Hartford has recently been taken over by the metro-
politan district. The East Hartford water supply has been inadequate both as
to the sizes of distribution pipes and the yield of sources of supply. The supply
is augmented by a connection with the Hartford metropolitan district, which
at the beginning of this year took over the management of the East Hartford
system. East Hartford having joined jthe Hartford metroplitan district. Steps
5284 HARTFORD HEARINGS
are now being completed, whereby the East Hartford system is being reinforced
by additional and larger connections with the Hartford system. This should
overcome the difficulties that have been experienced by many of the citizens of
Elast Hartford, especially due to the draft of a large plant manufacturing defense
equipment. There are still some problems of pressure in the outlying sectirns,
but these are being rapidly taken care of by the metropolitan district. The
tremendously increased draft upon the Hartford supply has overtaxed the
capacity of the municipal slow sand filters and despite a" recent enlargment of
the plant, peak drafts may continue to overtax the filter plant somewhat. How-
ever, this has been offset by the installation of additional chloiinating equipment
so that safe water of good physical quality can continue to be supplied in ample
quantities for future needs.
WATERS URY
The city of Waterbury has a sufficient supply of water for immediate needs,
but the system is very much weakened by the fact that only one supply main
exists to carry water from its main source of supply and this pipe line extends for
a distance of about 10 miles. The city is now working on plans to construct a
new pipe line. Also, the city is working on plans to build a large new reservoir
which is needed to increase the source of supply for the future. The improve-
ments in Waterbury will be taken in the following order:
First, construction of a new pipe line which should get under w^ay immediately,
with pumping arrangements to get water into this pipe line which will be at a
higher elevation than the present supply line; and
Second, the construction of the new reservoir.
The source of supply of Groton is estimated to be adequate for present demands
although a large increased draft in the future might bring about the need for
increasing the source of supply. The Borough of Groton has investigated the
development of an increased supply and has had a report prepared by competent
consulting engineers. At the present time, housing projects in the outlying
sections of Groton are. pressing bes;y'ond the adequacy of the sizes of the pipes in
the distribution system. Studies have been made which indicate the need for an
additional large distribution reservoir, probably of about 1,000,000 gallons capa-
city in the northerly part of Groton, with connecting pipe lines. The borough
has not felt that this expense should be undertaken inasmuch as the need is being
brought about entirely by defense projects.
The Norwich water supply i.s safe but of rather poor physical quality at times,
due to the presence of objectionable color and taste. Present plans contemplate
the building of a new filtration plant at Deep River and raising of the Deep River
Dam which would improve the physical quality and add to the safe yield for the
future, although there is now no pressing problem of water supply adequacy.
The extension of a pipe line from the Norwich State Hospital to the submarine
base north of Groton has been discussed inasmuch as this would give the sub-
marine base an entirely independent source of water. The distance is about
7 miles.
NEW LONDON
The sources of supply of the city of New London appear adequate for the
present needs, although at times the pressures in certain parts of the city are low.
The city has had studies made by consulting engineers who have recommended
the combining of the high- and low-pressure areas of the city into one high-
pressure area, which will necessitate pumping and additional pipe lines.
NEW BRIT.\IN
The large demand of industries for water in the city produces peak loads at
the municipal filtration plant and presents a serious draft upon the existing
sources of supply. The city is working on plans to provide increased yield from
an auxiliary well supply.
1
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5285
WATER-SUPPLY PLANNING
In connection with future water-supply planning, the State department of
health with the valuable cooperation of Connecticut waterworks officials has for
some little time been engaged in studies of future plans for our public water sup-
plies. These studies have been carried out by a sanitary engineer of the depart-
ment assigned to the work. In the case of each city and town, with or without a
present public water supply, future populations have been estimated up to the
year 2000, per capita consumption with possible future increases have been
predicted, present water supply safe yields have been matched against estimated
future consumption and possible supplies have been considered for the future.
The information thus made available, some of which represents intensive studies
by water officials and some of which is only preliminary, is of great value in con-
nection with furnishing allocating advice as to future water supplies. Further
extensions of these studies are contemplated.
At the 1935 session of the Connecticut General Assembly, section 2529 of the
general statutes was amended by section 997c of the cumulative supplement to
provide that not only should the State department of health approve new water
supply systems but also that the department should act in an advisory capacity to
comnaunities and to the general assembly with regard to new proposed water-
supply allocations. This represents a step forward in water-supply planning.
This act reads as follows:
Section 997c statement of loater supply. — Each person, firm, or corporation
supplying water to the public shall, on request, furnish the State department of
health with all reasonable information regarding its waterworks and the source
from which its supply of water is derived. No system of water supply owned or
used by such municipal or private corporation or individual shall be constructed
until the plans therefor shall have been submitted to and approved by said de-
partment. The State department of health shall consult with and advise any
municipality or private corporation or individual having or desiring to have any
system of public water supply as to proposed sources of water supply and methods
of assuring their purity. Each petition to the general assembly for authority to
develop or introduce any system of public water supply shall be accompanied
by a copy of the recommendation and advice of said department thereon.
In some States elaborate machinery to control water supply planning has already
been stt up. In Connecticut, the need for this has not yet shown itself to be
acute in the public water supply field, due in large measure to far-sighted policies
developed for the future of our large public water supply systems, accompanied
to some extent by fairly effective planning by water works managements of smaller
supplies. The future will undoubtedly see more and more development of
metropolitan water supply systems which will tend to take in the great bulk of
the population in a State of as small an area as Connecticut. Bridgeport, Hart-
ford, and New Haven now supply water to all or part of 32 towns ovit of a total of
169 towns in the State, including emergency connections not continually used.
These three systems with existing emergency connections can now supply water
to 713,000 persons or 42 percent of the 1940 population of the State. When we
consider the probable use of a virtually unlimited supply of water (for domestic
use) from the Housatonic River as a future water supply for Fairfield County
and possibly part of New Haven County, and present developments completed
or under way in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, and Waterbury, public water
supply demands for the State as a whole are projected a long way into the future.
However, water supply planning must be continued and extended. It is obvious,
too, that other factors than potable water supply needs exist in the field of water
resources, such as water power, recreational developments, industrial use and
flood control.
STATE SUPERVISION OF WATER SUPPLIES
The laws of Connecticut (see sections 2528, 2529, amended by section 997c of
the cumulative supplement, and 2530 of the general statutes, revision of 1930)
delegate to the State department of health the general sanitary supervision of
public water supplies. This work is carried on in cooperation with local agencies
who must furnish detailed supervision.
The consultation service and field work carried on by the department through
its bureau of sanitary engineering consist of: (1) periodic check-ups at approxi-
mately annual intervals of sanitary conditions at each house on each public
water supply drainage area in the State, (2) regular inspections of chlorination
and filtration plants installed as safeguards on many water systems, (3) consul-
5286 HARTFORD HEARINGS
tations with water supply officials as to protective measures which may be under-
taken, (4) occasional collection of samples for bactferiological analyses secured
from distribution systems, (5) regular inspections of all approved check-valve in-
stallations existing on cross connections between public water supply systems
and unapproved private water supplies to see that no polluted water reaches the
mains, such inspections being made at least every 4 months, (6) investigations of
complaints as to tastes and odor from water, (7) approval of new sources of
public water supply and approval of plans for new treatment works, (8) consul-
tation with any municipality or private corporation or individual having or de-
siring to have any system or public water supply as to proposed sources of supply
and methods of assuring their purity, and (9) reports to the general assemblj' on
an 3^ petition to develop or introduce any system of water suppl.v.
In addition, arrangements are made by the bureau of sanitary engineering
whereby samples for chemical and bacteriological analysis are forwarded by
water officials to the bureau of laboratories of the State department of health
at regular intervals, usually every 1 to 3 months. The laboratories, also, of
course, examine samples of water brought in by the members of the bureau of
sanitary engineering and local health officers.
Watershed sanitation is considered of the utmost importance in Connecticut
where reliance is placed on clean watersheds as a measure of first-line defense
against water-borne disease. Certain State laws prohibit pollution of water
supplies and sanitary code regulations apply to cleanliness of properties on public
watersheds.
WATERWORKS DEFENSE ACTIVITIES
The Connecticut Water Works Association has appointed a committee on water-
works defense. The director of the bureau of sanitary engineering of the State
department of health is a member of this committee. The committee has been
working closely with the State department of health and the public utilities com-
mission on matters of defense preparedness. The State department of health
has been working with tlie water superintendents on consideration of use of
emergency sources of supply and emergency water treatment and is acting as an
agency to maintain a central inventory of waterworks equipment in the State.
The waterworks managements, public and private, are submitting to the State
department of health on inventory sheets a complete list of pipe, valves, hydrants,
sleeves, and other fittings, and the department intends, in case of emergency, to
use this information when needed. The public utilities commission has discussed
with the waterworks managements questions of fencing, flood lighting of struc-
tures, patrol, etc. The committee of the Connecticut Water Works Association
has met with the State commissioner of police and has sent out bulletins to all of
the waterworks superintendents. The State department of health has assisted.
The com.mittee consists of representatives of water companies or departments in
the following communities: Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Waterbury, Stam-
ford, Groton, Ansonia, and Bristol, in addition to the representative of the State
department of health. The chairman of the committee is Mr. G. E. Lourie,
superintendent of the Bristol Water Department. The president of the Connecti-
cut Water Works Association is Mr. D. C. Warner, vice president of the Bridge-
port Hydraulic Co. While shipm.ent of materials for waterworks has been de-
layed, no serious emergencies have yet arisen. The question of priority of water-
works materials in emergencies is, of course, important.
Sewage Disposal in Connecticut
It is estimated that approximately 70 percent of the population of the State is
served by public sewers. About 90 percent of the population of the State is
served by public water supplies. In almost all cases, the population represented
in this 90 percent has water-flush toilets, which means that at least 20 percent of
the population (difference between 90 and 70 above) is served by private water
carriage sewage disposal systems, usually consisting of septic tanks, cesspools,
and tile fields. The figure of 20 percent, however, is not correct because many
fersons without public water supply have private wells and pressure systems,
n order to make a better estimate, the department has reviewed the data avail-
able from house inspections of sewage disposal in rural areas on public watersheds
outside of the limits of public water supply pipes. This reveals that less than
10 percent of the population in these areas are probably still being served with
privies and the number is decreasing each year. On the basis of these figures it
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5287
might be estimated that not more than 7 or 8 percent of the population of the
State is served by privies, but even these figures are probably high and 5 percent
might be a closer figure.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL IN THE STATE
None of the public sewerage systems in Connecticut discharge into any streams
tributary to any water supplies. The principal health considerations of sewage
disposal are possible adverse effects on bathing places, particularly along the
shore of Long Island Sound, the pollution of shellfish areas, and the creation of
odor nuisances or possible avenues of fly-borne infection from larger sewage dis-
charges. There are also other considerations having to do with destruction of
fish life, usability of water for industrial purposes, and usability of water for
boating and recreation.
STATE LAWS RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION
The Connecticut State statutes provide that the State department of health
may order conditions corrected in the case of discharge of sewage where it can be
shown there is a public health menace. The department is also authorized to
approve plans for new treatment plants and approve the qualifications of opera-
tors of treatment plants. The department may order treatment plants enlarged
or altered when such changes are necessary for the protection of the public health.
Also, the State water commission is authorized by State law to issue orders to
correct pollution from domestic sewage or industrial wastes.
METHODS OF TREATMENT EMPLOYED
About 72 percent of the sewered population in the State is served by some
method of treatment. Approximately 13 percent of the sewered population is
served by fine screens; 63 percent by sedimentation; 6 percent by chemical pre-
cipitation; 8 percent by sand filters; 0.3 percent by activated sludge treatment;
2 percent by trickling filters; and 27 percent by chlorination.
It is seen that sedimentation is the most commonly used method of treatment.
Along the shore, chlorination is required in the summer months. In the case of
discharge of sewage effluents into large inland watercourses such as the Con-
necticut River, sedimentation is the method of treatment employed. Where
sewage discharge is into small inland streams with relatively little dilution, some
kind of secot dary treatment such as chemical precipitation, activated sludge, or
filtration through trickling filters or sand filters is employed.
By and large, most of Connecticut's communities have installed sewage treat-
ment. The principal exception is in the valley of the Naugatuck River, a highly
industrialized valley. Preliminary studies, however, have recently been under-
taken by various communities along the Naugatuck River. In the past 10 years,
a great many municipal sewage treatment plants have been built in the State.
Among the larger cities and towns whore completely new plants have been built
or old plants have been modernized are: Greenwich, Darien, Norwalk, New
Canaan, Milford, West Haven, New Haven, New London, Norwich, Putnam,
Manchester, Hartford, Middletown, Meriden, New Britain, Enfield, Torrington,
Danbury, and Wallingford. The city of Bridgeport now has a large plant under
construction. The city of Stamford has recently employed a consulting engineer-
ing firm to draw up plans and specifications for a new plant.
CONNECTICUT SHORE
Along the Connecticut shore, aside from improvements being undertaken in
Stamford and Bridgeport, a new sewage treatment plant is needed in Groton and
there are a few other small communities which now do not have public sewerage
systems, such as Westport, Fairfield, Mystic, Stonington, and Pawcatuck. There
is also a considerable area in the easterly part of New Haven where public sewers
are needed to better sanitary conditions. Two sizable sewer outlets there must
eventually be picked up and provided with treatment such as is now aff"orded for
most of the city's sewage. There is a need for enlargement of the sewage plant
in Stratford. New London has recently constructed a modern sewage treatment
plant of ample capacity to handle the sewage of the city but there is need for an
intercepting sewer to carry to the plant a considerable volume of sewage that is
now reaching New London Harbor without treatment.
-41— pf. 13 18
5288 HARTFORD HEARINGS
HOUSATONIC RIVER VALLEY
The condition of the Still River has been greatly improved by the new sewage
treatment plant in Danbury. Improvement is needed along the Naugatuck
River. The only large Connecticut community on the main Housatonic River is
Xew Milford where sewage treatment has been recommended and })reliminary
engineering studies have been made.
CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY
In the Connecticut River Valley a great deal of progress has been made. The
only large remaining community discharging untreated sewage is East Hartford
and plans for treatment are being considered by the metropolitan district, which
has recently been extended to include East Hartford.
THAMES RIVER VALLEY
In the Thames River Valley, the dilution is large so that conditions have not
been acute although sewage treatment has been recommended in a number of
communities, the largest of which is Norwich. Norwich has recently installed a
treatment plant to handle a considerable amount of sewage and has an expensive
job ahead to pick up a large number of remaining outlets. In the upper part of
the watershed, Putnam has built a sewage treatment plant.
DEFICIENCY OF RAINFALL IN 1941
It is to be noted that up to the time of writing this memorandum, the rainfall
in Connecticut in 1941 has been very deficient. For example, in Hartford the
rainfall since the beginning of December 1940 has been deficient every month.
The rainfall from December 1, 1940, to May 31, 1941, was 13.09 inches, which
represents a deficiency from normal for these 6 months of 9.51 inches. This
means that unless rain relieves the situation, we will experience extremely low
stream flows this summer and fall, which will, of course, afford less diluting water
for discharges of sewage and sewage effluents. This may in some cases aggravate
any nuisance conditions which may exist. No adverse effects are expected in the
case of our larger public water supplies. If the deficiency cf raiafall should keep
up, of course, there might be some adverse effect on some smaller supplies. ^
DEFENSE AS AFFECTS OPERATION OF SEWERAGE SYSTEMS
The State department of health has considered pcssibilities of emergencies
arising from damage to public sewers. This was discussed at a conference of
sewage treatment plant operators recently. Because of the fact that there are no
sewerage systems discharging into public water supplies, the conditions are not so
serious in Connecticut as might be the case elsewhere. Also, Connecticut is
fortunate in having only two sewage-pumping stations on public watersheds and
neither of these are of strategic importance in that one is on an auxiliary water-
shed which could be abandoned if necessary, and the other is a small station in the
upper reaches of a large watershed where the water is treated by rapid sand
filtration and chlorination.
MATERIALS FOR NEW SEWERS
As yet, no acute situation has arisen due to lack of materials for construction of
sewers. It is, of course, important that such materials receive prioiity in the
case of defense housing.
Water and Sewerage Facilities for New Housing Developments
The State departn.ent of health has had nun erous consultations with the Fed-
eral authorities with regard to sewerage facilities for new hou'^lrg developn ents.
P'ortunately, all large housing developments so far contemplated are within reach
of public water distribution systems. This will probably be the case for the n ost
1 Since this was dictated, 2.70 inches of rainfall occurred in Hartford during the first few days of June and
similar rainfall was experienced over the State. This is a material aid.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5289
part in the future although there is one sui.all developn^ent contemplated in Litch-
field County where a new well supply may have to be constructed. Many of the
housing sites have been located outside of the limits of existing public sewerage
systen s. This n eans that in order to take care of the serwerage needs, either
(1) public sewers must be extended; or (2) new sewerage systen s and central
disposal plants must be built; or (3) individual subsurface sewage disposal systems
for each residence must be installed.
Effort has been made where possible to get the public sewers extended and this
has been possible for n any of the developn.ents. However, in the case of some of
the housing developments such as two of the Groton projects, it has been necessary
for the Federal Government to draw up plans for sewers and build central disposal
plants for the projects. This has been true especially where the soil conditions
are poor for absorbing septic tank overflows. In tlie case of one developnent
undertaken by the United States Navy in Groton, individual subsurface disposal
systems were installed, consisting of septic tanks and tile fields, and the State
department of health cooperated in reviewing the detailed plans. Groton,
being a sn all community, has probably felt the impact of defense housing, as
related, to sewerage conditions, more than any other Connecticut community.
Groton's sewer collecting system is not extensive and the borough needs new
collecting sewers as well as sewage treatment facilities.
Elsewhere in the State, the additional sewage from defense housing has not
created a serious overload on existing sewerage systems or sewage-treatment
plants, although the situation will bear watching.
In the case of the more recent housing developments, the housing engineer
of the State dei:)artment of health is making a strenuous effort to keep in contact
with the housing developments and where possible, to advise as to the suitability
of sites from the standpoint of sewage disposal. Soil tests have been made in
many instances to determine the character of the underlying soil where individual
water carriage sewage disposal systems are to be installed. Conferences have
also been held with local officials about sewer extensions in order to promote such
extensions where possible.
Population of Connecticut and Methods of Estimation
The arithmetic method of estimating populations, determined by the difference
between the censuses of 1920 and 1930, reduced to an annual increment, yielded
the following estimates for the years 1935-39:
Estimaled poprdaiion {arithmetic method), State of Connecticut
Year ■ Population
1935 1,722,797
1936 1, 744,872
1937 1,766,947
1938 1,789,022
1939 I, 811,097
These poi)ulations increase by the constant difference of 22,075.
The actual census of 1940, as of April 1, was 1,709,242. Correcting this for
midyear adjustment, gives the 1940 census as of July 1, 1940, 1,711,800.
f- The annual increase between the censuses of 1930 and 1940 is 10,234 (compare
with increase of 22,075 between census of 1930 and census of 1920).
The estimated population for 1941 based on the censuses of 1940 and 1930
is 1,722,034. The 1935 estimate, based on the censuses of 1930 and 1920 is
1,722,797.
TAX METHOD OF ESTIMATING POPULATION
A method of estimating populations may be designed from the so-called old-
age assistance tax. Each town must count all persons between the ages of 21 and
60 on October 1 of each year. If the percentage proportion of persons between
21 and 60 is known for each town from a previous census, an estimate of the
population may be made, on the assumption that there has been no change in the
age grouping since the census and that the count is complete.
Using this method, the following may be listed as estimated population.
5290 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Estimated population (old-age tax method), State of Connecticut
Year: Population
1936 1, 720,902
1937 1,761, 162
1938 1, 782,303
1939 1,802,727
DISCUSSION
Tabulating the arithmetic and old-age-tax methods gives the following for the
State estimates:
Year
Old-age tax
Arithmetic
method
]93g _ . _
1,720,902
1,761,162
1, 782, 303
1,802,727
1, 744, 872
1,766,947
1,789,022
J939
1,811,097
Note— Census of 1940, corrected to July 1, 1940, 1,711,800.
In arriving at the estimated population by means of the old-age-tax method,
the list of any year is used as the basis for the estimate for the next year; namely,
the list for 1935 was used for estimating the population as of 1936; the reason for
this being the fact that the tax lists are revised from time to time, additions being
received after the close of the calendar year.
COMPARISON OP METHODS
It is evident that the arithmetic and the old-age-tax methods do not give
satisfactory results in estimating populations, both methods apparently over-
estimating'the population. However, when the percentage proportions of persons
between 21 and 60 years of age are available for each town in the census of 1940,
it may be quite possible by a combination of average percentages to effect a better
reconcihation with the actual census of 1940.
Tax-list enrollments of 1938, 1939, and 1940, are included herewith.
Old-age tax enrollment
Towns
1938
1939
1940
Towns
1938
1939
1940
305
10, 677
404
1,447
362
961
2,812
328
2,321
386
2,259
417
480
4,648
83, 267
265
15, 525
610
1,211
600
294
540
'275
2,091
900
974
1,126
411
458
314
11, 278
404
1,347
395
977
2,913
330
2,362
380
2,473
438
493
4,699
82, 715
261
16, 577
662
1,233
615
313
622
1,439
277
2.190
929
986
1,175
286
452
437
339
11,313
406
400
1,018
3,027
375
2,388
418
2,613
457
"'84," 294
285
18, 523
706
1,253
622
307
568
1,492
277
2,303
941
994
1, 190
293
480
Coventry _
1,148
1,620
15, 537
4,950
5,063
593
305
609
1,091
1,608
10, 116
4,624
1,370
721
1,962
1,322
7,544
1,511
11,547
2,760
310
3,454
323
20,489
2,910
5,081
1,840
1,027
12, 674
245
1,187
1,673
15, 550
5,112
5,280
642
306
616
1,124
1,641
10, 580
4,639
1,467
775
2,059
1,360
7,605
1,618
12,171
2,842
329
3.633
360
850
20,672
5,' 197
1,857
1,052
13.010
252
1,281
Cromwell
1, 760
Danbury - _
16, 072
5,316
5,310
Durham
Eastford
299.
654
Bethel
East Haddam
1, 16fr
1, 70&^
Bloomfield
East Hartford
11.601
East Haven
5, 087
■R Vi
1, 522:
■p ' c J
Easton
836.
East Windsor
Ellington ._.
1,404
Bristol
Enfield
7,909
Tirnnlrfiplfl
Essex
1.612
Fairfield...
13, 322
Farmington.
2 983
Franklin
328
3. 783
Goshen
379
Granby
909
Greenwich
Griswold
21, 806
Chester
5,372
Guilford
Haddam ..
1,943
Colebrook
1,095
13.505
Cornwall
Hampton
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
Exhibit 26. — Old-age tax enrollment — Continued
5291
Towns
1938
1939
1940
Towns
1938
1939
1940
99,283
167
522
470
736
5,005
282
754
639
585
2,149
407
1,239
13,413
1,732
255
20, 916
1,204
617
13, 297
8,678
2,119
319
9,181
37. 870
3,639
317
1,096
88, 710
2,895
15, 772
2,542
1,781
793
724
1,266
2,532
569
23, 225
17, 858
920
1,046
986
704
3,979
3,650
3,444
890
2,257
926
516
4,519
949
101,004
151
573
496
724
5,077
288
753
679
567
2,215
424
1,254
13, 592
1,794
255
20, 670
1,277
662
13, 278
9,066
867
2.137
333
9,443
37, 908
3,892
347
1,081
87. 788
2,984
16, 097
2.662
1,775
798
751
1,201
2,665
611
24,013
17, 948
932
1,075
1,078
690
4,097
3,726
3,448
882
2,406
916
521
4,581
947
103,831
606
501
743
5,217
298
787
710
588
2,236
461
1,292
13,918
1,918
'"20,"85i
1,360
731
13, 788
9,815
941
2,248
355
9,093
39, 800
4,136
436
1,149
""3,"239
16, 200
2,865
1,948
813
""i,"272
2,874
618
26,115
18, 383
941
1,152
1,130
746
4,187
3,931
3,506
"""2,"5i4
891
581
4,932
1,010
Ridgefield
2,022
1,321
390
277
1,531
1,228
240
3,647
830
5,530
266
2,184
1,093
701
4.968
1,504
1,250
3,126
34, 842
583
12,' 205
2,229
2,357
3,066
636
14, 769
2,763
130
4,995
376
8,198
176
1,106
56, 495
3,229
4,482
684
18, 732
16, 091
716
5,045
4,802
702
1,543
4,912
6,696
5,411
'907
1,191
1,039
1,019
2,022
'382
297
1,550
1,226
249
3,756
829
5,710
254
2,234
1,053
764
5,076
1,624
1,220
3,199
34, 276
574
5,634
12,847
2,292
2,383
3,010
653
15, 407
2,878
5,040
374
8,364
194
1,113
56. 396
3,466
4,646
672
19, 142
16, 857
768
5,354
5,104
742
1,648
4,852
7,014
5,438
2,401
1,003
1,194
1,049
1,021
Hartland
Rocky Hill
1 604
Roxbury
381
298
Kent
Salisbury
1,685
■RTillinnlv
Saybrook
1,273
Seymour
3,880
T prlvnr(i
Sharon -.
891
T ichmn
Shelton
5,895
Litchfield
Sherman -
269
2,344
1,159
Southbury - -
819
5,352
South Windsor ... ..
1,676
Meriden
Sprague
1,244
3,282
Middlefield
Stamford
36, 018
611
Milford
Stonington
5,620
Stratford
13, 833
Suffield
2,337
Morris
Thomaston
2,405
Thompson
3,002
Tolland ..
672
New Canaan
Torrington
15, 558
New Hartford
Union
118
Vernon
5,150
Newington
Voluntown . ..
381
INew London
Wallingford
Now Milford
194
"Newtown
Washington
1,159
Norfolk
55, 727
3,504
North Canaan
Watertown
4,780
716
North Stonington
Norwalk
West Hartford
20, 824
West Haven
Weston
16, 776
800
■Old Lyme
Westport
5,371
Wethersfleld
5,393
Willington -- ..
745
Wilton
1,736
Plainfield
Winchester .
5,105
Plainville
Windham
7.508
Windsor
5, 040
Pom fret
Windsor Locks
2,554
Wolcott
Preston
Woodbridge
1,290
1,099
Woodstock
TESTIMONY OF DR. STANLEY H. OSBORN— Resumed
Mr. Curtis. Do you have anything further you would hke to tell
us at this time?
Dr. OsBORN. The only additional thing that I have is a map here
(see next page) showing the places where industrial plants are that we
have been informed have defense contracts. I believe Dr. Gray
testified about those plants, and on this map there is outlined certain
areas, showing plants that we have made surveys of, and plants we
have been in contact with to a greater or less extent, which have war
contracts.
By furnishing this information I show how^ w^e are trying to handle
the industrial situation in connection with diseases that may arise
from industry. The map also shows plants that we w^ere a little back-
ward on because w^e didn't have sufficient personnel to do them.
That has been rectified, I think, by an act of the last legislature, and
5292
HARTFORD HEARINGS
aid we have received from the PubHc Health Service, so from now on
we will probably catch up.
The next map (see facing page) shows the location of trailer
camps with the number of trailers in a circle, wherever such camp ex-
ists, and the third map (see p. 5292B) shows the defense housing
projects that we have been informed are connected with national
defense, together with the location of military or naval hasps that
may later become subjected to congested liousmg areas.
Mr. Curtis. I thank you for the maps.
The Chairman. Dr. Osborn, we thank you very much.
Our next witness is Mr. Nicholas Tomassetti.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5292A
5292B
HARTFORD HEARINGS
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NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5293
TESTIMONY OF NICHOLAS TOMASSETTI, REPRESENTING THE
CONGRESS OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS, NEW BRITAIN,
CONN.
The Chairman. Mr. Arnold will interrogate you, Mr, Tomassetti.
Mr. Arnold. Mr. Tomassetti, will you please state for the record
your name and address and official title and the organization you
represent?
Mr. Tomassetti. Nicholas Tomassetti, 30 Ervine Place, New
Britain, Conn. I am the State chairman of Labor's Non-Partisan
League and vice chairman of the Conference on Social and Labor
Legislation, as well as business agent for the United Electrical, Radio
and Machine Workers Union, which is a C. I. O. affiliate.
Mr. Arnold. And you are also a member of the Connecticut
House of Representatives?
Mr. Tomassetti. Yes.
ANTIDISCRIMINATION BILL
Mr. Arnold. And in that capacity you introduced at the last
session of the legislature an antidiscrimination bill. What groups
opposed enactment of that legislation?
Mr. Tomassetti. Nobody opposed the bill publicly, or openly, but
in a discussion of the bill on the house floor objections were raised by
leaders of both parties, using the argument that "You can't legislate
tolerance," and consequently all bills were defeated on that basis.
Mr. Arnold. We have your prepared statement, and it will be
entered as a part of the record.
(The statement referred to is as follows:)
STATEMENT BY NICHOLAS TOMASSETTI, OF NEW BRITAIN, REPRE-
SENTING CONGRESS OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS
The problem of housing in Connecticut today is an unlimited emergency
for the people of the State. Not only their comfort and well-being, their family
lives and the upbringing of their children, but their health and their whole families'
budgets are involved in this situation. I am very happy to have this oppor-
tunity to present evidence on this crisis and to recommend swift, energetic
action to solve it as an essential step in any scheme of defense which considers the
welfare of the people. Up till now the record of our public authorities — Federal,
State, and local— has been one of inaction, of countless investigations not fol-
lowed by necessary steps to rectify this situation. If we seriously mean to defend
democracy, this is a problem that we can no longer postpone.
YEARS OF NEGLECT
I have said that this is an emergency problem. But it is much more than that.
It is a problem that has accumulated over years of neglect. Allow me to present
a few relevant facts to prove this statement. In 1939 the Research Department
of the National Labor's Non-Partisan League compiled from official sources some
figures on housing conditions in Connecticut. Twenty-five percent of the dwelling
units in the State were found to be unsafe or insanitary. That means that one
out of every four Connecticut families was living in a place unfit for human
habitation. In the town of Stamford at least 26 percent of the dwellings were in
this category; while in Waterbury, 14 percent were unfit for use and 10 percent
had neither bath nor shower.
At the same period the Housing Advocate prepared by the New Haven City-
Wide Council for Slum Clearance and Better Housing published an article by
Dr. Winslow, stating that at least 7,000 families in New Haven were living in
substandard dwellings; while in the slum wards an infinitely higher proportion
5294 HARTFORD HEARINGS
of dwellings were unfit, and this situation was accompanied bj' higher delinquency
rates, worse health, and extremely low incomes.
Connecticut certainly contributed its share to the one-third of the Nation that
was ill-housed.
In a bulletin on Housing, prepared by the Work Projects Administration for
the housing authority of the city of Hartford, vacancy ratios in homes for rent
are shown as follows: Percent
1938-39 3.09
1940 first 6 months 1. 8
Julv 1940 1. 2
September 1940 .6
All housing authorities agree that a city's housing is not in a healthy condition
unless it has a 5-percent vacancy level. Hartford, even in 1938, fell badly below
this figure.
The United States census of last year shows the same overcrowding as being
proven throughout the State early in 1940 before the defense boom developed.
In a bulletin covering 24 Connecticut cities only three at that time had a vacancy
level of 5 percent. My own town of New Britain had a vacancy of 0.6 percent;
Bristol and Torrington had 1 percent; Hartford, 1.8 percent; Ansonia, Bridgeport,
and countless other industrial centers, barely 2 percent.
These few figures which I have presented so far show that housing in Connec-
ticut is a serious problem of long standing which would challenge a solution by all
progressive people even if it was not complicated by the present emergency
situation.
THE EMERGENCY
The extent of the present emergency can only be dimly pictured here. We
have overcrowding; we have rent gouging and we have discrimination against
large families added to our permanent disgrace of discrimination against Negroes
in the housing field.
Let me briefly sketch this situation for you.
In the official organ of Labor's Non-Partisan League — News of Connecticut —
February 22, Mr. Allan A. Twichell reported as follows: By February 5 in Bristol
and Terryville only seven vacancies were left. "Rent raises of 33 percent are
reported as typical in an area studied by one housing authority," said Mr. Twi-
chell. He also cited individual cases of increases from $18 to $30 and from $30
to $45.
Rev. John Edwards, leading Negro minister in New Haven, has stated: "Tak-
ing advantage of the shortage of suitable places available for Negro tenants in
this area, some of these landlords have raised the rents from 20 to 50 percent."
Information made available to me by the New Haven city-wide council on
slum clearance and better housing shows the following: Among applicants for
admission to the housing project about 15 percent have recently had their rents
increased bv an average amount of 10 to 15 percent. Cases are shown of increases
from 26 to 30, 16 to 20, from 17 to 23, from 18 to 25. Surveys published in the
Hartford Courant, based on Bureau of Labor statistics figures, show that in the
city of Hartford almost one-third of all rents from $20 to $39 have recently been
raised by about 9 percent.
The Industrial Relations Club of New Haven in its monthly news letter for
June 1941, records that "there are no plans for expansion of residence accommoda-
tions, however. Instead, an effort is being made to squeeze the incoming workers
into the few available vacancies, whether they fit or not. Greedy as vultures
over the field of battle, the rent profiteers hoist their prices month by month."
This state of affairs leads to the most serious hardships. In Hartford there
are widespread reports that the general housing shortage is leading to "No
Children Wanted" signs being widely seen. One social worker rei^orts that in
the Negro section "families have doubled up, and cases are frequently cited in
which 14 or 16 people live in three rooms, sleep in shifts, and pile furniture in
corners to find added space for more beds." I must say here that the continued
un-American practice of our industrialists in refusing jobs to Negroes makes this
situation worse.
A recent case we have heard of is particularly dramatic. In Torrington, a
worker and a family of wife and four children were evicted because they could
not meet a rent increase. No place in town could be found for them. Only the
generosity of a brother trade unionist saved them from spending the night on
the street by putting at their disposal a small summer cottage on the lake out
of town.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5295
AUTHORITIES FAIL TO ACT
I stated earlier that all authorities must be held responsible for serious inac-
tion in the present situation.
Why has Congress allowed the fine beginnings made by the United States
Housing Authority to come to a halt? Why is it that small appropriations for
defense housing, which by the way materialize very slowly, are the only steps
taken nationally to meet the situation? Why is it that the rent experts of the
price-control bureaus in our national defense set-up are still only in the stage
of issuing press releases stating the obvious facts of rent gouging in such cities
as Hartford, Bridgeport, and Waterbury, but are not yet ready to take any con-
crete action to prevent these things.
In our own State, why it is that the rent-control law which would have given
the cities the right to jDrevent increases was not passed? Why is it that the
senate delayed this act until the last few days of the session? Why did the
house vote it down? Why did not the Governor insist upon it?
Why does not the defense council act under its powers to halt the continued
increases of rents. In our cities and towns I find the same inaction prevalent.
In East Hartford, according to the Connecticut State Journal, officials actually
oppose the building of a thousand homes. Housing facilities are not overbur-
dened, they say. United Air Craft will consider a big expansion about Sep-
tember 1, but these officials say that new homes will still not be needed if the
present high proportion of single men continues. One may well ask what happens
to these single men. The East Hartford officials are worrying about being left
"holding the bag" when the emergency is over.
In New Haven officials issue optimistic press releases stating that there is little
difficulty. They claim that the homes registry office has more available rents
than it has applicants. But look a little closer and you will find that two-thirds
of the available rents are beyond the means of the applicants and that in fact,
clearly, a shortage exists. To say, as one official has said, that the public is to
blame for not reporting existing vacancies is willful deception.
The news letter of the Industrial Relations Club, already quoted, makes this
significant statement:
"The house registration office, of which Edward Foley is director, is pro-
gressing slowly with a rent survey of the city. But no figures are available for
his use on the subject of increasing needs, because factory personnel offices
decline to state how many persons from out-of-town they have employed, or to
guess at their employment requirements for coming months. Rents from $20
to $40 per month are in greatest demand, this office reports, and are now difficult
to find, in habitable condition.
This is not an edifying example of civic consciousness on the part of our indus-
trialists.
ACTION NEEDED
Gentlemen of the committee, I am certain that you are well aware of this
situation. What is needed now is not talk, but action. I will, therefore, close by
presenting certain proposals that Labor's Non-Partisan League, together with
the C. I. O. in Connecticut and the Connecticut Conference on Social and Labor
Legislation, have prepared and advocated. I trust that you will do all in your
power to forward them.
L We have advocated passage of legislation to empower our cities to fix and
enforce fair rents and to prevent increases. This was done on a semiofficial
basis in the last war. It must be done again quickly, officially and courageously
now. Our legislature has adjourned without taking action on this. A special
session of the legislature should act upon it immediately.
2. We have also advocated setting up of a housing division on the same lines
as U. S. H. A. The State of Connecticut could raise a million dollars a year to
finance such a program by the simple expedient of levying a long-overdue State
income tax. Such a sum could bring about the construction of 5,000 new homes
in this State.
3. The State defense council should be asked to give immediate attention to
this whole problem with a view to swift action. I am no lawyer, and do not pre-
tend to know exactly the powers of this council, but I feel sure that some effective
action could be taken by them if they decided upon it.
4. We believe that your committee should immediately recommend that the
United States Congress forthwith appropriate large sums of money to expend and
continue the construction of United States Housing Authority type low-rent
homes in those overcrowded areas. We can set no stock in the selfish arguments
5296 HARTFORD HEARINGS
of real-estate owners who fear that the construction of such homes now may knock
the bottom out of the values of their existing substandard properties after the
emergency is over. So far from fearing this prospect, we should recommend it.
CONCLUSION
In appearing before you, I am authorized to speak on behalf of the Labor's
Non-Partisan League of Connecticut of which I am chairman. I speak also for
the Connecticut Conference on Social and Labor Legislation of which I am one of
the vice chairmen. In this way, I appear as the spokesman for tens of thousands
of working people who together with their families make up a sizeable proportion
of the entire population in the State of Connecticut.
To these people, this crisis means real hardship (economic, social, and domestic).
The time for investigations by boards of aldermen, etc., is past. This is an
emergency which must be met now. Our people hope most strongly that your
committee will swiftly recommend a course of practical and energetic action of
alleviating this situation. Already disillusioned with the inaction displayed to
date by most of their representatives, I state with assurance that unless something
is done soon, they will lose all confidence in the leadership of Democratic and
Republican Parties alike.
TESTIMONY OF NICHOLAS TOMASSETTI— Resumed
Mr. Arnold. You have been very much opposed to the rent in-
creases, both individually and as a member of the league, and in your
capacity as chairman of the C. I. O.? What is the C. I. O. doing
to prevent rent increases?
BILL TO FREEZE RENTS
Mr, ToMASSETTi. Well, we have been carrying on educational
work among our own membership, as well as in the communities at
large in which we have membership, to bring this to the attention of
the people and to the attention of the proper Government officials.
We introduced a bill in the last session of the legislature called the fair
rent standard bill, which would allow the setting up of rent com-
missions before which any individual who was aggrieved by rent
gouging could appear and present his case; if his case was justifiable,
the commission would order the landlord to reduce his rent. Also
the bill would have established standards and pegged all rents as of
September 1939, which might be considered a reasonable pegging
figure.
Mr. Arnold. And that bill did not pass?
Mr. TOMASSETTI. No.
Mr. Sparkman. Is that the same bill that the Governor referred
to this morning?
Mr. ToMASsETTi. Yes.
Mr. Sparkman. Which he said passed the Senate but did not pass
the House?
Mr. ToMAssETTi. That is right.
Mr. Sparkman. That was an administration supported measure?
Mr. ToMASSETTi. Well, it was introduced both in the Senate and the
House, and it passed the Democratic Senate.
Mr. Arnold. Wliat effort is the C. I. O. making to obtain addi-
tional housing, health, and educational facilities?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5297
SUPPORTING MORE UNITED STATES HOUSING AUTHORITY APPROPRIA-
TIONS
Mr. ToMASSETTi. Well, we are not exclusively devoted to the
problem of housing, but we are doing what we can by contacting our
membership who may know of vacancies and urging them to report
them into our office; we have helped in cases such as that.
We are also, as is common knowledge, supporting additional
appropriations for the U. S. H, A. We stand for a broad national
program of Federal low-cost housing. We hope that your committee
will do something about that in your recommendations to Congress.
We feel that the housing situation is already acute, even before
the defense boom is in full swing, and that there exists a problem of
low-cost housing that can be solved only by a permanent Government
program.
STAND ON REPORTS OF LABOR SHORTAGE
Mr. Arnold. What is the opinion of the C. I. O. on the question of
alleged skilled-labor shortage?
Mr. ToMASSETTi. Well, in some cases we have found this to exist;
however, there is available skilled labor owing to discrimination
agamst some of our skilled workers who may be of Italian or German
extraction. The condition also applied to the Negro people.
Some of the Negroes here have completed the 200-hour course which
has been set up in our State but have not been able to get jobs in the
defense industries, despite the fact that many workers from outside
Connecticut have been hired in these plants in the meantime.
Mr. Arnold. Would you say that that discrimination is lessening,
as has been testified here today?
Mr. ToMASSETTi. I would say it has lessened very little; I think it is
Still an important problem.
COMPULSORY LABOR PRIORITIES
Mr. Arnold. Does the C. I. O. have an opinion on compulsory
labor priorities?
Mr. ToMAssETTi. Well, I don't want to venture an official opinion
on that, but I guess you know that the C. I. O.'s position is to cooperate
fully with the national-defense program so long as labor gets its just
return a'nd suffers no reduction in its standards.
However, we do have difficulties here in Connecticut in some of the
consumer industries. For instance, we have a problem in one of our
organized shops in Bristol, the Ingraham Clock, which, because it is
not able to get some of the brass and zinc required for that in-
dustry, has been forced to make certain adjustments in production
methods, and as a result some of the people may be laid off. One of
the immediate results, I understand, is that the workers there will get
an extra week off during the summer to give the company an oppor-
tunity to readjust its production to fit into some national defense work.
lack MATERIALS FOR CONSUMER GOODS
I think that problem is pretty general with most consumer indus-
tries, that the required materials are not getting into the consumer
industries because of the need for national defense.
5298 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Aenold. Some workers, of course, will be absorbed in national-
defense industries and others won't be?
Mr. ToMASSETTi. That is true, but you will find a condition rapidly
developing where, in a community, one shop is forced to operate with
a reduced working force on hours cut to somewhere around 32 a w^eek,
and right across the street another shop will be working three shifts;
and if not three shifts, will be working its force 40, 50, 60, and even
65 hours a week, which I think is a rather dangerous condition to
have develop.
Mr. Arnold. What does the C. I. O. organization think of requiring
all employers to recruit labor through the State employment service,
or do you have an^^ opinion on that?
Mr. ToMASSETTi. We don't have an official opinion on that because
we do some of the hiring ourselves in some of the shops where we
have closed-shop agreements — union shop agreements.
Mr. Arnold. You wouldn't think, then, that all employers should
recruit all their labor through it?
Mr. ToMASSETTi. Not all their labor. I said they should use the
existing facilities because they can be of help.
AVERAGE WORK WEEK
Mr. Arnold. Wliat is the average work week for C. I. O. members,
including overtime?
Mr. ToMASSETTi. Well, I would say — and this is merely guess work
because it varies in different communities here in the State — the
average work week, including overtime, is between 45 and 48 hours in
most industries. And time and a half is provided for all over 8 hours
a day.
Mr. Arnold. How does the C. I. O. stand on the question of race
discrimination in industries? Are you for the elimination of all race
discrimination?
Mr. ToMASSETTi. That is correct.
Mr. Arnold. And you believe some progress is being made along
that line, but not as rapidly as it should be?
Mr. ToMASSETTi. That is correct. Especially in defense industries
where employers are doing business with the Government under
contract to provide work for the national-defense program, one of the
qualifications and requirements for any industry receiving a defense
contract should be that they not discriminate against any person,
regardless of race, color, or creed. I think that could be enforceable
by our Government agencies, and we hope something will be done
about it.
Mr. Arnold. It was testified here by one of the gentlemen on the
panel that those groups were bemg absorbed in their proportion in
industry, but that they didn't want to absorb any one group over-
proportionately.
Mr. ToMASSETTi. Well, I don't think the facts show that, not here in
Connecticut at any rate.
Mr. Arnold. That is all, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. Tomassetti.
Our next witness is Mr. Hiclonan.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5299
TESTIMONY OF KENNETH HICKMAN, OF HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. Mr. Hicknian, will you please state your name and
address for the record?
Mr. Hickman. Kenneth Hickman, 35 Mahl Avenue, Hartford,
Conn.
The Chairman. And what is your present occupation?
Mr. Hickman. At present I am unemployed.
The Chairman. Will you give us sometliing of your background,
education, and previous experience?
Mr. Hickman. I attended the elementary schools of Hartford,
completed a B. S. degree at Wilberforce University in Ohio and took
special work in education, economics, and sociology at Yale University.
I taught school 2 years in North Carolina and 2 in Maryland. I have
worked as a social worker and as a group worker in the city of Hart-
ford. I have been employed by the W. P. A. adult educational pro-
gram as a teacher and as a research worker; also as a director of Negro
community centers wherem we took care of educational, recreational
and social activities in the north end of the city.
I am unemployed, due to the fact that during the cut-dff of the
W. P. A. workers, I went out with them.
The Chairman. You mean after 18 months' work?
Mr. Hickman. No; since the budget has been cut, 4,000 workers in
Connecticut are being discharged and I happened to be among those.
The Chairman. What salary were you receiving?
Mr. Hickman. $92 a month.
The Chairman. Are you married?
Mr. Hickman. I am single.
The Chairman. Now, have you had any traming or experience
which would qualify you for a defense job?
Mr. Hickman. Yes. I took the aptitude tests which were given at
the adult guidance bureau to certify individuals to take the 200-hour
training course under the defense program. I passed the course with
a high rating. I think I was registered m the second class of workers.
The Chairman. Under what sponsorship?
Mr. Hickman. Under the sponsorship ot the United States Employ-
ment Service, last fall.
The Chairman. WQiere have you applied for work?
Mr. Hickman. Now, under the terms of the sponsorship of the
course, I was told by the State employment service that due to the
difhcidty in placing Negroes in industry, it would be much easier if
they made contacts for me. They said that they could send me out
witii a card to various industries but the reception I would receive
perhaps wouldn't be so encouraging, so they would make contacts for
me and I could then follow these contacts up and attempt to get a job.
They made contacts at one or two factories where I was sent to get a
job as a machine operator, but the type of work that was offered me
was of a menial capacity such as sweeping floors and cleaning lavato-
ries. This is about the best type of job that has been offered me.
One factory did offer me a job as a freight-elevator operator. Due
to the fact that I had had the machine operator's training, I always
asked, of course, for an opportunity to go on as a machine operator,
but that wasn't given me.
5300 HARTFORD HEARINGS
The Chairman. In other words, your 200-hour experience in train-
ing qualified you for a job as a machine operator?
Mr. Hickman. It qualified me as a sort of apprentice; it just gave
me a smattering knowledge of various kinds of machines. It would
give me a start as a machine operator. It wouldn't make me an
experienced worker, of course.
The Chairman. Do you know of any other Negroes with that
training who have been employed?
Mr. Hickman. As far as I can ascertain, there have been nine who
have completed the 200-hour training course, and at present none of
the nine has been employed as a machine operator. A few of them
have been employed as maintenance men in various factories but none
works on a machine.
The Chairman. And the State employment agency led you to
believe that you would be employed if you put in the 200 hours?
Mr. Hickman. The statement made to me at the State employment
agency before I took the course implied that they were not guarantee-
ing me a job. In fact, they said they doubted very much whether I
would be able to get a job in industry, but at least I could take the
course.
Of course, the old argument was that Negroes are not employed
because they are not qualified for various positions. They said:
"If you will take this training and become qualified for the position,
we can counteract that argument by having a pool of eligible Negroes
qualified for various types of work"; so with that understanding I
took the training so that I would be qualified in the event an opening
should come; but such an opening has not occurred.
The Chairman. And you are unemployed right now?
Mr. Hickman. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. Have you had any military training?
Mr. Hickman. Yes; I had 4 years of R. O. T. C. and served at
Fort Humphries in Virginia, Fort Devens, and at present I hold a
second lieutenant's commission in the Organized Reserves.
The Chairman. How old are you?
Mr. Hickman. Thirty-six years old.
The Chairman. Do you find much employment discrimination
against your race in this vicinity?
Mr. Hickman. Definitely. For instance, when I went to various
factories, asking for specific kinds of work, they seemed shocked to
find that a Negro would ask for any but the lowest type of job.
I would go into a factory and ask for a job in a laboratory; in
one factory they had an experimental laboratory, and I asked for
an opportunity there. I also asked for office work, and for an oppor-
tunity on a machine. I even asked for a lower type job if I could be
given the assurance that, should I make a certain amount of progress,
I would receive advancement. I was willing to start at the bottom if
they would give me some assurance of promotion in case I made a
certain amount of progress, but even then no opportunity was given
for employment.
The Chairman. You are physically well, aren't you?
Mr. Hickman. Physically well, yes, sir; no handicaps whatsoever.
The Chairman. What are your future plans?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 53Q1
Mr. Hickman. It is very hard to say. I have tried everything I
knew to make some sort of a future for myself either in mdustry,
education, or civic government. But it seems that right now the
future looks rather dark, because in the midst of all this defense work,
when everybody else seems to be getting employment and making
money, our particular group is almost as hopeless as ever.
The Chairman. In these defense industries around Hartford, some
Negroes are employed, are they not?
Mr. Hickman. Yes, sir; some are employed.
The Chairman. Are there many unemployed in this vicinity?
Mr. Hickman. Not such a very large number. We have quite a
few Negroes employed in construction work. There is quite a bit of
construction work in this vicinity, and they are receiving jobs as
laborers; but as far as work in defense industry goes, only a very small
percentage of our group is finding work in factories.
The Chairman. It isn't a question of your patriotism?
Mr. Hickman. Oh, no.
The Chairman. Or ability to work?
Mr. Hickman. No.
The Chairman. It is a question of your color?
Mr. Hickman. Absolutely.
The Chairman. Mr. Sparkman?
Mr. Sparkman. Where were you born?
Mr. Hickman. Hartford.
Mr. Sparkman. Born and reared here?
Mr. Hickman. Right here, and stayed here until I went to college.
Mr. Sparkman. How about your father?
Mr. Hickman. My father was born in Virginia and came to Hart-
ford in 1883, and my mother in 1884.
Mr. Sparkman. And your family has been here ever since?
Mr. Hickman. Ever since.
Mr. Sparkman. You might be interested to know of a little experi-
ence that I had recently in visiting a very large plant in the State of
Alabama, engaged in defense production. I saw a great many Negroes
working in the plant. Later I was talking with one of the officials
of the company and he told me that they made it a policy to hire
Negroes in their numerical ratio to the total population of that section.
Mr. Hickman. I thought that experiment was only being carried
on out in Detroit.
Mr. Sparkman. W>11, that is what they told me in that plant.
The Chairman. According to that, the North can learn something
from the South.
Mr. Hickman. If that is true; yes, it could.
Mr. Sparkman. That is all.
Mr. Arnold. Don't you expect to be called up on your officer's
Reserve commission?
Mr. Hickman. I have made application, of course, to go into
active service. In fact, I have had two examinations and it happened
I was about 54 pounds overweight. I' took off 34 pounds of that
and I still have a few m.orc to go. As soon as I can take that off I
expect to be called.
The Chairman. You come down to Washington and enjoy a few
days of our weather, and vou will take it off.
60396 — 41— pt. 1.3-
5302 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Aknold. The position of freight-elevator operator VvOiild liave
paid you how much?
Mr. Hickman. Forty cents an hour.
Mr. Arnold. And you felt that if you took the freight-elevator job
you wouldn't have any chance for advancement?
Mr. Hickman. That's right, sir.
Mr. Arnold. They would keep you right there?
Mr. Hickman. Right there.
Mr. Arnold. Do you know of any colored people working on
machines?
Mr. Hickman. There are no colored people working on machines
in that factory at all.
Mr. Arnold. Do you think the President's appeal to the manu-
facturers to refrain from race discrimination will have any effect on the
manufacturers?
Mr. Hickman. I doubt it seriously, unless some specific legislation
is enacted which will force the manufacturers to let down the barriers
and take Negroes into industry. In fact, defense contracts should be
so awarded that in case discrimination is shown in hiring workers^
the contracts w^ould be taken from those factories and given to others.
Unless some such condition is legally imposed, I doubt whether the
appeal made by the President will carry much weight.
Mr. Arnold. That is all.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. Hickman. We
appreciate your coming here.
The committee will stand adjourned until 9:30 o'clock tomorrow
morning.
(Whereupon, at 5:20 p. m., the hearing adjourned until 9:30 a. m.,
Wednesday, June 25, 1941.)
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 1941
House of Representatives,
Select Committee Investigating
National Defense Migration,
Washington, D. C.
morning session
The committee met at 9:30 a. m., in the State Capitol Building,
Hartford, Conn., Hon. John H. Tolan (chairman), presiding.
Present were: Representatives John H. Tolan (chairman), of
California; Laurence F. Arnold, of Illinois; and Carl T. Curtis, of
Nebraska.
Also present: Robert K. Lamb, staff director; Francis X. Riley and
Frank B. Wells, field investigators; and Irene Hageman, field secre-
tary.
The Chairman. The committee will please come to order.
Our first witness was to have been Mayor Jasper AIcLevy, of
Bridgeport, but I am told he is unable to be present this morning.
He will appear later in the day. Instead, we will now hear Mayor
George J. Coyle, of New Britain, Conn.
TESTIMONY OF THE HONORABLE GEORGE J. COYLE, MAYOR, NEW
BRITAIN, CONN.
The Chairman. Mayor Coyle, will you please state your name for
tlie record?
Mayor Coyle. George J. Coyle.
The Chairman. And your position?
Mayor Coyle. Mayor of New Britain, which is about 10 miles
from Hartford.
The Chairman. I understand you have some reports you would
like to file with the committee.
Mayor Coyle. I have a "Schedule of estimates of community
facilities needed by defense housing projects" which was filled out for
New Britain on blanks of the Federal Works Administration. I can
leave these reports here with you.
The Chairman. We will make them a part of the record.
5303
5304 HARTFORD HEARINGS
(The reports referred to are as follows:)
Exhibit 30. — Facilities Needed by Housing Projects in New Britain, Conn.
report by mayor george j. coyle, of new britain, conn.
Schedule — Estimates of Community Facilities Needed by Defense Housing Projects
(Return to Division of Defense Housing, Federal Works Agency, Washington, D. C.)
I. Schools:
A. Are the present school facilities adequate for children of the project? (Check
one.) Yes-_.X--- No
*******
II. Water Supply and Treatment:
A. Are present sources of pure water sufficient for the residents of the project?
(Check one.) Yes No..X--.
B. If not, is this due to:
1 . Insufficient water storage capacity? (Check one.) Yes No . . X - . .
(See explanation in accompanying statement.)
2. Insufficient facilities for treatment and purification? (Check one.)
Yes No
C. Describe briefly additional facilities needed: (See accompanying statement.)
D. What is the estimated cost of each of the needed facilities (give source or
basis of estimate) ?
Facility Est. Cost Source or Basis
(See accompanying statement)
E. Are plans or negotiations under way to provide any of the above? If so,
describe: (See accompanying statement).
F. Remarks: (See accompanying statement.)
III. Water Distrihution:
A. Is the project connected to an adequate supply of pure water? (Check
one.) Yes No ..X__.
(See explanation)
*******
EXPLANATION, II Bl AND C
The estimated safe yield of New Britains' water supply system is 8.3 million
gallons per day. The actual average daily consumption at this time is slightly
under 8 million gallons per day.
New Britain is an industrial city. With factories working 24 hours per day on
defense work and with 640 Federal-housing units in course of construction and
200 more already allocated and the private developments in course of construction,
New Britain is obliged to develop at once additional water supply in order not to
hinder the defense program.
The capacity of the main transmission pipes is adequate.
It is interesting to note that on June 21, 1940, the amount of impounded water
in storage was l,46r>,000,000 gallons while on June 21, 1941, the amount of im-
pounded water in storage was 1,289,000,000.
Impounding surface supplies are developed to full economical limits.
Crossing the Southington Valley is a twin 20-inch pipe line approximately 6
miles in length with a gravity capacity of 12 million gallons per day. On the
upstream side of this pipe line and tributary to it is an area of 21.7 square miles.
Of this area 10.4 square miles is glacial drift, 9.3 square miles is glacial till and
2 square miles is crystalline outcrop. These figures were determined from United
States Geographical Survey reports and the State Geological and Natural History
Survey of the State of Connecticut — Bulletin No. 47.
The safe yield of the impounding surface supply is estimated at 2.2 million
gallons per day leaving an idle pipe capacity of 9.8 million gallons per day.
From test wells driven along this 6-mile pipe line it is estimated that 30 20-inch
diameter modern gravel packed wells will yield 10 million gallons per day without
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5305
overtaxing the wells and utilizing the available idle pipe capacity would give a
net yield of 8.2 million gallons per day.
Tests of water from this section indicate that this water would not require
filtration.
Another impounded surface supply gives an estimated safe yield of 3.26 million
gallons per day. It is estimated that, in an area of glacial drift another safe yield
of 1 million gallons per day can be developed by the addition of a well system
the water from which would utilize the remaining pipe-line capacity and make
this pipe line work to capacity.
At the present time we are conducting a water-v,^aste survey with the aid of the
Pitometer Co. of New York City.
EXPLANATION, D AND E
Following is a tabulation of projects already authorized and for which bonds
have been authorized to be issued:
Facility
Estimated
cost
Source or basis
Land
$.55, 000
35. 000
70, 000
10, 000
.30.000
Realty advisers
Grading and landscaping at pumping station
Chief engineer.
Do.
Exploration work on 2 well systems
Do.
Do.
Total
200, 000
The purchase of land at $55,000 included the purchase of land on an impounding
watershed to which the State department of health raised objections and the
purchase of a site consisting of glacial drift for the installation of a small additional
well supply.
The estimate of $35,000 for grading and landscaping covered the protection
of the bank of an artificial canal feeding the main storage reservoir of New Britain
and the covering of bare soil to i^rotect tlie machinery of our main pumping station
from dust. In this pumping station are located two Diesel generating sets, three
direct-connected motor-driven pumps, switchboards, and necessary auxiliaries.
The item of $70,000 for Diesel generating set, pumps, and small pumping station
is to replace an obsolete Diesel engine with an age of 20 years with modern equip-
ment and erect a small automatic pumping station.
The item of $10,000 is to conduct exploration work in glacial drift on the two
projects before-mentioned to determine the best location for wells for additional
supply.
The item of $30,000 for pipe-line extensions has turned out to be far too smalL
F. Work which is essential for defense purposes, including defense housing, and
community interests should be listed as follows:
Facility
Estimat-
ed cost
Source or basis
$200, 000
Pumping stations, Diesel engines, 30 small pumping stations, pumps and
wells.
Additional new mains, hydrants, valves, meters, etc
550, 000
245, 000
130, 000
45, 000
Chief engineer.
Chief engineer.
Covering old high service reservoir
Chief engineer
Total
1, 170, 000
The item of $550,000 covers the development across the Southington Valley in
construction of additional well supply on the Whigville pipe line.
The item of $245,000 covers anticipated pipe lines in the distribution system,,
meters, valves, hydrants, and other necessary materials.
The item of $130,000 covers the cost of a 30-inch main pipe to bring the water
to be pumped out of the Southington Valley direct to the clear water basins of the
filtration plant and save the cost of pumping from our Shuttle Meadow Reservoir
and the cost of filtration.
5306 HARTFORD HEARINGS
The item of $45,000 is to cover an existing 3 million gallon open reservoir which
is now not in use. The reason for covering this reservoir is to protect the filtered
water and to prevent the growth of algae. This reservoir was temporarily put out
of use because its elevation would not service the high section of New Britain.
It was replaced with a standpipe raising the flow line from elevation 413 to
elevation 506. This 3 million gallon reservoir is now connected to the low service
side of the city and when covered it can be put into service. It is circular and is
213 feet in diameter.
IV. Sewage Treatment and Disposal {Davenport and Town Home):
A. Are present facilities for sewage treatment arid disposal adequate?
(Check one) Yes No
*******
V. Sewers:
A. Is the project connected to a sewer svstem? Yes No: x.
B. If not, list:
1. Distance of project from nearest sewer main: One-fourth mile.
2. Cost of extending sewer lines to project: $22,000.
3. Source or basis of cost estimate: Sewer Department, Department of
Public Works and City Engineer.
C. Are plans or negotiations under way for providing any of the above? If so,
describe: No.
D. Remarks: If city is required to provide these sewer lines out of own funds,
the sewer department will be required to close down during the year 1942 for lack
of funds.
VI. Garbage and Refuse Disposal (Davenport and Town Home):
A. Are present facilities for collection and sanitary disposal of garbage, refuse,
and trash adequate? (Check one.) Yes No: x.
B. If not, describe the additional facilities needed: Incinerator.
C. Annual cost of additional garbage disposal facihties: $250,000.
D. Source or basis of cost estimate: City engineer, department of public works.
E. Are plans or negotiations under way for providing any of the above? If so,
describe: No.
F. Remarks: Increase of workers will force closing of city dumps as a precau-
tionary health measure. Annual permanent cost to city if Government of United
States provides this facility will be not less than $80,000, as city wiU be forced to
collect ashes and rubbish.
VII. Hospitals. (See Town Home.)
*******
VIII. Clinics. (See Town Home.)
IX. Streets and Access Roads:
A. Are present streets and access roads adequate for the defense housing
project? (Check one.) Yes No: x.
B. If not, describe:
1. Additional streets needed, six streets to be paved.
2. Additional access roads needed, Stanley Street widening and resurfacing
from Allen Street south to Elm Street.
C. Give the estimated cost of each of the above (include source or basis of
•estimate) .
Facility: Six streets; estimated cost: $57,200; source or basis: City engineer.
Facility: Stanley Street; estimated cost: $32,000; source or basis: City
engineer.
D. Are plans or negotiations under way to provide any of the above? If so,
describe: No.
E. Remarks: City without funds to do this necessary roads, all of which are
necessary to successful operation of this project.
X. Recreational and Welfare Facilities: ^
A. Ar-e the present recreational and welfare facilities adequate for the residents
of the defense housing project? (Check one ) Yes No X
" Including playgrounds, play fields, community centers, nursery schools, kindergartens, day nurseries,
athletic fields, libraries, swimming pools, bathing beaches, other sport areas, and any other tyjie of facility
providing community recreation and welfare services.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5307
B If not, describe additional recreational and welfare facilities needed for
residents of the project: Increased playground facilities, and acquisition of ath-
letic field, and necessary equipment.
C. Give the estimated cost of each of the above (include source or basis of
estimate) .
Facility: Playground and equipment; estimated cost: $25,000; source or basis:
School and park departments. Facility: Athletic field; estimated cost:
$20,000; source or basis: Park department.
D. Are plans or negotiations under way for providing any of the above? If so,
describe: No.
E. Remarks: Project makes all present playgrounds in the area insufficient
in a very large degree. Land for athletic field would have to be purchased or
leased.
XI. Other Facilities Required.
TESTIMONY OF HON. GEORGE H. COYIE^Resumed
The Chairman. Mayor Coyle, we would like to have you touch
upon the high spots that you want to bring out at this time.
Mayor Coyle. We have two problems in connection with our
defense program. New Britain has been designated as a defense
city by the President of the United States. Alost of our work is
secondary in connection with defense, although we do have two
factories engaged directly in prmiary production.
Our problem is twofold. We have a problem in connection with
defense housing, one unit of which is under construction and another
scheduled to begin construction in about 6 weeks.
The other problem is the one of community dislocations caused by
the defense program.
DEFENSE HOUSING IN NEW BRITAIN
I would like to speak briefly on these defense housing projects and
how they affect us and our facilities.
All our facilities have been overtaxed. One of our projects is known
as the Davenport project. It is a defense housing unit to take care
of 300 families. Fortunately, our schools are all right. We can handle
that project as far as schools are concerned.
The Chairman. But your housing problem is your No. 1 problem?
Mayor Coyle. Yes. New Britain, like all other cities in Connect-
icut, has gone through a period of hardship for the last few years and
although our financial condition at the present time is very satisfac-
tory and quite sound, and we borrow money at very favorable rates,
yet we feel that we have gone about as far as we can go in our borrowing.
We have cooperated with the Government in all its programs — the
W. P. A. program and the public works program and all other pro-
grams— but we feel that in the case of national defense, things are
required of us, the cost of which should be borne by the Nation as a
whole. We believe that our share of the cost should be proportion-
ate to our share in the general set-up and to our size.
The Chairman. In other words, Alayor, there is nothing exceptional
in your situation aside from the need to get New Britain into the
general picture. The committee has just come from San Diego,
which has an additional population of 100,000. The point is simply
this: There comes a time when the States and cities just can't carry
the financial load because of the increased responsibility.
5308 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mayor Coyle. That is correct.
The Chairman. "Wlierever we go we hear substantially the same
testimony and I think we understand the problem.
Mayor Coyle. If it is all right, sir, I would like to give you some
figures quickly.
The Chairman. Go ahead.
Mayor Coyle. To put our water supply system in proper order to
take care of the situation under this- program, would cost the city
$1,170,000.
The Chairman. That is almost parallel with the situation in
San Diego.
Alayor Coyle. To take care of the garbage and refuse disposal
would cost at least $250,000.
population increase around 5,000
The Chairman. Let me interrupt you: What is the population
of New Britain?
Mayor Coyle. About 72,000.
The Chairman. And how much of an increase in population have
you had on account of the defense program?
Mayor Coyle. Well, I can only guess at the figure.
The Chairman. That is all we want.
Mayor Coyle. I slioujd say 5,000, and it is increasing all the time.
And we must bear in mind that many workers who have come to our
city haven't brought their families as yet, but will do so as soon as
the thousand units of defense housing are completed. It will cost us
for one project alone $122,000 to take care of sewers.
Mr. Arnold. Are these figures you are giving, Mr. Mayor, the cost
over and above your normal costs?
Mayor Coyle. Yes. Now, the incinerator will have to be built at
a cost of $250,000. That is a round figure, and we estimate that the
city of New Britain will be required to spend annually from now on
$80,000 to maintain it; this will impose a great hardship upon us if we
have to build it and maintain it.
NEED ISOLATION HOSPITAL
We need an isolation hospital in New Britain as a result of the tre-
mendous growth of the population of Hartford. For years Hartford
has allowed New Britain to use its isolation hospital, which is a part
of the ]Municipal Hospital of Hartford.
The Chairman. How far is New Britain from here?
Mayor Coyle. Eight or 10 miles. During the past few years Hart-
ford has served notice on us that they not only don't care to have our
patients, but they have also increased the rates. They can't help that.
That is not done in an unfriendly spirit. It is just necessary. They
haven't the facilities, and we feel that the least we can get by on is
a 60-bed hospital. We would then be in a position to serve the sur-
rounding communities. That would cost, conservatively, $200,000,
We need a mental hygiene clinic in New Britain. We feel that
disorders arising out of fear of war, perhaps from actual participation
and what may follow, will require that the city have a mental hygiene
clinic if possible. The only figures we have on that project indicate
that it would cost in tlm neighborhood of $7,500 a year to operate.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5309
MUST PAVE SEVEN STREETS
In connection with the first defense housing project, now under
construction, it is necessary to pave sLx approach streets. We feel
that it is also necessary to repave Stanley Street, which runs in front
of the project. To pave those seven streets will cost $89,000. We
haven't the money to do it.
To provide the necessary recreational facilities for the Davenport
project win cost $45,000. Those would be provided in an additional
area at the school. Fortunately the school there is large enough to
take care of the needs.
The Chairman. Wliat you are saying, Mayor, is that these prob-
lems and expenses would not be present were it not for the fact of
this national-defense program?]
Mayor Coyle. That is correct. I would like to modify that m
this respect: That the day might come when we would have to build
the incmerator. But certamly the need for it has been greatly ac-
celerated by the buildmg of these housing units. That is a great
many units for a city the size of New Britaui, and on top of that, of
course, we have a slum-clearance project that is nearing completion.
That is a 250-unit project, which makes it absolutely necessary to
proceed with the building of an incinerator, and after we get it built
it is going to cost us $80,000 a year to maintain it, which is equivalent
to about nine-tenths of a mill on our tax rate.
FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT NEEDS
Now, in addition to that, I may add that our fire-fighting apparatus
isn't sufficient for these two projects.
We have a fire house which is located adjacent to the first defense
housing program, but its equipment isn't sufficient. We need a new
pumper. That will cost $11,000. In the area where the new defense
units are to be built we have a 250-gallon pumper which is wholly
inadequate. That must be replaced, and that wiU cost us $11,000.
Our police facilities are not sufficient. We will now be required to
police these defense housing areas by something more than the patrol
service in an automobile. It is entirely likely that wo will have to
increase the personnel of our police department. That is being given
consideration. If that is necessary our police quarters will have to
be enlarged. Even now they are inadequate. We can do one of
two things, build new quarters or enlarge the present ones. We don't
believe the latter course to be economically advisable. In any event,
if we go into that it means another $250,000. Also, we have got to
move a fire house, and that will cost $70,000.
The amount of money required to put New Britain in shape runs
into four or five million dollars, and we haven't got the money, and
there is no such money in sight. We have already appropriated
$200,000 in an attempt to increase our water supply. That amount
is only a drop in the bucket. It will help but it won't meet the needs.
FUNDS FOR SEWERS INSUFFICIENT
The same is true of our sewers. Now, we are willing to build sewers
for these defense housing units m cooperation with the Federal
Government, but if we build these sewers, at the end of this year we
5310 HARTFORD HEARINGS
will have no money. We won't be able to operate next year because
w^e operate under funds derived from the sale of sewer bonds which
are authorized bv the State legislature. This year they authorized
us to sell $200,000 worth of bonds. We already have $150,000 of
that earmarked and work has begun. That doesn't include the
defense areas.
Now, if we include the defense areas we will have used up the $200,-
000 before the end of this calendar year and we will then have to wait
at least 15 months before we get any more money. We can't operate.
We have got to make repairs. We have got to put in facilities that
are currently required. We have got to continue with our normal
requests for sewer extensions. We have got to have supplies; we
have got to put in supplies against the day when there may be breaks
and things like that.
If New Britain is typical of the Nation at large, $150,000,000 wouldn't
begin to solve the problem.
The Chairman. San Diego is asking for $21,000,000, and California
is asking for $50,000,000, and of course that does not touch you
people back here on the Atlantic coast. That is one thing that is
being stressed in these hearings^ — the inadequacy of this $150,000,000.
Mayor Coyle. $150,000,000 wouldn't take care of New England.
The Chairman. You have a gentleman here with you?
Mayor Coyle. Yes; Mr. Elmer Olsen.
The Chairman. Mr. Olsen, do you have anything to add to what
Mayor Coyle has said?
TESTIMONY OF ELMER OLSEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION, NEW BRITAIN, CONN.
Mr. Olsen. The only thing that I would emphasize very strongly
in connection with this defense program is the water supply problem.
1 think that is a very serious problem for our city. It is going to be
absolutely necessary now that we get new wells. [To Mayor Coyle].
Isn't that right?
Mayor Coyle. Yes.
Mr. Olsen. The factories engaged in defense work are running
day and night and are using up all our water. The danger from fh'e
is therefore a very serious one, and something will have to be done.
recreational facilities
Personally, as chairman of the Planning Commission, I am very
much interested in the recreational facilities of our city. We have
made inquiries into various problems that confront us and we find
that our recreational facilities are inadequate. Mayor Coyle made
the statement that one of the schools near one of the projects was
sufficient, but the junior high school, with an increase of another
100 pupils, would overtax the facilities that we now have. We know
that the enrollment of that school will bo tremendously increased
and additional buildings will be required.
Mayor Coyle. I might add, if I may, that our water storage
supply is not adequate to meet the growing needs. In other words,
every month we have less water impounded than we had the month
before, and there will come a day when we haven't any water left.
The Chairman. That is all set out in your report, isn't it?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5311
Mayor Coyle. Yes; it is.
The Chairman. We are going to make a report to Congress some-
time in August, and we will include the data you have given us with
similar data from other cities.
Mr. Olsen. That is a very complete report on the water situation
here.
Mayor Coyle. 1 might add that I think Congress should bear in
mind that we, for instance, are compelled to put in sewer lines for the
defense units now, or they can't operate. Some of them must be
ready early in July. We feel that there should be some provision
made, b}^ which it will be brought to the notice of the proper authorities
that this work is being done in anticipation of reimbursement. If that
is not done, we will have to close down.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor, and Mr. Olsen.
The next witness is Mr. T. R. DoAvns.
TESTIMONY OF T. R. DOWNS, EMPLOYMENT SUPERVISOR, UNITED
AIRCRAFT CORPORATION, HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. Will you give he reportei- your full name, Mr.
Downs?
Mr. Downs. T. R. Downs.
The Chairman. And whom do you represent?
Mr. Downs. United Aircraft Corporation, Pratt-Whitiiey division.
The Chairman. Do you have a prepared statement?
Mr. Downs. Yes; I submitted it to the committee 2 or 3 days ago.
(The statement referred to appears below:)
STATEMENT OF T. R. DOWNS, EMPLOYMENT SUPERVISOR, PRATT
& WHITNEY AIRCRAFT, HARTFORD, CONN.
Report on the Training Program and Point of Origin of Employee.s of the
Pratt & Whitney Division of United Aircraft Corporation
part I. training programs
During the summer of 1939 Pratt & Whitney Aircraft entered upon an un-
precedented expansion program which continued through 1940 and is still going
on at the present time.
Total emi)loyment has increased from approximately 3,000 as of January 1939,
6,500 as of Jaiuiarv 1940, 13,300 as of January 1941, until the present figure of
18,600 was reached.
In the early fall of 1939 it became apparent that the supply of skilled and semi-
skilled labor necessary for expanding operations was simply not available and led
to the establishment of within-the-plant training for machine operators. It was
soon recognized that this method of training interfered too mrch with production
schedules and a little later on, in November 1939, the State of Connecticut estab-
lished its first 200-hour training course for industrial plants at the Hartford Trade
School. This relieved some of the training load, but, due to the rigid machining
requirements of aircraft engine production, it became necessary to set up a school-
ing i)rogram which would utilize machines and production n ethods peculiar to
our own requirements.
This was accomplished again with the cooperation of the State of Connecticut
and led to the establishment of the defense training center in the Billings &
Spencer plant in Hartford. Machine tools and materials were furnished by
Pratt & Whitney and the trainees were given instruction by men selected from
the plant who qualified as State instructons. These were given leaves of absence
from their regular duties and turned over to the State department of education.
The course of training itself consists of a thorough grounding up to a maximum
of 320 hours in the use and operation of one specific machine tool, together with
related work such as shop mathematics and blue-print reading, which apply
directly to the actual production job for which the student is trained. This work
5312 HARTFORD HEARINGS
is identical to the job the trainee will do in the plant itself — material, operations,
and equipment are all duplicated.
The first trainees graduated from this course in October of 1940 and since that
time approximately 3,300 have gone through the course and are now employed
in the plant.
Capacity of this school is about 1,500 men and it operates 3 shifts a day, 6
days a week. The school absorbs and graduates about 250 men per week. The
results of this program have been eminently satisfactory and at the present time
about 95 percent of our machine operators come from the Billings & Spencer
course. We are convinced that this particular course will supply operators in
sufficient quantity and quality to enable us to match strides with the continuing
expansion.
EMERGENCY TRAINING PROGRAM
In addition to the machine operators' training course, the following emergency
training programs are m full operation. A brief description and statement of
purpose for each follows:
(1) Training course for inspectors: Started February 1941; continuing enroll-
ment 100 men; period of training: 4 weeks; objective: gear inspectors which
training enables them to qualify for nearly all types of inspection work. Approxi-
mately 350 men have been graduated to date. Qualifications for this training are
extremely high and the source of supply is limited.
(2) Engineering drafting course: Started March 17; continuing enrollment of
40 men; period of training: 10 weeks; objective: junior draftmen for the en-
gineering department; qualifications extremely rigid due to severe job require-
ments; about 25 men graduated to date; again a strictly limited source of supply.
(3) Tool room, experimental machine shop training course: Continuing enroll-
ment of 50 men; period of training: 8 weeks, in addition to time spent in machine
operator's course.
(4) Airport Service Mechanic's Course (for machine shop work only): Con-
tinuing enrollment of 40 men; period of training: 5 weeks, in addition to time spent
in machine operator's course.
(5) Foreman's training program, enrollment: 300 men divided into 75 percent
existing foremen and 25 percent candidates for future supervisory work. Period
of training: 4 months; conference methods used supplemented by in-plant
training.
(6) Training for naval officers on assembly, disassembly, accessories and instru-
ments, manufacturing methods, engine test, service test, inspection, and engine
•characteristics; period of training: 8 weeks; objective: engineer officers and/or
instructional officers for fleet, shore and school stations; continuing enrollment of
25 men.
(7) Part-time extension training course in both engineering and production
lines; available to all employees and so arranged that men on any shift can partici-
pate. These courses are held with the cooperation of the Unitersity of Connecti-
cut, Hillyer Institute and the State Board of Education. Enrollment of about
1,000 students; objective: upgrading; all available at no cost to the student other
than purchase of necessary texts. The following training programs are of a long-
term nature.
1. Regular indentured apprenticeship. — Period of training: 3 years for machinist
and 4 years for toolmakers; continuing enrollment: 400 men; qualifications:
age: 18-20; high-school graduates in top third class who are qualified in high-school
mathematics, chemistry, and physics.
2. Training for graduate mechanical and industrial engineers. — Period of train-
ing: 18 months; continuing enrollment of 125 men; purpose: to maintain a con-
tinuous supply of qualified engineering and productive personnel; special duties
assigned in production and engineering departments.
The above summarizes the various training programs of this company in its
«ffort to provide personnel sufficient to cope with the national defense effort.
We feel confident that by means of this training we shall be able to secure both the
quality and quantity necessary to handle still further expanded production
schedules.
PART II. POINT OF ORIGIN OF PRATT & WHITNEY EMPLOYEES
Pratt & Whitney Aircraft has always followed a standard policy of giving
preference to Connecticut residents who were qualified for jobs here. This
policy is naturally continuing at the present time, but it has been noticeable for
the past several montlis that the proportion of out-of-Statc applicants has been
steadily increasing. This condition appears to be a natural one since it is known
that a definite shortage of qualified men exists in Connecticut at the present time.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5313
The trend seems to indicate this decrease in Connecticut applicants rather than an
abnormal increase in out-of-State applicants.
Due to a number of high-grade shops of established reputation, the Hartford
area has been a focal point for men versed in the machine trades for a great
number of years and has always drawn recruits from all over New England and
New York State. Consequently, this area has always furnished the vast majority
of emplo3"ees and has been considered as a normal recruiting area. It appears
that the arbitrary State line in a section of the country as comparatively small as
New England and New York should not be considered a handicap to any qualified
man. At the present time about 95 percent of our applicants come from this
section.
We have from 8,000 to 9,000 applicants per month and are hiring at a rate of
1,400 to 1,500 of whom more than 96 percent come from the New England-New
York area.
During the week of May 26, an accurate record was made of all applicants and
aU those hired as regards their home State. A summary of this tabulation is
attached, as well as a summary of the preseiat place of residence of our employees
and the approximate number of miles they must travel each day to get to work.
Of the total number of applicants during the week of the survey only 242
appear to have moved to Connecticut temporarily while in search of work, but the
bulk of these were from the New England-New York area and in all probability
return home if unable to secure employment. It might be well to point out that
none of this area is more than a day's traveling time from Hartford.
The chart shows the diversification in area of all applicants between May 26
and June 2 who answered the following questions:
In what
State is
your
home?
In what
State do
you live
now?
In what
State did
you last
work?
Did
not
work
Apparent
number of
migrants to
Connecticut
seekingwork
Connecticut
595
385
216
77
106
54
37
43
837
359
159
23
86
34
35
14
584
377
241
60
99
47
44
27
1
15
7
5
242
Massachusetts .
New York
New Hampshire -.- . . .
Vermont
Rhode Island ■_..
Pennsylvania
Wisconsin - -
4
4
Florida
""
10
1
4
2
California .... ..
4
5
2
1
2
North Carolina
2
West Virginia ...
South Dakota
New Jersey ...
1
11
2
1
1
2
Ohio_
Canada.
2
Illinois
5
2
4
1
2
3
South Carolina.
i
1
1
3
1
8
Maryland.
Iowa
Total
1,554
1,554
1,554
27
Summary
Total number of appli-
cants
Num-
ber
from
Con-
necti-
cut
From
Con-
necti-
cut
Number
from New
Eneland-
New York,
excluding
Connecti-
cut
From New
England-
New York,
excluding
Connecti-
cut
Num-
ber
from
out of
area
From
out of
area
Number
from out
of State
From out
of State
1,554
595
133
Percent
38.2
36.2
875
220
Percent
56.3
59.9
84
14
Percent
5.5
3.9
959
234
Percent
61.8
63. r
Total number hired, 367.
5314 HARTFORD HEARINGS
The following are approximate percentages of Pratt & Whitney employees
located in the given areas. The percentage figures were derived from a survey
made December 5, 1940 on 11,200 employees.
Approii-
inate
number of
employees
June 2.
Area: mi
Hartford, 52.5 9, 450
East Hartford, 16.0 2, 880
Manchester, 12.8 2, 304
Massachusetts, 4.6 828
Windsor, 4.3 774
New Britain (Bristol), 3.5 630
Glastonbury (Meriden), 3.2 576
Middletown, 1.4 252
Southern Connecticut, 1.0 180
Willimantic (Stafford Springs), .7 126
Total 18,000
Break-down of distances traveled (one way) by employees
Number of
Miles distant: men
1-10 ^- 14,760
10-20 1,917
20-30 315
30-40 594
40-50 414
Over 50 1 20
TESTIMONY OF T. R. DOWNS—Resumed
The Chairman. Perhaps it would be better to proceed now by
asking you questions. The committee is interested in the training
program now in operation at the Pratt-Whitney plant. Will you
enlarge upon that? I would like to suggest that you tell the com-
mittee when the program was begun, and the types of skills taught,
and the length of the training course, and whether employees are
given further up-grade training on the job?
Mr. Downs. Yes, sir. In the latter part of 1939 a shortage of
skilled labor became pretty apparent to us, and we realized that
there was a considerably enlarged production schedule on our hands,
and we had to do something about a training program.
The first move in that direction came at the time of the French
orders. A new building was built, and in order to staff that building
our first attempt in training was to hire roughly one extra man for
every machine. In other words, we had two men on one machine,
the regular operator and the trainee who was observing and trying to
learn that job.
The machinery and the equipment in the new addition duplicated
the equipment in the old building, so as the new building was being
built the men were being trained in the old one, and as the new equip-
ment came in, the men were moved over, having been trained as well
as possible under those circumstances. But we realized that that was
not adequate nor the proper method of training.
TWO-HUNDRED-HOUR COURSE
Shortly after that the State of Connecticut instituted the so-called
■200-hour training courses. I believe the first one started in the Hart-
ford Trade School and utilized the trade-school equipment. That
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5315
was of considerable help to us. The boys were put through these
training courses away from the plant and then placed on jobs in the
plant upon completion of their courses. But as the expansion grew
it became evident that the facilities of the trade school were not
adequate for training people for our particular class and type of work.
BILLINGS & SPENCER COURSE
Trade schools just didn't have the machine tools and the equipment
to do it. In cooperation with the State of Connecticut the Billings &
Spencer training course was established. Space w^as rented from the
Billings & Spencer plant here in Hartford ; equipment, machine tools
and instructors, materials and everything necessary lor the operation
of the school were taken directly from the plant and set up in the
Billings & Spencer school.
There the boys are trained in an eight-weeks course, roughly 300
hours, and they are trained on exactly the same type of machines, and
the same methods of operation that are used in the plant itself. They
are given their related work, their blueprint reading, micrometer read-
ing, and so forth.
The equipment that they w^ork on, the equipment that they use is,
as I say, exactly the same as that used in the plant. The materials
and the jobs themselves, the operation, is actually in miniature a
reproduction of the plant itself, and in that manner we are able to
train and provide men in order to keep up with our expansion program.
The school has turned out already approximately 3,300 trainees
who have been graduated into the plant, and the first of those Came
out in October, I believe, of 1940. Suice that time we have put
in about 3.300 boys. It has a capacity of about 1,500.
STATE PAYS TEACHERS
Mr. Curtis. I may not have b(>eii following your statement as
i-losely as I should have been, but do you get any direct subsidy from
tlie Federal Government or any other governmental agency for this
training progTam?
Mr. Downs. We provide all the insli-uctors and the State of Con-
necticut pays them. They are certified by th(> State Department of
Education.
Mr. Curtis. What do vou suppose the cost is to the State to edu-
cate those 3,300 boys?
Mr. Downs. I don't know; I couldn't give you the answer to tliat.
Mr. Curtis. It would be just the salary of the instructors?
Mr. Downs. Primarily the salary of the instructors. We pay the
rent and light, and so forth, over there.
TRAINEES GET 50 CENTS AN HOUR
The Chairman. How do the boys maintain themselves?
Mr. Downs. They are paid while they are in the school.
Mr. Arnold. What wage are they paid?
Mr. Downs. Fifty cents an hour while in training.
Mr. Arnold. Of course, with the vast expansion you have inider-
gone, your employees have been given an opportunity to advance.
Do you give them instruction looking toward up-grading?
5316 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Downs. Yes; up-grading is going on continuously through the
entire plant. As the men develop on the jobs in the shop they are
watched pretty carefully and those who show any marked abilities
are moved along as rapidly as possible.
RECRUITING METHODS^
Mr. Arnold. Your trainees came from outside the State of Con-
necticut?
Mr. Downs. Yes, they do.
Mr. Arnold. "Would you tell the committee what recruiting
methods you employ in obtaining desirable men?
Mr. Downs. We haven't had to use anything along the line of
recruiting methods, if you mean by ''recruiting," advertising or send-
ing people out to find employees. We never have done it.
We are perhaps in a fortunate position so far as that is concerned
because the aircraft industry itself has a very definite appeal to a
great many people and particularly to the younger element. The
number of applicants over there has showed no signs of decreasing
whatever.
AGE, SEX, RACE SPECIFICATIONS
Mr. Arnold. What are the specifications as to age, sex, education,
race, and nationality?
Mr. Downs. The only age specification for trainees is that they be
at least 18 years old. There is no top age limit on it. We put men
55 and 60 years old in the schools as well as the younger element,
though, of course, the younger fellows predominate.
As to sex, they are all men. We don't employ women except in a
very few jobs in the shop. High school graduates are preferred. We
have been very careful to select the very best quality that we could
get because we feel that it is very definitely a paying proposition to
have as superior a labor force as possible.
The boys have to pass certain mathero.atical tests before they are
admitted to the school and failing those, they are not taken in.
As for nationality or race, there is no particular attention paid to
that. We pretty much take them as they come.
HIRE 18,600; 25 NEGROES
Mr. Arnold. How many employees does Pratt & Whitney have,
and what percentage of them, are Negroes?
Mr. Downs. Well, at the present time we hav^e about 18,600 total.
Of those we have approximately 20 or 25, I believe, colored boys who
are working in the United Aircraft cafeteria.
Mr. Arnold. You have none on the machines at all?
Mr. Downs. None.
Mr. Arnold. Of course, you know it has been charged frequently
that Pratt & Whitney discriminates against qualified Negro workers.
Would you care to discuss that?
Air. Downs. Well, I can only say that we follow pretty much the
same policy as the United States Navy.^
Mr. Arnold. Do you anticipate any change in that policy?
Mr. Downs. We are observing the results of the fellows who are
in the cafeteria, and to date they have not been satisfactory.
1 See Trenton Hearings, testimony of Martin F. Burke. Mr. Burke, personnel director of United Air-
craft Corporation, Hartford, appeared at the Trenton hearing of the Committee on June 27 "to clarify
what he [Mr. Downs] sai 1" on the corporation's policy in regard to employment of Negroes.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGKATION 5317
Mr. Arnold. We have been told that you attempt to keep a balance
in j^oiir labor force of workers of diflferent nationalities or origuis or
background. How frequently does the corporation check its records
on that aspect of the labor force?
Mr. Downs. That question has arisen. About a year ago we
naturally were very much interested in the national break-ups of the
men in the plant, and in September of 1940 we made our first survey.
At that time we had almost 11,000 employees and I have here in this
supplementary report the complete break-down of all the nationality
groups.
It is our purpose to make these surveys on a regular basis, but the
first survey was made mechanically. In other words, we had to go
through our complete file manually. At the present time we are
setting up a system brought out by the I. B. M. key punchcard
which will enable us to tabulate that data quickly and effectively.
That survey is not yet complete, and I don't think it will be for 3 or
4 weeks, but on completion of that we will be able to give up-to-the
minute figures on request or at any given time. It is our intention
to make a survey of that sort at least every 6 months, simply to keep
informed as to what the various divisions are as regards racial origin.
Mr. Arnold. Do you find that plan very satisfactory?
Mr. Downs. It will have to be tied to the general break-down of
the nationalities, I think, in this locality. It would appear that that
is the most logical method of handling it, and to be governed more or
less by the break-up in the community itself.
Mr. Arnold. Don't you ever have any trouble with national
prejudices or friction with such a balanced labor force?
IVlr. Downs. No; we haven't. We have had no trouble of that
sort at all.
WHITES, NEGROES GO TO SCHOOL TOGETHER
Mr. Arnold. Now, getting back to the employing of Negroes: It
has been stated that in Connecticut the white workers would object
to working alongside Negro workers, but the Negroes and whites go
to school together in Hartford, and this committee has ascertained
that in the steel mills and iron mines of Alabama they work together
and on the assembly line of General Alotors and Ford. Why can't
they work in harmony in Hartford and the remainder of Connecticut?
Mr. Downs. I frankly don't know the answer to that. The only
thing that I think I can say on that is that we, of course, have been
through an extremely hazardous period during the past year and a
half or 2 years. We have done an awful lot of work over there. We
have been extremely careful in the selection of our employees, and I
think we have been entirely justified in the sense that so far as I
know we are today the only aircraft company in the country that is
actually considerably ahead of schedule. We are pretty proud of
that. We tlnnk our first job is to got out engines just as fast as it is
humanly possible to get them out.
That may be an evasion of the question, but we would hate to do
anything that might tend in any way to disrupt the pretty fine workmg
of the plant at the present time.
Mr. Arnold. And to your laiowledge the Connecticut Manu-
facturers' Association has not taken any steps or does not plan any
steps toward compliance with the President's request and Mr. Knud-
-41— pt. 13 20
5318 HARTFORD HEARINGS
sen's request and Mr. Hillman's request that all labor receive, includ-
ing Negroes and other groups, employment without discrimination?
Mr. Downs. I haven't heard anything from the iManufacturers'
Association on it.
PAY ROLL UP FROM 4,500 TO 18,600
Mr. Arnold. How many millions of dollars of defense contracts
does the Pratt-^Vliitney plant have?
Mr. Downs. I couldn't give you an accurate answer to that; I
don't know.
Mr. Arnold. You don't know, then, how many millions the Con-
necticut Manufacturers' Association has?
Mr. Downs. No, sir.
Mr. Arnold. I guess it is well over a half billion dollars.
Mr. Downs. I imagine so. I believe we are around $300,000,000.
That is purely a guess.
Mr. Arnold. Would you give us your total employment now, and
what it was in September of 1939?
Mr. Downs. Yes, sir; it is 18,600, and in September it was 4,500.
Mr. Arnold. And you expect, of course, future increases — you
are building another plant?
Mr. Downs. Yes, sir; there is another large addition being built
at the present time, which we expect will be completed in the early
fall — I would say around September 1.
Mr. Arnold. And that will employ 6,000 or 7,000 additional?
]\Ir. Downs. About 5,000 or 6,000, I would say, before the end of
the year.
Mr. Arnold. That is all, Mr. Chairman. I think perhaps Dr.
Lamb has a question or two he wishes to ask,
follows navy, not navy yard
Dr. Lamb. You said something about following the policy of the
United States Navy?
Mr. Downs. Yes.
Dr. Lamb. Would you care to enlarge on that so as to show what
your policy is?
Mr. Downs. Well, we don't employ colored people in the shop.
Dr. Lamb. And I take it from what vou sav that that is also true
of the Navy?
Mr. Downs. As I understand, it is.
Dr. Lamb. Of the navy yard?
Mr. Downs. Not the navv yard, ])ut the Navv itself.
Dr. Lamb. That is ah.
BELIEVES NEGROES LAG IN MECHANICAL ABILITY
Mr. Curtis. I would like to ask a question that is based upon a
feeling that Negroes are not mechanically as adaptable as the white
race.
Mr. Downs. We believe that to be true.
Mr. Curtis. Does the company have any motive or desire to
discriminate against one race for the pu pose of merely discriminating?
NATIONAL I)EFi:XSE MIGRATION 5319
Mr. Downs. None whatsoever; no, sir. We are only interested
in a man's abilit}' and not what his creed may be or his rehgion or his
n^tionahty or anything else.
Mr. Curtis. Have yon made any observations as between various
nationalities as to their mechanical ability?
Mr. Downs. That is a difficult question. You would have to
generalize a great deal on it. We have found that, generally speaking,
the Yankee boys are pretty good mechanics. The Swedes, the Ger-
mans, the Pol?s — all of those people are pretty good, steady industrial
workers.
Mr. Curtis. You believe, how^ever, that there is a slight variance
between them, although it would be quite difficult to chart it up?
Is that true?
Mr. Downs. Yes, it would be, because you would have to bring
it right down to indivi(hial cases, I think.
FEW FARM BOYS EMPLOYED
Mr. Curtis. Do vou emplov manv farm bovs from the Middle
West?
Mr. Downs. Very few.
Mr. Curtis. Do those you have hired turn out to be good me-
chanics?
Mr. Downs. I couldn't say. I don't know that we have any farmer
boys from the Middle West. I suppose there are a few, but they are
in such a distinct minority it would be difficult to find them. I would
say this, that we made a veiy exacting surve}^ of all of our applicants —
the total number of our applicants over a period of time — and we
found that better than 95 percent of our applicants came from the
New England States and the New York area, which we have always
considered as a normal drawing ground for this particular locality.
We have very few applicants coming from any great distances.
Mr. Curtis. You don't know^ whether the boy with a background
of tractor experience, and probably trucks and that sort of thing, has
any advantage?
Mr. Downs. Yes; they do. In the training programs boys who are
brought up on farms and know how to use their hands and how to
work usually are very adaptable to machine work and imder proper
instruction and training work out very nicely.
Mr. Curtis. That is all.
The .Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. Downs.
Our next witness is Mr. Pinault.
TESTIMONY OF WILLIAM T. PINAULT, MIGRANT WORKER, AND
HIS WIFE, MARY, OF HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. Your name is William Pinault?
Mr. Pinault. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. Where do j^ou live?
Mr. Pinault. Eighty-seven Park Street.
The Chairman. How^ old are you?
Mr. Pinault. Thirty-six.
The Chairman. Is your wife present today?
Mr. Pinault. Yes.
5320 HARTFORD HEARINGS
The Chairman. Will you have her come forward? Will you give
us your name, Airs. Pmault?
Mrs. PiNAULT. Mary Pinault. ♦
The Chairman. Mr. Pinault, where were you born?
Mr. Pinault. St. Albans, Vt.
The Chairman. And how long have you lived here?
Mr. Pinault. I have been here in Connecticut since 1925.
The Chairman. And have you lived here continuously?
Mr. Pinault. I have lived in another place, Willimantic, Conn. T
was sent down there by the city of Hartford Welfare Department.
The Chairman. How long were you there?
Mr. Pinault. I was there just about 2 years.
The Chairman. And what are you doing now?
Mr. Pinault. I am in the hardening room at Colt Arms.
The Chairman. And what wages are you receiving, Mr. Pinault.
Mr. Pinault. Around 49 cents. I have all my receipts right with
me if you want to see them.
The Chairman. How much a month does that amount to?
Mr. Pinault. Well, that averages $40.49 a week — average itup
for 4 weeks in the month.
The Chairman. Have you any children?
Mr. Pinault, Yes, sir; I have nine children.
The Chairman. Only nine?
Mr. Pinault. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. How old are they?
Mr. Pinault. Helen is the oldest and she is 14 and the youngest is 3.
The Chairman. Are any of them going to school?
Mr. Pinault. No; my children are not going to school, on account
of this business about this house — ^getting rents for m^^ children —
they have been taken out of school.
The Chairman. Were you married here in Hartford?
Mr. Pinault. Yes, sir; St. Ann's Church on Clark Street.
The Chairman. And have you lived m more than one house since
your marriage?
Mr. Pinault. Yes, sir; I have lived on Park Street, 485 Park, and
Judge Bailey's mother's house on Prospect Street and 149 Governor
Street.
The Chairman. "Wliere are the children now?
Mr. Pinault. The children arc at the Municipal Hospital.
The Chairman. Here in Hartford?
Mr. Pinault. There are eight of them up there and one in Willi-
mantic at my brother-in-law's — Helen, the oldest one is at Willimantic.
The Chairman. What do you pay for them at the Municipal
Hospital?
Mr. Pinault. They wanted $10 a week for the support of the
children, but I couldn't give the $10 a week because I had other bills
and other arrangements to make. I couldn't afford it, because I have
been taken out of work looking for rents and this and that, and been
losing a lot of time.
The Chairman. Have you tried to look for a house?
Mr. Pinault. Yes, sir; I went one-hun(h-od-some-odd miles within
2 days in my own car. I have an old piece of junk that I paid $10 for
just to run around. I have lost other good jobs on account of looking
for a house.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5321
The Chairman. How long have you been looking for a house?
Mr. PiNAULT. I have been lookmg for a house now for the last 9
months. I have tried hard to get one, too.
The Chairman. What are you actually paying now?
Mr. PiNAULT. I am paying $7 a week, 1 had to move out of a
place up on Lafayette Street where they were charging me $12 a week
for just one room.
The Chairman. Does your difficulty derive from the size of your
family — your mability to get a house?
Mr. PiNAULT. Yes; that is right.
The Chairman. They don't want any one with a large family —
a family as large as yours?
Mr. PiNAULT. That is right. I have been turned down several
times on that account.
ThiB Chairman. Well, in the old days of this country a large family
lilve that was looked upon as quite an asset, wasn't it?
Mr. PiNAULT. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. I remember there were 11 children in my family
and in my wife's family there were 12. We are kind of getting away
from that idea these days, aren't we?
^Ir. PiNAULT. It is pretty hard, I guess, to try to place the family.
The Chairman. But have you been turned down?
Mr. PiNAULT. Yes, sir ; several times.
The Chairman. What are you going to do about it?
Mr. PiNAULT. Well, I can't do anything about it — that is all. I
absolutely have been out looking around for rents — if I could only get
a place like that I am willing to pay my rent.
The Chairman. You are paying $7 a week now?
Mr. PiNAULT. That is right.
The Chairman. With your rent and the cost of taking care of your
children that will run to pretty close to $200 a month?
Mr. PiNAULT. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. And you are earning less than that?
Mr. PiNAULT. Yes. You figure it out for yourself. I have got
every one of my receipts here. I have been out looking for rents and
losing a lot of work. I have dropped right down from $40.49 to $32
and $30. That makes an awful drop but if I can get in— if this trouble
is ever settled and I can get in a home and get my children there, I
can loiock out my $60 and $70 a week.
The Chairman. But the situation now has both you and your wife
worried?
Mr. PiNAULT, Yes, sir.
The Chairman. Are you behind in your payments to the Municipal
Hospital?
Mr. PiNAULT. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. How much are you behind?
Mr. PiNAULT. I am 4 weeks back in payments, 4 or 5 weeks back
in payments.
The Chairman. Wliat are they going to do about that?
Mr. PiNAULT. They are going to try to put my children somewhere
else, which I don't object to.
The Chairman. Mrs. Pinault, do you want to say something?
Mrs. PiNAULT. Yes. They wrote and told me they were going to
put them in the orphan's home. If they go there, they will be com-
5322 HARTFORD HEARINGS
mittcd for 6 months and I wouldn't be able to take them out even
if I had a home.
The Chairman. They would commit them for 6 months?
Mrs. PiNAULT. That is what they done before. They tried to do
it quite a long; while ago. That is why we moved to Willimantie.
They wanted to take my children away and told my husband to stay
here — didn't care if he went with me or not.
Mr. Curtis. At that point, whereabouts were they sroing to put
your children in the orphan's home?
Mrs. PiNAULT. I don't know.
Mr. Curtis. Wliere were the children at that time?
Mrs. PiNAULT. The children was with me.
Mr. Curtis. "VMiere, with you?
Mrs. PiNAULT. In Hartford.
Mr. Curtis. Is there anything- involved in this otlier than a housing-
shortage?
Mrs. PiNAULT. No.
Mr. Curtis. Was there any other reason why they made the threat
tliat they were going to take the children away from you?
Mrs. PiNAULT. No, sir; there wasn't. He wasn't workuig then.
We were on the welfare, and the county was taking care of me and
my nine children and my husband's State was taking care of hun
alone because I had a settlement, they said, and my husband didn't.
W^e tried to fight it, but we couldn't do nothing about it. If I want
to have all my children taken away from me I could have done that
before, but I kept them all and moved to Willimantie.
Mr. Curtis. They didn't make any charges that you were not
properly caring for them or anything like that?
Mrs. PiNAULT. No; my children are well taken care of, as much as
I could give them. We couldn't give them any more than we could.
Mr. Curtis. That is all.
The Chairman. Have you contacted any welfare agencies about
your situation?
Mrs. PiNAULT. No; they wrote to me. She called me up Monday,
my investigator, and she told me that I owed them $300 already and
she says I have to do one thing — I would have to have my children
taken out. Yesterday she said that they would have to be taken out
of the nursery or they would bring them into court. I don't know how
true it is. I haven't heard any more about it. She sent me to a rent,
and we went and looked at it and it was already rented. She said if
I don't have that rent they will have to do something because they
couldn't do it any more.
The Chairman. Mrs. Pinault, did you receive the following letter
from the Hartford Department of Public Welfare, Hartford, Conn.?
Mrs. PiNAULT. Yes.
The Chairman. Wliich you have just handed to me?
Mrs. PiNAULT. Yes.
The Chairman. WTiich is as follows [reading]:
June 3, 1941. William Pinault, 87 Park Street, Hartford, Conn.
My Dear Mr. Pinault: This is to notify you that you are to remove your
children from the Municipal Hospital Nursery within the next few days or it will
be necessary to file a petition for commitment on them.
Mrs. Pinault. That is right.
The Chairman (continuing):
I
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5323
Please notify Miss Lublin immediately. Very truly yours, Department of
Public Welfare, William J. Ryan, superintendent.
You received that letter, did you?
Mrs. PiNAULT. I did, sir.
Mr. PiNAULT. I have another one in my pocket. They were gohig
to attach my sahiry. I don't see why they should attach my salary.
[Hands letter to the chairman.]
The Chairman. Did you receive the following letter from the
Hartford Department of Public Welfare:
Haktford, Conn., June 13, 1941.
Mr. William T. Pinault,
87 Park Street, Hartford, Conn.
Dear Sir: To date only $5 has been received by our collection department for
your eight children. Unless a payment is made within the next 5 days and unless
regular payments are continued, we will give this over to our legal aid department
for a lien against your salary.
Very truly yours,
Department of Public Welfare,
William J. Ryan, Superintendent.
Have you done everything you could to provide support for your
children?
Mr. Pinault. Yes, sir.
Mrs. Pinault. He has been sick and hasn't been working steady for
several days. He has a nei-vous stomach and goes to the doctor for it
and this works him up a lot and he hasn't been working and this week
he has 3 days out.
Now, we have been looking for a rent. If we could have got the rent
he could have been settled and then he woidd have worked steady
every tlay ; so I don't know what we are going to do.
The Chairman. Were you ever evicted from any home on account
of your chikh'en?
Mrs. Pinault. No, sir.
The Chairman. Now, you feel if you could get a house at a reason-
able rental you could keep your children with you and make a go of it
under the salary you are now receiving?
Mr. Pinault. Yes, sir.
Mrs. Pinault. We have always took care of them so far, until we
were thrown out and then we couldn't do nothing — couldn't leave the
children in the street. I woiddn't want mj^ children placed away
some place.
Mr. Pinault. 1 feel I could handle my family if I had a place to
put a roof over their head. You see I have dropped down from $10
a day right down to $14 a day on account of this thing working me
up so much that I couldn't make it in time for my job. You know
what a hardening room is, I guess, if you was ever in one. There is a
lot of heat and this thing working on me and e\erything, it is kind of
a tough proposition.
The Chairman. Any questions, Mr. Arnold?
Air. Arnold. No questions.
Mr. Curtis. No questions.
Dr. Lamb. When you went to Willimantic in 1937, was that after
you were injured?
Mr. Pinault. Yes; I was in Willimantic and I was on a W. P. A.
job and I got transferred to a construction job and a staging broke
and I fell and seven of us got hurt.
5324 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Dr. Lamb. And was it after that that the authorities here in
Hartford said that you had lost your settlement?
Mr. PiNAULT. Didn't mention nothing about that, Dr. Lamb.
Dr. Lamb. They did not?
Mr. PiNAULT. No, they didn't. We didn't even know we would
have lost it.
Dr. Lamb. But they said you should go back to Willimantic?
Mr. PiNAULT. Yes; they said Willimantic wanted me back from
Hartford. They wrote to Willimantic and Willmiantic said that I
have to go to Willimantic to live there if I want any support from
them.
Dr. Lamb. Was that after the accident?
Mr. PiNAULT. No.
Mrs. PiNAULT. No; he was in Willimantic when the accident
happened.
Dr. Lamb. Was it at a time when he wasn't working?
Mrs. PiNAULT. Well, he was working on W. P. A. then and I don't
know, something came up — they didn't need him any more or some-
thing happened. Anyway he was out of w^ork a month, I guess,
before we moved to Willimantic.
Dr. Lamb. It was at that time that they said that you would have
to go to Willimantic?
Mrs. PiNAULT. Yes; it was at that time.
Dr. Lamb. Because your settlement was in Willimantic?
Mrs. PiNAULT. Yes, sir.
Dr. Lamb. And how old were you when you left Willimantic?
Mrs. PiNAULT. I was 10 years old.
Dr. Lamb. And you were not back to Willimantic except on this
occasion?
Mrs. PiNAULT. On this occasion I have been back.
Dr. Lamb. So the authorities here said that because when you
were 10 years old you lived in Willimantic, therefore your settlement
was there. I suppose you were born and raised there?
Mrs. PiNAULT. Yes; they said that is why, because I was born and
raised there, that I should be their case.
Dr. Lamb. And on the strength of that they expected the Willi-
mantic authorities to take care of your children?
Mrs. PiNAULT. Yes, sir; they did. My children were all born in
Hartford, every one of them.
Dr. Lamb. But because you had settlement in Willimantic they
expected Willimantic to support your children?
Mrs. PiNAULT. I guess they did^ — they must have. They tried to
make them pay up to the nursery. They wrote them a letter but
Willimantic said they didn't have anything to do with us any more.
Dr. Lamb. Recently?
Mrs. PiNAULT. Yes; they said I was in Hartford and my children
belonged to Hartford — they all belonged there. That is all I know.
They couldn't get no money from Willimantic. That is why they
charge us for the children.
Dr. Lamb. Otherwise they said the city of Hartford would be
responsible for the children?
Mrs. PiNAULT. It said they are now.
Dr. Lamb. But because the settlement is supposed by Hartford to
be in Willimantic, therefore the authorities here are charging you for
the children — is that your understanding?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5325
Mrs. PiNAULT. Yes; that is the understanding I got, because when
I moved out of my residence they didn't mention about my children.
They tokl me to pay my bihs up and try to get on my feet and pay
my storage. They didn't mention anythmg about children. They
were up there over a month.
Dr. Lamb. The nursery authorities came at the time you were
evicted?
Mrs. PiNAULT. The welfare department; yes, sir.
Dr. Lamb. And took your children?
Mrs. PiNAULT. Yes, sir.
Dr. Lamb. And said nothing about any expense to you?
Mrs. PiNAULT. No; they did not — not a bit. That is how they
told me to pay my storage every month, and I never have any answer
from the storage people.
Dr. Lamb. Just the storage for your furinture?
Mrs. PiNAULT. Yes.
Mr. PiNAULT. That runs up to $5 a month and I haven't heard
from storage or nothing.
Mrs. PiNAULT. It is somewhere. They don't tell me where it was
or nothing. They just took my furniture and put it away and 1
didn't know nothing about it any more.
Dr. Lamb. That is all.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. and Mrs. Pinault.
Mr. Curtis. Mr. Chairman, what I am about to say is no reflection
whatever on this lady and gentleman who just testified, because nw
sympathies are with them; but I would suggest that if there is not a
place already provided on our list of witnesses for the day, some
welfare worker connected with this agency be called before the com-
mittee to tell us about this case.
The Chairman. We do have a witness from that department who
will appear before the committee today. (See testimony of William
J. Ryan, superintendent of the Hartford Department of Public
Welfare, pp. 5349-5352. See also exhibit B, in material submitted
by Russel H. Allen, Reply re case of William Pinault, p. 5329.)
Our next witness is Mr. Russel Allen.
TESTIMONY OF RUSSEL H. ALLEN, MEMBER OF THE HARTFORD
HOUSING AUTHORITY, HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. Mr. Curtis will interrogate you, Mr. Allen,
Mr, Curtis. Mr. Allen, will you state your full name?
Mr. Allen. Russel H. Allen.
Mr. Curtis. And what is your official position?
Mr. Allen. Executive secretary of the Hartford Housing
Authority,
Mr. Curtis. And when did you become executive secretary?
Mr, Allen, I took up my duties on August 28, 1938,
Mr. Curtis. Do you live here in Hartford?
Mr, Allen. I have my home in West Hartford.
Mr. Curtis. What was your business prior to that time?
Mr. Allen. I was in the manufacturing business for 18 vears.
Prior to that I was in public administration with the New York
Bureau of Municipal Research in New York.
5326 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Curtis. Mr. Allen, I have carefully gone over the entire
statement that has been prepared by you and your associates in
connection with this housing situation. Do you have a copy of that
for the reporter?
Mr. Allen. I have a copy in front of me, Mr. Congressman.
Mr. Curtis. Will you please be sure the reporter gets a copy?
(The statement submitted by Mr. Allen is as follows:)
STATEMENT BY RUSSEL H. ALLEX, HARTFORD HOUSING
AUTHORITY, HARTFORD, CONN.
The Hartford Housing Authority is a public corporation established by the
city of Hartford according to the provisions of State law to relieve the shortage
of safe and sanitary dwellings for families of low income, eliminate slum conditions,
and investigate living, dwelling, and housing conditions and the means and
methods of improving such conditions. Its area of operation is confined to the
city of Hartford and does not include the suburban towns.
The authority was organized in June 1938, with the appointment of five
commissioners:
Chairman, Stillman F. Westbrook, vice president in charge of mortgage invest-
ments at the Aetna Life Insurance Co.; vice chairman, William A. Scott, presi-
dent of the Central Labor Union; treasurer, G. Burgess Fisher, insurance broker;
vice treasurer, Bruce Caldwell, attorney; and the Reverend William K. Hopes.
Due to pressure of business activity, Mr. Westbrook resigned and Mr. Berkeley
Cox, legal counsel for the Aetna Life, replaced him as chairman. Mr. M. Allyn
Wadhams, a building contractor, was appointed to succeed Mr. Fisher after the
latter's death.
PROGRAM OF THE HARTFORD HOUSING AUTHORITY
The program of the Hartford Housing Authority has developed along three
lines of activity:
1. The construction of permanent low-rent homes for low-income families and
also the construction cjf medium rental homes for defense workers with the under-
standing that this latter project can also be used to house low-income families
when the present emergency ends.
2. The demolition of unsafe and insanitary dwellings either through the use
of the city's police powers or through the purcliase of slum property and the elimi-
nation of the buildings thereon by the housing authority so that the}- can be re-
placed by a new housing project.
3. Cooperation with municipal, civic, and other agencies for the prevention
and elimination of unsatisfactory housing conditions in the city of Hartford.
(1) Construction:
Name of project
Size
Cost
Occupants
Units
146
222
500
1,000
$668, 294
1,069,756
2, 703, 000
4,737,000
Dutch Point Colony
134 families as of June 11.
Bellevue Square
About 100 families bv September.
(2) Demolition: The law requires that the authority eliminate a number of
substandard dwellings equivalent to the number of new liomes it will build. This
can be accomplished either by actual demolition or bj' bringing substandard
buildings up to standard.
In the period from June 1938 to July 1940, 100 dwelling units were demolished
and 610 were made standard due to the use of the city's police powers. Since
July 1940 there undoubtedly have been more demolitions due to new public-works
construction such as roads and highways, but no compilation is available.
Nelton Court and Dutch Point Colony, the first two projects, were constructed
on vacant land and therefore did not effect any demolition. Bellevue Square,
the third project, located in the heart of the slum area, will mean the demolition
of about 350 dwelling units, but since 500 new homes will replace the 350 demol-
ished there will be a net addition to the amount of housing in that section. Charter
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATTON 5327
Oak Terrace, the defense housing project, involves no demolition. It is apparent,
then, that the authority, for the time being at least, has made a net addition to
the number of homes in the low and medium rental classifications despite con-
siderable demolition activity in the city.
(3) Cooperation: Cooperation with other agencies for improving housing condi-
tions has taken the form of statistical surveys such as the real property and low-
income housing-area studies, the presentation of problems by reports, analyses
of the means of coordinating the city's municipal services, of city planning and
Ihousing, of decentralization, and of the housing market.
HOUSING SITUATION PRIOR TO DEFENSE EMERGENCY
(1) 111 1935 the mayor's slum-clearance study committee reported that a slum
section comprising one-tenth the area and one-fourth the pojiulation of the
entire city of Hartford had to be subsidized by other better sections because of its
low yield" in taxes and of the high cost of municipal services— police, fire, health-
it required.
In 1939 the low income housing area surveys of the city of Hartford indicated
that 3,804 dwelling units, 8 percent of the 44,977 dwelling units in the city were
substandard due to bad structural conditions or for lack of essential living facil-
ities. The low-income housing area survey showed that 12,065 families were
living under housing conditions detrimental to their general welfare.
2. The surveys also disclosed the existence of a shortage of low- and medium-
rental homes. A vacancy ratio of 3.09 percent prevailed despite the fact that
5 percent is considered normal. That shortage was presumably due to the fact
that Hartford, provides almost all of the medium and low rental housing needed
by families in the Greater Hartford area and has had relatively no new construction
of rental dwellings within the medium or low rental brackets in recent years.
Hartford has a large relatively stable market for this type of rental dwellings due
to the presence in the city of the home offices of a number of insurance companies
and also due to the presence of its prosperous machine tool industries. There
has also been relatively a small amount of building of the single family home
variety in the city of Hartford. Most of this type of construction has been con-
fined to the suburbs.
Prior to the defense emergency it is apparent, therefore, that Hartford was
experiencing a minor if not acute shortage of dwellings renting for less than $50
a month despite the fact that there was present in the city even then a market
for such accommodations.
CHANGES IN HOUSING SITUATION DUE TO DEFENSE ACTIVITY
1. In July 1940 the personnel of 7 of Hartford's largest defense industries
totaled 32,190. It was estimated that by January 1941, this total would be in-
creased by 5,500 additional workers and that by January 1942, it would increase
about 14,000 workers. Since the time these estimates were made the national
defense program has been accelerated more rapidly than was expected and, con-
sequently, the increase in personnel is likely to be far greater than these figures
show. Some 54 industries in Greater Hartford have war orders.
2. The vacancy ratio of 3.09 percent has declined markedly. The following
table gives an excellent picture of the extent to which the increase in local employ-
ment rolls has absorbed all available vacant units:
Percerif
Real property .survev, 1938-39 2. 09
U. S. Census, first half 1940 1. 8
Post office survey, 1940 1- 2
Work Projects Administration spot survey, September 1940 . 6
3. Only a slight evidence of an overturn in defense personnel due to the hou.s-
ing shortage has been reported by local defense industries.
4. The major effect of the increase in personnel and of the shortage has been
the number of evictions among Hartford residents, the general rent increases,
and the discrimination against families with children.
5. In many instances family incomes in the city of Hartford have increased, due
either to the fact that the wage earner has changed his employment to a defense
industry or to the fact that other members in the family hitherto unemployed
have found defense work. Defense industries estimated that the average gross
earnings of their workers are about $35. These facts would indicate that the
demand for housing in Hartford is still primarily for medium- and low-rental
liomes.
5328 HARTFORD HEARINGS
HOUSING PROGRAM TO MEET DEFENSE NEEDS
1. A housing program aimed at preventing a shortage due to the influx of
defense workers must be planned long before the shortage actually develops. In
May 1940 Russel H. Allen, the executive secretary of the Hartford Housing
Authority', wrote to the Governor presenting the need for defense housing as he
foresaw it, and shortly thereafter the Hartford Housing Authority applied for and
received an earmarking from the United States Housing Authority of funds to
build 1,000 homes for defense workers. This project is well under way and
should be comi)leted by the end of the year.
2. In addition the authority, by postponing demolition activities and by build-
ing its three low-rent projects on vacant land has added to the number of low-
rental units in the city. While these homes are not generally available to defens
workers because the income limits of $1,575 per year and under are for a lower
income group, nevertheless, these homes have to some extent helped to solve the
problem of the low-income, nondefense worker, who in many cases has suffered
more than anj'one else from the shortage.
3. Private construction in the greater Hartford area has been extensive, par-
ticularly in the suburban towns, but the volume of new rental construction has
been small and the rents charged too high for the prevailing market as reported
by the defense workers.
Exhibit A. Analysis of Housing Scores
June 27, 1941.
House Committee Investigating National Defense Migration,
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Sir: In the course of the hearing before the above committee on June
25 the question was asked me as a witness how many families we had put in our
low-income housing projects with scores of 80 or above. My reply was that 1
could not state at that time jut-t what percentage this miglit be but that I would
prepare an analysis of the housing scores of the tenants in the two tenanted low-
income projects, Nelton Court and Dutch Point Colony, and would file with the
committee a statement of this analysis. I am accordingly enclosing herewith
such a statement which appears on the attached sheet setting forth for each
project the number of families placed in the projects having scores from 0 to
100. It will be noted in each case that we have employees living in the project.
These employees are not necessarily placed in the project on the basis of housing
score but under the rules of the United States Housing Authority we are allowed
to place a certain number of project employees in the project.
In its initial tenant selection the Authority have endeavored to go down to the
score of 30, believing that any score from 30 and above represents undesirable
and unsatisfactory housing. In placing these tenants those families with the
highest scores of substandard housing are placed in the i^roject first. It will be
noted, however, that there are in each project a few who have been placed in the
respective projects who have a score below 30. All of these families represent
families who had actually been evicted by the cdurt and who, due to the extreme
and tragic lack of housing in Hartford, had to be taken care of. In fact these
were individulas who virtually had no housing accommodations at alL
I also enclose the application form which contains the housing-score sheet which
breaks down the factor of substandard housing into 15 heads or items. The
maximum scores attainable for each item are indicated on the housing-score sheet.
It will be further noted that there two break-downs under each item (I) the basic
substaTidard factors and (II) the other substandard factors, or the primary and
secondary factors. The total of each of these two sets of factors appear as the
index of the substandard conditions of the housing of the family.
I trust this will be the information which is desired, and if there is any further
information which I am able to supply I shall be happy to cooperate to the fullest.
Very truly yours,
Russel H. Allen, Executive Secretary.
[The enclosure referred to above is as follows:]
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5329
\.NALYSIS OF HOUSING SCORES OF FAMILIES LIVING IN DUTCH POINT COLONY AS OF
JUNE 26, 1941
Number
of
Housing score; families
0-9 2
10-19 0
20-29 6
30-39 27
40-49 39
50-59 42
60-69 9
ousing score —
70-79
Coutiiuied.
Number
of
families
5
80-89
2
90-99
0
Site
1
Employees
living
in project.. 5
Total.
136
ANALYSIS OF HOUSING SCOBES OF FAMILIES LIVING IN NELTON COURT AS OF
JUNE 26, 1941 •
Housing score:
0-9
Number
of
families
0
2
2
50
56
H
Number
of
ousing score — Continued. families
70^79 2
10-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
80-89 0
90-99 0
Site 0
Employees living in project. . 1
Total 135
50-59
60-69
19
13
1 This total includes 8 families who have signed leases but have not yet moved into the project.
Exhibit B. Reply Re Case of William Pinault
Housing Authority of the City of Hartford,
Hartford, Conn., June 25, 1941.
Housing Committee Investigating Defense Migration,
Hartford, Conn.
(Attention: John W. Abbot, Chief Field Investigator.)
Dear Sir: During the course of the hearing this morning before your committee
one of the members of the committee requested that the case of William Pinault,
87 Park Street, a defense worker at Colt's factory, be investigated to see what
could be done for his family to house him in our defense housing project.
On investigation we do not find that this party has ever made an application so
that we are communicating with him requesting that he make this application
immediately and if eligible, which he apparently is, we will do everything possible
to accommodate him in the project.
Very truly yours,
RussEL H. Allen. Executive Secretary.
TESTIMONY OF RUSSEL H. ALLEN— Resumed
Mr. Curtis. How many units does the Housing Authority have
under construction here in Hartford which will be open to defense
workers?
Air. Allen. ^Ye have 1,000 units in the defense housing project.
Mr. Curtis. What do you call that defense housing project?
Mr. Allen. We call it Charter Oak Terrace.
Mr. Curtis. I see by your paper that you expect to have about
200 families in there by September?
Mr. Allen. Yes; we went to Washington 2 or 3 weeks ago to see
if we couldn't accelerate that schedule, and as a result the contractor
has gone on record that he will have the first 200 ready by August 9.
I rather feel that that is a little optimistic. I don't believe we will
have them by August 9.
Mr. Curtis, ^^iien do vou think the entire thousand will be readv?
5330 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. xVllen. According to this schedule which the contractor has
given us, it will be November 1. I should say December probably
would be more likely.
Mr. Curtis. When does your extremely cold weather begin?
Mr. Allp:n. Wc have cold weather here in November.
LOCATION OF PROJECT
Mr. Curtis. Where is Charter Oak Terrace located?
Mr. Allen. It is bounded on the north by Flatbush Avenue, on
the west by Newfield Avenue, and on the east by Chandler Street —
in the southwest part of town, virtually in the corner of the southwest
area of the city,
Mr. Curtis. It was built within the corporate limits?
Mr. Allen. It was, yes; on raw land.
Mr. Curtis. When was it started?
Mr. Allen. Off-hand I should say 3 or 4 months ago.
Mr. Curtis. Nelton Court is already completed, is it not?
Mr. Allen. That is being completed and being tenanted. I think,
as of last Saturday, we only had eleven 2-room apartments still unoc-
cupied, and we are still selecting tenants for those.
Mr. Curtis. You have a great number of applicants for the 11?
BIG WAITING list
Mr. Allen. For the Nelton Court and Dutch Point Colony —
Nelton Court having 146 units and Dutch Point Colony having 222 —
we have had nearly 3,500 applications.
Mr. Curtis. Wlien was construction started on Nelton Court?
Mr. Allen. In February 1940.
Mr. Curtis. And it is all ready for occupancy?
Mr. Allen. Yes.
Mr. Curtis. And who w^as the contractor?
Mr. Allen. The Chain Construction Co. of New York City.
Mr. Curtis. When was Dutch Point Colony started?
Mr. Allen. About 2K or 3 months after Nelton Court.
Mr. Curtis. That wouhl be about April of 1941?
Mr. Allen. Yes; around March or April. I don't recall the exact
date.
Mr. Curtis. When was it ready for occupancy?
Mr. Allen. It is being tenanted now. We still have 88 vacant
units which are being held up because we have found some indication
that the plaster work was not satisfactory. We are now having tests
and investigations made, and until we are satisfied that either the
plaster work will be coirected or that we will get proper recovery, wc
wnll not open up the remaining 88 units.
Mr. Curtis. How long ago w^as Nelton Court completed?
Mr. Allen. Well, the completion <hite is rfUher hard to fix. We
began to tenant it, as 1 recall it, along the eaily part of this year.
\h'. Curtis. By that you mean about Januaiy or February 1941?
Mr. Allen. Yes. The completion date hasii't really arrived yet;
that is, from the standpoint of accepting the buildings, for there are
tilings still to bo done.
Mr. Curtis. But you started to ])hic(> i)eo]^h' in thei" in Jniuiary
of this year?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5331
^Ir. Allen. That is right.
Mr. Curtis. Who is the contractor for Dutch Colony?
Mr. Allp]n. Edmund J. Rapolli Co. of Cambridge, Alass.
Mr. Curtis. When will Bellevue Sc^uare be completed?
Mr. Allen. We are expecting to get 110 dwelling units open around
July 15; the rest is rather cpiestionable, because there are priorities on
certain materials and equipment. I hardly think we will meet that
date.
SOME DOUBLING UP
Mr. Curtis. Are you finding that some of your applicants for
apartments are young married people who were living with the parents
of either the husband or wife, and that when you make an apartment
available for them it does not leave an empty apartment elsewhere?
Mr. Allen. I don't think we have many of those but such cases
do arise.
Mr. Curtis. There has been considerable crowding here in Hart-
ford?
Mr. Allen. I don't think there is any question about it, particularly
among the Negroes.
Mr. Curtis. And the availability of one hundred or one thousand
apartments doesn't mean that there will be that many other apart-
ments vacated?
Mr. Allen. Not necessarily. It may simply relieve two families
living together.
Mr. Curtis. Then what has been done will merely relieve what
might be termed the normal strain upon the housing situation here,
aside from the influx of defense workers?
Mr. Allen. I will put it this way: What we are going to make
available will not even approach a solution of the problem facing
Hartfoi'd; it just eases the situation slightly.
definition of "substandard house"
Mr. Curtis. Mr. Allen, what is a substandard house?
Mr. Allen. We follow there the United States Housing Authority's
definitions or schedules. I don't know that I can give you all of them,
but a substandard house would be a house, for instance, without any
toilet, without a bath tub, in need of major repairs, located in an
overcrowded dwelling unit or a bad neighborhood. I should say
those are the outstanding pohits.
Mr. Curtis. By a bad neighborhood you mean a place that is
crowded and filthy and that sort of thing?
Mr. Allen. Let us call it a substandard neighborhood. Some
people call it a slum neighborhood.
Mr. Curtis. Now, I understand by your report that one-tenth of the
area of Hartford and one-fourth of the population is so classified, is
that right?
Mr. Allen. Just where is that, Mr. Congressman?
Mr. Curtis. It is on the third page. (In this volume, p. 5327.)
SLUM-CLEARANCE STUDY
Mr. Allen. Yes; that was the result of a study made by the slum-
clearance committee with the mayor back in 1935, when they showed
that a certain condition existed among the slum areas, indicating first.
5332 HARTFORD HEARINGS
that there was inordmate ratio of tuberculosis, juvenile delinquency,
and other antisocial factors, and, secondly, that from an economic
basis the income to the city was much less than the cost of the
services rendered to that district by the city.
Mr. Curtis. That is not the result, then, of a mathematical tabula-
tion of actual visits to individual homes?
Mr. Allen. Of course I had nothing to do with the survey, but I
do know that it was a house-to-house canvass, so that it was based
upon actual records. I have seen the records. They are now in the
health department here in the city.
Mr, Curtis. And you think that that is substantially true?
Mr. Allen. I think that is substantially true because it matches
what is found in similar cities of the same size. In fact it is a general
condition we find in the older cities throughout the United States.
MOSTLY TENEMENTS
Mr. Curtis. Are these slum houses or substandard homes largely
tenement houses, row houses, or individual cottages?
Mr. Allen. I should say largely multiple family dwellings — tene-
ments, as you may call them — ^although we do have shacks and double
houses, but I should say most of them are in multiple-family dwellings,
or tenement houses.
Mr. Curtis. Are they close to the downtown area?
Mr. Allen. Yes; they are.
Mr. Curtis. Now, you mentioned that those places, for instance,
had no toilet in the house. Do they use outdoor toilets in those
places?
Mr. Allen. Well, we have just acquired some property on the
east side of Bellevue Street, which is near the Bellevue Square project
where we found that for one floor there was no toilet. We find
multiple use of toilets, and it is not only an inconvenience but it is
against the laws of decency and morality and everything else.
Mr. Curtis. Wlien you say there was no toilet you mean by that
that there was none available for each family?
Mr. Allen. In the unit, that is right.
SLUMS PAY "handsome" RETURNS
Mr. Curtis. Do these slum properties pay a pretty good rent
return to the owner?
Mr. Allen. Yes, they do, to a very handsome extent, and for that
reason we have had trouble in appraising some of these properties,
because the owners have tried to appraise them on the basis of in-
come, and I think in many cases this income was extracted from the
tenants due to the fact that they had no other place to go.
We had one instance, I think, where the landlord got about $400
a month and he paid us as the new owners around $150. The rents
were rather high, although he had split up a lot of th(> apartments
and had them overcrowded.
Mr. Curtis. Are most of these slum properties individually owned?
Mr. Allen. Well, I don't know to what extent. I should say
most of them, although some are institutionally owned.
Mr. Curtis. Is it a large number of people who own them or is
the ownership concentrated in the hands of a few?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5333
Mr. Allen. I should say it is a rather broad spread of ownership.
At one time I thinlv there was a large amount owned by institutions,
say 5 or 6 years ago, but I think these institutions have got rid of
them and they have fallen into private ownership.
Mr. Curtis. What do you mean by institutions?
Mr. Allen. Savings banks and building and loan banks. They
take them in by foreclosing mortgages.
VALUE OF LOTS DOUBTFUL
Mr. Curtis. Will these lots have a high commercial value when
the dwellings are removed? Will the propert}^ be desirable as com-
mercial property?
Mr. Allen. No, I would say not. I think most of our in-town
properties that have the blight of substandard character have been
held by institutions and private people, hoping that business would
finally spread into those areas, when they could sell them for business
properties. But the trend of our city has been not outward ; it has
been upward, so that we have this fringe of properties that have been
held, and I think most owners have become realistic now about the
real value of these properties which they have been holding, although
I don't believe all of them have. So that property, I would say, has
had an inflated value.
COOPERATION OF LOCAL INTERESTS
Mr. Curtis. What attitude do the real-estate people have in
reference to these housing projects?
Mr. Allen. Well, when I came to Hartford I felt that the housing
program of the Hartford Housing Authority should be known thor-
oughly by the local interests, because I knew that there was an in-
herent conflict of interests, and I took very definite steps to give them
the information. We apparently did a fairly good job, because the
real-estate boards have, I should say, supported us in virtually all
the moves that we have made, and they have given us a vote of con-
fidence in the program and in the policy of the authority.
We have calhnl them in on problems which seemed to have com-
plications in which they would be interested, in regard to general real-
estate values, and they have been most cooperative, so I feel that we
see eye to eye on this.
Public housing is something that real estate interests have always
been suspicious of, but I believe they have come to realize it is here,
it is a public policy, and the question is of reconciling one set of
interests to the other.
MOST building IS "PURCHASE PROPERTY"
Mr. Curtis. Are private interests doing anything to make more
houses available for the defense w^orkers?
Mr. Allen. Well, I wouldn't have sufficient data to answer that
question. It is simply a personal impression. We have had a lot
of building in Hartford, and in the environs particularly, through
F. H. A. efforts. But this has been purchase property, very little
rental property. I feel that rental property is the thing that we
need here, but private enterprise does not go into it so readily as they
go into purchase property.
60396— 41— pt. 13- — -21
5334 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Curtis. The expectation of future housing projects would tend
to lessen the interest of private enterprise in rental properties, wouldn't
it?
Mr. Allen. Yes, sir; I should feel if I were in the building industry,
any addition of public housing would by so much limit the market
for rental housing. I think that is true of course, assuming that there
is no more need, or no more market.
ON THE RENT CONTROL BILL
Mr. Curtis. You had a bill in your State legislature to control
rents?
Mr. Allen. Yes, sir.
Mr. Curtis. Was it passed?
Mr. Allen. It was not.
Mr. Curtis. I don't think anybody from the city of Washington
could raise any criticism against you on that. We have a situation
there that isn't so good.
Wliat happened to the bill? Was it ever voted upon?
Mr. Allen. It was not passed. As I understand, it passed one
chamber and did not pass the other. I may be wrong on that.
In speaking of rent control — and I am speaking personally now
and not for the Authority — I was a member of the national committee
which drew up the report on rent control which was got out by the
National Housing Officials Association. I worked with that and
brought it up to the point where the final legislation was drawn.
A GOOD piece of LEGISLATION
I felt that our Authority ought to be interested in providing the
machinery by which this matter could be handled if and when neces-
sary. The Authority has not been a spearhead in the movement for
rent control in Connecticut, but we have thoroughly studied it and
we believe that the model act or the model bill, upon which the
Connecticut bill was based, was perfectly sound. It had been sub-
jected to a great deal of criticism from all over the country, pro and
con, and as a result I think it was a good piece of legislation.
I felt, furthermore — and this is a personal reaction — that serious
consideration should be given it, because I think it will come up before
a special session of the legislature at some time, together with the
reconsideration of the bill which was put into the legislature for the
formation of a State housing authority. Now, I won't go ahead on
the State housing authority because that is going to lead us off your
question, but I would like to say something about that later.
Mr. Curtis. You may proceed and state what you have in mind.
Mr. Allen. The eight local housing authorities in this State have
studied this question of the need of housing for Connecticut. As it is
today, there are only eight communities that enjoy housing authorities.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5335
EVERY COMMUNITY NEEDS AN AUTHORITY
We have felt, for the welfare of the State, that every community
should have the advantage of some official housing body. Under the
present State law a community under 10,000 cannot form a housing
authority, so that we felt what should be done was to form a State
liousing authority whose main function would be, first, to study the
State-wide needs, particularly with respect to defense at this time, and
later on with respect to recovery after the emergency, but primarily
to have in this State an agency through which all of the governmental
agencies could work.
As it is now, we have governmental agencies, and plenty of them,,
coming in and working direct. We feel that all should be cleared
through one State body. The local authorities have felt that it was
ratlier amiss not to pass that legislation, and we feel that if any special
session is called, those are two things which should have more or less
prior consideration in a program for such a special legislature:
First, rent control, and second, the enactment of a bill which would
allow the establishment of a State housing authority.
CONFUSION STEMMING FROM WASHINGTON
Mr. Curtis. Do you find that there is some confusion encountered
by local people, mayors and others, due to the fact that there are
several agencies in Washington that deal with housing?
Mr. Allen. I do, definitely.
Mr. Curtis. Some representative comes along and outlines his
proposition, and the next one who comes along has a different plan?
Mr. Allen. That is right.
Mr. Curtis. And the result is it upsets them — they do not know
which way to turn, or how to handle it?
Mr. Allen. That is right. We have had, I think, in a very short
period,' five or six surveys — so-called surveys — made by different
agencies coming in from Washington. They are perfectly all right.
We will assume they were not overlapping, though I think they were
overlapping to a certain extent. But the point I felt had been over-
looked was that after the surveys were made, the local housing
authorities were never given access to those figures. Those figures
are in Washington. We don't know, for instance, when the F. H. A.
makes a survey here, what the results of that survey or the conclusions
are, so it doesn't do us any immediate good.
Mr. Curtis. In other words, you are competitors?
Mr. Allen. Well, we are certainly competitors for information.
I would say that, Mr. Curtis.
Mr. Curtis. And for the building of projects, aren't you?
5336 HARTFORD HEARINGS ;
RENT STRUCTURE A QUESTION
Mr. Allen. I think there is a certain competition. Now, for
instance, we will have, as I presume, a 500-unit project, which will
be built by the F. W. A. in East Hartford. We have another project
of some 200 units down in the South Meadows, which will be built by
the F, S. A. We have this 1,000-unit defense-housing project out
here in the southwest corner of the town. Now, the question is,
w^hat is going to be the rent structure? Is East Hartford going to
compete with Hartford on rents, or is the South Meadows going to
compete? That is going to make a very undesirable and unsatis-
factory condition unless we can iron that out.
Now, I have written to the local coordinator asking him to send
somebody here and ge-t these three interested parties together and
let us work out a reconciled structure for those three.
That just shows one element of competition.
ALL TENANTS FROM SLUMS
Mr. Curtis. According to your paper, there are about 146 families
in Nelton Court and 134 in Dutch Point Colony, making a total of
approximately 280 families?
Mr. Allen. Yes, sir; that is right.
Mr. Curtis. That are already in your housing projects. Can you
tell us how many of those 280 families came from the slums — moved
from the slums?
Mr. Allen. All of them. I would say all came from substandard
dwellings, and for the most part those substandard dwelHngs were
located in the slums.
SCORING METHOD FOR HOUSES
Mr, Curtis. Do you have just one classification of substandard
dwellings?
Mr. Allen. No; we have a scoring method. We score each house.
Mr. Curtis. What is the score of the worst house that anybody
lives in?
Mr. Allen. It is possible to get a score of 120.
Mr. Curtis. Is that a good score?
Mr. Allen. That is a high score of substandard conditions.
Mr. Curtis. Now, what is the lowest score anybody ever gets?
Mr. Allen. Zero.
Mr. Curtis. Well, have you anybody living in zero houses?
Mr. Allen. You must understand that we go through a house and
we have about 18 items in which we break down the points of sub-
standard conditions. They are given a weight, say, of 10 points, or
5 points, so when you add up the total number of points that could
be given for substandard conditions, I think you could get a possible
120.
Now, the highest we have had is about 80.
Mr. Curtis. But you have had some that scored zero?
Mr. Allen. Zero means a perfectly good house.
Mr. Curtis. I thought you meant that was no good at all. Then
120 is a house that is very bad?
Mr. Allen. I don't know whether it would be a house at all.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5337
Mr. Curtis. Do you have any that would score 120?
Mr. Allen. It is a theoretical condition.
Air. Curtis. Do you have any 100-pomt houses?
Mr. Allen. Eighty is about the highest we have gone.
Mr. Curtis. Of these so-called slum houses in Hartford, how many
of them or what percentage of them, approximately, are scored 80?
Mr. Allen. Well, I wouldn't know how to answer that question.
We haven't had many that have been scored 80. I should say a very
small number.
MOST SUBSTANDARD HOUSES FROM 30 TO 50
Mr. Curtis. Have you had many that scored as much as 70?
Mr. Allen. Yes, we have had some in the 70's but most of them
fall between 30 and 50.
Mr. Curtis. How many of these 280 families that have moved in
your housing units, came from substandard homes that were scored
between 60 and 80?
Mr. Allen. I can't answer that, Mr. Congressman. I would have
to tabulate that for you. I can get you that figure, however,
Mr. Curtis. Would you care to make an estimate of it now?
Mr. Allen. I would be afraid to say.
Mr. Curtis. Will you get that information for us and submit it for
the record?
Mr. Allen. I will get it if you desire it.^
Mr. Curtis. Mr. Allen, I am interested in what you have had to
say about the apparent competition among various housing agencies
of the United States Government and the resulting confusion. In
conversation with your Governor last night, I understand that he
holds a similar view in regard to the situation. That is all, Mr.
Allen.
The Chairman. Mr. Allen, how would you score a house that had a
toilet that wouldn't flush and a bathtub that wouldn't drain?
Mr. Curtis. I would say that was a Washington hotel.
Mr. Allen. The functioning of the pieces of equipment is not so
important. What we want to know is whether the equipment is
there, and can it be used with a minor repair or a minor adjustment?
Now, if we find a bathtub that has a hole in the bottom of it, or if
we find there are not sufficient plumbing connections, or conditions
which would tend to make a permanent substandard condition, we
would score that equipment as really not available.
eligibility of tenant
The Chairman. Mr. Allen, what makes a man eligible to live in
one of these so-called defense project houses?
Mr. Allen. Well, he must first be a citizen of the United States.
Second, he must have had residence at least a year prior to the time
he has made application — residence in the city of Hartford. Third,
he must have an income which is within the limits set by the United
States Housing Act; in other words, he cannot be earning over five
times the rent; his net income cannot be over five times his rent for
the year. Fourth, he must live in a substandard home.
The Chairman. At the time he makes his application?
•See exhibit A, Analysis of Housing Scores, p. 5328.
5338 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Allen. Yes, at the time he makes his appHcation.^
Tlie Chairman. We had a case this morning of a man who has Uved
in Hartford since 1925. He is an American citizen and he has nine
chikh-en. One of his nine children is hving with his sister-in-hiw in
Willimantic. Eight of those children are now m the Municipal
Hospital, and he is paying $7.50 a week for each child, which runs over
$200 a month, and he is earning a little less than $200.
This man is working for the Colt Small Arms Manufacturing Co.
He has been notified he has to take the children out of the Municipal
Hospital; he is behind in his payments. He has been advised if he
doesn't take the children out, the authorities are going to commit them
to an orphan's home. If that is done the family is entirely broken up.
What can we do for a man in that situation?
SOME UNITS FOR LARGE FAMILIES
Mr. Allen. He would be eligible for a defense home, I should say,
Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Can he get one?
' The following con'espondence has been exchanged in clarification of the testimony as it appears above:
[Copy]
July 15, 1941.
Mr. Russell H. Allen,
Hartford Housing Authority, Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mk. Allen: It has come to my attention from the transcript of the record of the Hartford hearing
that in asking you the requirements for a defense dwelling, you in your answer evidently misunderstood my
question. The question and the answer as shown by the record are as follows:
" The Chairman. Mr. Allen, what makes a man eligible to live in one of these so-called defense project
houses?
" Mr. Allen. Well, he must first be a citizen of the United States. Second, he must have had residence
at least a year prior to the time he has made application— residence in the city of Hartford. Third, he must
have an income which is within the limits set by the United States Housing Act; in other words he caimot be
earning over five times the rent; his net income carmot be over five times his rent for the year. Fourth, he
must live in a substandard home."
If I am correct in assuming that the answer is not responsive to the question, I would appreciate your
dictating an answer to the question so that we may insert it into the record as a correction.
Let me take this opportunity of personally thanking you for the many courtesies extended to the staff of
the committee during the preparations for the hearing and for your time and eflorts in appearing before the
committee and offering your assistance.
Sincerely yours,
John H. Tolan; Chairman.
Housing Authority of the City of Hartford,
Hartford, Conn., July 17, 194t.
Mr. John H. Tolan,
Chairman, House Committee Investigating National Defense Migration,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Tolan: I have your letter of July 15 and appreciate very much your calling my attention to
the apparent inadvertancy of my answer to your question at the recent hearing which you had here in
Hartford. It is quite apparent that I misunderstood the import of your question. It is my recollection
that we were discussing both slum clearance and defense housing so that I presumed that your question was
directed to slum clearance rather than defense housing. The correct answer to your question would be that,
in order to be eligible for the defense homes in Hartford, the head of the applicant family must be a citizen
■of the United States and must be an employee of an industry essential to defense activities .
For your further information the local housing authority is adopting, tomorrow, the initial occupancy
preferences in placing the families in the defense homes. These preferences will be applied to the selection
of tenants as follows-
1. Applicant families who are now housed in low-rent projects in Hartford and are no longer eligible on
account of increased income.
2. Applicant families living in the Hartford area who are without any housing accommodations at all or
are about to be evicted for satisfactory reaasons.
3. Applicant families living in the Hartford area in substandard housing conditions.
4. Applicant families who are living in makeshift shelter (tents, shacks, trailers, etc.) in the Hartford
area.
5. Applicant families whose heads are commutmg over 25 miles from Hartford.
In the selection of families for admission to this project, there shall be no discrimination because of reli-
gious, political, personal, or other affiliations.
I trust that the above information will serve your pmposes and if there is any other item on which you
would like further information do not hesitate to call upon me.
Sincerely yoms,
(Signed) Russel H. Allen, Executive Secretary.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5339
Mr. Allen. I think so, assuming that he is in a defense industry
and that he can pay the rent, which I think lie can, on the basis of the
wages that you have indicated.
The Chairman. Do you think he can with nine children?
Mr. Allen. Well, we have a certain portion of this project where
seven and a half rooms can be provided for a family the size of his. It
all depends on the age and the sex of the children. If they are young
children or infants he could take care of it by putting in the master
bedroom a crib, and taking care of a child there. I would say ofl'hand
if that were a family with young children in it that we could probably
accommodate them in a seven-and-a-half-room house.
The Chairman. Their ages range from 3 to 14 years,
Mr. Allen. And it also depends on the sex. We are finding that
throughout the country the housing program has not provided, in
many cases, large enough units. In other words, a man with a large
family is up against it.
The Chairman. Well, we shall not take up our time any further
with this subject, except to ask whether you would have any objec-
tion to a member of our stajff talking to you about that particular
case.
Mr. Allen. I should be very happy to talk to one of your members.
The Chairman. Because it is just such a situation that has us very
much disturbed. It means the breaking up of a family, and when we
do that, we are striking at the morale of this country, and when we
strike at the morale of our country we strike at the national defense
of the country.
If you would give that case some attention the committee would be
very much pleased.
Mr. Allen. If you will give me the data as you have it — the name
and address — I will be very glad to go into it.^
NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS
The Chairman. How many applications have you on file, approxi-
mately, for houses?
Mr. Allen. Well, we have around 3,500. Some of those we have
placed and some have been found to be ineligible.
The Chairman. In the next week or two, if a member of our
committee staff would want to contact you about that individual
case, you will give him what information you can?
Mr. Allen. Certamly.
The Chairman. Because there might be some very valuable data
that you have that we could include in our report to Congress. You
would have no objection to our using that material, would you?
Mr. Allen. Not at all.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. Allen.
We will take a 5-minute recess.
[A recess was taken.]
The Chairman. The committee will please come to order.
Our next witness is Mr. William J. Ryan.
» See exhibit B, Reply re Case of William Pinault, p. 5329.
5340
HARTFORD HEARINGS
TESTIMONY OF WILLIAM J. RYAN, SUPERINTENDENT, DEPART-
MENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE, HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. Will you state for the record your name and
address and official title, and the organization you represent?
Mr. Ryan. William Joseph Ryan, Holcomb Street, Hartford, Conn. ;
superintendent of the department of public welfare.
The Chairman. You have submitted a statement that will be
included in the record, for which we thank you veiy much.
(The statement submitted by Mr. Ryan is as follows:)
STATEMENT BY WILLIAM J. RYAN, SUPERINTENDENT, HARTFORD
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE
On May 1, 1933, the outdoor aid relief case load hit its peak of 4,032 cases.
We must remember that during this time, there was no social security program
and no work relief program.
On July 9, 1937, our case load hit a low of 1,202 cases and then increased to
another peak load on March 22, 1939, of 2,563 cases.
In November 1940 we made an analysis of our case load and on May 2, 1941,
we made another analysis which I feel might be of interest to you.
May 2,
1941
November
1940
Case load
1,090
74
26
29
71
54
46
28
1 405
73
Neerops
do
24
Whites .
-. -. do
76
Suplementary cases (single and family)
Direct relief (single and family)
Family cases supplementing private employment
do._..
do.._.
do.—
43
29
We anticipate that our case load will continue to go down very gradually from
this time on until the aid to dependent children law goes into effect. When this
law goes into effect (and it was made a law at this last legislature), we anticipate
that possibly 200 will be transferred to this other form of public assistance.
Our case load on June 1, 1941, was 924. On June 1, we had a total of 52 male
persons available for employment. Of this number, 24 could do light work and
14 were aliens. The women available for employment on June 1, was 71 and out
of this number, 17 were aliens, and 11 were able to do light work.
In making the analysis in May 1941, the following figure may also be of interest
to you:
Percent of direct relief cases employable 8
Percent of direct relief cases employable excluding light work 5
Percent of unemployable cases 50
Percent of unemployable cases including light work 53
RENT QUESTION SERIOUS
We consider the rent question in Hartford to be very serious. In December
1940, with our case load about 1,306 cases, we estimated that 250 of our families
had some housing difficulty. In some instances where families have been evicted,
it has been necessary for members of the family to be separated and in some
instances children have been admitted to our municipal nursery because a tene-
ment could not be secured.
Recently, we had a study of one large district division which covers the south
end. Park Street area and the section south of Sheldon Street. As you may be
interested in the actual amount of rent on these cases I am giving you the following
list:
NATIONAL DP:FENSE MIC4RATT0N
5341
Monthly Rents — Continued. Amount
2 $29.00
Monthly Rents: Amount
1 $8.00
4 13.00
7 14.00
16 15.00
3 16.00
3 17.00
11 18.C0
1 19.25
8 19.50
15 20.00
1 21.00
9 . 22.00
1 23.00
3 24.00
6 10.00
8 12.00
1 24.50
13 25.00
1 20.50
3 26.00
3 27.00
6 28.00
You undarstar d, of course, that we are not payirg this amount of rent but
this is the amount the landlord expects from the client.
The situation of the Negro families on relief as far as housing is concerned is
very serious. Negro families, of course, are limited ir the areas in which
they can live, and many landlords state specifically they do not want Negro
families. Negro persons are also limited in securing employment, as many em-
ployers will not consider Negro help. We feel that when Bellevue Square is
opened the Negro housing situation should be relieved to some extent.
5
30 00
2
33. 00
3
35. 00
1
38 00
Room rents, weekly:
2. 00
1
2. 50
11
3. 00
2
3. 50
4
4. 00
12
5. 00
1.
5. 50
8
6. 00
1
6 50
3
7 00
1
9.50
1
10. 00
Room and board, weekly:
4. 50
4__ .
5. 00
1
8.00
LIST OF RENTALS
Below is an itemized list of rentals:
Number
of
rents
paid
Aver-
age
Amount
paid
Number
of
rents
paid
Aver-
Amount
paid
1940
1,450
1,525
1,570
1, 522
1,552
1,505
1,456
1,424
1,358
$13. 75
13.42
13.33
14.14
13.96
14. 22
13.99
14.29
14.15
$19, 931. 59
20,469.55
20, 933. 92
21, 525. 29
21,666.79
21,400.11
20, 372. 92
20,355.17
19, 221. 95
mo
October. ....
1,232
1,146
1,107
1,127
1,129
1,080
1.034
$14.21
14.60
14.57
14.78
15.05
14.94
15.22
$17,501.06
February
March
April
November
December
1941
January
February
March
April
16, 728. 01
16, 132. 35
May
16, 661. 24
16, 990. 62
16, 139. 82
15,809.20
June .-
July
August
September
INCREASES,
1940
Tenements (per
month)
Number
Tenements (per
month)
Number
Tenements (per
month)
Number
$6 to $10
1
4
2
6
1
4
3
10
4
1
3
2
6
8
4
$12 to $16.50
I
2
3
3
2
1
1
2
2
1
3
8
2
13
1
1
1
1
$6 to $15
$12 to $17
$16 50 to $20
,$5 to $10
$12 to $18 -. -
$8 to $10 -- ..
$12 to $20
$17 to $25
$8 to $13
$13 to $15
$8 to $15
.$8 to $16
$13 to $20
$18 to $22
.$8 to $20
$10 to $12
$14 to $18
$20 to $22
$10 to $13
$14 to $20
$10 to $14
$15 to $16
$20 to $25
$10 to $15
$15 to $17
$22 to $24
$10 to $16
$10 to $17
$15 to $19
$22 to $26
$10 to $18
$15 to $20 -
$10 to .$19
$15 to $23
$25 to $30
$12 to $14
$15 to $25
$8 to $12
$12 to $15
$15 to $26
Total.
$12 to $16
$16 to $17
137
5342
HARTFORD HEARINGS
INCREASES 1940, WEEKLY
Tenements (per week)
Number
Tenements (per week)
Number
Tenements (per week)
Number
$2 to $2.50
2
$3to$4
5
1
10
1
1
3
1
$6 to $6.50
$2to$3
$3 to $5
$2.50 to $2.75
$4 to $5
$6 to $8
1
$2.50 to $3
$4.50 to $6
0(»
$2.75 to $4.50
$5 to $6
$3 to $3.50
$5 50 to $6
INCREASES JANUARY TO JUNE
1941
Tenements (per
month)
Number
Tenements (per
month)
Number
Tenements (per
month)
Number
$3 to $10
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
2
6
1
1
1
2
1
3
5
4
$13 to $17
2
11
2
$20 to $25
2
$7 to $9
$14 to $15
$23 to $26
1
$8 to $13
$14 to $16
$28 to $30
1
$8 to $14.
$14 to $17
Total
$8 to $15
$15 to $17
8&
$8 to $16
$15 to $18
$9 to $12
$15 to $20
Tenements (per week)
$10 to $12
$15 to $22
Number
$10to$14
$15 to $23
$10 to $15
$15 to $25
$2 to $3
$10 to $16
$16 to $18
1
$10 to $17
$16 to $20
$2.50 to $3.50
1
$10 to $20
$17 to $19
.$2.75 to $3
1
$12 to $14.50
$17 to $23
$3 to $3.50
$3 to .$4 .
2
$12 to $15
$18 to $20
3
$12 to $16
$18 to $22
$3.50 to $4
1
$12 to $17
$18 to $23
$4 to $5
6
$12 to $18
$19 to $22
$5 to $6
2
Total
$13 to $15
$20 to $23
17
HARTFORD MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL
The following are statistics re the Hartford Municipal Hospital. Total hospital
capacity is 349 beds divided as follows:
Obstetrical beds (25 bassinets) 19
G. Y. N. beds 16
Pediatric beds (9 bassinets) 35
Medical beds 42
Neil ropsychiatric beds 11
Orthopedic beds 15
Surgical (including G. U. and E. E. N. and T.) beds 40
Communicable disease beds (including 24 on T B i^avilion) 65
Chronic and convalescent beds 72
The average number of prenatal cases attending our clinic in 1 month is 69.
The average number of maternity cases in 1 month is 36. Relative to free clinics
you will find listed below our out-patient clinic schedule.
Cardiology Wednesday, 8.
Dental extraction Daily, 8:30.
Dermatology Thursday, 8.
Diabetic Friday, 8.
P^ar, nose, throat Tuesday and Friday, 8.
Eye Monday and Thursday, 8.
General Monday through Fridav, 8 to 12;
Saturday, 8 to 10:30.'
Gynecology Tuesday and Thursday, 8.
Laboratory Daily, 8:30.
Luetic Tuesday and Thursday, 8.
Neuropsychiatric Wednesday by appointment, 8:30.
Orthopedic Wednesday and Saturday, 8:30.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5343
Prenatal Monday and Friday, 8:30.
Proctology Monday, 9.
Urology Friday, 8.
Pernicious anemia Wednesday, 1.
Tumor Third Saturday in month, 9.
Allergy Thursday, 8.
Vein Wednesday, 2.
Child gynecology By special appointment.
Pediatric Daily by appointment.
Dental prophylaxis Do.
Dental jfillings Do.
X-ray Do.
Physiotherapy Do.
Basal metabolism Do.
Medical Do.
Total number of food orders distributed shoiving merchandise net cost and average-order
net cost for a period of 9 years, Jan. 1, 1932, to Jan. 1, 1941, inclusive
Year
Number
of orders
Merchandise
net cost
Average
order net
cost
1932
115,728
149,109
124,781
151,241
88, 298
68,285
92, 266
86, 102
69, 404
$310,115.98
303, 335. 59
403, 793. 56
521,234.98
227,619.02
117,151.20
229,241.01
214,078.93
190,271.39
$2 67
1933 ..
2 03
1934
1935
3 45
1936
1937 .
2 59
1938
2 48
1939
1940
2 88
Total -
945, 214
2,576,841.66
Summary of food distribution for fiscal year Apr. 1, 1940, to Mar. 31, 1941, showing
total number of orders, merchandise net cost, and average-order net cost
Date
Number
of orders
Merchandise
net cost
Average
order net
cost
April
6,741
7,148
5.992
6,168
0,110
4,599
4,578
4,034
4,208
4,264
3,904
3,892
$18,923.29
20,232.95
17, 789. 90
17,723.84
16,492.96
12,281.47
12,204.04
11,576.05
12,106.90
12,664.52
11,799.63
11,933.56
$2.81
2 8$
May - .
July -
2 87
August - - . . - .
2 70
October ..
2 67
January
2 97
March
Total
61, 638
175,729.11
2 86
Attached is a chart showing increase and decrease of food distribution from
1932 to 1940, inclusive. Also attached is a comparative statement of general
relief cost for fiscal years 1940-41: 1938-39.
5344
HARTFORD HEARINGS
O 5
1^
U
i|
O m
K 2
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5345
Comparative statement of general relief cost for fiscal years 1940-41, 1939-40, 1938-39
GENERAL RELIEF
Home
relief
(local)
other
towns
Boarding
relief
cases
paid
Medical
material
relief
Medical
service
relief
Medical
relief
admin-
istration
Home
relief
adminis-
tration
Total
expended
Appro-
pria-
tiOQ
1940^1-
1939-40-
$421,403.09
441, 820. 71
$33, 232. 06 $39, 712. 96
58,100.591 38,709.00
$5, 390. 44
6, 240. 86
$26, 334. 59 $530, 979.
18,594.63 567,381.39
564,367.14
$559, 753
573,296
MUNICIPAL STORE
Food
Handling and
delivery
Administra-
tive
Total
expended
Appropria-
tion
1940-41
$193, 469. 47
217, 595. 33
$1, 924. 08
10, 374. 55
$4, 020. 55
2, 967. 20
$199,414.10
230, 937. 08
243, 507. 66
$201, 465
233, 766
1939-40
1938-39
MUNICIPAL CLOTHINQ CENTER
Clothing
Handling and
delivery
Administra-
tive
Total
expended
Appropria-
tion
1940-41
$21,201.39
22, 523. 97
$279. 41
178. 94
$2, 746. 22
2, 904. 68
$24, 227. 02
25, 607. 59
26, 074. 57
$24 490
27, 072
1938-39
MUNICIPAL SHELTER
Material
relief
Medical
relief
Trucking
and trans-
portation
Staff
mainte-
nance
Adminis-
trative
Total
expended
Appropria-
tion
1940-41
$21, 655. 15
19,992.45
$1, 830. 83
1,772.06
$3, 426. 50
2, 028. 76
$160.88
186. 05
$5, 300. 34
4, 099. 36
$32. 373. 70
28, 078. 68
28, 833. 60
$35, 413
32, 431
1938-39
SALARIES AND WAGES
Item
Amount
Total ex-
pended
Appropria-
tion
1H0-J,1
Administrative .. ..
$61, 424. 18
93,117.20
31, 663. 59
6, 252. 66
6,295.08
Municipal clothing center . .
Municipal shelter
TotaL
198, 752. 71
$198. 752. 71
$215,379
1939-^0
Administrative .
$65, 875. 36
82, 779. 33
33,131.99
6, 259. 99
7, 745. 54
Gener'il relief
Municipal clothing center . .
Total
195, 792. 21
195, 792. 21
200,680
5346 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Exhibit A. — Food Prices Paid by Hartford Department of Public Welfare
Listed below are the percentage of increases in the cost of commodities purchased
by the Hartford Department of Pubhc Welfare beginning with May 1940, and
ending June 30, 1941:
Percent
From May 1940 to June 1940 1. 03
From May 1940 to July 1940 4. 54
From May 1940 to August 1940 6. 36
From May 1940 to September 1940 5. 84
From May 1940 to October 1940 5. 81
From May 1940 to November 1940 5. 17
From May 1940 to December 1940 7. 03
From May 1940 to January 1941 7. 29
From May 1940 to February 1941 7. 19
From May 1940 to March 1941 8. 13
From May 1940 to April 1941 13. 49
From May 1940 to May 1941 16. 85
From May 1940 to June 1941 18. 49
The percentage of increased cost from May 1940 to June 1941, inclusive, is
18.49 percent.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5347
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5348 HARTFORD HEARINGS
TESTIMONY OF WILLIAM J. RYAN— Resumed
The Chairman. On the average, Mr. Rj'an, how much have rents
increased for your clients in Hartford ?
Mr. Ryan. In the statement which I have given you is shown ex-
actly the number of tenements and by how much the rents have in-
creased, but I do not have an average figure. They are shown
individually.
The Chairman. You couldn't strike an average for us?
JMr. Ryan. No, sir ; I would have to take one classification as a sample
and add that up. If you would like for me to do so, I shall.
The Chairman. One of the staff members will calculate that for us.
You wouldn't have the increase for Negro clients, Avould you, or is
tiiat included in this statement?^
Mr. Ryan. Yes, sir; that is in the statement. Negroes and whites
are not separated.
The Chairman. Have any of your clients been evicted because of in-
ability to pay the increased rent ?
Mr. Ryan. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. Have they been evicted despite the fact that your
agency agreed to pay the increased rent ?
Mr. Ryan. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. Has any been asked to move because of the size of
his family ?
Mr. Ryan. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. Do your investigators report many cases of over-
crowding among the low-income families?
Mr. Ryan. Yes, sir; quite a lot of that. In some instances families
were evicted and it was necessary for (he families to be separated. In
some instances children had to be admitted to the municipal nursery
because a tenement could not be secured.
additional facilities required
The Chairman. Mr. Arnold.
Mr. Arnold. If you were to care adequately for the health needs of
your clients what increase in facilities, hospitals, and so forth, would
be required?
Mr. Ryan. Well, we wouldn't need any increase in facilities relative
CO hospitals or clinics. We have a very splendid hospital and clinic
combined, and the families are absolutely taken care of, medically,
without any doubt whatsoever.
Mr. Arnold. Do you have enough funds adequately to provide for
your clients?
Mr. Ryan. Yes, sir.
increased cost of food orders
Mr. Arnold. The committee is interested in knowing the increase in
the averaere cost of food orders.
> The average rent paid by a little more than 1,000 tenants in the lower rental areas of
Hartford during the first 4 months of 1941 was $14.09 per month, as compared with an
averai-'e figure paid by a little more than 1,500 tenants in the corresponding period of 1940
of .$1.3.66 per month. The increase in rental on this basis of comparison is an average of
$1.33, or 9.8 percent of the earlier 4-monTh average. Further discussion of "average" rent
increases appears in the statement submitted by Mr. Ben Abrams. (See p. 5379.)
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5349
Mr. Ryan. Well, I can quote from our own experience on that. Tak-
ing- into consideration the wholesale prices of food going to our insti-
tutions, we have been able to make these comparisons : On meats, butter,
coffee, eggs, and milk and cream, in one period of time it has increased
15.4 percent; on canned fruits it has increased 24 percent.
Mr. Aknold. That is for what period of time ?
Mr. Ryan. April of 1940 as compared to April of 1941.
Mr. Ar>old. Could you submit for tlie record the comparison be-
tween 1940 and thus far in 1941, a month-by-month record of the
prices paid for basic food items that you purchase for distribution ?
Mr. Ryan. Yes, sir.
Mr. Arnold. You don't have that with you ?
Mr. Ryan. No, sir.
Mr. Arnold. But you can also send that to the committee?
Mr. Ryan, Yes, sir.
Mr. Arnold. The committee would like to have that.
[The comparison of figures referred to above was received subsequent
to the liearing, and was incorporated into the record as Exhibit A.
p. 5346.]
ON THE PINAULT CASE
Mr. Curtis. Were you here when Mr. Pinault and his family testi-
fied?
Mr. Ryan. No, sir.
Mr. Curtis. Are you familiar with the case ?
Mr. Ryan. Yes, sir.
Mr. Curtis. Briefly tell us about that case.
Mr. Ryan. This family is comprised of two adults and nine children :
A girl, age 3 ; twins, age 5 ; a boy, 6 ; a girl, 8 ; a boy, 9 ; a boy, 10 ; a boy,
12; and a girl, 14.
While we were carrying the case, the family received an eviction
notice, but the case was closed by us on April 21, 1941, as the hus-
band's earnings were sufficient to meet the needs of the family.
He was employed in a local factory. Before the family went off
relief we attempted to find them a pLace but were not successful in
making any plans for them.
On April 25 it was necessary to send one of our workers to the
home as the sheriff was there and had the furniture put on the
street. Newspaper photographers and I'eporters from the Hartford
Times were there and there was published in the Times on April
25 the reason for this eviction which was that the landlord did not
want so many children living in the tenement.
We were able to make the following plans for the family: Mr.
Pinault and his wife secured a furnished room ; eight of the children
were taken to the municipal nursery; and the eldest girl went to
stay with an uncle in Willimantic. Up to date the family has been
unable to secure a tenement. The eight children are still at tlie
municipal nursery and Mr. and Mrs. Pinault are living in a fur-
nished room.
PLACEMENT IN MUNICIPAL NURSERY
Mr. Curtis. Now, the placing of these children in the municipal
nursery was in no sense punishment inflicted upon the family? It
was merely a kindness because they had been evicted ?
60396— 41— pt. 13 22
5350 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Rtan. Yes, sir; that is correct.
Mr. Curtis. Wliat does it cost to keep a child there ?
Mr. Ryan. Well, I should say it costs us approximately $7 a week;
we are only charging him $2.50 a week.
Mr. Curtis. Per child ?
Mr. Ryan. Yes, sir.
Mr. Curtis. And there are eight of them ?
Mr. Ryan. Yes, sir.
Mr. Curtis. That is $20 a week?
Mr. Ryan. That is right.
Mr. Curtis. Do you know what his earnings are ?
Mr. Ryan. Between $35 and $40, which has been verified.
Mr. Curtis. And he gets housing and food and play supervision
and all of that for eight children for $20 a week ?
Mr. Ryan. That is right, for which he hasn't paid anything as yet.
Mr. Curtis. Has the cost of this been explained to them ?
Mr. Ryan. Yes, sir. I checked this up just before I left. I under-
stood that he has not paid anything, and the price agreed on was
"$2.50.
Mr. Curtis. Wlien was the price discussed ?
Mr. Ryan. When they first went in there.
Mr. Curtis. With Mr. or Mrs. Pinault?
Mr. Ryan. I couldn't say that. Our worker discussed the problem
•with both of them.
Mr. Curtis. That would make $80 plus a month ?
Mr. Ryan. Yes, sir.
Mr. Curtis. And he would have, after he paid that, $100 a month
ior himself and wife?
Mr. Ryan. That is right.
Mr. Curtis. Do you know what he is paying for that one room ?
Mr. Ryan. No ; I do not. I know he is running an automobile, and
:Sunday he was down to the shore with his wife in the automobile.
nursery privileges
Mr. Curtis. The mother can visit the children at the municipal
nursery ?
Mr. Ryan. Yes, sir.
Mr. Curtis. And he can, too, when he is not working?
Mr. Ryan. Yes, sir.
Mr. Curtis. Are the older children required to work any there ?
Mr. Ryan. Oh, no.
Mr. Curtis. And when school starts can they attend school from
there ?
Mr. Ryan. Yes, sir.
Mr. Arnold. Do you force them to attend school ?
Mr. Ryan. I can't answer correctly ; but if they are in school we are
not going to take them out of school, I know that. We would even see
to it that they had transportation if there were no funds available,
but in this instance there are funds available.
Mr. Curtis. Who provides clothing for them?
Mr. Ryan. There is no question of clothing that has arisen as yet.
At the present moment they have enough clothing.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5351
Mr. Curtis. Mr. Pinault referred the committee to a letter that he
received, to the effect that he must pay up or they could not keep the
-children any longer.
Mr. Ryan. That is just one of those routine matters that happens,
and undoubtedly Tve have to get after the people to see that they do
Mr. Curtis. We are very glad to have your statement because it
clears up the situation considerably. I was under the impression, from
the chairman's questioning of Mr. Pinault, that he was expected to
pay in the neighborhood of $200 a month, when he wasn't making
that much.
Mr. Etan. Instead of that it is $2.50 a week per child, $20 a week
total.
KENT ON parents' ROOM
Mr. Curtis. Now, from your general knowledge of the situation here
in Hartford, what do you think Mr. Pinault and his wife would have
to pay for the room they are occupying?
Mr. Ryan. I should say tops would be $5 a week — that is, with
light-housekeeping privileges. Those rooms run anywhere from $2
to $10, The average is about $5.
Mr. Curtis. I think the Pinaults testified that they were supposed
to pay $7.25 or $7.50 per child per week ?
Mr. Ryan. That is not so.
Mr. Curtis. I thank you very much for clearing this matter up
because it occurs to me that the treatment has been very fair under
the circumstances, and from the standpoint of the municipal nursery
I think it has also been fair.
OTHER CHILD CARE CASES
Mr. Ryan. We have had the case of a fireman who had 10 chil-
dren and couldn't find any place for them, and we took the chil-
dren up there, and since then the fireman has got a place for them
and they are in it, but we had his children while he was looking for
a place to live. I believe we have 3 families now. Pinault is
not the only one.
Mr. Curtis. I think your treatment has been very fair.
Mr. Arnold. In the case of the fireman, did he have to pay foi
the keeping of his children ?
Mr. Ryan. Yes, sir.
Mr. Arnold. $2.50 a week for each child?
Mr. Ryan. I couldn't answer your question. I did not check that
up. The price is ordinarily $5 a week if they can pay it. We don't
force th^n to pay. They can pay that over a period of years if
necessary. We do not want to deprive the children of the proper
nourishment that they should receive. We do not force anybody
to pay, or they may pay a small amount. All we ask is that they
:show good faith.
Mr. Arnold. Does Pinault have settlement here in Hartford?
Mr. Ryan, Pinault has not a settlement in Hartford.
Mr. Arnold. There is a dispute about that?
Mr. Ryan. Xo; there is no dispute. They have accepted it.
5352 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Arnold. If he had settlement here, what would be the charge
for the children ?
Mr. Ryan. The charge would be the same if he could afford it.
We just made tl>at as a charge temporarily, trying to help the family
out temporarily.
Mr. Arnold. Is this a case where he could pay and won't pay?
Mr. Ryan. That is right. He could pay that amount all right.
PROBLEM OF HOUSE HUNTING
Mr. Arnold. He testified here that if he wasn't out looking for a
home he could earn as high as $60 a week by working overtime.
Mr. Ryan. Couldn't his wife go looking for a house? Couldn't
they obtain a home in the suburbs with that income? I thmk they
could.
Mr. Arnold. Well, he testified that yesterday he drove over 100
miles looking for some place to live. He didn't say whether his
wife could drive a car or not.
The Chairman. Mr. Ryan, is that a fluctuating charge or a var-
iable charge per child per week? Or is it the standard charge?
Mr. Ryan. Mr. Chairman, the standard price is $5 a week, but we
thought we would do liim a favor in this emergency until he could
become self-supporting. We said we would make the charge small
on account of the size of his family. We told him we would charge
$2.50 per week per child.
The Chairman. Did you examine the books this morning to see
what the total charge is for those children ?
Mr. Ryan. No; the person that told me was the chief clerk.
The Chairman. I don't dispute you, Mr. Ryan, but I would like
to have an investigator check this information for us.
Mr. Ryan. They can check with our bookkeeper any time. The
books are always available to you.
Mr. x\rnold. If he hadn't paid anything he wouldn't have any
receipts ?
Mr. Ryan. No.
Mr. Arnold. I understood he had some receipts with respect to his
salary — the reduced salary that he had been drawing because of
looking for a home. He said something about receipts.
Mr, Curtis. I think that is what he said.
Mr. Ryan. He hasn't paid anything as yet, so I am told.
NURSERY CASE LOAD INCREASING
The Chairman. Mr. Ryan, is your case load increasing?
Mr. Ryan. No, sir.
The Chairman. At the municipal nursery?
Mr. Ryan. In the municipal nursery, yes, sir; it is. I have a
figure here on that. We have 35 there now, as compared to 23 a
year ago.
The Chairman. Is there anything else ?
Dr. Lamb. I would like to ask a question: That increased load,
I take it, is a direct result of the evictions and rent problems?
Mr. Ryan. That is richt.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5353
Dr. Lamb. So that in a sense the municipal nursery has a direct
interest in the question of good avaihible quartei-s? The tightness
of the housing situation is directly related to the increased burden of
the welfare department i
Mr. Ryan. That is right.
Dr. Lamb. Your experience in general would be that the large
family, either in Hartford proper or in the environs, has a difficult
time finding quarters?
Mr. Ryan. There is no question about it.
Dr. Lamb. So that a family of this size, say nine, might encounter
•considerable resistance on the part of landlords?
Mr. Ryan. Yes, sir.
Dr. Lamb. Without reference to the good faith and intention of
the family in question?
Mr. Ryan. No.
Dr. Lamb. Any family of that size would encounter this difficulty ?
Mr. Ryan. That is right.
COOPERATING AGENCIES
Dr. Lamb. What local agencies are there with which you co-
operate in an attempt to place these people ? I should think it would
be to your direct interest to try to get placement for them in order
to get tliem off the public charge.
Mr. Ryan. The chamber of commerce is one. Mr. Buel is here,
I believe. Then there are other agencies that we cooperate with,
like the family-service division. We did have a rent schedule — a
schedule of different rents available — but we have none today.
Dr. Lamb. In other words the vacancies are practically zero?
Mr. Ryan. That is right — for any family.
Dr. Lamb. For any family with children?
Mr. Ryan. That is right.
Dr. Lamb. Does that greatly complicate the work of your agency?
Mr. Ryan. It does. We have quite a problem.
Dr. Lamb. That is all.
The Chaikman. We thank you very much, Mr. Ryan.
WOULD FREEZE SETTLEMENT STATUS
Mr. Ryan. May I add one statement on this migration for the
defense program?
The people coming in here, if they are ^oing to stay any length
of time, are going to gain a settlement while they are self-support-
ing. Immediately on the closing up of the defense program, these
people will be thrown out of work, and on the community. I think
that it would be a good idea if, during this period, people coming
in here from other communities did not lose their settlement there,
and did not gain one here, so that in the end we could send them
back to the place from which they came.
Dr. Lamb. At the National Conference of Social Workei*s some
weeks ago, that question was discussed by a representative of the
State of New York who, working under the commission, has been
directly concerned. Mr. Glen Jackson was appointed to make such
5354 HARTFORD HEARINGS ^
a study of settlement problems. He found that communities which
gained in population in New York State had a double gain, and
that communities which lost in population had a double loss, be-
cause the coimnunities gaining in population were simultaneously
gaining in the number of people whom they did ship back, conse-
quently they were shifting burdens to the declining communities
of the welfare care of those people on the basis of settlement and
transportation.
I take it that your proposal would rivet that situation, so that if
Hartford gains by the work of these people at the present time, the
communities which have lost their work and consequently their ex-
panding economic activities in the community would subsequently
have to bear the burden of their settlement despite the fact they
did not have the advantage of their work in this period, and, conse-
quently, they would be in a worse position.
FOUR-YEAR SETTLEMENT RULE
Mr. Ryan. In the community which they leave there is no sucli
problem as welfare today. It is down to a very minimum basisy
whereby only the chronics are on relief.
Dr. Lamb. But that is also true of the public welfare rolls.
Mr. Ryan. Yes; and I don't see where they are suffering any by
the people moving out.
Dr. Lamb. But they will suffer if and when the people are shipped
back. You state that a period of 4 years would have elapsed before
they could gain settlement here.
Mr. Ryan. That is right.
Dr. Lamb. Because that is already the law?
Mr. Ryan. That is right.
Dr. Lamb. And yet, after 4 years of work in Hartford, Hartford
would find itself not responsible for the care of those people, and
the community which had not had any benefit from them for 4 years
would find itself responsible.
Mr. Ryan. I cannot see where any community can take care of the
situation when this program is over.
A FEDERAL PROBLEM
Dr. Lamb. What I am getting at is, isn't it a Federal problem?
Mr. Ryan. It is a Federal problem, yes.
Dr. Lamb. In so far as it is a Federal problem, why make it a local
burden to the communities that had no benefits from the defense
program ?
Mr. Ryan. The Federal Government should certainly help those
communities if they are going to have a terrific burden placed on
them, but it is centralized in certain communities, this influx.
Dr. Lamb. Yes.
Mr. Ryan. Now, can't these other communities throughout the-
United States share these people, so it wouldn't be so much of a
burden in any one locality ?
Mr. Curtis. I come from a State — the State of Nebraska — which
has no defense industries. We are finding that the State is being
drained of skilled mechanics. Our high school and college graduates
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5355
are going away. We are losing a great block of the more capable
people from every community. It means the local businesses and
the local doctors and dentists and druggists and so on are losing
their choicest customers; rental values are going down; the com-
munity income is gone. We are approaching a population of old
people and young people who are unable to work very much.
I am not quite in harmony with either the statement of yourself
or the viewpoint expressed by Dr. Lamb, because in the final analysis,
in the payment of taxes all people share pretty much alike. Business
has to pass those taxes on, or it just can't exist. These people back
in the interior of the counti^ are taking this loss, while receiving
no income from the national defense program ; but they will be taxed
to pay their just sliare of it, and then in turn, if it becomes a Federal
problem, they will again be taxed to take care of the burden after-
ward.
The centralization of the defense industries is having a marked
effect upon shifts of populations and the after-effects of it, and I
don't know just what the answer is; but you are operating under a
mistaken idea when you are thinking that the State or community
which has no defense industry is not suffering a burden. They are
losing some of iheir most capable producers of wealth, as well as the
general run of business, which is dropping down and down.
WOULD DIVIDE BURDEN
Mr. Ryan. I do not want to take any more of your time than I
have, but I should like to say that I am only referring to those who
apply for relief. But a good many are leaving — each city, each
town, each village — and they are leaving the State to go into some
line of industry. Now, I don't believe that very many of those
people are going to apply for relief — not the majority. The mi-
nority will apply for relief. Now, the ones who will apply for
relief only are the ones to be taken care of. One or two in each
city or town or village in Nebraska wouldn't hurt, but all of them
in one place is going to cause a terrific calamity, in my estimation.
Mr. Curtis, But for a State that has not shared in the defense pro-
gram to receive all these people again after their productive years are
over is not necessarily a just solution either.
Mr. Ryan. Will 4 years mean the end of their productive capacity?
Mr. Curtis. Not necessarily. I don't know how long this thing-
is going to last. We are building power projects for the defense
program which are not expected to be completed in less than 5
years.
That is all, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. Ryan.
Our next witness is Mayor McLevy, of Bridgeport.
TESTIMONY OF HON. JASPER McLEVY, MAYOR OF BRIDGEPORT,
CONN.
The Chairman. Mayor McLevy, we appreciate very much your
coming here this morning. Your statement will be entered as a.
part of the record.
5356 HARTFORD HEARINGS
(The statement referred to is as follows:)
STATEMENT BY HON. JASPER McLEVY, MAYOR OF BRIDGEPORT, CONN.
In discussing the defense program as it affects the city of Bridgeport there
are many vital features that must be given serious consideration.
The city is one of the leading munitions centers in the nation, as well as a
center of airplane, aluminum, and machine tool industries, together with vari-
ous other industries that play a vital part in almost everything connected with
the national defense program. The brass indu.stry with its many ramifications
and the General Electric Co. with its manifold activities, are both a part of
Bridgeport's manafacturing set-up. The expanding of all these industries into
the national defense program has thrown enormous and extraordinary responsi-
bilities, both social and financial, into our municipal government.
No one is foolhardy enough to believe that the city itself can possibly hoije to
cope with these .ibnormal conditions.
Housing conditions alone are a challenge, not alone to the municipal agencies
whose duties are to safeguard the health and well being of the people engaged
in the defense program of Bridgeport, but a challenge also to the Federal
Government as well. Faced as we were with a housing shortage even before
the defense program started, one can well realize what the addition of from
15,000 to 25,000 people means in the space of a comparatively few months.
OVEKCKOWDING A THREAT TO HEALTH
Tlie shortage of adequate housing facilities is a cause of real concern, not
only because there is not sufficient housing available for the people who desire
to locate here at present, but also because the overcrowded conditions that now
exist are a threat to the continuance of the excellent record of public health
service of which our city has long boasted. Overcrowding is itse'f dangerous
because it breaks down the ordinary standards that are required to maintain
I)eople in good physical and mental condition and opens the possibility for some
kind of a health menace to secure a foothold which could do infinite damage
to the city itself and to the industries where manpower is vitally necessary
at the present time.
Much progress is being made toward the solution of overcrowding through the
Federal housing projects that are now being carried on in our city and through
the widespread housing developments undertaken by private initiative. But
this very progress has in itself in turn added other problems that are not
quite so easily solved. It has driven home the absolute necessity of providing
sewer facilities to tako care of these widely expanding home and industrial
programs.
Bridgeport has miles of magnificent bathing beaches that have been open
to the people, not only of our city, but to the people of the State, and even
to the those outside of the State, for many years. Thousands of people flock
to these beaches each summer. Now, however, we are confronted with the
problem of properly safeguarding the health of those who enjoy bathing at
these unusually beautiful sandy stretches of beach. In order to do this, it is
necessary that proper sewage treatment plants be constructed at the earliest
possible moment. We are today engaged in building the Bostwick Avenue
plant to take care of abnormal conditions, but this plant should be completed
much sooner than now contemplated ; however, its completion is beyond our
financial ability at the present tinae.
BATHING BEACHES AFFECTED
There are many sewers emptying into our local harbor, both of an industrial
and a domestic nature, that must be picked up by large interceptors and
carried to a treatment plant. This is on the west side of the city. This threat
affects the bathing beaches of the city itself, also those of Fairfield and other
localities to the west. It is therefore a problem, not only local, but one that
affects an extremely wide area, and one that has been recognized by the State
department of health and by the State water commission, both of which ag'encies
are insistent that we remedy this dangerous condition of pollution.
Therefore, it becomes necessary for us to apply to the Federal Government
for help in conditions over which we have absolutely no control and which are
intensified by the defense program of the National Government.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5357
On the east side of the city where we have the great munition plants and
the large housing developments, there is no sewage treatment plant at the
present moment, and this has brought about a situation that is just as serious,
and in some respects more serious, than that which prevails in the western
section of Bridgeport.
Steps must be taken to inaugurate a program to pick up these individual
sewers that empty into the harbor, and to protect the bathing beaches at
Pleasure Beach at the east and other points on the shore.
It is difficult to put into words the seriousness of this situation. It could
only be appreciated by a personal investigation by someone intrusted with the
responsibility of carrying on the defense program of the country. Certainly,
when tlie health and the well-being of defense workers are in jeopardy, we
are not carrying on the best kind of a program for the defense of the Nation.
Nothing can weaken this program as seriously as the breaking down of the
health or the morale of the people who are necessary to carry on the program
to the liighest degree of efficiency.
When it is considered that the development of the defense program has added
many vital responsibilities to the nninicipal government for which no adequate
financial set-up could be provided (because the municipality had no way of
knowing how far-reaching the program of the Federal Government would
extend in its relation to the industrial activities of the city and its environs)
it would seem that the sooner the Federal Government recognizes these condi-
tions, the better it will be for everyone upon whom the responsibilitiy of the
defense program rests.
PROGRAM TO SAFEGUARD PHX)PLE
It might be said here that what is occurring in Bridgeport in the way of
expanding municipal facilities was being prepared for as far back as 1934.
It may also be said that comparatively recently, we have planned more definitely
in detail what our part is, and may be, in the national defense.
Under the direction of our superintendent of police and in conjunction with
our fire department and other departments, there has been worked out a com-
prehensive program to .safeguard the people and the industries of Bridgeport
against any emergency that may arise. We are not waiting for some sudden
emergency to plunge us into hysteria and extravagant expense; on the other
hand, we are trying to prepare for possible eventualities.
As a part of this program our public works department has laid many miles
of new sewers, new pavements, and new roads with connecting highway from
these arteries into the heart of the city.
We acquired several years ago a municipal airport upon which we have
spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of our own funds in its development
into what will, we trust, before many months, be one of the Nation's real
defense airports.
In view of the long-range plan that for the past several years has included
the development of this airport, the laying out of new streets and roads and
reconditioning of main highways, the outright purchase and municipal operation
of Pleasure Beach as a summer resort free to the public, the development of
golf courses that are among the best municipal courses in the country, the huge
Federal and privately financed home-building programs, the constant improve-
ment of our educational and health activities, it might be expected that our
bonded debt and tax rate would have reached huge proportions. However,
our plan has been, and still i.s, toward debt reduction. Up to this time we
have progressively each year reduced the large amount of outstanding bonds
which for many years have required large items in our budget for their
carrying charges.
However, Bridgeport certainly cannot continue to carry on in the future as it
has in the past, unless the Federal Government is willing to cooperate with
us in the huge outlays necessary in many of our departments solely because of
our added population of defense workers and in other departments because of
these departments' direct and indirect participation in national defense.
Because of Bridgeport's preparation for the very program that the Federal
Government is putting into operation we ahso feel that we are entitled to con-
sideration on the part of the Government in financing to some extent at least
the vitally necessary parts of our share in national defense.
^358 HARTFORD HP^ARINGS
TESTIMONY OF MAYOE McLEVY— Resumed
The Chairman. Will you briefly summarize what your problems in
Bridgeport are in connection with this defense effort?
Mayor McLevy. Well, of course, listening to what the others have
said, I would describe our problem as practically the same in many
respects.
So far as the housing i« concerned, we have an acute problem, and we
have had it now for quite a few months — since last summer. We
didn't have adequate housing even before this defense program
started, but now, the addition of from 15,000 to 25,000 in popula-
tion in that brief space of time has created a real housing shortage.
Some mistakes were made even in this slum clearance or substandard-
housing program in the beginning, inasmuch as it didn't provide for
enough of the larger families — that is room for the larger families.
That is the real problem at the present time.
It seems that everyone who is interested in getting more income
-wants to get the larger families out, and there isn't anyone who
wants to take them in.
That is true of the whites, and of course with the Negroes it is a
serious problem. We are having considerable difficulty in trying
to find places for the larger families.
MORE LEEWAY NEEDED
At the beginning of the defense program I endeavored to get the
United States Housing Authority to change one of the substandard
clearance projects. We have two large ones down there. I tried to
get the Housing Authority to change the project to a defense project
so that we could have a little more leeway.
Now, for instance, we have had a family down here that was
•evicted a couple of weeks ago. There were eight children. The
family budget was too large to make them eligible for the substand-
ard housing project, so the result was that we couldn't find any place
for them, although we did keep them where they were for about 6
weeks.
Now, if one of those substandard projects had been a defense proj-
ect, we probably could have temporarily got them in one of those
places to tide them ever the emergency, but we couldn't do anything
of that kind even if they had happened to have been qualified. The
place that they were then living in wasn't a substandard place.
These restrictions just keep us tied up so that we can't solve some
of these problems.
I think personally at the present time there has got to be some
modification of that whole program. Even if the people who are
today living in these substandard projects were all now gone over
'Carefully, and you rigidly observed the regulations, you would have
to throw them out. When they went in they were eligible, but since
then the industrial condition has improved and in many instances
not only the head of the family is making more, but the wife goes
to work, and sometimes some of the children go to work.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5359
There isn't .mything you can do about it at the present time be-
cause if you threw them out there isn't any other place to put them.
But it does create a bad situation, because other people who are eligi-
ble and are on the waiting list naturally have a just complaint.
TENT COLONIES IMPRACTICAL
Mr. Curtis Mr. Mayor, would the situation have been relieved
materially in Connecticut if the Army would have come in in the
spring, and for 5 or 6 or 7 months set up tent colonies, together with
the ordinary facilities, just as they might take care of an army?
I mean would not such facilities for these defense workers help mate-
rially in relieving the situation during this period when they are
building these defense and slum clearance houses?
Mayor McLevy. I don't think so. I don't think you can do it as
.a practical proposition in this section of the country. In the first
place you have got to have proper sanitation. Three days ago the
heat was terrific, and then there is a sudden change and it becomes
very cold. I am not talking about people in army life. You can
provide for them, but when you have got children to consider, and
when you have people who are not used to that kind of life, I think
it would be extremely dangerous.
Mr. Curtis. I am glad to have your reaction to that.
Mayor McLevt. And so, as I say, that is a real situation that we
;are facing — that the people who were substandard a year ago are
now working, find in many cases two in a family are working; but
that doesn't solve the housing problem because others are coming
into the city by the thousands. They are coming from places like
Pennsylvania, and in fact all the way up through the New England
States and other places.
GOVERNMENT HOUSING IN LAST WAR
This experience in Bridgeport is not a new one. In the last war
Bridgeport was a defense city, and the population jumped, I think,
from somewhere around 115,000 or 120,000 to more than 180,000, and
then when the war was over it dropped back again to about 130,000
and it has remained there practically ever since, until this defense
program started.
Mr. Curtis. How was the housing problem handled then?
Mayor McLevy. The Government stepped in and built four or
five projects. They were a credit to the Government. I wish they
would do the same thing now.
Mr. Curtis. What agency of the Government built them?
Mayor McLevy. I couldn't tell you just what agency — the War
Department^ or some agency. But they built two or three projects,
and if you had the time to go down and look over the projects they
built during the last war you would see what I mean.
Some of the houses after the war were bought by the Bridgeport
Housing Authority. Many were bought by individuals and they
have kept up the tone of the city. They are all a real credit to the
city of Bridgeport.
5360 HARTFORD HEARINGS
It was because of those projects that I opposed this barracks type
of defense housing. I think if they were buik on the single-family
order, the duplex type, so that they would not be a burden to the
community afterward, because enough of those people are going to
remain in Bridgeport to absorb the additional housing that will take
place.
NOT CON\TRTIBLE
But when you just simply build — when you build 500 or 600 units
with one central heating plant, there isn't anybody who can put
them to use except the Government. Eitlier the Government must
keep on maintaining them, as a substandard project, or else some
large real-estate developer must get control, because it isn't practical
for individuals, in my opinion, ever to own those things.
Furthermore, single houses or duplex houses keep up the tone of
the particular neighborhood in which they are built, and that is why
we have zoning regulations, to try to keep these things up.
I feel personally that we have not only to think of this as an
immediate problem, but what the reaction is going to be in the com-
munities in which this expansion is going on after all this is over..
And based upon Bridgejjort's experience in the last war, I think that
if they followed the same procedure so far as defense housing is con-
cerned— this time — perhaps not quite so elaborate because they prob-
ably did put a little too much money into them — the city wouldn't
suffer so much afterward.
GOVERNMENT TOOK BIG LOSS
Mr. Arnold. Mr. Mayor, did the Government take a pretty big
loss on the homes ?
Mayor McLevt. Yes, it took a big loss. But I feel this time if it
built single houses or duplex houses, the Government wouldn't have
to take any loss because an amortization plan could be worked out
under which they could be disposed of to the people afterward.
The Chairman. Maybe the people wouldn't have work, and there-
fore no income, and couldn't buy the properties.
Mayor McLevy. Perhaps they wouldn't have work. A lot of people
think this is going to last forever. I don't, because that is what we
thought in Bridgeport once before, and tliat is the reason they took
a terrific licking. All we can go bv is experience.
But I feel that there will be a sufficient number of people who will be
able to carry those houses — that is, if there are not too many of them.
You see, at the present time we have two large slum-clearance
projects, which doubled the capacity of particular sections of the
city. Then you have one defense project of 600, and another of 1,600
in Bridgeport and the two towns right around it.
The Chairman. Being built now ?
Mayor McLevy. The substandard projects are nearing completion.
The 600-unit project is moving rapidly and the others are getting
ready to make a start.
The Chairman. Are those to be single units or duplex houses?
Mayor McLevy. They are supposed to be single and duplex, this
last 1,600, but it adds to the problem of the community.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5361
PROBLEM OF SANITATION
Sanitation is our real problem at the present time, outside of the
liousing problem, because you have got to build sewage disposal plants
and you have got to extend your sewer systems.
The Chairman. Does the city expect to do that work?
Mayor McLevy. I don't see how the city can do it — that is, carry
the whole load.
The Chairman. Mv. Mayor, there isn't anything in the situation of
your community that is a bit different from the defense centers
throughout tlie United States.
The committee just came from San Diego, and from here we will
go to Trenton and Baltimore. We have found, like yourself, that
it is just impossible for the local communities to carry the whole
load, to take care of the needed facilities of fire protection, police
protection, and sanitation. They just can't do it, can they?
Mayor McLevt. No, it cannot be done. It is impossible.
The Chairman. You are limited by law in what you can do ? You
have your debt limitations?
draft taking needed employees
Mayor McLevt. We are limited by everything. We are restrained
by our charter; we are restrained by legislative acts; we are re-
strained in many ways so that we can only go just so far; and yet
this additional burden is thrown on us now, and at the present time
they are taking our young men out of the police and fire departments
in the draft. Yet if there ever was a time when we needed men in
our police and fire departments, it is right now.
We have got to add others to the departments to take their places,
and still we are carrying these loads, so you see the whole thing is a
cycle. It increases enormously the expenses of the community, and
then after it is over you have got, as Mr. Ryan says, tremendous
responsibilities in carrying these people. When all this defense pro-
gram sto}>s. even tljough the Government does contemplate doing
sometliing about it, there is so much work to go through in Congress
that we would all be starving to death if the community didn't pick
it up, whether it is financially able to do so or not.
Care must be given these people right in the community in which
these things are being carried on. If the defense program should
stop, thousands of people would be thrown out of work, and the
community must take care of them. It even must take care of people
who haven't gained residence until some provision is made to get them
■out of town.
The Chairman. Is there anything else, Mr. Mayor, that you wish
to state?
NEED more schools
Mayor McLevy. We will probably need a number of additional
:schooIhouses. All those things dovetail together. Our housing
problem is serious now, but our health problem is just as serious, and
you have got to provide proper sanitation to take care of these thou-
.sands of people, because if any kind of epidemic should start in one
5362 HARTFORD HEARINGS
of these defense industries, all the armies in the world don't mean;
anything. That would do more to destroy the morale of the country
than anything else ; and I think special emphasis should be given to
that.
That is my candid opinion, and I sincerely hope that you will use
your influence in Washington to try to get the regulations on these
slum-clearance projects modified so there may be some flexibility
in providing housing for workers who cannot qualify.
I also want to repeat what has already been said : I do believe that
there should be some kind of board set up by the State or Federal
Government to control this rent situation.
Thank you.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor.
Our next witness is Mr. Lenda.
TESTIMONY OF BENJAMIN LENDA, MACHINE OPERATOR, PRATT &
WHITNEY CO., HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. Mr. Curtis will interrogate you, Mr. Lenda.
Mr. Curtis. Will you give us your full name?
Mr. Lenda. Benjamin Lenda.
Mr. Curtis. How old are you?
Mr. Lenda. Thirty-five.
Mr. Curtis. Where were you born?
Mr. Lenda. Portland.
Mr. Curtis. Portland what?
Mr. Lenda. Portland, Conn.
Mr. Curtis. What is your present occupation?
Mr. Lenda, Machine operator at Pratt & Wb.itney Co,
Mr. Curtis. How much schooling have you had?
Mr. Lknda. I have had grammar school and 2 years in high school.
Mr. Curtis. Did you go to any trade school after that?
Mr. Lenda, I went to a business college for a while,
Mr. Curtis. But you are some sort of a machinist now, are you?
Mr. Lenda. Yes, sir.
Mr, Curtis, How did you learn that trade?
Mr, Lenda. I went to a defense school over here on Park Street.
Mr. Curtis. What sort of mechanic are you?
Mr. Lenda. I don't know what they call me — a machine operator,
is all I know.
Mr. Curtis. How much money do you make?
Mr. Lenda. About $40 a week.
Mr. Curtis. Are you married?
Mr, Lenda. Yes, sir.
Mr. Curtis. How much of a family have you?
Mr. Lenda. Four children.
Mr. Curtis. What are their ages?
Mr. Lenda. Ten months, 3 years, 4i/2 and 7.
Mr. Curtis. And you are working for Pratt & Wliitney?
Mr. Lenda. Yes, sir.
Mr. Curtis. When did you begin work for them?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5363;
Mr. Lenda. You mean when I started at the aircraft plant or the
school ?
Mr. Curtis. When you started to work at the plant.
INIr. Lenda. The 13th of February.
Mr. Curtis. What year?
Mr. Lenda. 1941.
Mr. Curtis. Where did you work prior to that?
Mr. Lenda. A. N. Pearson Corporation.
Mr. Curtis. What do they do?
Mr, Lenda. Florists.
Mr. Cur is. How long were you with them ?
Mr. Lenda. About 15 years.
Mr. Curtis. About what did you make there — what were your
average monthly earnings when you were with them?
Mr. Lenda. Oh, I should say about $85 a month.
Mr. Curtis. Where did you live?
]\Ir. Lenda. In a company house.
Mr. Curtis. And what did they charge you for the company
house ?
Mr. Lenda. $15.
Ml". Curtis. Then this defense industry came along and you
wanted a better job?
Mr. Lenda. Yes, sir.
Mr. Curtis. And you have almost doubled your monthly earn-
ings?
Mr. Lenda. Yes, sir; I should say more than doubled them.
Mr. Curtis. Well, did the florist or nursery company permit you
to continue on in the company house?
Mr. Lenda, No; they did not. They ordered me out.
Mr. Curtis. They built that house to take care of people who
work for them 'i
Mr. Lenda. That is right.
Mr. Curtis. That rent was reasonable, you would say?
Mr. Lendv. Yes, sir; it was reasonable.
Mr. Curtis. What is your problem now ?
Mr. L-^ND.v. The rent problem.
]\Ii-. Curtis. Have you been able to find a place?
]\Ir. Lenda. No: I haven't.
Mr. Curtis. Where is your familv now?
Mr. Lenda. I have a child in Middle^^own, living with a grand-
parent, and my wife is with a sister in New Britain, with the three
youngest children.
Mr. Curtis. And your problem is to find a place to live so you can
have your family together?
Mr. Lenda. That is right.
Mr. Curtis. And you haven't been able to find any place in the
Hartford area?
Mr. Lenda. I have not. Not only Hartford. I have looked in New
Britain, and all over.
Mr. Curtis. Could you find some, or were the rents too high?
5364 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Lenda. The rents are too high in most cases, and in other
cases, because we had children they would not take us; they pre-
ferred adults.
Mr. Curtis. How much of a house or apartment could you get
along with?
Mr. Lenda. Oh, I need at least four rooms, anyway. I actually
need five.
Mr. Curtis. But you could get along with four rather than have
the family separated?
Mr. Lenda. Yes.
Mr. Curtis, And how much do you feel you could pay ?
Mr. Lenda. Well, around $35 or $40 a month.
Mr. Curtis. But you can't get anything like that ?
Mr. Lenda. Can't find nothing like that.
Mr. Curtis. And how many months have you been trying ?
Mr. Lenda. Since the 10th of January I have been looking for a
house.
Mr. Curtis. Did you apply to any of the Federal agencies?
Mr. Lenda. Yes, sir.
Mr. Curtis. That have housing here?
Mr. Lenda. Yes, sir.
Mr, Curtis. What did they tell you ?
Mr. Lenda. Well, I applied at New Britain. My wife applied at
New Britain and Hartford, here at the Federal Housing, but you
have to be a resident — I understand a resident of Hartford, or the
city where these housing projects are — a resident of that city for a
year.
Mr. Curtis. But you are a native of Connecticut and have spent
all your time here, have you ?
Mr. Lenda. I have; yes.
Mr. Curtis. Was that the only thing that hindered you from
getting a house?
Mr. Lenda. That is all I can think of.
Mr. Curtis, There are not enough Federal Housing units to go
around ?
Mr, Lenda, For the outsiders; no.
Mr. Curtis. Now for the people who live here, are there?
Mr. Lenda. I couldn't tell you — I wouldn't know that.
Mr. Curtis. Are you able to save any money on this new defense
job?
Mr. Lenda. No; just paying some of my back bills.
Mr. Curtis. Woidd you have done better to have stayed with the
florist ?
Mr. Lenda. No.
Mr, Curtis. Will you get that job back when the defense business
is over?
Mr. Lenda. That I couldn't say, either.
Mr. Curtis, If you don't, what do you expect to do ?
Mr. Lenda. Well, I could go into something — it would be just as
good as down there.
INIr. Curtis. That is all.
The Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Lenda. Our next witness is Mr.
Egan, J
i
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5365
TESTIMONY OF JOHN J. EGAN, STATE SECRETARY OF THE AMERI-
CAN FEDERATION OF LABOR, HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman, Mr. Egan, Mr. Curtis will interrogate you.
Mr. CuKTis. Will you please give your name to the reporter?
Mr. Egan. John J. Egan.
Mr. Curtis. What is your address?
Mr. Egan. My office address is 1023 Main Street, Bridgeport,
Conn.
Mr. Curtis. And your residence?
Mr. Egan. 76 Overland Avenue, Bridgeport, Conn.
Mr. Curtis. What is your age ?
Mr. Egan. Fifty-five on the 12th day of July.
Mr. Curtis. How long have you lived in the community where
you now reside?
Mr. Egan. Since about 1903.
Mr. Curtis. What is your official position at the present time?
Mr. Egan. Secretary of the American Federation of Labor for the
State of Connecticut.
Mr. Curtis. How long have you held that position?
Mr. Egan. About 17 years.
Mr. Curtis. And Mdiat was your occupation before that ?
Mr. Egan. Well. I was a representative of my international organ-
ization. My trade is a toolmaker.
Mr. Curtis. Were you living in Connecticut during the last World
War?
Mr. Egan. I certainly was. I was in Olen, N. Y., and Erie, Pa.,
when the war broke out, or the announcement of the war. I came
home to stay with my family.
Mr. Curtis. Now, Mr. Egan, this committee is authorized by the
House of Representatives to study certain problems in connection
with the shifting of population and accompanying problems arising
by reason of the defense program.
' You have, perhaps, heard the other witnesses. If you have any
statement or any suggestions to make we would be glad to hear any-
thing you have to say.
SAME PROBLEM AS IN LAST WAR
Mr. Egan. I think we are just simply confronted with the same
problem that we were in the last war. Connecticut has been picked
as one of the munitions centers of the country, and we are going to
have to meet the situation with the increased activity on the part of
industry that is being urged by the Government, to build more and
more munitions industries. The result is that we are going to have
an influx of workers from all over the country, coming into the State
of Connecticut.
I have taken the position, prior to a year ago, that we ought to
put our people in Conneticut back to work before we make any effort
to induce people to come from other States, and that there wouldn't
be any scarcity of help in the State of Connecticut for manning these
industries — these munition plants or any other defense plants — if we
could properly house the people. Because the moment word got
-41— pt. 13 23
5366 HARTFORD HEARINGS
out there were jobs here, in view of the fact that Connecticut is one
of the higher paid States, per capita, people would come to Connecti-
cut in this situation the same as they did in the last World War.
And that is proving to be true.
"PENNSYLVANIA AN^ENUE" IN BRIDGEPORT
I think they call State Street in Bridgeport today Pennsylvania
Avenue because of the large number of automobiles with Pennsyl-
vania licenses upon the street there.
People have flocked in from all over the country because of the
opportunities here in the State of Connecticut. Of course it has
created a shortage of rents. However, that only applies to the de-
fense cities. There may be a shortage in the surrounding territory,
but the jobs are not there.
For instance, in Greenwich, Conn., which is a residential city, there
isn't the same amount of work that there was 2 years ago. Our
building-trade men have had to leave the city of Greenwich to go
elsewhere to get jobs.
I think we have approximately 50 carpenters living in Greenwich —
members of the organization — who are working in the city of Bridge-
port. I think we have approximately 100 laborers out of Green-
wich, working in the city of Bridgeport, and that has applied to
workers from the lower end of the State the same as to those from
the eastern part.
New London is busy, and people in the eastern part of the State
have come into New London, traveling by automobile to work.
All this created a scarcity of rents in the immediate vicinity of
those cities, and in those connnunities where they have come from
nobody has any desire to build. Nobody has any desire to buy a
home there because there isn't the opportunity for a steady income.
ESTIMATE OF POSSIBLE SURPLUS LABOR
Mr. Curtis. Mr. Egan, I would value your opinion as a leader of
labor, concerning the question as to how much surplus labor you
are going to have in Connecticut when this defense activity is over,
Mr. Egan. Well, if my guess is correct, the number of defense
workers in the city of Bridgeport will be doubled within the next
18 months. Of course that will mean — and this is true in the other
cities, too — that we will have a large number of people unemployed
in the State of Connecticut when this thing is over. At the present
time I should estimate in the city of Bridgeport approximately 20
percent of the people are employed in the factories working upon
defense industries.
Mj" guess is that before this thing is over with, we will have better
than 50 percent of the people employed in our factories in the city
of Bridgeport, working on defense production. These people will
have come from other sections of the country, for the most part,
and I think what will happen will be just exactly what happened in
the last World War situation.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5367
THOUSANDS LAID OFF IN 1918
I happened to be working in a defense industry at that particular
time. When the war was over we sent committees to Washington to
see if we couldn't have the Congress of the United States and the
Government do something to keep industry going in order to give
the people who were employed in the Remington Arms and other
plants in Bridgeport some work to sustain them. But they were
laid off by the thousands, and by the time the people got back from
Washington, thousands and thousands more were laid off.
Then those peoj^le started drifting back to the communities where
they came from. They had no income in Bridgeport. Everybody
was out of work. I think enlightened people today are studying the
problem of what is going to happen after this is over, and they are
worried — at least labor people are — that when this thing is over, we
are going to have the biggest hole that we have ever had.
Mr. Curtis. The biggest what ?
Mr. Egan. The biggest hole that we have ever had in the history
of the world, so far as unemployment is concerned. Nothing we
have had in the past will equal what we will have in the future.
Mr. Curtis. Is there anything that organized labor can do, such
as the encouragement or perhaps the actual promotion of mutual-
savings societies or the like, of the wages of defense workers to
cushion against the time when all of this stops?
BACK-TO-THE-LAND MOVE
Mr. Egan. I don't think so. My own opinion is — and I am pretty
well set on it — that the solution for this problem is for people to
prepare to drift back into the country when this thing is over with,
and I think that anybody who is wise will try to acquire some little
piece of land in tlie suburban districts so he can at least raise some-
thing. Because I think the industrial centers of this country, par-
ticuhirly where the defense progi-am is going on at the present time
and will continue to go on, will be in such bad shape that there will
be no opportunity for employment when this thing is over, because of
the fact we are facing a world economic fight.
Mr. Curtis. And the stoppage of work in industrial centers is going
to have its effect upon the tax receipts at Washington, too, is it not ?
Mr. Egan. That is correct.
Mr. Curtis. I take it that you do not feel that the Federal Govern-
ment can go on indefinitely paying the bill and providing new works
and that sort of think to take care of the situation?
Mr. Egan. I don't see how it can.
Mr. Curtis. Well, I agree with you.
Do you have any suggestions of things that Congress could do now
that would make the situation not quite so bad when this is over?
Mr. Egan. Oh, there are some things that we could plan. I think
that there could be greater coordination in Washington among our
agencies; that the entire effort should not be made for the defense
program ; that some agency should have as its authority and its duty
to plan to meet tlie situation when the war is over with.
5368 HARTFORD HEARINGS
MUST KEEP ALL INDUSTRIES ALIVE
For instance, through priorities taking place at the present time
many of our industries have got to suffer, and they will continue
to suffer as this goes on unless there is that complete coordination in
Washington in which the industries that are going to be essential
and necessary to provide employment after this is over with are
permitted to get some of these materials.
At the present time aluminum, brass — many of those materials are
going into things that are only going to be used for the defense
program. The result is that the manufacturers who are carrying
on research work in their laboratory and engineeiing departments
to put new products on the market and supply the trade will not
be in a position to do it because everything is going into defense,
Mr. Curtis. And 3'ou think that some attention should be given
to supply that branch of private enterprise every opportunity the
'Government can to get going when the defense is over?
Mr. Egan. That is right. I don't think that we can predict when
this war will end, but we can start right now in doing that. I think
we ought to be prepared to have something to take the place of war
industries and provide employment for men in munitions factories
when this thing is over. We should be meeting that situation today,
and we shouldn't wait, because at the present time your guess might
be 5 years and my guess might be 7 years, as to the interim before
this thing is over with. It will come so suddenly no one will know.
POTENTIAL POST-WAR IMMIGRATION
Mr. Curtis. From the standpoint of labor what do you tliink the
Government's policy should be in regard to immigration following
the war, when all of the poor, distressed, and harassed people of
Europe can get out and away from war-torn Europe?
Mr. Egan. I think the question of immigration has been a very
serious one. There has been some doubt in my mind as to whether
the proper procedure has been pursued pertaining to the limitation
of immigration when people came from Europe to tliis country for
work and advancement. They created a market that the people
within the country were able to enjoy.
As we cut down the immigration, it seems to me we were cutting
off our market. On the other hand, organized labor has taken the
position that it is opposed to the flooding of this country with immi-
grants to take the places of our people in the United States. It has
been a question in my mind as to whether we were altogether sound
in that theory.
doubts isolation policy
If we are going to build up our cities with fences around them to
prevent us from buying anything except what is produced in our
own particular communities, we are going to find ourselves up
against that fence sooner or later. We shall have shut off the rest of
the world.
For instance, the State of Connecticut is a fabricating State. We
don't produce any ore or any minerals. We fabricate, and we have
to depend upon national trade, and therefore we cannot limit our buy-
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5369
ing caj)acity to the State of Connecticut. We have to buy because
we have to produce for other sections of the country.
Mr. Curtis. Now, one more question : If it was legally possible to
increase the rates of contribution paid in the unemployment insurance
fund for defense workers, and not at the same time increase it for
the workers, would you think that would be advisable?
Mr. Egan. I don't think it is sound.
Mr. Curtis. Would you tell us why?
Mr. Egan. I think in the first place you have got to have sufficient
funds to pay out the benefits. Those funds have got to be big enough
to stand the drain that will be made.
TIME ELEMENT OF FIRST IMPORTANCE
I think the important question is the number of weeks of unem-
ployment compensation, not the amounts. When this thing is over
with, I think it would be more advisable for us to have unemploy-
ment compensation based upon a program that would enable men
to draw 26 weeks of unemployment compensation and $15 or $18 a
week, rather than 12 weeks at $25 or $30 a week.
Mr. Curtis. I think you are right.
Mr. Egan. I stated at a hearing before the Judiciary Committee
that I thought we would need a very large fund when this thing is
over with. Some people said, "Let us increase the benefits." I was
of the opinion that by increasing the benefits we would be simply
taking care of a temporary situation, when we wouldn't need it half
as badly as we might when this thing is over with. I was for build-
ing up a big fund, so at least we could take care of the shock, tem-
porarily, at that time.
Mr. Curtis. The longer a man is out of work the more he is in need
of some payment ?
Mr. Egan. That is correct.
Mr. Curtis. Perhaps I did not make the first part of my ques-
tion clear. I did not mean increasing the benefits paid to the
worker after he becomes unemployed. Do you think that the con-
tribution of the worker who is engaged in defense industries should
be increased now, because we know that many of them are going
to be out of work ?
THE 3,000-A-YEAR CUT-OFF
Mr. Egan. Well, I think that the increased employment will in-
crease that fund. I don't think there is any need of increasing the
tax upon the employee.
Here in Connecticut we didn't have the $3,000 cut-off. Now, we
have put into effect the $3,000 cut-off because of the fact that the
immber of people who are earning more than $3,000 is increasing.
The result is that we estimate approximately $2,000,000 a year will
be saved the employers in Connecticut by this $3,000 cut-off.
Mr. Curtis. By that you mean the fellow who is getting $3,000
a year or more will take care of his own program of saving? Is
that the idea?
Mr. Egan. Well, the employer does not pay any tax on employees
earning $3,000 and up, so that it wouldn't do any good to raise that
tax to 4 cents, if you are going to put it into one pot and take it
5370 HARTFORD HEARINGS
out and give it back to the employer through merit rating. In fact,
1 don't think the merit rating ought to be a feature of unemployment
compensation. I have taken a very definite position against that.
I think there is some justification for a cut-off. but I think Congress
made a mistake in making the cut-off at $3,000. I think the cut-off
should have been made at $5,000 or better.
DO WORKERS EXPECT IT TO LAST ?
Mr. Curtis. Now, another angle I want to ask you about: Is it
your opinion that the rank and file of these workers and their wives
who are coming in here for temporary defense employment have a
more realistic attitude toward the matter and fully realize that it is
going to stop some day, than they did in the last war ?
Mr. Egan. I think there is no question about that. There is more
talk of the future, more awareness, among people than there was
in the last war.
In the last war we hadn't had a war for a number of years, and
there weren't many people who had gone through an experience like
that. The result was that the post-war crash came as a great sur-
prise. In fact, I don't think many people in this country were
desirous of having the war end at the particular time that it did end.
As far as I recall, there was great jubilation here when the Armis-
tice was signed, but then people suddenly realized they were out of
work. But now the people of this country want peace in America,
they don't want a war; so I think they have adjusted themselves to
the fact that this thing is going to end, and to the realization that
when it does end they are going to have serious problems. They
don't forget the last depression, or the one that followed the World
War.
Mr. Curtis. That knowledge that they have is going to affect them
individually, and they are going to be better able to condition them-
selves for the surprise that is coming than if they didn't have that
knowledge ?
Mr. Egan. I think that is true.
Mr. Curtis. And it is going to reflect on their installment buying
and that sort of thing, is it not ?
Mr. Egan. If it is not one hundred percent true, I think it is our
job to enlighten them. Every agency, such as our own organization,
ought to bring forcefully to the attention of our people the problem
we have got to meet when this thing is over with.
employment of women
Mr. Curtis. Do you think tlie social problems of the country would
be lessened if more women were employed in Connecticut in defense
industries, and hence fewer outsiders were imported?
Mr. Egan. I don't think we can employ any more women than
we are employing, except that we can provide employment for them
in some of the industries that do not require so much skill. I think
women are generally employed in industry in Connecticut. I don't
think they are mechanically inclined, and on the more complicated
machines I don't think they can be adapted as well as men. That is
natural, but there has been no inclination to keep them from being
employed.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 537]
Mr. Curtis. That is all.
Mr. Arnold. I take it, Mr. Egaii, that your observation has been
that people are saving a portion of their wages now ?
Mr. Egan. I think there is no question about that. In fact, if
a check-up were made upon the banks, it would show considerable
volume of savings. Also, people going to the post offices to buy money
ordei'S. There are lines of people there, sending their money some-
where or another and without a doubt they are sending it back home.
NEED JOBS MORE THAN INSURANCE
Mr. Arnold. Now, you say that you think Congress should enact
legislation that possibly would cushion the fall of this emergency
program after it is over. Of course we are interested in the enact-
ment of any such legislation, but wouldn't you say that the legislation
■that has been enacted during the past year will help greatly to cushion
the fall?
Mr. Egan, There is no question about that.
Mr. Arnold. Such as social security and unemployment compen-
sation and such measures as that?
]Mr. Egan. Of course that program merely provides a stop-gap for
the worker; it will just relieve the situation while a person is unem-
j)loyed. ^ It won't provide the employment. What I am interested in
particularl}' is to provide employment for our people.
Mr. Arnold. After the last war we didn't have any such legisla-
tion. Today in my State of Illinois there are 140,000 people who are
drawing old-age assistance at an average of about $20 a month.
While that is not a great sum, yet it is quite an item. Following the
last war there was no such cusliion whatever,
Mr. Egan. That is right.
Mr. Arnold. And the younger people had to continue taking
care of their parents. But in addition to what we have already done,
we want any legislation enacted that will look toward what might
happen after this thing is over.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. Egan.
Our next Avitness is Mr. Bulkele}'.
TESTIMONY OF WILLIAM BULKELEY, VICE PRESIDENT, NATIONAL
TRAVELERS' AID, HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. Have you submitted a statement, Mr. Bulkeley?
Mr. BuLivELEY. I have, sir.
The Chairman. Will you state your name and address, your official
title, and the organization you represent?
Mr. BuLKELEY. William H. Bulkeley, vice president. National
Travelers' Aid Association ; member of the transient committee, Hart-
ford, Conn.; Hartford Council of Social Agencies.
The Chairman. Your paper will be entered as a part of the record.
[The paper referred to above is as follows:]
STATEMENT BY WILLIAM H. BULKELEY, VICE PRESIDENT, NATIONAL
TRAVELERS- AID, HARTFORD, CONN.
During the past 12 oi' 13 years as a member and later the president of the
Travelers Aid Society of Hartford, a member and chairman of the transient
committee of the Council of Social Agencies and as a director and vice-president
of the National Travelers Aid Association, the opportunity for an active
5372 HARTFORD HEARINGS
participation in work relating to the problems of moving people has been
afforded me. We have been through the period of depression and recovery
when loss of jobs, collapse of business, the closing of plants in many small
towns as well as the depressed condition of agriculture forced many people to
leave their homes and native communities in an effort to find a solution
of their problems in the hope that there would be a better opportunity some-
where else than in the community in which they had been living.
Today, as many thousands, possibly more thousands, of people are leaving
their native community, in many cases giving up jobs and moving to other
communities in the belief that they can secure a better job than the one they
have now, a better opiwrtunity than the one they have now. The basic cause
that has set these people in motion on the road, traveling from one part of the
country to another, is the same — the desire to better oneself, the desirg to
secure a better job, the desire to increase their income and raise their standard
of living.
MOVING WITHOUT PLAN
During both periods many of the people that are moving have been doing so
without a plan, without a definite job assured them at their destination. Many
start out without a definite destination but spurred on by an optimism and
faith in rumors and reports that in certain large cities business is booming,
that jobs are plentiful, that opportunities are there for everyone regardless of
the extent of their education or industrial training or other qualifications that
fit them for rendering skilled and competent service.
Hartford is a defense center with a rapidly expanding manufacturing in-
dustry and a city with a reputation of being prosperous and with jobs that pay
well has appeared to be an especially attractive goal for many people filled with
a desire to better themselves and ready to take chances in order to accomplish
that purpose. The effect of this flow of people toward Hartford was imme-
diately felt in an increased amount of travel resulting in increasing demands
in our local agencies to provide temporary housing, meals, lodgings, and other
assistance until the first pay day came and the newly arrived migrant worker
now settling in the community was in a position to repay these advances. Many
of the people that came to the attention of the agencies did not get jobs
because they were not qualified for them and probably should have stayed at
home, and not started out in the first place, inasmuch as the demand was for
skilled workmen with training and experience. The opportunities for those
lacking in skill did not exist in the same proportion as the openings for skilled
workmen. In this case there was the necessity of getting temporary jobs or
providing temporary housing and meals until plans could be made for returning
these people to the place from which they came. As the knowledge that
Hartford had jobs to offer spread the number of people coming into the city
increased in spite of the efforts of the State employment bureaus and other
organizations to regulate and control this flow of people seeking jobs; neverthe-
less many people came into the community without the slightest chance of
success in securing work.
PEOPLE WITH AND WITHOLT PROSPECTS
These people divide into two groups : Those with qualifications for jobs and
the prospect of jobs, and those with no prospects for jobs. The demands on our
agencies differed widely, therefore, in the requirements that had to be met.
One group required contact with the community which they had left and the
development of plans for their safe return, or in some cases the necessity of
assisting the individual until an opening requiring their limited skill or quali-
fications developed in the community.
As the volume of the other group of skilled workers increased the supply of
single rooms and living accommodiations for individuals that were regularly
available to the agencies were no longer adequate and it was necessary to take
steps to secure additional room for these people. Gradually during the past
year the housing situation, which already was very restricted, became a greater
problem as people came to the community and could find no place for their
families. Establishment of the housing bureau under the chamber of com-
merce developed from these conditions. During this period the transient com-
mittee was active in pointing out needs and referring them to the proper
organizations and authorities for action.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5373
Working out solutions to the problems of migrant workers as with any other
class of transients requires prompt ascertaining and investigation of the facts
of the case with a view of determining what is the best plant to develop for
the migrants. Should a plan be worked out for them in this community, or
should they be returned to the place from which they came? Questions of
legal settlement come up and must be clarified and the facts verified before
these plans can be developed.
Here again we find the same difficulty that was encountered in trying to de-
velop satisfactory plans for handling the needs for transient persons through-
out the past 10 years still hampering our efforts because of the many incon-
sistencies different State laws, and the narrow, selfish viewpoints from which
the various regulations and laws of the different States are established. Each
city and community adopts a policy of restricting and minimizing the amount
of assistance offered to a transient for fear that a more liberal policy will lead
to an influx of these people in the community because it has the reputation of
having an Intelligent and adequate policy for assisting these people.
AGENCIES MINIMIZE PROBLEM
One of the major factors that hinders the development of adequate plans for
migrant individuals or families is the general disinclination of public and
private agency officials to admitting that a transient problem of any sort exists
in the community. Admission that there is a problem involves providing addi-
tional funds and in a tax-conscious community causes a feeling of resentment
to arise against giving assistance to this group and those that give it.
Back of this is found the basic difficulty that citizens of our local communi-
ties are hostile in most cases to all forms of aid to transients. This is revealed
in the widespread opposition that springs up to proposals to provide temporary
housing facilities in the form of Inexpensive group housing developments of
temporary nature or to trailer-camp developments.
False reports are spread about as to the type of people, the health and
sanitary conditions and other phases of trailer-camp life. Movements develop
rapidly to ban these people from the community by application of severe re-
strictions operating under zoning, health, or building code regulations.
The need for developing a friendly and understanding attitude on the part
of the general public is a crying need. Plans for extending community resources,
especially recration resources, to the migrant groups is one of the most favorable
approaches toward the solution of this community attitude and should be en-
couraged as a means of breaking down the barrier between the migrant citizen
and the local resident citizen.
TREATMENT SHOXILD BE UNIFORM
Year after year it has become increasingly evident that in order to have a
sound program for assisting migrants, whatever their character may be and
whatever their qualifications may be for assistance, that there should be some
basis whereby a citizen of the United States of America will get the same
standard of treatment in whatever part of the country he may be, and regard-
less of he circumstances under which his needs arise. With the development
of such a standard and such a policy, the problem of the local communities
in offering assistance to transients will be greatly simplified. The barrier to
rendering adequate and humane assistance will be removed with the realization
that a citizen of Hartford will receive just as fair, just as adequate a standard
of help in his time of need when he is away from Hartford as the stranger
or transient who is in Hartford will receive when he calls upon this community
for help.
One of the greatest steps that can be taken for working out the problem of
migrant workers is the standardization of settlement laws under which settle-
ment is gained or lost, the elimination of possibilities that persons can develop
a status in which he has no legal settlement in a community and, therefore,
is' ineligible for assistance. Leadership on the part of the Federal Government
in setting up a cooperative program with the various States would undoubtedly
do a great deal toward improving the conditions of that large group of people
who must not only work for their living but in their lifetime shift their homes
many times from one part of this country to another, due to the pressure of
economic conditions.
5374 HARTFORD HEARI^'GS
TESTIMONY OF WILLIAM BULKELEY^Resumed
The Chairman. We have only a few minutes left, Mr. Bulkeley^
and if you will just higlilight your paper now, the committee will
appreciate it.
We would like to hear particularly of the settlement laws. I under-
stand you are an authority on settlement laws and the desirability
of settlement laws and what hardships the present laws work and
what you think should be done with respect to repealing or changing
these laws.
Mr. BuLKELEY. I will be very glad to do that, sir.
In dealing with migrant persons, or transients, we have found
that one of the greatest problems that has come up, repeatedly, has
been the question of legal settlement. It has to be determined in
every case in order to work out a solution of their problem, either
in the community in which their case comes up for handling, or in
the community from which they came.
Legal settlement is particularly serious in connection with families..
There have been cases where families have had to be split up, due
to settlement laws.
PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND LAWS
Another difficulty that is very serious in connection with settle-
ment laws is the fact that people generally are ignoi'ant of the very
existence of these laws. They don't know the settlement laws of the
State in which they live; they don't knoAv what the requirements are
to gain settlement in the State to which they have gone; and as a
result, frequently they make a move, leaving one State and going to
another, without this knowledge, and they find they have lost a
valuable privilege by going out of a State and having to return after
a- short time. They have lost their settlement.
The situation is further complicated today by the fact that many
of our States have been tightening up their requirements — in other
words, putting restrictions on the freedom with which people can
move about the country. The policy back of that has generally been
a selfish one, I should say, of trying to lighten their own burden by
passing it off to somebody else.
There have been a great many changes in the past 2 years along-
this line. [To Congressman Arnold.] The State of Illinois, which
I believe you come from, sir, is one of the States that radically
changed its law, and it has worked very considerable hardships on the
people out there.
Mr. Curtis. May I ask a question ?
The Chairman. Certainly.
Mr. Curtis. During the first year of the existence of this com-
mittee, we had a great many people discussing the subject of settle-
ment laws, and we dealt with it considerably in our report that was-
filed in Congress last April.
Among the social workers there were two groups : One who be-
lieved in the abolition of all settlement laws, and the other one in a.
move toward uniformity. Which are you suggesting?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5375
FAVORS UNIFORMITY OF LAWS
Mr. BuLKELEY. I would favor uniformity.
Mr. Curtis. Do you think that can be accomplished through the
ordinary channels of the Association for Uniform State Laws, or do
you think it will have to be established by financial bait from the
Federal Government ?
Mr. BuLKELEY. I think it can be accomplished more quickly by the
Federal Government offering some inducement toward standardiza-
tion.
Mr. Curtis. In other words, you believe that certain of the funds
appropriated by the Federal Government for this type of relief
should be made available to a given State, conditioned upon the fact
tliat its settlen-ent laws will meet a certain standard, and in that
way tend to make them similar all over the United States?
Mr. BuLKELEY. That is right.
Mr. Curtis. Now, you stated that you thought it was selfishness
on the part of the States in creating their settlement laws. Well,
after the race is once started among the States, it becomes a matter
of self -protection, doesn't it?
Mr. BuLKELEY. That is right.
Mr. Curtis. If all the States surrounding you are requiring 3 or 4
years settlemen.t before a person can get relief, their situation would
be identical; but if some State reduces the requirement, that State
would immediately inherit the entire problem of the States around
it. Isn't that right?
INTRASTATE SETTLEMENT PROBLEM
Mr. BuLKELEY. That is right. I think the problem of settlement
also comes up in connection with local communities. That again is
regulated by the laws in the different States, You have a local
problem within the States as well as an interstate problem. I don't
rhink people realize that you have both the local as well as the inter-
state problem.
Then there is another question that comes up in relation to settle-
ment laws and that is the matter of public opinion — the attitude of
the local residents toward migrants or transients.
It seems that frequently they are misinformed as to the type of
person the migi^ant is. You have had migrants testify here. They
are simply people who are moving about the country, and yet many
people think only of some one who stops at their back door for a
hand-out as being a migrant, and their attitude toward the new-
comers in the community, particularly those who are forced to live
in trailer camps or in temporary housing, is very unfavorable. They
are not friendly to them, and they are loathe to accept them into the
community.
I think they feel migrants are going to bring new problems and
heavier taxes, and for that reason a program that will tend toward
uniform standards throughout the country and uniform conditions
inider which these people move from one place to another would be
constructive. People wouldn't feel that because a migrant family
5376 HARTFORD HEARINGS
comes into a community, they will be a detriment rather than an
asset.
RETURN OF DEFENSE WORKERS
On the other hand I can also see — and it has been brought out, I
think, pretty clearly today — that we have a problem, or will have
a problem later on, when people have to move back, or want to move
back, to where they came from. Because, although you work out a
plan to keep these people in the new community as long as the
defense industries are busy, when the boom is over, most of them, as
near as I can find out, have plans to go back where they came from.
And when they shift back, they should be enabled to do so with the
least hardship. I think there will be as big or bigger problems in
caring for these people when that time comes than we have now.
Now, at least, they have the benefit of jobs and increased income.
At that time they will be needing assistance, perhaps, to return home.
They will be returning, not knowing what they are going to do when
they get to their own community. Those communities will be faced
with the problem of helping them.
Mr. Arnold. And many of those communities will not have bene-
fited from the defense program?
Mr. BuLKELEY. That is right.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. Bulkeley.
Mr. Curtis. Mr. Chairman, I see we have a distinguished gentleman
in the audience, Former Congressman William J. Miller. I think he
might have something to add.
The Chairman. If Mr. Miller wants to make a statement, we will
be delighted to hear him.
TESTIMONY OF HON. WILLIAM J. MILLER, FORMER MEMBER OF
CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
Mr. Miller. Mr. Chairman, and gentlemen of the committee, I have
no prepared statement. I came up simply to listen and to welcome
some of my former colleagues to Hartford and to Connecticut.
I have got a great deal out of listening in at this hearing. I think
evei^y resident of a community in which there are large defense
industries has given a good deal of thought to the problem we face
immediately, and to the more difficult problems of the future, when
this defense program and boom collapses.
If I may be bold enough to express purely a personal opinion, it
seems to me the mistake made thus far is that the responsibility has
been split up among several agencies — the Bureau of Yards and
Docks of the Navy, the Public Works, the R. F. C, the Farm Se-
curity, and so forth. I don't know how any city official or town
official can get any definite commitment of what the Federal Govern-
ment can and will do in his community.
One representative comes into a community, as has happened
near here, with a proposal all worked out with the proper town
authorities, and then next week that is all out the window and there
is a new approach to the problem.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5377
Mr. Curtis. You are speaking with reference to housing?
Mr. Miller. Yes, sir; I am not going into the question of sewage
disposal and fire protection and all that sort of thing. I think hous-
ing should be considered in just two ways: One of providing, first,
very temporary, definitely temporary housing, and after that, and
as soon as it can be arranged, definitely permanent housing.
I don't like to see the defense housing and the U. S. H. A. mixed
up, other than to meet a temporary emergency.
I agree wholeheartedly with the principle expressed by the mayor
of Bridgeport that more units of the single and duplex type of
housing should be build just as soon as they can be built. These men
are earning at the present time fair wages, and if they had a stake
in the home that would be built nearby here, I think many of them
would find permanent residence in this area and they would be
desirable people.
FAVORS ARMY TENT CAMPS
I don't like the trailer camps. I should think, in a community of
this kind where the aircraft and perhaps the Colt Arms are the
largest employers, that that would be a concern of the War Depart-
ment, and here I disagree with the mayor of Bridgeport.
I would much rather see the War Department come in and estab-
lish a tent community until housing can be prepared than to see
trailer camps set up.
I think you heard one witness testify he was paying $20 a month
in a trailer and $12 rental for the land. I believe those families
would be much better off in a tent community, supervised by medical
officers of the War Department. I don't think they would have as
much concern about sanitary conditions if the War Department were
in charge, because the War Department can set up such a community
and the sanitary conditions would be A-1. They do it on the scale of
providing for as many as 30,000 men. At Camp Edwards the Army
went in and built a city of 30,000, with a sewage-disposal plant which
is now com]3lete, one that would be a credit to any small city. I think
they are prepared and equipped to do it.
I could ramble on with those ideas but I said I didn't have a state-
ment. I simply wanted to welcome you here to Hartford and I
thank you for this opportunity.
Mr. Curtis. We thank you, Mr. Miller, and I am sure if you want
to extend your remarks tlie committee will be glad to have them in
the record.
The Chairman, We are always glad to have a former colleague
appear before us.
Now, if there is nothing more, we will recess until 2 o'clock.
(Whereupon, at 1 o'clock p. m., the hearing recessed until 2 o'clock
p. m., the same day.)
AFTERNOON SESSION
The committee met at 2 o'clock p. m.
The Chairman. The committee will please come to order.
Our first witness is Mr. Booma.
5378 HAKTFOHD HK.UtlxNGS
TESTIMONY OF HERBERT BOOMA, CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING
COMMITTEE, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF EAST HARTFORD,
CONN.
The Chairman. Mr. Booma, will you state your name and official
connection and address for the record ?
Mr. BooMA. My name is Herbert Booma. I am chairman of the
housing committee of the Chamber of Commerce of East Hartford,
Conn. I live at 49 Chapel Street.
The Chairman. What thought do you have in mind i
Mr. Booma. I heard the hearings yesterday, and I heard them this
morning, part of them, and as far as East Hartford goes, most of you
are aware that the United Aircraft plant is there, and there seems now
to be a bridging between the Government officials and the civic-minded
townspeople of East Hartford as to who is going to build, the Govern-
ment or private enterprise.
I don't know that anybody has come to a point. Nobody seems to
know how things are going — neither the Government nor private enter-
prise— so that it seems to be that bridging that will be necessary at this
time, and I believe it is a lack of coordination in Washington or per-
haps in your officials.
The Chairman. Thank you very much.
Our next witness is Mr. Abrams.
TESTIMONY OF BEN ABRAMS, SECRETARY, HARTFORD CIVIC AND
ECONOMIC WELFARE COUNCIL, HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. Mr. Abrams, will you give the committee your
full name? j
Mr. Abrams. Ben Abrams. My address is 116 Asylum Street. I
am secretary of the Hartford Civic and Economic Welfare Council.
The Chairman. Mr. Abrams, we are trying to finish this afternoon.
I don't want to curtail your testimony, but we have a number of other
witnesses. May I ask you if you have filed a statement ?
Mr. Abrams.^ Yes, sir.
The Chairman. Your statement will be incorporated in the record
in full, but if you want to bring out a few points we will be glad to
hear you.
(The statement referred to appears below:)
STATEMENT BY BEN ABRAMS, SECRETARY, HARTFORD CIVIC AND
ECONOMIC WELFARE COUNCIL, HARTFORD, CONN.
Our federation of 101 A. F. of L. and C. I. O. labor unions, the North End
Negro Conference group, social, fraternal, church, and civic organizations, is
comprised of wage earners. Our aims are:
Locally : Cooperation with business toward an economic solution of poverty
and insecurity ; slum clearance ; low-cost housing ; extension of the State uni-
versity ; and the furtherance of food and cotton stamp plans and similar proj-
ects. Internationally : Distribution of the world's resources .so that each nation
in turn may provide for its workers in a manner similar to that which we
advocate for our own Nation. We feel that God has well provided this earth
with a sufficiency for all people; and we believe that with our bi-aiiis, science,
and ingenuity, we can — if the heart is willing and true democracy prevails — •
provide adequate distribution for the happiness of all peoples of all lands.
NATIONAL UBiENSE MIGRATION 5379
Your honorable couiiuittee being coucerued ouly with the solution of imme-
diate pressing problems, we submit to you facts which we believe you should
know about the Hartford area. We hope to clear up some mistaken impressions
gathered from surveys and statistics which, when properly analyzed, change
the entire complexion.
Hartford has been fed a barrage of half-truths, in an attempt to minimize
a grave housing situation by the manipulation of averages. The average idea
is that device by which the 10-cent-meal eater is convinced that since so many
others spend $3 for plank steak dinners — the average being $1.55 — the 10-cent
meal does nut really leave anyone going hungry.
-Hartford rents are the highest in northeastern United States," says the
Hartford Housing Authority. "Record-breaking home buildings," is reported
by I he Federal Housing Administration. Statistics prove that there are a
telephone, automobile, 10 acres of land, and a radio for every person. Yet the
Harlford Housing Authority survey in 1939 showed 13,000 substandard (25
percent of total) dwellings in Hartford — dwellings without private toilets and
batlitubs. The cattle-inspection laws are more rigidly enforced than the home
conditions of human beings.
The authority survey on rents issued in March indicates a 12 percent
average rent increase, but does not explain that 80 percent of this information
was gathered prior to the overwhelming increases which Hanford tenants have
experienced subsequent to the collection of the.se data. One thousand low-
cost dwellings (excltisive of shim clearance) have been demolished in the past
10 years, with none erected for low-inome workers.
ROOMS REGISTRY FINDINGS QX^ESTIONED
The chamber of commerce rooms registry bureau cannot possibly show the
true picture of rental needs. Its first two newspaiier releases decried their
inability to supply rents in the lower brackets, which discouraged such ap-
plicants from registering. They issued a statement, however, that their
records show a $3 average rent increase. When confronted with a
break-down, we find these statements based on just a few applications^ —
mostly new arrivals sent to the bureau bj' the manufacturers — and they termed
this a fair sampling. The newspaper release spoke of average, but did not
state how many this included, or how long the people had lived here.
Last October, when Mr. Knudsen visited the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft
plant, he predicted a tremendous expansion of the factory and the number of
employees. At that time, the Connecticut Federal Housing Administration
ofliice and the East Hartford Chamber of Commerce urged IMr. Palmer, co-
ordinator of defense hottsing in Washington, to cancel contemplated plans for
5,000 low-cost dwellings throughout this area. Private industry got the build-
ing "go" sign. The Federal Housing Administration and Mr. Charles F. Palmer
publicized the fact that 400 houses were inmiediately planned as a result.
Inquiry as to the cost of the dwellings, their location, and other pertinent
information, was met with arrogant refusal. The information was desired to
ascertain if the price-range and purchase details were within the means of
the masses of defense workers.
Now. after S months of free rein to private industry, the housing situation
is in even worse condition. Last month, against the wishes of the East
Hartford Chamber of Commerce — but this time with no protest from the
Federal Housing Administration — the Government was compelled to commence
building 500 permanent dwellings in East Hartford. With no publicity for the
acceptance of apiilications for the 1,000 defense dwellings being erected in
Hartford, over SOU applicants have already applied to the Hartford Housing
Authority.
Additions are still being made to our defense plants, and new employees are
constantly being hired. A steady stream of out-of-State workers is pouring
into our defense centers, and predictions are being made of more and more
employees for defense factories. The problem of housing this overwhelming
influx of workers is not receiving intelligent planning.
NEED FOR 5,000 MOKE DWELIJNGS
There is now need for 5,000 additional dwellings in the 30-mile radius of
Hartford. If the new housing is thus spread, there can be no fear of subse-
5380
HARTFORD Hf:ARINGS
quent "ghost towi.s." Private industry, thougli it has had ample time, ha-s uot
supplied this need, as promised by the Federal Housing Administration; and
Mr. Palmer does not contemplate doing so, and cannot do so. We feel that
housing is definitely a part of the cost and the responsibility of our defense
program. Families cannot be separated, with husbands visiting the other mem-
bers only occasionally. The high cost of .separate maintenance is, as stated by
Mr. Buell, of the rooms registry bureau, causing many defense workers to retur)i
to their home cities.
The vacancy r-itio of defense-worlser dwellings is a large minus figure, and
not the 1.06 avei'age. The few vacancies represented by this 1.06 are entirely
in the higher bracket reut.s. Dr. Burgdorf, Hartford Health Department, says,
"We view with alarm the building up of combustile conditions, merely awaiting
a spark to ignite it."
The juvenile commission is disturbed by the crowding of adolescent children
into adult sleeping quarters to facilitate subletting of rooms to meet increased
rents. The welfare department has condemned the practice of rent-gouging.
Our mayor, the legal aid bureau, and the housing authority liave been be-
sieged with complaints of evictions. The council of social agencies of the
community chest has deplored the.se conditions. The Catholic diocese bureau
has been besieged with the problem of large families unable to find quarters,
and dividing the children up into several homes. Lack of space prevents the
mention of innumerable agencies which fear conditions of the future with the
expected further influx of workers.
EENT CONTROL A NECESSITY
Despite the increase of housing facilities whicli inevitably must be built,
there will remain tin inescapable shortage, and with it nnist come, unless crecked
by authoritative control, a continued spiraling of rent increases. Rent con-
trol is a necessity for this area if we are to prevent worker dissatisfaction,
a let down in production, strikes and labor turnover. The United States De-
partment of Labor recently stated that Connecticut had the highest labor
turnover of all 80 defense maufacturing States. Eighteen mouths ago, realiz-
ing the possibility of rent gouging, we appealed to Mr. Russell Alien of the
Hartford Housin.'? Authority, emphasizing the need of study and preparation to
meet this problem. The National Housing Officials Association, with Mr. Allen
as a member, appointed a committee which, after a year of study, submitted
its report, urging fair rent commissions during the emergency in defense cen-
ters. It was submitted to the National Advisory Defense Council, which ap-
proved the report and drew up a model bill for use by interested groups, for
State legislative enactment.
Meanwhile, delegates of workers' organizations throughout Connecticut met
in Hartford to prepare a fair-rent bill. The deadline for presenting this bill
to the legislature was drawing near. Prior to the hearing of the judiciary
committee of the legislature, we conferred with Mr. Richard Jones of the real
estate board. We learned of their opposition. He suggested amendments. He
recommended the normal rent date, the ceiling on rents to be considered, the
duration of the bill and exemption of new buildings, all of which we readily
accepted and sub.nitted at the hearing.
We absolved the real-estate-board members of charges of various abuses, and
further recommended that three of the five commissioners be members of the
board. We did this to overcome the fears of the real-estate men of the abuse
of power granted such a commission. We thought this would be the answer
to their complaint of Government regulation. We thought this would be self-
regulation, with power only when they themselves willed.
Their final reason for finding no need for this bill was a letter they received
from General Wadhams, then chairman of the State defense commission. He
complimented them on the splendid investigation they made of rent complaints
at the State defense office. We tried to get the facts, but the report was confi-
dential ; even with names and addresses deleted, it still was confidential.
Finally, the general admitted he had written to the landlords, but explained
thiit he had no means of following up and finding out if his recommendations
had been accepted. Yet, on the strength of this procedure, the real-estate board
bases its reason for denying the need of such rent control. They refused an
invitation from radio station WTHT to discuss the issues on its forum on the
air, or with our committee, but again issued a statement repeating General
Wadhams' complimentary letter justifying their position.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 53gl
INVENTORY OF FACTORY CAPACriY
Last December, at the New England Conference of National Housing Officials
Association, General Wadhams spoke of a most thorough inventory his defense
commission had made of the factory capacity and items manufactured through-
out Connecticut as a defense preparation. Already the influx of workers was
at a high momentum. When asked about an inventory of the housing for
this influx, the general answered, "There are no funds available." At this same
conference. Miss Winifred Johnson, tenant selection director of the Hartford
Housing Authority, stated, "The applicants for slum-clearance projects show
a 36 percent average of their income going for rent." Twenty-five percent is
considered high. This information was gathered prior to the tremendous rent
increases since last January.
Tlie realtors' solution seems to be — quoting some of their prominent members
and oflicers: "Let the factories build the houses as they used to do," or, "We
give these migrating workers a job. They should appreciate it. Suppose
Ihey si'e tlieir families only once a week — so wliat?" Others are open-minded,
however, and agree that rent control is necessary; but these persons always
speak off the record. On the other hand, Mr. Berkeley Cox, chairman of the
housing authority, openly announced his approval of the bill.
APPEAL TO STATE DEIFENSE COMMISSION
An aldermanic investigation commission, as recently voted by our common
council, is not the solution. No Connecticut city can acquire police power to
enforce their decisions, except as granted by the State, and our legislature has
concluded its session, ignoring the bill.
Therefore it is now up to the State defense commission, to whom we are
now preparing our appeal. If refused by that body, we must seek relief with
Mr. Henderson's office of price control.
We have left that step as a last resort, to satisfy a minority conservative
faction in Connecticut of our fairness, and to avert complaints that State's
rights are being ignored.
May we appeal to your committee to acquaint our National Government with
these needs, and use your influence with the National and State Defense Com-
missions to relieve the situation caused by housing in defense areas, by these
measures :
First. Building of permanent and temporary housing, spread over wide
commuting areas, to avoid "ghost town" fears.
Second. Institute measures facilitating the creation of fair-rent commisisons
in defense areas.
Third. Creating a body to whom appeal can be made when influential minority
groups, by undemocratic means, frustrate the wish and will of the majority.
(The followintr was submitted by Mr, Abrams as supplementary
material to his statement. It was received subsequent to the hear-
ing and, in accordance with instructions from the chairman, was
made a part of the record :)
Not only are there no vacancies in any bracket of rental housing in the
Hartford area, but Mr. Allen, of the Hartford Housing Authority, estimates
over 4.(IOl( doubled-up families in Harrford alone. Over 1,300 applications
are now in for the 1,000 defense dwellings to become available this winter.
A large number of recent marriages necessitate a further supply of dwellings.
Public improvements have compelled a number of demolitions.
Aviation will not revert to its original status; the aircraft factory will
not go back to its original number of employees when this emergency is over.
A diversified industrial city like Hartford will not lose all of its influx
population.
In 1939, prior to the present influx of workers, there were then i;,S0<>
doubled-up families in Hartford. The vacancy of 2 percent was only in the
higher brackets. When inspection agencies apply more rigid application of
laws there will be at least 1,000 demolitions of dwellings, unfit for habitation.
Even under normal conditions of the postemergency period, we sl)all be tre-
mendously underhoused in dwellings of lower rental brackets. Every real-
estate expert admits there must be a 5-percent vacancy ratio for normal
application of the principles of supply and demands. Hartford proper is
60396— 41— pt. 13 24
^382 HAKTioKD he.vi:ln<;.s
now, conservatively figuring, short over 2,.j00 permanent dwellings. The area
needs 2,500 more, spread out over a radius of 30 miles.
Defense factories in towns like West Hartford draw all workers from
Hartford and other cities. The Government should build at least 500 perma-
nent rental dwellings in this town for the 5.0i>0 defense worlvers at the Pratt
& Whitney machine shop in West Hartford. This should not be confused with
the 500 dwellings now being built in East Hartford for the Pratt & Whitney
aircraft plant.
Ten thousand additional workers are exiiected to be added to the defense
factory pay rolls this fall. The conditions will be deplorable if immediate
building is not commenced. It cannot wait for the winter. The people now
living in make-shift summer cottages will have to keep warm in a suitable
dwelling this fall. Instant action is needed.
TESTIMONY OF BEN ABRAMS— Resumed
Mr, Abrams. Are there any questions the committee would like to
ask me?
The Chairman. As we understand it, the mayor of Hartford esti-
mates that Hartford has grown by 32,000 people since the last census.
Has housing in any way kept pace with this increase?
Mr. Abrams. It is all in the future. Our defense housing will
take care of 1,800. The applications that are already in will take
care of only a part of the doubling-up that we have.
People are billing to double up for a little while. They find it
fun at first, but after a while it gets on their nerves, and I think
it would be dangerous to keep them that way too long.
The slum-clearance houses, part of them, were built on vacant
land which adds that much housing, but this city has gone through,
in the past 10 years, a demolition of 1.000 dwellings. They were all
low-cost housing, and new low-cost housing has not been built to
replace them. As a result we have been experiencing a constantly
diminishing supply of low-cost housing.
The present facilities for housing people or plans for the future
are so inadequate that it is a very dangerous situation.
uncertain of power to control rents
The Chairman. Wliat have you got to say about the rent problem
liere ?
Mr. Abrams. Well, I have been working with our committee on
rent control now for 18' months. I think our statement covers all
of that. In the last few days there has been a test case set up
in Washington under the O. P. M. The O. P. M., I understand,
has a bureau which will look after rent control.
Here we are in a quandary. Our board of aldermen voted to have
a rent control commission. Now, they don't know whether the State
defense commission has the power to grant them the necessary
authority, or whethf^r they have to get it from some Washington
bureau, or from the O. P. M. Those things should be made clear, or
laws enacted which will facilitate the creation of rent-control com-
missions.
I called the State defense commission, asking them whether they
had authority to grant that police power, and the answer was that
nobody officially asked them, so they didn't get a ruling from the
.Attorney General. However, for the last 6 months the papers have
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5383
been full of it and, in fact, their ex-chaiinian, who is now a mem-
ber of their committee, has been approached on this question a num-
ber of times, and the committee members still haven't made up their
minds on it.
But a year aoo, without anybody telling; them to do it, without
any official request or anytliing, the Connecticut State Defense Com-
mission made a list of all the factories in Connecticut and what they
€an produce, even down to detailed parts, and what equipment they
Jiave. It was all set up ready for action.
PLANNED FOR THINGS, NOT PEOPLE
In other Avords. we planned for the production of things, but not
ior the housini; of the people who aie to produce the things. That
is what the State defense commission here did.
The CirAiRMAN. You are right, Mr. Abrams. While we are manu-
facturing guns and bullets, we have got to take care of the people
who are doing the work, and their families. In other words, civilian
morale is as important as Navy or War Department morale, isn't
that true? You can't destroy the one without destroying the other.
And along that same line, housing is an integral part of national
defense, isn't it ?
Mr. Abrams. We feel it is part of the cost and part of the responsi-
bility.
The Chairman. What about families with many children? Are
there any discriminations against them here ?
Mr. Abrams. Well, that has all been covered, so I won't waste any
more time repeating it. It is a very bad situation. I think, how-
ever, the housing authority could have provided for larger apart-
ments in their recent program, after knowing of the situation; and
■even now, by the mere process of breaking down a door or part of a
wall, they could make a 4i/^-room apartment into a 7-room apart-
ment, and take care of those people; and by the socialized rent scale,
the}' would not have to pay the price of a double apartment.
rooms registry only partly effectpve
The Chairman. Do you believe that the rooms registry bureau
has been or will be effective in finding dwellings for the incoming
people ?
Mr. Abrams. From their own admission they can do nothing for
the low-income groups. Their first two newspaper releases said so,
and that discouraged applicants. That is why their statement sub-
mitted to you, showing how few people applied to them, should not
be taken as an indication of the lack of applicants. They told them
not to come, and so naturally they didn't.
The Chairman. Wliat has your organization found in regard to
the number of substandard dwellings in Hartford?
Mr. Abrams. Well, our organization is suffering from the same
situation that many organizations in the country are. We have no
funds. We cannot conduct surveys, and that is why, in our recom-
mendation, we urge some sort of national bureau that can come into
-a city and make the surveys for low-income group organizations that
5384 H.VRTFORD HEARINGS
haven't the facilities to do the thing like getting up such a beautiful
brochure as the Manufacturers' Association presented you.
We don't have the facilities ; we can't even afford a secretary. The
Government, I believe, should provide a survey, and that is why I
think your committee here may be a means of obtaining one.
I think Congress is to be commended for the idea that brought
such a committee to Hartford, or created such a committee, because
we are going through the same situation here.
OUR CHILDREN MIGHT BE ABUSED
Not long ago they wanted to put up temporary housing on New
Britain Avenue, and I thought of the book. Grapes of Wrath, in which
the people were driven around from camp to camp. That is what
happened here. The people said : "If these people come in our
children might be abused by the newcomers." But they allow a
circus to come in, with workers who follow the circus, and this town
and all the towns around here have had trouble with them; but
when you suggest this type of defense housing on the same grounds
that the circus uses, that is dangerous to the morale of the children.
It was all just an escape or an excuse by landlords who feared what
they thought was a yardstick in rents which it might become in a
way, frankly.
SAYS NEEDED HOUSING IS RESISTED
The Chairman. According to your paper private real estate in-
terests are resisting expansion of needed defense housing.
Will you provide the committee with some substantiation of that
assertion ?
Mr. Abrams. I think the East Hartford situation that Mr. Booma
just spoke of is the best example in this locality of how private
builders have sold Mr. Palmer, the housing coordinator, down the
river.
Last October it Avas the idea of the housing officials in Washington
to put up 5,000 houses in this area. The East Hartford group of
builders and those in this locality, together with the local F. H. A.,
which is tied up with private builders, promised Mr. Palmer that
if he dropped the idea and gave the builders the "go" sign, they
would take care of all the housing necessary because these houses
would go up in hundreds and hundreds.
Well, the "go" sign was given them. Washington rescinded its
order, and it was announced immediately by Mr. Palmer — it was
A. P. news — that 400 applications were immediately approved.
can't find the houses
As I mentioned in my statement to you, to this day nobody ever
found where the 400 houses were ever approved. We assumed they
were in East Hartford, but maybe they were all over the State, ac-
cumulated for a month. Those houses were not for the masses; they
were for the people making money out of defense workers or for the
top executives, but they were not in the low-income group of people
whom we must build these houses for.
They are again telling them, "Well, now with the amended law we
can do it." Well, if a builder is building 40 houses or 200 houses
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5385
and lias his choice of a buyer — between the one who will pay him the
$500 down or first money out of rent over a period of time — he is
^oing to choose the down-payment buyer.
BUILD A LITTLE AT A TIME
These people haven't enough money. They are small builders.
They haven't enough money to build private houses — 500 houses at
a time — so they build 40, and with the profit of the 40 they build
another 40; but if they had to build these houses on rent income —
not getting the down-payment money — ^they would have to stop right
there. It is economically impossible for them to supply the need,
and yet they are using this argument now with Washington "to
give us time."
Well, they had 8 months. They haven't provided any housing to
take care of the situation, and we are today in this situation in Hart-
ford because of the untrue statements of private builders and the
F. H. A. at that time — last October — and they are bringing out the
same record again and playing it over, with just a little change in
the tune.
The Chairman. Don't you think, Mr. Abrams, that there should
be a clearing house of some sort between the representatives of the
defense cities like San Diego, Hartford, Bridgeport, Baltimore, and
Trenton, and so forth — a sort of central clearing house, where they
€ould make contact and get the answer quickly, rather than having to
run around to many agencies?
Mr. Abrams. The answer to that is, if we had a housing coordinator
in Washington, in Mr. Palmer's place, who was open-minded and not
pro-real-estate and probuilder, and not forgetting the people on the
other side of tlie tracks, you wouldn't have today's squabbles. That is
his job, to coordinate. They have tried to overcome the problem in the
position they have created as a housing coordinator. But Mr. Palmer
is not doing his job properly. He is unfair. All he knows is builders
and real estate men. He forgets the poor people, who have no access,
no means of making an organized appeal to him.
Mr. Curtis. Should any of the criticism be placed upon the different
agencies that he is trying to coordinate ?
Mr. Abrams. His is the final word ; what he says goes, so he can step
on them pretty fast.
cites 5,000-iiome project
Mr. Curtis. He can compel, for instance, the Farm Security Admin-
istration, the United States Housing Authority, and other agencies
engaged in building to change their rulings and regulations and set-
ups?
Mr. Abrams. Well, Mr. Palmer stopped the 5,000-hoine program
that was contemplated last October. If it had gone through we
wouldn't have had some of the terrible conditions that are existing
today.
Mr. Curtis. Who was going to build that project? What agency?
Mr. Abrams.- I assume it would have been built — should have been
built — by the local housing authority, but, then again, they don't use
good judgment there. They put up some houses here, or plan to, with-
out the local housing authority's experience, but I don't think that is
5386 HARTFORD HEARINGS
SO important as the fact that they have ignored the need of those
houses, and were misled, and are going to be misled again.
Mr. Curtis. That is all.
The Chairman. Anything else, Mr. Abrams, yon want to bring to
the attention of the committee?
Mr. Abrams. I know you are very short of time. The only com-
ments we have are these:
We agi-ee with Mr. Egan in that the cut-off on social-security tax
should be raised from $3,000 to $5,000.
With respect to the upward trend of rents, we feel that if an agency
were to be set up now to make its investigation and report its findings
to contacting groups throughout the country, in that way we could
build up, as we have built up over a period of a 3^ear, a study of what
ought to go into a rent-control bill.
The Chairman. You are on the right track there, Mr. Abrams,
There are hearings going on now in the House of Representatives
before a subcommittee, asking for the creation of a commission to do
the very thing you are indicating.
Mr. Abrams. I might leave this final word : We feel that instead of
expanding these plants, as is being done today, separate plants ought
to be built 10 miles out in the country, surrounded by housing — which
you will have to build anyhow — of a somewhat self-sustaining nature,,
where the people can have the land to sustain them. Those plants
would act as feeder plants to the others. If we had that sort of plan
we might begin even now actually preparing some of the cushion that
we speak of.
The Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Abrams.
Our next witness is Mr. Lasbuiy, speaking for the agriculture
subcommittee of the State defense council, and representing Con-
necticut growers.
TESTIMONY OF RALPH C. LASBURY, CHAIRMAN, AGRICULTURE
LABOR DEFENSE COMMITTEE, AND REPRESENTING GROWERS,
HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. Will you please state your name?
Mr. Lasbury. My name is Ralph C. Lasbury. I am chairman of
the agriculture labor defense committee.
The Chairman. Where do you live?
Mr. Lasbury. I live in East Windsor Hill, Conn.
The Chairman. Will you indicate for the record who the gentlemen
are with you ?
Mr. Lasbury. These gentlemen are Mr. W. L. Harris, Hartford
County Farm Bureau agent, 95 Washington Street, Hartford, Conn.;
Mr. Bradford Crossman, farm planning service, ITniversity of Con-
necticut; Mr. P. L. Putnam, extension economist at the University of
Connecticut and also a member of the farm labor committee; and
Arthur V. Geary, farm placement representative, supervisor for the
Connecticut State Employment Service.
The Chairman. Mr. Arnold will interrogate you gentlemen.
Mr. Arnold. Mr. Lasbury, you have prepared a statement that will
be inserted in the record.
Mr. Lasbury. That is correct, sir.
(The statement referred to appears below:)
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5387
STATEMENT BY R. C. LASBURY. FARM LABOR SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE
AGRK^TLTURAL COMMITTEE, STATE DEFENSE COUNCIL OF CON-
NECTICUT
Of agricultural problems iu Conuecticut resulting from the defense program,
agricultural groups believe the farm labor shortage to be the most serious.
Although Connecticut is one <>f the smallest States in the Union, it has one of
the highest percentages of defense contracts. These defense contracts have
created a tremendous increase in industrial activity. The demand of industry
for workers has reduced the labor supply of the Connecticut farmer, while the
increased number of industrial workers has placed added demand on the
Connecticut farmer for food.
A few statistics indicate the present situation. A press release in April
indicated an increase of 74,000 nonagricultural workers in Connecticut in the
spring of 1941 over 1940. This represents a 18 percent increase for Connecticut
as compared with the national increase in nonagricultural employment of
9 percent for the same period.
The latest report of the State Department of Public Welfare indicated a
decline of 30 percent in recipients of relief in Connecticut for the period
ending March 1941, as compared with the previous year. This decline meant
a dro]) of r)0,0(X) people from relief rolls.
A farm labor survey conducted by the University of Connecticut in March:
1941 indicated a critical farm labor shortage of 35 percent. From this sample
it was possible to predict that Connecticut farms are already short some 2,500
regular workers. In addition, during the May to October period 7,500 to 10,000
workers will not be available from regular sources.
Reports from the State employment service for the weeks beginning May 10
and May 17, 1941, are as follows: During the week of May 10, 200 applica-
tions were received for farm workers in Connecticut, while only 28 placements
were made. The following week 126 applications were received, and only 26
farm workers were placed.
ORGANIZATION OF A F.\BM LABOR COMMITTEE
In recognition of the approaching farm labor shortage, a county agricultural
planning committee recommended a farm labor survey in January 1941, with a
request that the report be given to the State defense council. Acting on this
request and similar ones from other groups, the agricultural committee of the
State defense council appointed a farm labor subcommittee. In March 1941,
the State agricultural planning committee endorsed the work of this sub-
committee and expanded its membership. The subcommittee was given com-
plete authority to seek action.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In view of the rapidly developing agricultural labor emergency, the labor
subcommittee requested that the agencies, institutions, and organizations here-
inafter mentioned endorse the following recommendations and take immediate
steps to carry out their part :
STATE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE
A. The Connecticut State Employment Service is requested —
1. (a) To expand the farm placement department with si^ecial interviewers
in local offices.
(&) To iirovide adequate secretarial and filing clerks in both local and State
offices to handle additional work.
2. To develop an agricultural file to include, in addition to present registrants,
those available for farm labor from :
(o) A farm labor registry of students from high schools, preparatory
schools, and colleges.
(&) An agricultural selected registry of National Youth Administration,
Civilian Conservation Corps, and Work Projects Administration personnel.
(c) A selected registry of the rural and nonrural out-of -school youth de-
fense training classes.
(d) Registration of female labor in large cities and nearby towns.
3. (a) To arrange clearance of available agricultural labor from New England
and nearby States at once.
5388 HARTFORD HEARINGS
(&) To contact Southern State employment services to develop the possi-
bilities of bringing up: (1) Students from Southern Negro colleges and other
Negro educational Institutions; (2) vrorkers from the Southern Tenant Farm-
ers' Union.
4. To prepare an order blank which farmers may use in making requests for
farm laborers.
5. To prepare weekly reports to be supplied the farm labor committee on the
number of requests for farm laborers, number of placements made, and the
number of agricultural workers listed in the file.
EDUCATION AND LABOR
B. The Commissioner of Education, Dr. Grace. Labor Commissioner Danaher,
and Vocational Supervisor Hahn are asked to cooperate so that —
1. Articles stating the purpose of the high-school agricultural defense labor
registry shall be published in newspapers under auspices of the labor com-
missioner. The same article shall be published in the monthly letter of the
commissioner of education to the superintendent of schools.
2. A letter by the commissioner of education stating the purpo.se of the high-
school agricultural defense labor registry will be directed to the attention of
all high-school principals.
3. Registration of high-school students should be started on special form
registration cards according to instructions prepared by the committee in a
manner acceptable to the department of education.
coltj:ges and pee3»aratory schools
C. The committee seeks the cooperation of college presidents and preparatory
school headmasters in Connecticut to secure registration of their students for
agricultural defense labor.
1. If deemed avisable, a committee may be organized representing these
schools to develop the project.
2. A small list of persons may be established who could go to such colleges
and speak before the student body if the heads of these institutions requested
such presentation of the problem.
3. Registration cards to be similar to those used in the high-school group.
4. It will be ascertained whether or not it would be possible to house the
workers in centrally located dormitories of such institutions, providing proper
arrangements could be worked out for supervision and board of such students
in the dormitories.
NATIONAL YOUTH ADMINISTRATION
D. The National Youth Administration is requested —
1. To have all project supervisors present the emergency of the farm-labor
problem to all project workers and to make an effort to enroll boys for agri-
cultural labor. These enroUees will be divided into two groups :
(a) Those willing to register for full-time farm work.
lb) Those desiring to continue work in the National Youth Administration
program but willing to work on farms for short periods, either a few days, a
week, or other irregular seasonal jobs.
2. To turn over such lists to the State employment service, together with
the names and proper means of contacting in regard to this enrollment.
CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS
E. The Civilian Conservation Corps is requested —
1. To arrange for the of Civilian Conservation Corps camps or barracks for
housing school, college, or migratory labor, with the understanding that the
Farm Security Administration or some other organization will furnish satis-
factory management, supervision, and health regulations.
2. To consider requests for the use of Civilian Conservation Corps camps,
particularly Connors in Somers, Robinson in East Hartland, and joint use
with Massachusetts of the camp in Feeding Hills for housing farm labor.
3. To determine the number of Civilian Conservation Corps memliers available
for agricultural defense labor. The serious farm-labor problem should be
presented to all camps in the State, and an effort be made to enroll Civilian
Conservation Corps boys for farm labor.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5389
FARM SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
F. The Farm Security Administration is requested^ —
1. To provide management, equipment, and a health clinic at abandoned
Civilian Conservation Corps camps that are available for housing farm labor.
WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION
G. The Work Projects Administration is requested — ■
1. To determine the number on the rolls available for agricultural defense
labor, together with the listing of the same with the State Employment Service.
H. This committee also recommends —
1. A news article for the Farm Bureau News and other newspapers to acquaint
farmers with draft regulations so that they may seek deferment of necessary
workers.
2. A statement on the farm labor shortage be furnished the State Director of
the Selective Service in order that local draft boards be considerate of requests
for deferment of farm workers.
3. A registry of enroUees in the rural and nonrural out-of-school youth defense
training classes conducted under the auspices of the Connecticut State Depart-
ment of Education.
4. Registration of female labor in large cities and near the area of tobacco
production.
5. All labor available for agricultural purposes should be registei-ed with the
State Employment Service.
DEVELOPMENTS TO DATE
The Connecticut State Employment Service.— In compliance with the recom-
mendations of the labor committee, the Connecticut State Employment Service has
expanded its farm placement service with special interviewers in the 18 district
offices. It has agreed to develop a file to include labor from all sources available
for agricultural work. Arrangements have been made whereby agricultural
labor may be secured from out-of-State if necessary.
SPECIAL REGISTRY OF STUDENTS FOR SUMMER WORK
The State Department of Education and the high schools of the State have
cooperated in establishing a volunteer registry of students willing to work on
farms. On May 24, 1941, this registry was not complete but included 1,951 students.
Letters were sent to 31 preparatory schools in Connecticut asking for a voluntary
registry of students willing to accept summer employment on farms. Although
replies are still coming in to the labor committee, 8 schools indicated a total of
73 boys willing to work on farms.
The President and the dean of men at the University of Connecticut were
asked to cooperate on the farm labor problem. A news article published in the
college paper has already resulted in the registration of 11 students for farm
work. Copies of the college article were submitted to other colleges and uni-
verities in the State.
PROTECTION OF STUDENT WORKERS
The labor committee and also the State employment service intend to place the
high school boys who have registered for farm work in positions as near their
homes as possible. In some ca.ses it will be necessary to transport boys to areas
of particular seasonal labor shortage. A number of these boys will probably be
transferred to work centers in Hartford County. In connection with the employ-
ment of students, every effort will be made by the labor committee and the State
employment service to properly safeguard the worker's general welfare. The
boys will be assigned by employment service interviewers on the basis of their
physical condition. State laws regarding the employment of minors will be
observed. The inspection of working and sanitary conditions will be under super-
vision of the State labor department with the Greater Hartford Volunteer Bureau
furnishing the workers to do the job. The labor committee realized its responsi-
bility to the parents of the student workers, and is taking every precaution to
guard against any unfortunate situation.
The National Youth Administration has agreed to have all project super-
visors present the emergency of the farm labor shortage to all out-of-schooI
^390 HARTFOHD HEAlilNGto
project workers. Those desiring agricultural employmeut would be divided
into two groups: Those willing to accept a full-time farm job, and those de-
siring to continue under the N. Y. A. training program but willing to work
on farms for short periods of time. The N. Y. A. authorities agreed to adjust
the hours of their workers to make this latter classification possible.
The Civilian Conservation CoriDS has agreed to allow the use of abandoned
C. C. C. camps for housing farm labor provided that buildings are maintained
and satisfactory management is available. The State forester in charge of
work projects at the C. C. C. camps sent a letter to camp commanders and
company superintendents, requesting that they select a group of boys whom
they believed would be well qualified for farm employment. In each camp
the extension forister i^resented information on the farm labor shortage to the
group of boys interested in farm jobs. Fifty-one boys, or approximately 10
percent of the enrollment of C. C. C. camps in Connecticut registered for farm
employment, provided satisfactory jobs were available. Registration cards for
the boys were given to the State employment service and at least 20 of these
boys have been placed on faraas.
The Work Projects Administration provided the farm labor committee with
the number of their workers by counties and towns. The director of employ-
ment indicated thf.t it :s possible to request local officials that projects be stopped
and workers released. Information was supplied as to the number of workers
on projects certified as defense activity.
STATEMENT ON CURRENT REGISTRY
The farm labor committee feels that the agricultural registry developed
from high school, preparatory school, and college students, in addition to other
registrants, will be inadequate in meeting farmers' needs. Therefore, it will
"be necessary to recruit labor from outside of the State. At the request of the
labor committee, the State employment .service has contacted southern negro
colleges and the Southern Tenat Farmers' Union. Workers are available from
these sources if housing and transportation arrangements can be made. The
housing of these migrant workers is a serious consideration of the committee
at the present time.
HOUSING PROBLEM
In dealing with this farm labor problem a serious housing situation occurs.
Due to its types of agriculture, the greatest shortage of farm labor will be
in Hartford County. Here in the past, farm workers have recruited from
homes in nearby cities. These individuals are now employed in defease indu.s-
Iries. To meet this shortage it may be necessary to move high school boys or
labor from out-of-State into work centers in the area. In either case the move-
ment of albor to this area would expand an existing housing shortage. By
the use of abandoned C. C. C. camps and school dormitories it is possible to
solve this housing problem. Use of these facilities requires supervision and
financing by someone. The labor committee has advised the Farm Security
Administration of the labor situation in the State and also of the housing
problem.
The Farm Security Administration, after considerable deliberation, stated that
due to lack of funds and legislative authority they would be unable to meet the
request on housing facilities, despite their recognition of the need. According to
all information that the labor committee can secure, the Farm Security Admin-
istration is capable of meeting our demands. This is clearly stated in the law
regarding their activities for housing migrant laborers for defense work on farms.
We have asked the Administrator of the Connecticut State Defense Council to
write to the Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. Wickard, regarding this question.
This has been done. To date, we have not received any answer.
APPEAL TO FARMERS
The farm labor committee has appealed to the farmers of Connecticut for cooper-
ation. Farmers are asked to project their needs in advance and to file their appli-
cations with the State employment service. Their patience in the time required
to fill their needs is requested. Order blanks furnished by the State employment
service to be used for requesting farm laborers have been sent to 11,000 farmers.
News articles have been published in many papers informing farmers of the best
■procedure for seeking deferment of their irreplaceable workers called in the
•draft. Farmers must remember that only through their cooperation can a solu-
tion be reached to the farm labor situation.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5391
(The members of the farm labor committee submitting this report are : Mr. S. H.
-Graliam, chairman agricultural committee. State Defense Council, Suftieki, Conn. ;
Mr. R. C. Lasbury, chairman farm labor committee, East Windsor, Conn. ; Mr.
P. L. Putnam, Storrs, Conn. ; Mr. B. D. Crossmen, Storrs, Conn.)
Exhibit 34. — Housing Problem op Fakm Labor in Connecticut
sx R. c. lasbuby, farm labor subcommittee of the agkicultxiral committee,
STATE DEFENSE COUNCIL OF CONNECTICUT
The Connecticut farm labor committee recognizes that the supply of farm
labor, particularly seasonal labor, is dependent upon the availability of housing.
The housing facilities for seasonal farm labor in farming areas adjacent to
industrial centers, especially in the northeast, are inadequate. Formerly
in these areas, farm workers have been recruited from homes in nearby cities.
These individuals are now employed in defense industries. To supply the
seasonal farm labor, it will be essential to move either high-school boys or
labor from out of State into work centers in these areas. In either case, the
movement of labor to these areas will expand an existing housing shortage.
Hartford County presents a splendid example of the situation described above.
In view of the importance of food production to national defense and the
farm-labor shortage and housing situation in farming areas adjacent to indus-
trial centers, the Connecticut farm labor committee makes the following
recommendation :
1. That additional funds be established through congressional legislation —
(a) To provide personnel who would work with farm-labor committees. State
employment services and county agricultural agents, in determining sites and
housing facilities needed.
(b) To provide either permanent or temporary housing facilities with proi)er
supervision and sanitary facilities.
(c) Possibly the request can be obtained through expansion of Farm Security
Administration operations in developing migratory-labor camps.
2. That existing legislation be amended to allow the creation of housing
facilities for farm labor imder the Lanhani Act (54 Stat. 112.5) and the Urgent
Deficiency Appropriation Act, 1941, Public, No. 9, Seventy-seventh Congress.
(a) At present the Farm Security Administration is limited explicitly to
providing housing for persons directly engaged in defense work.
Exhibit A. — Requests for Registration of High School Students to Work
ON Connecticut Farms
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics,
State of Connsxtticut.
Storrs, Conn., April lOJfl.
To Superintendents of Schools, High School Principals, and Teachers:
Due to the serious farm labor shortage, the State department of education
has worked out with the labor committee of the agricultural State defense
■council a program for registering high-school boys willing to take farm jobs
during their summer vacation. We are asking for your assistance in presenting
the problem and assisting in a voluntary registry of youth for farm labor.
Connecticut is an arsenal in tlie national-defense program. Althougli a
.small State, it has one of the highest percentages of defense contracts of any
State in the country. These contracts have resulted in a tremendous increase
in industrial activity, with 72,000 more workers in Connecticut industries than
a year ago. These additional workers have put an extra load on ( "oniipcticut
farmers to supply more milk, more eggs, and more fruits and vegetables.
The Connecticut farmer, along with others in the Northeastern States, is
struggling to meet this increased demand for farm products, although he
has lost one-fourth to one-third of his help to industry and the draft.
It is essential to national defense that farmers in Connecticut and the
Northeast provide an adequate supply of fre.sh milk, vegetables, fruit, and
«ggs to all people in the area. Farmers have the productive resources to
supply the necessary food. In order to operate effectively they must have
adequate manpower. Due to the extra labor needed on Connecticut farms
during the summer months, youth in high schools volunteering to woi-k on
5392 HARTFORD HEARINGS
farms during the summer vacation can play an important part in national
defense.
We believe that there are many boys in high school who would like to
earn some money, who would enjoy the experience, and who. at the same
time, could do their part in national defense by working on farms duritng
the summer vacation. Attached is a statement of instructions for registering
students. Your cooperation in presenting this material would be appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
P. L. Putnam,
Secretary, Farm Lahor Committee.
Instructions for Registration of Students for Farm Work
An attempt has been made to make the registration cards as simple as possible
and yet give us the necessary information to place boys in jobs for which they are
best qualified. All boys desiring farm work of any kind during the summer vaca-
tion should fill out one of these cards — including seniors, even if they have pre-
viously filled out the regular employment card. The following suggestions are
offered for instructing students in filling out the cards :
Suggested method. — The method to be used in securing a completion of these
cards will, of course, vary with the different schools. It might be advisable to
present the farm-labor situation at an assembly meeting where all students* are
present. The cards could be filled out in small group meetings 1 or 2 days follow-
ing the presentation of the general problem. This would give the boys opportunity
to discuss the matter with their parents and other boys.
Name and address. — Print name and address plainly. Be sure that last name
appears first. This is important for filing purposes. Record home or nearest tele-
phone number on blank line below town.
Date of birth. — Record day, month, and year as follows: April 12, 1924.
Height, iveight, physical condition. — This is intended to furnish information
regarding qualifications for labor such as haying, silo filling, etc., or merely for
light work such as picking strawberries, work on vegetable farms, etc.
Educational status. — Merely fill in the grade just completed such as "Sopho-
more, high school" ; "Freshman, college."
Have you ever had any farm experience? — Describe fully all farm experience.
State jobs that you are particularly qualified to do such as milking, operating farm
machinery such as tractors, etc. There are a number of farm jobs requiring no
experience.
What type of farm uork icould you prefer to do? — A list appears on the back of
the card which might be used as a guide in answering this question.
Wheti are you available for icork? — State whether you are interested in work-
ing all through the summer or if you are restricted for some reason to special days
during the week or weeks during the vacation.
Would you be willing to live on a farm? — If you are willing to accept a full-time
farm job and live on a farm with room and board provided, answer "yes."
Can you arrange for your own transportation? — Unless you have a car available
for your own use, leave this space blank. Transportation to and from work will
be arranged at a later date.
Back of card. — Do not fill in. This is for use of the employment office only.
In order that we may secure definite information in regard to the number of
students available, we would greatly appreciate your cooperation in arranging to
have the cards completed and in the hands of the school superintendents on or
before April 2.5. A representative of the Connecticut State Employment Service
will call at the offices of the superintendents of schools on this date to secure the
registration cards.
(The information requested on the registration card referred to above is as
follows : )
[Front]
Name Date
Last name First name Middle initial
Address Date of birth
Town Place of birth
Color Nationality Religion
Height Weight Physical condition
Educational status (give details)
Have you ever had any farm experience? (give details and name of employer)
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5393
"What type of farm work would you prefer to do?
When are you available for work? From To
Would you be willing to live on a farm?
Can you operate any farm machines?
Can you drive a car? Comments
Have you a driver's license?
'Can you arrange your own transportation?
[Back]
referral record
Type of Wokk
i:mp]oyed Type of farm Assigned
GENERAL FARM WORK
Picking up iwtatoes.
Date referred----^-- Result-Kate of pay Picking strawberries.
Apples.
Peaches.
J-]mpl<>yed Type of farm Vegetables.
Weeding.
Hoeing.
Date referred Result_-Rate of pay
TOBACCO WORK
Emploved Type of farm Outdoor.
Shade.
Date referred Result-Rate of pay Teamster.
Truck driver.
Tractor operator.
JEmploved Tvpe of farm Haying.
Silo filling.
Poultry.
Date referred- Result-Rare of pay Dairy:
Milking.
Care of stock.
Connecticut State Department of Education,
Hartford.
A FoRrNiGHTY Lkttee to Superintendents
[Vol. 1, No. 7. April 8, 1941]
****** *
A voluntary plan of cooperation.— ^o doubt you have seen on several occasions
an announcement of a voluntary plan for the registration of help for farms.
Many of the b(»ys have been drawn from agriculture regions to partake in national-
defense activities elsewhere. The State department of education is happy to
endorse this plan of cooperation for voluntary registration. The following para-
igraphs cover the major problem :
"Farm labor has been scarce for several months, and the shortage may become
serious as protluction of crops demands more farm labor, and as the draft removes
additional farm workers for military training.
"The agriculture committee of the State defense council believes there are
many b(>y.« in hiah school who would like to earn some money, who would profit
liy tlie {■xiH-iienct. and who, at the same time, could do their part in national
defense by working on farms during the summer vacation.
'•The State department of education, the Connecticut State Employment Service,
:aud the extenvJiou service of the University of Connecticut have worked out a
program for registering all high-school boys who would take farm jobs this
summer, and now are asking for the assistance of the local school authorities in
carrying out the plan.
"The Connecticut State Employment Service will take the registration, but will
need the cooperation of the teachers in high schools in two ways : (1) By creating
attitudes on the part of the boys that here is a chance for youth to help in' a
national emergency and that their work experience can be satisfying and educa-
itional. and (2) by assisting in the actual registration.
5394 HARTFORD HEARI^•GS
"In many schocils the farm-work registration can be taken at the time that
members of the graduating class enroll with the employment service. Local
school authorities will receive further information directly from the employment
service.
"The extension service and the farm bureaus have undertaken the task of
informing farmers of the plan so that requests f<n- farm labor will be made ta
employment-service field officers. Complete registration of all boys who are-
willing to take either part-time or full-time jobs on farms will help the employ-
ment service to place boys on the type of fai-ms best suited to their experience
and age."
****** *
Alonzo G. Gbace.
CoDiDiisiiioner of Edwntlo'n.
Connecticut State Department of Education.
Ha/rtford.
Fortnightly Letter to Superintendenj s
[Vol. I. No. 8. April 15, 1941]
1. Jobs on Farms — Registration of High School Boys Interested in Summeib
Farm Work— A Voluntary Plan
The critical situation existing with respect to farm labor, and the ijlaus that
were being made by several committees to recruit workers interested in, taking
farm jobs during the summer vacation, were presented in a previous letter.
Mr. R. L. Putnam, secretary, farm labor committee, again has indicated the
seriousness of the situation. This employment, of course, applies only during
the summer season. As educators we are concerned that employment conditions
be satisfactory.
The attached postal will indicate the number of registration cards that you
may need. Attached also are instructions for registrations and a sample card.
It is important to know that this is wholly a voluntary matter. Many boys
may want to earn some money during the vacation period, and, also, enjoy a
part in national defense.
* * * * * * 4t
Alonzo G. Grace,
Commissioner of Education.
TESTIMONY OF RALPH C. LASBURY— Resumed
Mr. Arnold. Yon feel that you have a htbor shortage here with
respect to farming operations. When was your last survey made?
Mr. Lasbury. In March.
Mr. Arnold. Will you tell the committee how that survey was
made '(
Mr. Lasbury. I am going to refer that question to Mr. Putnam,
who made the survey on behalf of the extension service of the
University of Connecticut. Mr. Putnam will take over, and Mr.
Grossman w^ill add anything that is necessary.
Mr. Putnam. That survey was made in cooperation with county
agriculture agents. Probably it is not a scientific survey. In
some counties they sent out questionnaires and asked farmers to
send them back.
It is likely most of the people who were in dire need of labor
returned the surveys. In some counties they did attempt to get
a scientific sampling of farms. In two counties they did that in
selected areas. They would go down a road and" take all the
farms. And that is the way, briefly, the survey was made.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5395
ESTIMATED SHORTAGE OF 13,5 0 0 WORKERS
Mr. Arnold. And that survey led you to the figure of 2,500 reguhir
workers and a total of 11,000 seasonal workers short?
Mr. Putnam. No; not entirely. That survey in conjunction with
other information, led us to make an estimate that farmers would
have to look to sources other than the regular sources that they
have been drawing on in the past for approximately 2,500 regular
workers and about 11,000 seasonal workers.
Now, in doing that we used a type of farmino- survey which was
secured in veiy detailed form. Some seven or eight thousand farms
were visited, and Ave first estimated the number of men unemployed
on farms in Connecticut. Roughly, we have about 10,000 to 11,000
commercial farms in the State of Connecticut, and they employ
approximately 14,000 regular farm helpers and 32,000 "or 33,0ob
seasonal workers during the year.
The survey showed that farmers had lost to industry and the
draft some 30 percent of their farm help, and we based our findings
on that and on information obtained from people who were familiar
with farm conditions in shade-grown tobacco.
Mr. Arnold. Now, don't your seasonal workers come in and help
more than one farmer? Can't they go from one farm to another
or do you take that into account?
PEAK periods for FARM LABOR
Mr. Putnam. Of course, there are the different peaks. We have
not reached the peak in our farm labor situation as yet. We are
just reaching the peak in dairy labor and haying. For tobacco labor —
shade-grown tobacco — the T)eak comes from July 10 to September 1.
For sun-grown tobacco the peak in labor is about August 15 to
September 10.
In fruit we have two peaks, one for peaches, which comes from
August 20 to September 10, and one for apples, from September
15 up to October 17. There are also vegetable peaks and many
others all through the year.
Now, I think you are probably right that there is a shift from
some of those peak periods to others; that there is a duplication
(^f some of those men in there.
Mr. Arnold. Your large shade-grown tobacco growers seem to
think that they can obtain sufficient workers from their regular
sources, don't they?
Mr. Putnam. I do not believe they think the situation is serious.
T don't know whether they are correct in that assumption or not.
We have run across situations which show that there are going to
be peak times that farmers don't like to project. For instance, in
strawberry picking they didn't want help until the day before they
wanted tlie strawberries picked, and they asked for a certain number
of men— I believe about 200 pickers one night— and the next morn-
ing they wanted 500 pickers. Before that we knew nothing about
it. I am niclined to believe that the shade-tobacco growers are
going to be in a similar situation later on when they reach their
peak period.
5396 HARTFORD HEARINGS
DIFFICULTY IN FORECASTING NEEDS
Mr. Lasbury. In other words, if I may inject something here on
this question, it is impossible by any type of survey in this State
to ascertain the actual labor shortage that will be created by trans-
ferring farm labor into industry, the draft, and so on, and this is
very readily shown by the illustration Mr. Putnam just made on the
shortage of strawberry workers.
I have two other individuals here, Mr. Ball of the State employ-
ment service, and another farm-placement man from Thompsonville,
who will substantiate the statement that Mr. Putnam just made :
It is impossible to get a farmer to project his needs for more than
a we^k ahead of time.
Mr. Arnold. Some of these farm laborers whom you thought
would be available might be in defense industries before they are
needed this summer.
Mr. Lasbury. They actually expect it. Sometimes, when they put
in a demand like the strawberry growlers did for 500 laborers, they
expect us to pick them off the trees, and that sometimes doesn't hap-
pen. We have to anticipate the shortage and prepare for it.
Mr. Arnold. Does harvesting in Connecticut yield readily to the
use of machinery — that is could you use more machinery than you
are using now?
Mr. Lasbury. I think I will refer that question to Mr. Harris.
The Chairman. For instance, milking machines.
TESTIMONY OF W. L. HARRIS, HARTFORD COUNTY FARM BUREAU
AGENT, HARTFORD, CONN.
Mr. Harris. In my opinion, sir, the additional use of farm ma-
-chinery can take up only a small fraction of the need for farm
labor. Milking machines, I think, can help to a certain extent.
The Chairman. Are they used extensively now ?
Mr. Harris. They have been used quite extensively in this territory
for a good many years. We have had a very enterprising farm sup-
ply man who has been very active, and I think we probably have a
higher percentage of milking machines in Hartford County than in
many other territories.
The Chairman. How many men does a milking machine dis-
place?
Mr. Harris. Well, I think it could be claimed to displace about
half of the men. On the other hand, from personal experience of
about 8 years in using milking machines and watching them used on
a farm of my father's, I don't think that ideal is hardly ever lived
up to, or certainly if it is, it is in a very small majority of the cases.
The tendency, when the milking machine is used, is to keep the
man who used to do the milking.
many dairies operate on small scale
Mr. Putnam. I just want to add that a large number of our dairy
farmers are small — ^liaving only from 10 to 20 cows. Most of our
large farms before this crisis had milking machines, and in order
:to replace a man, you had to be up in the number of cows, around
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5397
20 to 40. Now, the number of herds in Connecticut of that size is
relatively small, and it is a question in my mind whether a small
farmer can put on a milking machine and replace much help, be-
cause of the size of his business. Of course they are being used
and their extended use in this crisis has been considered.
Mr. Arnold. Does tobacco yield to machinery ?
Mr. Putnam. Most of our peak jobs and most of our jobs that
require large amounts of labor — such as tobacco harvesting — do not
yield to machinery. It is all hand work — that is, the picking of
tobacco, the hanging of it in the sheds and the sowing of it.
Take another illustration — potatoes. We do have machines that
dig potatoes, but the big bulk of the work is the picking up of the
potatoes. The same is true of fruit. No machine has yet been de-
vised to climb a tree to pick the apples. That is one of our big sea-
sonal needs — picking fruit.
Mr. Arnold. Then the conclusion is that machinery cannot be
counted upon to go very far toward relieving labor shortage during
the next few years ?
Mr. Lasbury. That is correct.
Mr. Putnam. Machinery will help, no question about that, but not
in some instances.
WOMEN and children AS WORKERS
The Chairman. Mr. Lasbury, how about school children and women
and college students? Are they registered for seasonal work?
Mr. Lasbury. I believe at the present time we have approximately
3,400 high-school students registered for agricultural work, and ap-
proximately 100 prep-school students. There are a few college stu-
dents who have registered from the University of Connecticut, but
that is all we have available statistics on at the present time.
These boys are making themselves available for this work. We
have placed a lot of them through the State employment service
now, and a great many of them have sought jobs for themselves on
farms — so many that quite a bit of the slack is being taken up by
them. We are not worried so much about the importation of labor
into this State to relieve this seasonal labor shortage as we are about
the possible shifting of registered students from various parts of the
State to center them in the areas where the need will be most great —
from the eastern and western part of the State to Hartford County
for the tobacco harvest and also the potato harvest. If we are going
to have to do that, we are not going to have available housing. We
will have to transport them long distances, back and forth to work,
by truck, which is almost impossible.
It could be carried on for a short time, but it couldn't be carried on
throughout the season.
WAGES and hours OF STUDENT WORKERS
The Chairman. How about the pay of these school students ? Will
your committee make a check on the wages and hours worked ?
]\Ir. Lasbury. Most of the farms today that we have statistics on
work 9 hours a day and, of course, the boy's pay is based upon his
ability. I think the range in pay runs from 25 cents an hour to
60396 — il— pt. 13 25
5398 HARTFORD HEARINGS
35 cents. Mr. Ball here, of the farm placement center of the State
employment service, may be able to elaborate on that just a little bit
more than I did.
TESTIMONY OF LEONARD P. BALL, FARM PLACEMENT CENTER OF
THE STATE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE, HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. You may proceed.
Mr. Ball. The seasonal workers have been working on a daily
basis, 9 hours a day, and getting anywhere from $2.50 to $3. The
farmers have not stated that would be the actual rate to be paid,
but that is what they assume will be paid. However, on an hourly
basis, the wages run, as Mr. Lasbury stated, between 25 cents and 30
cents an hour.
Mr. Arnold. Do they furnish their own dinner — their noon-day
meal?
Mr. Ball. They furnish their own dinner but transportation is
furnished from distances of 10 to 20 miles.
Mr. Arnold. By the grower ?
Mr. Ball. By the grower ; yes.
Dr. Lamb. Are they paid by the hour or by piece work?
Mr. Ball, The boys are paid on an hourly rate or daily rate ; there
is no piece work.
Mr. Geary. How about strawberry picking ?
Mr. Ball. That is a different situation. That is entirely piece
work.
Dr. Lamb. Pickers of fruits or berries only are paid by piece rate ?
Mr. Ball. In some cases fruit pickers would be paid on an hourly
basis, but strawberry pickers, as far as I know, have always been
paid on a per-basket rate.
Dr. Lamb. And tobacco workers are paid an hourly wage ?
Mr. Lasbury. With the exception of the sowing of the tobacco,
which is a piece-work job. That is the only exception to my know]
edge.
METHODS OF GETTING SCHOOL REGISTRATION
Dr. Lamb. Mr. Lasbury, would you be able to furnish the com-
mittee with samples of advertisements and letters of your committee
to the various schools and agencies in the State ?
Mr. Lasbury. I haven't them with me but I could get them for
the committee.
Dr. Lamb. Will you have them forwarded to us ?
Mr. Lasbury. If I understand you correctly you want all the
material that we used in the process of getting this high-school
registration ?
Dr. Lamb. That is right.
Mr. Lasbury. And prep-school registration?
Dr. Lamb. Yes.
Mr. Lasbury. We can furnish you with those and will get them to
your office as soon as possible. ;
(The material referred to was received by the committee subse- ,
quent to the hearing and was entered in the record as exhibit A. I
It appears in this volume on pp. 5391-5394.)
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5399
Mr. Arnold. What cooperation has your committee received from
southern employment services — from southern Negro colleges?
Mr. Lasbury. All the requests that the committee has made have
been made through the Connecticut State Employment Service with,
I believe, one exception, and I think Mr. Geary could give you a
fuller answer to that question than I can.
TESTIMONY OF ARTHUR V. GEARY, EARM PLACEMENT SUPER-
VISOR FOR THE CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE,
HARTFORD, CONN.
Mr. Geary, The matter was handled entirely through the directors
of the State employment service in the southern States east of the
Mississippi River. No direct orders were placed and no definite plans
were contemplated until it became absolutely necessary to determine
on importing labor, and so far all that has been done is to write to
find whether any colored students or other students were available
in the South for work in the North, particularly in tobacco.
We secured information from the colleges down there that there
were some 353 students who indicated an interest in coming to Con-
necticut. None has been imported directly through the employment
service and we are hopeful, of course, that the need for workers
can be met by some Connecticut source of supply.
Mr, Arnold. Would you make available to the committee a copy
of the correspondence with the southern agencies and schools?
Mr. Geary. I believe that was sent over yesterday.
Mr. Arnold. Some southern States have migratory labor laws.
Recently the attorney general in South Carolina ruled that the State
Employment Office could not refer workers to jobs outside South
Carolina.
Mr. Geary, I believe South Carolina was the one where we received
that information from the director, stating under their State laws
they are unable to participate in any clearing.
Mr. Arnold. Is that the only State where you encountered that?
Mr. Geary. Yes.
Mr. Arnold. Is any independent check made by the State employ-
ment service and estimates made of the shortage of labor?
many tobacco growers fail to state needs
Mr. Geary. Another check was made, in cooperation again with
the committee, to secure if possible, some definite information
through orders for immediate and future needs. Unfortunately we
haven't been able to get a very prompt response or a very complete
response from the farmers or the growers.
The answers from the tobacco growers are for the most part miss-
ing entirely, and the reports from the 11,000 circular letters or blanks
that were sent out to farmers and growers in the State have so far,
up to June 23, amounted only to 99 replies; 45 of those state that
no labor was needed during the season, and 44 placed orders.
Some of them placed orders as far ahead as October; a great many
placing orders for August and September. So the ones who did reply
gave us an excellent basis for preparation for the future.
^4QQ HARTFORD HEARINGS
I believe, however, it is too early to determine whether we are going
to have a great deal of success with the survey, because the letters and
circulars and orders were sent out through the county farm agents and
went out at different dates. The report thus covers 10 offices, and
there are 18 offices in the State, and 8 of them we have not heard from
at all. I do know that in 1 instance the blanks and the circulars were
not delivered to the county farm agent until the 14th of June, and it
is quite a job, of course, to stuff the envelopes, and to get the things
into the mail.
We have to secure the cooperation of the Greater Hartford
Women's Volunteer Organization in order to get that material
through our office on lists furnished by the county agents.
SEX, AGE OF TOBACCO WORKERS
Dr. Lamb. 1 notice from these figures which have come in so far —
that is, the 99 replies — that the total number of workers ordered was
510, of which 247 were in tobacco — about half of them.
Mr. Geary. No; 247 were in for future reference — they were for
vegetable workers.
Dr. Lamb. I think we are looking at different figures.
Mr. Geary. That is right, yes ; 247 for future reference in tobacco —
a good many of them for future reference and some for immediate
action.
Dr. Lamb. And of the 247, 55 were men and 112 boys, and 80 women ?
Mr. Geary. Yes, sir.
Dr. Lamb. Is that the usual proportion of needed workers?
Mr. Geary. Yes, sir.
Dr. Lamb. And that is- shade-grown tobacco?
Mr. Lasbury. That is right, approximately.
Dr. Lamb. In other words, half of the total of these orders were
for tobacco alone?
Mr. Geary. Yes.
Dr. Lamb. Is that partly because the orders were received more
quickly from tobacco growers than from other growers?
Mr. Geary. On the advance orders the fruit growers did very well.
We got quite a number who specified their needs for August, Sep-
tember, and October.
BIGGEST PRODUCERS NOT HEARD FROM
Mr. Lasbury. And I think it is true there that most of the tobacco
companies that have already put in their orders are not truly repre-
sentative of our largest producers. In other words, we have producers
here in the State of Connecticut that grow 1,000 acres, and none of
those has yet signified its anticipated wants for harvest workers.
Dr. Lamb. Is that because the harvest is a long distance off?
Mr. Lasbury. Well, I am afraid I will have to go back to the straw-
berry incident again to illustrate that to you. It is just the fact that
the farmers do not project their anticipated needs far enough ahead,
and there is no type of statistics that will ever bring that out.
Now, we find that in the strawberry situation, and I am positive we
will find it again in the tobacco harvest.
Dr. Lamb. Was there a shortage in the strawberry picking labor
supply?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5401
Mr. Lasbury. At the first meeting we had of the strawberry
growers, they were very worried about where they were going to get
enough men, boys, girls, and women to pick their crops. At that
meeting they anticipated a need of 150 workers, and tlien before the
meeting adjourned they anticipated a need of 200 workers. The next
morning, after they had slept on it, they decided they wanted 500
workers, and they wanted them within 3 days.
Now, by the cooperation of the State employment service, news-
paper articles, and radio announcements we were able to fill those
needs satisfactorily for the farmers.
Dr. Lamb. That" is, you secured 500 workers?
Mr. Lasbury. We secured the workers to pick the strawberry crop.
SAYS WORKERS DEAL DIRECTLY
Dr. Lamb. You don't know how many ?
Mr. Lasbury. We have no way of checking excepting through the
State employment service, which probably didn't furnish more than
10 or 15 percent of those workers. But through the advertising, you
see, the workers went direct to the farm and got their own jobs. In
other words, there is still a fear in the workers' minds that if they
contact the State employment service there is a fee to pay there to
get jobs, and, therefore, they go directly to the farmers themselves
and get their jobs.
But it was the State employment service advertising and the radio
annoimcements that really got the workers stimulated and got them
out into the fields. I asked some of the growers this question : "How
many of those workers that you have on your farm have picked
strawberries before?" And I was told that practically all the pickers
on those farms never had picked strawberries before. In some cases
the farmer said that his wife and daughter were employed during the
entire period that those pickers were on his place in taking care of
their babies and young children. This showed that they were house-
wives who just gathered up their children and went out to pick the
strawberry crop and left their children with the farmer's family to
be taken care of.
They picked the strawberries, and that was one way we were able
to get" the pickers into the field. I still anticipate we are going to
wake up some morning with an order the same way from tobacco
growers.
DENIES WORKERS FEARED DEMAND FOR FEE
Mr. Geary. I think IMr. Lasbury has the wrong idea in connection
with any misunderstanding of the agency being a fee-charging agency.
I don't think that factor enters into it. It has been pretty well
advertised for the past 7 years as a. State service and a free service.
I think the reason that they did not go through our office in the
Hartford district was the fact that the employment service is more
interested in this particular instance, and probably in every instance,
in getting the job accomplished regardless of statistical credit, rather
than making the people report at the office for referral and then go
out to the farm. They called up and wanted to know what they
should do. They had transportation available and they were told to
go directly to the grower.
5402 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Some of them may have been registered with us but a great many of
them were not because they were women who volunteered for
emergency duty. They believed they were doing their job in national
defense in getting the work accomplished after the radio and news-
paper publicity had pointed out that the crop would rot on the vines
unless something was done immediately.
THREE CROPS OF HARTFORD REGION
Dr. Lamb, I notice also that out of the total number of 510 workers,
390 were for the Hartford region. Does that mean that they were
largely confined in this region to tobacco or potatoes?
Mr. Geary. Tobacco, fruit, and potatoes.
Dr. Lamb. Are those the three principal crops in this territory?
Mr. Geary. Yes. Tobacco, fruit, and vegetables.
Di'. Lamb. So that well over half of the demand for agricultural
labor, of the day-labor variety, is for this particular region ?
Mr. Geary. I am glad you brought that out because I think it is
true that because of the concentration of tobacco there will be a big
demand for that one speciality; but it is also true that some of the
large centers are entirely missing from the report.
New Haven County has a large number of truck and vegetable farms,
including strawberries. In fact, we made 200 direct placements from
the New Haven office of boys who were not in school, for strawberry
picking down there.
The thing looks too lopsided entirely because the report to date
does not include all counties and all employment service districts.
When New Haven is added and when Litchfield County comes in, they
will begin to even it up ; the distribution of orders for labor will be
greater than the report shows so far.
may import more tobaccxd workers
Dr. Lamb. Would you say that except for tobacco, most of the labor
supply is ordinarily to be found within the State?
Mr. Lasbury. That is another problem. Of course, we are de-
pendent for the answer on these questionnaires, to definitely determine
whether the rest of the State could be taken care of through the addi-
tion of these files of young people and aliens and migrants and so
forth and until we actually get the responses in, it is pretty difficult
to figure.
Personally, I would say offhand it would appear that a good many
of these jobs can be taken care of through the files in some of the
smaller offices.
I think I can give you an example that might possibly clarify it a
little. Now, when we first started to look for our strawberry pickers
we sent outside the State for the simple reason that the schools were
not out. We couldn't utilize the school childen. Also, the files showed
no available workers to pick strawberries at that time.
We contacted New Jersey and found there were no migrant straw-
berry pickers available, and then we hit upon this radio program ; and
if the response to that is any yardstick, I rather anticipate there will
be a fairly adequate supply of labor coming within the State. At the
present time I haven't seen anything that would warrant the im-
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5403
portation of any more labor than has been imported ah'eady by private
organizations.
Dr. Lamb. With the possible exception of the tobacco industry?
Mr. Lasbury. Eight; possibly at the peak of the tobacco harvest
we might have to import some migrant workers for a certain length
of time.
SOME STRAWBERRY PICKERS WERE TURNED AWAY
Dr. Lamb. Was there any loss of the strawberry crop because of
difficulty in obtaining pickers?
Mr. Lasbuey. Not a's far as I am able to determine — and this is
derived from the direct contact with the strawberry farmers at the
Manchester auction. I was there 2 days, and I questioned every avail-
able grower there. They were entirely satisfied with the labor that
was furnished them through the committee here and the Connecticut
State Employment Service. Some of them reported they had even
to turn labor away.
Dr. Lamb. There was some surplus?
Mr. Lasbury. There was some surplus ; yes. The crop is being har-
vested without any difficulty. There may be some few newspaper
items here and there that say because there wasn't a certain number
of strawberries on the market one morning, it was because there
wasn't enough available labor to pick the berries, but the truth of
the matter was it rained that morning.
doubts big turn-down by defense plants
Mr. Arnold. Only one out of five who come into the State to take
defense work is employed or is found qualified and experienced
enough to do that work. Don't you think, Mr. Lasbury, that the
other four-fifths would provide some farm labor?
Mr. Lasbury. Well, frankly, I don't agree with those statistics
in the first place, because as far as I have been able to find out,
there has been no particular increase in the relief rolls, and those
people must move on somewhere else if they don't get a job here
in Connecticut. We haven't any record of their availability what-
soever.
Mr. Arnold. They probably don't stay long. If they could get one
of these temporary 'jobs do you think they might stay on?
Mr. Lasbury. They just vanish into thin air. Those statistics
come out, but when you actually go to find the men, they are not
there.
Mr. Arnold, You don't think that could have caused the over-
supply of labor in the strawberry fields?
Mr.' Lansbury. Most of those were women and school children.
independent check lacking
Mr. Arnold. Is any independent check made on the estimated
shortage of farm labor by any Washington agency ?
Mr. Geary. I don't believe there has been directly, A member of
the Farm Security Administration visited my office and got informa-
tion from me and also from members of the committee. I think
they made investigations of their own, among the tobacco fields and
5404 HARTFORD HEARINGS
ihat sort of thing, but I don't know that there is any large scale
check on the actual need except for information that was secured by
interviews with people who were supposed to Imow the situation.
Mr. Ceossman. I think the Agricultural Marketing Service does
send out questionnaires periodically to farmers, asking what the labor
situation is. Although I am not acquainted with the actual figures
for Connecticut, in a meeting last week I believe it was stated that
for the northeast region there was a shortage of about 25 percent,
based on the Agricultural Marketing Service figures.
They receive replies from a certain number of farmers that they
send letters to and then, of course, they have to weight their average.
FARM WORKERS FROM W. P. A. ROLLS
Mr. Curtis. What success did you have getting people on W. P. A.
to accept farm employment?
Mr. Lasbury. I think that again can be answered by Mr. Ball
because of his direct cooperation with the W. P. A. or relief agencies
here and about the city of Hartford.
Mr. Ball. Well, I haven't any definite statistics on this at all. It
has been my experience, though, that the W. P. A. has been cooper-
ating in trying to place as many men as were available.
Mr. Curtis. You are talking about the W. P. A. Administrator.
I mean the individual worker. Are the individual workers anxious
and willing to accept farm employment, or w^ould they rather not
quit the W. P. A. rolls?
Mr. Ceossman. I talked with the director of employment in W. P. A.
in this State, and their rolls have shrunk tremendously. They had
a peak somewhere in the neighborhood of 32,000, back in 1936 to 1938.
As far as farm people ^re concerned I obtained a break-down by
towns, of W. P. A. workers, and they are in very small numbers —
those that would be adaptable for farm work.
It has been suggested that local people, if they felt they must have
W. P. A. workers, could go to local officials and request that projects
be stopped or temporarily discontinued. To my knowledge the num-
ber of W. P- A. workers who have previously had farm employment
are registered as available for that type of work, and that is a very
small number. It w^ould not be more than in the hundreds.
WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION ROLLS CUT IN HALF
Dr. Lamb. In that connection, Mr. Crossman, do you know what the
reduction has been in the W. P. A. rolls in Connecticut in the last
year? Would it be as much as 50 percent?
Mr. Crossman. It is approximately 50 percent. There were 13,000
on the rolls in December of 1940, and 8,200 in May 1941 ; and it is my
understanding that at the present time they are down to around
7,000. They expect to cut oflf 3,000 or 4,000 more workers the 1st of
July.
Dr. Lamb. Wliat about the average age of those workers?
Mr. Crossman. That I don't know. I assume that there is quite a
range.
Dr. Lamb. That is all.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5405
The Chairman. Thank you very much, gentlemen. We appreci-
ate your coming here.
HOUSING FOR FARM WORKERS
Mr. Lasbtjry. There is just one more point we would like to bring
out here. Most of this questioning has been revolving around the
question of what available labor we have here in the State and what
we anticipate needing to import.
The housing problem for agricultural labor is one of the com-
mittee's outstanding problems, and we have not dwelt on that. If you
gentlemen would be interested, the committee has drawn up a recom-
mendation that we would like to have you consider. I will ask Mr.
Grossman to read that now, so that you can get an idea of just what
it is, or we can file it.
The Chairman. Please file it. We have heard considerable about
housing around here, but we would be only too glad to have it made
a part of the record,
Mr. Lasbury. This is the most vital part of our testimony. We
need this housing and need it very badly.
The Chairman. Will you please leave that with the reporter and
let it go in as a part of your testimony ?
(The document referred to appears in this volume as exhibit 34,
p. 5391.)
REPORTS SHORTAGE OF DAIRY HELP
Mr. Putnam, I would like to bring out a few points that have not
been covered. We have more dairy farmers in the State of Connecti-
cut than any other type of farmer. There are something like 5,900
dairy farms in the State. Now, I know that dairy farmers, in order
to meet this situation, are working, many of them, 14 to 16 hours a
day to produce this extra demand for milk that is being caused by
the increase in industrial activities in Connecticut.
I know that dairy farmers are unable to secure men for doing their
regular farm work. If we had a thousand regular dairy farm help
available, I believe they would be taken up in about a week.
The farmers have made applications to the Connecticut State Em-
ployment Service, and it is very difficult for the employment service
to fill those applications.
I don't think the pleas for help indicate the seriousness of the
situation, because the farmers know of their neighbors who have been
in there to apply for help and haven't been able to secure it.
Now, I think there is a very serious situation that exists generally
on our dairy farms in the State. The men are working long hours
and trying to meet this extra demand that is necessary to keep this
defense machinery working,
PEAKS OF LABOR DE:MAND AFTER SCHOOL STARTS
Another point that I would like to bring out is that two of our
peaks come after school opens again in the fall. One is the apple-
picking season, and it is going to be a serious problem. That job
doesn't come along until after the schools open. We need in the
neighborhood of about 3,500 men for short periods to pick those
5406 HARTFORD HEARINGS
apples, and we need them promptly at the right tune, because if they
are not picked, the apples drop off the trees and are wasted. It is
going to be a tough situation to get the necessary help to do that job.
Another peak is the potato picking, which comes after the schools
open up in the fall. I don't think that has been brought out.
The Chairman. Well, thank you very much, gentlemen. We ap-
preciate your coming here.
Our next witness is Mr. Kichardson.
TESTIMONY OF WILLIAM RICHARDSON, HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. Mr. Curtis will interrogate you, Mr. Richardson.
Mr. Curtis. Mr. Richardson, will you give your full name to the
reporter ?
Mr. Richardson. William Richardson.
Mr. Curtis. Wliat is your age ?
Mr. Richardson. Twenty-four.
Mr. Curtis. And where were you born ?
Mr. Richardson. In Richmond, Va.
Mr. Curtis. Have you lived there all your life ?
Mr. Richardson. I lived there all my life.
Mr. Curtis. How much education have you had ?
Mr. Richardson. I finished college 2 weeks ago in the Richmond
University at Richmond, Va.
Mr, Curtis. What kind of course did you take ?
Mr. Richardson. History and education, or teacher training.
Mr. Curtis. Do you have a job for this fall?
Mr. Richardson. I have not.
Mr. Curtis. Do you think you will be able to get one ?
Mr. Richardson. I think so.
Mr. Curtis. Where is that job apt to be?
Mr. Richardson. Somewhere in rural Virginia, teaching.
Mr. Curtis. During your school days what kind of work did you
do in the summertime?
Mr. Richardson. Domestic and personal service and hotel work —
particularly hotel work during the summer.
Mr. Curtis. Have you ever worked any in the tobacco fields in
the South?
Mr. Richardson. No.
Mr. Curtis. When did you come to Connecticut ?
Mr. Richardson. Two weeks ago today.
Mr. Curtis. How did you happen to come up here ?
Mr. Richardson. Well, Reverend Moody, a Baptist minister in
Hartford, requested from the president of our university that 35
men be sent up, and he sent 24, and then after a couple of weeks,
some more came.
Mr. Curtis. Your information was that you were to do what when
you got here?
Mr. Richardson. We were told we were to work on the tobacco
farms, but specifically we were not informed
Mr. Curtis. How much was your pay supposed to be ?
Mr. Richardson. We were told we were to get 40 cents an hour
for a 48-hour week. That was the information we received before
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5407
we got to Connecticut. I believe Mr. Ball, in the employment serv-
ice, in speaking to some of the men before I came, told them they
were to get $3.25 for a 48-hour week.
Mr. Curtis. $3.25 a clay?
Mr. Richardson. Yes, sir. However, we are not getting that. We
are getting $3 a day and working 54 hours a week.
Mr. Curtis. 9 hours a day and 6 days a week ?
Mr. Richardson. Yes, sir.
Mr. Curtis. That is outdoor work — it is in the open ?
Mr. Richardson. That is right.
Mr. Curtis. And you never worked in tobacco before ?
Mr. Richardson. No ; I hadn't.
Mr. Curtis. How soon did you get work after you got here ?
Mr. Richardson. I began working the day after I arrived.
Mr. Curtis. And making $18 a week ?
Mr. Richardson. Well, one rainy day we stayed out, but the rainy
day this week we worked inside of the shed and the employer said in
case of any other rainy days there would be work on the inside pro-
vided for us.
Mr. Curtis. "VYlio furnished your board and room ?
Mr. Richardson. We are boarding at Reverend Moody's church,
and some of us are staying at the Salvation Army, and some of the
others who came a little early secured quarters at the Hartford
Seminary Foundation.
At Reverend Moody's church the church ladies come in and prepare
the food for us.
Mr. Curtis. What do they charge you ?
Mr. Richardson. Charge $5 a week for food.
Mr. Curtis. Is it good food ?
Mr. Richardson. I don't think so — not in my estimation.
Mr. Curtis. Do you get enough ?
Mr. Richardson. It is sufficient.
Mr. Curtis. You don't have to stay there, do you ?
Mr. Richardson. It isn't required, but it is the most convenient
place because the trucks pick us up there in the morning and bring
us back in the afternoon.
Mr. Curtis. What do you have to pay for a room ?
Mr. Richardson. We pay $1.75 a week at the Salvation Army.
Mr. Curtis. Describe the sleeping quarters.
Mr. Richardson. There are 22 of us. There are 10 double-decker
beds and 2 single beds in one room that is not too large, with two
windows at one end.
We arrived there Wednesday night after coming up from Rich-
mond, Va., and the ladies at the church sent us to the Salvation Army,
and the man registered us and ushered us into the room. We com-
plained because the linen was dirty. He told us that they had a
regular day for changing linen — we could either sleep on it then
or wait until the regular day. We slept on it, and after we were
there 8 days it was changed. There is 1 shower and 1 toilet and about
3 wash basins for the 22 men.
We are required to be in by 10 o'clock every night except Saturday
and Sunday. If you are out late you have to wait until the night
watchman comes around.
5408 HARTFORD HEARINGS
The room is not locked and the facilities for hanging up your clothes
and being comfortable are not very good. Last Saturday night one of
the men that came up with me had his bag stolen, and it is not comfort-
able there at all.
Mr. Curtis. What do you do in the evening ?
Mr. Richardson. Well, we get up in the morning at 5 and by the time
we get back it is about 7 and we are usually too tired to do anything.
However, some of the men staying at the seminary have recreational
facilities provided for them there, but the rest of us don't have anything
to do.
Mr. Curtis. That is a colored seminary ?
Mr. Richardson. No ; it is a white seminary, I believe.
Mr. Curtis. How long will you boys have employment up here ?
Mr. Richardson. Through September the 6th, I believe we are told.
Mr. Curtis. All college boys?
Mr. Richardson. All in my group are.
Mr. Curtis. Are they graduates or will they go back to school ?
Mr. Richardson. Most of them will go back to school.
Mr. Curtis. How much money could you have made if you had
stayed in Virginia ?
Mr. Richardson. Well, at the seashore we usually clear about $150
in a good season. Most of the college boys go away to the seashore or
mountain resorts to w^ork for the summer. That is better than staying
in Richmond because there is nothing in Richmond. They are not all
from the college in Virginia. There are some from other universities
in Pennsylvania and there are 30 from Virginia and the other 30 are
from these two schools in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Curtis. I think that is all.
The Chairman. Thank you very much.
Our next witness is Mary Smith.
TESTIMONY OF MARY SMITH, HAETFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. Mrs. Smith, Mr. Curtis will interrogate you.
Mr. Curtis. Will you give your full name to the reporter?
Mrs. Smith. Mary Smith.
Mr. Curtis. How old are you?
Mrs. Smith. 43.
Mr. Curtis. ^Vliere were you born?
Mrs. Smith. Quincy, Fla.
Mr. Curtis. How long did you live in Florida ?
Mrs. Smith. All my life.
Mr. Curtis. Are you married?
Mrs. Smith. Yes, sir.
Mr. Curtis. Have you any children?
Mrs. Smith. No.
Mr. Curtis. When were you married?
Mrs. Smith. 1917.
Mr. Curtis. When did you come to Hartford ?
Mrs. Smith. 1918.
Mr. Curtis. You have lived in Hartford then continuously since
1918?
Mrs. Smith. Yes; right through until now.
Mr. Curtis. Does your husband live here?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5409
Mrs. Smith. Yes.
Mr. Curtis. What is his occupation ?
Mrs. Smith. Well, he works at the American Sumatra Tobacco
Co.
Mr. Curtis. How many years has he worked for this tobacco com-
pany?
Mrs. Smith. Well, since we have been here.
Mr. CuETis. Does he work all the year around ?
Mrs. Smith. Pretty near all the way through.
Mr. Curtis. What do they pay him ?
Mrs. Smith. WeD, now, $35 a week.
Mr. Curtis. Does he work in the field or in the shed?
Mrs. Smith. No; he works like a night watchman or something —
I don't know what it is, but that is what he is.
Mr. Curtis. Do you work for tobacco company?
Mrs. Smith. Yes ; I do in the wintertime.
Mr. Curtis. The same company?
Mrs. Smith. Yes.
Mr. Curtis. What do they have you do ?
Mrs. Smith. Well, I am an inspector.
Mr. Curtis. Piece worker?
Mrs. Smith. No ; day work.
Mr. Curtis. About when do you start each season?
Mrs. Smith. October.
Mr. Curtis. How long do you work?
Mrs. Smith. Well, from 3 to 4 months.
Mr. Curtis. What do they pay you?
Mrs. Smith. $17.50 a week.
Mr. Curtis. How many hours ?
Mrs. Smith. Seven.
Mr. Curtis. For 6 days?
Mrs. Smith. Yes.
Mr. Curtis. Are you classified as an agricultural worker ?
Mrs. Smith. I am.
Mr. Curtis. Is your work in the fields?
Mrs. Smith. Well, I haven't been on the farm in 10 years.
Mr. Curtis. Where do you do this inspecting?
Mrs. Smith. Well, that is in the shed.
Mr. Curtis. Now, do you inspect during the time this tobacco is
being processed or is that part of the growing inspection?
Mrs. Smith. No, no ; that is when it is growed, when I am inspect-
ing. It is all growed and housed and ready to grade out and be
sold — it is dried then.
Mr. Curtis. You don't come under the social security law?
Mrs. Smith. No. \
Mr. Curtis. Are there a number of southern colored people up
here working in tobacco ?
Mrs. Smith. Yes.
Mr. Curtis. Where do they come from ?
Mrs. Smith. Well, different places.
Mr. Curtis. Those that you know — are they permanent employees
or do they come up here as seasonal workers ?
Mrs. Smith. No; they just come like I did. I know quite a few
from my home and others since I have been here throughout the years.
5410 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Curtis. How did you happen to know about this employment
up here?
Mrs. Smith. Well, I just heard of it and that is the way it was.
Mr. Curtis. You are satisfied with the wages you and your hus-
band get ?
Mrs. Smith. Well, now I am, but I haven't been^
Mr. Curtis. It is more money than you would make in the South?
Mrs. Smith. Yes.
Mr. Curtis. That is all.
The Chairman. Mr. Arnold?
Mr. Arnold. Where do you live ? They don't furnish j^ou a house,
do they ?
Mrs. Smith. Now?
Mr. Arnold. Yes.
Mrs. Smith. No ; I live at 21 Avon Street.
Mr. Arnold. Has your rent been raised ?
Mrs. Smith. No ; it hasn't yet.
Mr. Arnold. You have a good landlord, who hasn't raised your
rent?
Mrs. Smith. Well, pretty good ; he hasn't raised it yet.
Mr. Arnold. That is all.
The Chairman. Thank you, Mrs. Smith.
Our next witness is George Gershel.
TESTIMONY OF GEORGE GEESHEL, SHADE TOBACCO GROWER,
HARTFORD, CONN.
The Chairman. Mr. Gershel, Mr. Curtis will interrogate you.
Mr. Curtis. Will you state your name for the reporter?
Mr. Gershel. George Gershel.
Mr. Curtis. You live here in Hartford ?
Mr. Gershel. Yes, sir.
Mr. Curtis. What is your occupation ?
Mr. Gershel. Shade tobacco grower.
Mr. Curtis. Do you represent any growers' association ?
Mr. Gershel. Connecticut Valley Shade Growers Association.
Mr. Curtis. The prepared statement you have submitted will be
made a part of the record.
(The statement referred to above is as follows :)
STATEMENT BY GEORGE F. GERSHEL, HARTFORD, CONN.
The shade tobacco industry had its inception around the year 1901, through the
efforts of the United States Department of Agriculture and the growers in the
Connecticut Valley.
It was developed in order to give American manufacturers of cigars a depend-
able product of American growing, in order to free them from the necessity of
purchasing imported Sumatra wrappers.
For several years after the introduction of the tobacco it was very difficult to
sell it commercially and it had its first real commercial use in 1907, when the crop
of Habana wrappers grown in Cuba was a failure. From that point on the use of
"shade" increased rapidly, and at its high point in 1929 we were growing about
9,000 acres. After the crash of 1929 it was necessary for the acreage to be cur-
tailed sharply and it reached its low in 1932 of 4,300 acres.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5411
lu 1933 we uegotiated with the Secretary of Agriculture a marketing agreement
and license, which put our production and selling methods under strict control of
the Department of Agriculture and the A. A. A.
We were able to gradually increase our acreage up to 7,300 acres in 1939 and
at the present time our allotment for the summer of 1941 is 6,500 acres, which we
feel to be a probable stabilization point.
HURRICANE CAUSED HEAVY LOSS
During the first 5 years of the operation of the agreement we had fairly
stable profits, but in 1938 we all suffered tremendous losses due to the flood
and the hurricane, and we further suffered losses in 1939 and 1940 due to both
poor crop conditions and marketing conditions.
Sumatra tobacco is practically our sole competitor, upon which the duty has
been reduced from $2.27 to $1.50 through the medium of the reciprocal trade
agreement with the Netherlands.
This has had the effect of giving the manufacturers of Sumatra wrapped
cigars an additional premium to be used in exploiting the sales of these cigars,
which they have done and which has cut into the sales of shade-wrapped cigars.
In passing, we would like to bring out that the duty of $1.50 was levied
when the wage rates in the Connecticut Valley were much less than they are
at the moment, and we feel that a reexamination is more or less in line with
our terrifically Increased cost in production which is taking place at the
present time due to national defense activities.
Approximately fifty-five growers are growing this type of tobacco, which
requires heavy investments and heavy production costs, which run up to as
high as $1,200 per acre and which must be borne by large-sized units with
financial strength and backing.
BROIGHT IN NEGRO WORKERS
During the last war it was necessary for us to import a considerable amount
of colored help from the South which, complemented with local high school
and grammar school boys and girls, did carry us through that emergency.
Since the last war approximately 80 percent of the help used has been local,
the other 20 percent being from the South and being used only during the months
of June, July, and August.
At the moment help is being drawn locally and from cities such as Springfield
and Chicopee in Massachusetts, and with a greatly increased proportion of
southern help, the southern help this year being mainly from southern universi-
ties where the boys, accompanied by their instructors and professors, are coming
North to work out the summer here.
The industry would employ in its peak season, which is from the middle of
July to the first of September, about 8,000 workers in the State of Connecticut,
of which probably 35 percent would be boys between the ages of 14 and IS, who
do the actual picking of the leaves, about 35 percent being women between
the ages of 16 and 40. who do the actual stringing of the leaf on the lath, with
the balance being male help to complete the various operations necessary to
house the tobacco in the sheds.
Some plantations have modern dormitories where male help is boarded at
prices about $1 a day. Other plantations have complete home units, where
families live and which are not rented but given to the workers.
WORKERS BROUGHT IN BY TRUCK
The balance of the workers are brought in by truck, at no charge to the
worker, from various towns where previous arrangements had been made with
groups of workers to travel back and forth daily to the plantations.
The regular number of hours of work is 9 hours, being from 7 until 12 and
from 1 until 4, and the minimum wages for this summer are $3 a day, with an
average of about $3.50 a day.
The sanitary facilities on all the plantations, as well as the conditions of work,
are now supjervised and have been for several years by the Connecticut State
Labor Department and the Board of Health, and all their recommendations are
being carried out.
5412 HARTFORD HEARINGS
TESTIMONY OF GEORGE GERSHEL— Eesumed
Mr. Curtis. Tell us, Mr. Gershel, something about the various types
of labor used in the tobacco industry.
Mr. Gershel. Well, we use boys of 14 for picking; 14 years and up,
and women, girls 16 and up, and men up to practically 55 or 60.
Mr. Curtis. When is your picking season ?
Mr. Gershel. Middle of July to the 1st of September, approximately.
Mr. Curtis. So any of this labor of youngsters is not during the
school year?
Mr. Gershel. No ; that is by agreement with the State department
of labor.
wages around $3 a day
Mr. Curtis. What do these 14-year-old boys make ?
Mr. Gershel. They will make around $3 a day.
Mr. Curtis. Do any of your employees get a bonus or anything of
that kind?
Mr. Gershel. Not as a regular practice ; no.
Mr. Curtis. Are many of these workers colored ?
Mr. Gershel. No.
Mr. Curtis. All of your employees are white employees ?
Mr. Gershel. Our own employees are all white, but some plantations
do use colored boys.
Mr. Curtis. How many acres of tobacco are grown by the organiza-
tion you represent?
Mr. Gershel. About 6,500 acres.
Mr. Curtis. How many different plantations?
Mr. Gershel. About 55 growers, ranging from 30 acres up to 1,000
acres.
Mr. Curtis. Averaging about 100 acres ?
Mr. Gershel. Probably a little more than that — probably 200. A
large unit is more economical than a small unit.
Mr. Curtis. You have some help that you need all the year round,
don't you ?
Mr. Gershel. Yes, sir; we use them in the wintertime sorting the
tobacco, sweating the tobacco in the warehouses, preparing it for sale.
Mr. Curtis. Now, this group that you represent, about how many
l^eople do they use the year round ?
Mr. Gershel. At the peak, which would be in the summer, probably
10,000.
Mr. Curtis. How many of these people do you have working for
you all the year round ?
Mr. Gershel. An average of about 4.000 or 5,000.
Mr. Curtis, And then at the gi-eatest peak you increase that up to
possibly 10,000?
Mr. Gershel. That would be in the summer. The winter peak isn't
much more than 6,000.
FEW provide housing
Mr. Curtis. Do you provide housing for any of the employees ?
Mr. Gershel. Some plantations do. I believe a majority do not.
Mr. Curtis. "Wliat sort of housing is provided by those that do ?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5413
Mr. Gebshel. That varies. Some have very decent dormitories,
some have individual houses where families live, and some have dormi-
tories for the male help.
Mr. CuKTis. Are they pretty good types of dormitories or does
that vary also?
Mr. Gershel. That varies too. They have made some improve-
ments in the last 3 years.
Mr. Curtis. And how about the sanitary facilities of those places?
Mr. Gershel. Fairly good. They are also being improved con-
siderably.
Mr. Curtis. Do you know, Mr. Gershel, whether the recommenda-
tions of the State Department of Labor have been and are being car-
ried out?
Mr. Gershel. To the best of my ability, yes.
Mr. Curtis. And that includes such items as child labor and hous-
ing facilities and sanitation and hours?
Mr. Gershel. Each year they are approaching it exactly the way
they want it.
CLASSIFIED AS AGRICULTURAL LABORERS
Mr. Curtis. Are the tobacco workers protected by any of the
Social Security laws?
ISIr. Gershel. No.
Mr. Curtis. They are all classified as agricultural laborers?
Mr. Gershel. Yes, sir.
Mr, Curtis. Now, are most of these plantations individually
owned, or are they corporate properties?
Mr, Gershel, About half and half.
Mr, Curtis, The larger ones are corporations and the smaller
ones individually owned?
Mr. Gershel, Yes.
Mr, Curtis, Has your association taken any position in regard to
placing these tobacco workers under the Social Security law ?
Mr, Gershel, We have had quite a varied history. The act has
been interpreted several different ways, several different times. The
last decision was this winter, by the Connecticut Supreme Court,
which ruled they were agricultural laborers, and recently the In-
ternal Revenue Department ruled that under the Social Security
law they were agricultural laborers. But in the last 3 years there
have been decisions back and forth, and now it is finally settled —
they are agricultural laborers.
Mr. Curtis. Could the individual farmer — the farm owned by a
private individual and not a corporation — increase wages, or, if he
would establish a social-security system of his own or anything of
ihat kind, can he add that to the cost of his product?
Mr. Gershel. No.
dependent on nickel cigar market
Mr, Curtis, "VAHiere is the tobacco market established?
Mr. Gershel. This tobacco is solely a wrapper tobacco. It is used
only as a wrapper on cigars, and as you probably know, the pre-
dominant type of cigar sold in the country is a five-cent cigar or two-
for-five. Ninety percent of all the cigars made are five cents, and it
60396— 41— pt. 13 26
5414 HARTFORD HEARINGS
is impossible to increase that price without further cutting the cigar
market.
Cigar sales have decreased in sale since 1907, with an increasing
population — eight billion were sold in 1907, and today sales are a
little over five billion. So there is no chance to increase the price.
Mr. Curtis. And you do not raise cigarette tobacco here ?
Mr, Gershel, No ; we do not.
Mr, Curtis. Have there been any labor difficulties on the planta-
tions ?
Mr. Gershel. No ; not that we know of.
Mr, Curtis. Has there been any labor shortage ?
Mr. Gershel. There was at the beginning, and some plantations
made arrangements, I guess, to get these southern college boys; but
so far there seems to be enough labor. Of course, our peak is com-
ing in the middle of July, and then I don't know what the situation
will be,
Mr, Curtis. How do the farmers feel about that peak — that they
will be able to get along this year ?
Mr, Gershel, Well, yes, and no. Farmers are optimists by nature,
and we think we will get enough help in the State because most of
our increase, of course, will come from school boys, and the State
has registered quite a few of these school boys who have volunteered
to work on farms.
Our work starts before any other farming activity. We don't think
there will be much of a shortage of school boys.
Mr, Curtis. Is all of the tobacco produced by your association
sold to one company, or do you sell it on the open market?
sale in open market
Mr. Gershel. Open market. Most of it goes to about 10 com-
panies who have, of course, about 85 percent of the cigar production
business of the country.
Mr. Curtis. But it is not a contract proposition — growing for one
company ?
Mr. Gershel. No.
Mr. Curtis. I think that is all.
The Chairman, Thank you very much, Mr. Gershel.
Our next witness is George Hayes,
TESTIMONY OF GEOEGE HAYES, INTERNAL REVENUE
DEPARTMENT, TARIEFVILLE, CONN.
The Chairman. Congressman Arnold will interrogate, you, Mr.
Hayes.
Mr. Arnold. Mr, Hayes, will you please state your full name, age,
address, and occupation ?
Mr, Hayes. George Hays; 43. I reside at Tariffville, Conn,
Mr, Arnold, And your occupation and a brief history of your past
occupation.
Mr. Hayes. I have worked for Internal Revenue since November
last. Before that I was a tobacco grower, beginning at the age of
around 19 or 20, along in there.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5415
I first operated as Hayes Bros., with my brother, and we grew dur-
ing that period, I think we grew some shade — not very much — and
some outside tobacco. Then we later operated as W. J. Hayes and
Sons, and I think we grew about 40 or 50 acres during that period.
That was a period of about 5 years.
Then I operated individually for a period of about 5. years. I
think 2 of those 5 years I grew a crop, on my own account, of about
20 acres of out-door tobacco. Following that I became in very bad
shape financially, due to the bad market in tobacco. I think the last
crop I sold was at 16 cents, and I rented my land one year — 16 acres
and the next year 23 acres — and I went to work for the people I
rented it to as a farm foreman at $20 a week. From there I went
to the Reliable Tobacco Co. It was a new company, and I acted as
foreman for them. I received $40 a week there for 1 year.
Mr. Arnold. Then you have been all through the tobacco business?
Mr. Hayes. I have bought tobacco for three winters and then I
have been affiliated with tobacco farmers all my life — ever since I
was a kid.
Mr. Arnold. Your, prepared statement will be incorporated into
the record of the hearing.
(The statement referred to is as follows:)
STATEMENT BY GEORGE F. HAYES, DEPUTY COLLECTOR, INTERNAL
REVENUE SERVICE, HARTFORD, CONN.
I have been a tobacco grower all my life, starting at about the age of 20.
First, I started as Hayes Bros., growing Havana seed and shade tobacco, for a
period of approximately 8 years. Then as W. J. Hayes & Sons, for approxi-
mately 4 years. During that period, we grew from 40 to 50 acres. After that
time, I operated as George Hayes, personally, for about 5 years. During that
period we grew from 40 to 50 acres. During the period that I operated per-
sonally, I grew 20 acres of Havana seed for 2 years and then I rented land
and went to work for S. A. Fassler & Co. as foreman for 2 years at a weekly
wage of $20. Then I organized the Reliable Tobacco Co. and used my farm
and acted as foreman for 2 years. I received the backing of Julius Klorfein
(Garcia Grande Cigar Co.) who backed my company to the extent of $80,000.
I acted as foreman for the operation of 81 acres of shade tobacco for the
company at a salary of $40 a week.
In the winter of 1938 and 1939 I was a buyer for L. Holzman & Sons who
were acting as agents for J. H. Swisher Co. who were located in Jacksonville,
Fla.
OPERATIONS CEASED IN 194 0
In 1940 operations were stopped entirely because of financial inablity to con-
tinue. As a result of financial difficulties, both of my farms were lost through
foreclosure and sold by the Simsbury Bank and defaulted to the Federal land
bank.
During the past few years I have been called upon on various occasions to give
information about the tobacco industry to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
As a result of some 20 to 25 years in the tobacco industry, particularly because
of my contacts with many farmers, small and large — I feel qualified to speak on
the situation of the outdoor tobacco farmer of today.
The situation in which the small outdoor tobacco farmer finds himself today
is extremely serious, and has come about as the result of several factors. Now,
to begin with, the farm prices paid to the small growers have been unsatisfactory
over a long period of years.
Probably the largest single factor operating against the interests of the small
farmer is the fact that the prices which the small tobacco farmer receives are set
by the buyer of tobacco. I saw this operating as a buyer during that period of
time I was given a top price to pay for tobacco, and it was my job to see to it that
5416 HARTFORD HEARINGS
I bought the tobacco at a price low enough to afford a considerable margin for
my employer.
HOW TOBACCO IS BOUGHT
In rare cases where we expected to pay a top price the usual attempt was to
pay as low as we possibly could. That is the typical way in which tobacco is
bought.
I would walk into a farmer, look at his tobacco, make him an offer. If it was
not accepted, the price which he ultimately received would be considerably less
than the original offer made in almost every case. It is a common practice
among tobacco growers to make one offer, and to let that offer stand until the
farmer is either ready to accept the price, or else, perhaps months later, to accept
a substantially lower one. Frequently the farmer will wait long periods of time
before receiving another offer.
It has been my personal experience that after having made farmers an offer
which they refused I was then told by my employers not to go near that farmer
for a good long time, and then to make a lower offer.
In connection with the offers made I was frequently given a calling list with
names of certain farmers omitted, and I was told not to go near tliem at all.
Frequently this happened because they produced an inferior grade of tobacco.
Very frequently the reason was because the farmer in question had criticized the
operation or techniques of the buying company openly, and his punishment was
that if he sold his tobacco at all it would be at a price punishingly low.
SMALX, FARMER INTIMIDATED
As a result of this kind of purchasing system the average small farmer has
been intimidated to the point where he is afraid to speak for fear that he should
criticize openly the buying company or let it be known that he is dissatisfied in
any way, he may not sell his tobacco, or he may sell it virtually at a price dis-
astrously low.
I know the names and can supply them in confidence to the committee, of
several farmers at least who have suffered through this virtual blacklist.
In most of these cases tobacco which the farmers had offered for sale was as
good as the tobacco which was being regularly purchased, and in particular
instances even better.
Another factor which has operated to direct disadvantage of the small farmer
has been his inability to obtain sufficient credit at reasonable rates of interest
to finance his crops.
Many of them are forced to deal with fertilizer companies to finance their crops
at various rates of interest.
The small tobacco grower, because of his previous losses and financial diflSculties,
is considered by local banks to be a poor credit risk. They are also financed by
independent tobacco dealers who buy and sell tobacco. For instance, a man
may have been refused a loan by the local bank and cannot qualify for a loan
under the Hartford Production Credit requirements and he is forced to seek
financial assistance from independent tobacco dealers who will either arrange
such assistance through the fertilizer company or else themselves advance the
money as the season matures.
BUYERS ALSO GROWERS
Several of the companies that purchase this tobacco also are growers of shade.
Among these are Meyer & Mendelsohn who buy for Bayuk Cigars, Inc., and the
Hartman Tobacco Co. The techniques of buying which I traced previously, are
practiced by all buyers without exception.
At the beginning of the buying season, it is common knowledge among the buyers
what the top price will be on the year's crop. The farmers, of course, are ignorant
of this until after the buying has already begun.
In general, these two large factors set the pre-conditions for distress among the
small farmer.
There is little or no identity of intei-est between the shade and out-door tobacco
growers. The shade growers are tightly organized, and are in a position to
know the market and to make adjustments. The small farmer, on the other hand,
is completely unorganized. Every attempt so far to organize the small farmer
has, some through some manner or means, failed. In addition, the small farmer
has none of the financial resources which the shade farmer has had and has
not been able to adjust to the market quickly in order to avoid loss, even though
his investment is substantially smaller than the investment of the shade grower.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5417
ORGANIZATION OF INDUSTKT
I previously referred to the shade tobacco industry as one which is tiglitly
organized. I mean by this that throughout the entire valley there are only some
50 growers of shade tobacco but that these are dominated by a small group of
companies numbering not more than 12 to 15 at most.
In order to grow shade tobacco in Connecticut, the grower has to have a shade
acreage allotment from the Connecticut "Valley Shade Acreage Allotment Com-
mittee. I am of the opinion that the men placed on this committee are picked.
In order to procure an allotment, the farmer has to go before this committee and
state his whole background in reference to growing shade tobacco.
I mean by that he has to prove that he is financially interested in the group,
that he has grown the crop previously, and financed it previously, and not merely
worked for somebody who did finance the crop.
COST $1,000 PEE ACRE
Inasmuch as it costs on an average of $1,000 per acre to grow shade tobacco, it
is readily apparent that comparatively few growers would be in a position to
finance a crop and comparatively few likewise would have had any significant
history in the financing of shade growing.
As a result, the same few have been able by virtue of their ability to obtain
financing, both in New York through the cigar-manufacturing companies, and
through local banks, to maintain control over the total acreage and allotments of
shade tobacco in the valley. There have been attempts to break into this circle.
My own personal experience leads me directly to state this.
At the time I was working for Mr. Fassler at a weekly wage of $20 in 1936, I
did not think that there was a future there for me and on one occasion I went
to Silberman & Kahn, knowing they were large growers of Connecticut shade
tobacco, asking them what the possibilities were of working for them and rent-
ing my land to them. I talked with Mr. Silberman personally. He asked me a
good many questions in reference to my farm and was apparently interested.
I was at the time working in the warehouse at Mr. Fassler's. I went to work
the next morning. I was called into the main office of Mr. Fassler's. He said
to me, "I understand you liave been over to see Mr. Silberman in reference to a
job and renting your land." I said, "That is quite true." Then he said, "You
are through." From that point I found myself unable to get a tob on a tobacco
farm at any price, or unable to rent my farm to anyone, even in part. Aa
evidence of the quality of tobacco that my land produced, Mr. Fassler rented 16
acres the first year, and the second year 23 acres.
I became aware of the fact that nowhere along the line could I break in
again. I tried to rent my land to every one of the big shade-growing companies
and was unable to do so. When I realized the situation I was in, the only thing
left for me to do was attempt to form a new company, obtain financial backing,
procure sufficient allotments to make it big enough to run a warehouse, and sort
the tobacco through our own company.
To accomplish this I went directly to New York to the firm of Julius Klorfein
(Garcia Grande cigar), whom I previously mentioned, and obtained from them
financial backing up to 100 acres for the new company. It was in attempting to
obtain sufficient acreage from the allotment committee that I realized the nature
of this rigid control.
In order to operate as a packer, which I honestly had to do, or else I couldn't
sell my tobacco, it is necessary to have in the neighborhood of 100 acres in
order to be able to keep a warehouse running economically. I went to the shade-
acreage committee and told them the position I was in, and also told them of
my financial condition. I mentioned three farms that had possibilities for creat-
ing shade acreage, among them my own. I had great difficulty in obtaining the
allotment, but finally reached the point where I had 55 acres of allotment
definitely applying on three different farms.
FORECLOSURE
During the process of trying to obtain more additional acreage to complete the
economic unit, I was told by the chairman of the committee the following. He
said, "Mr. Hayes, if you keep on fighting this thing, in 2 years you are not
going to own a farm."
That is exactly what took place. The foreclosure was made by the Simsbury
bank, the president of which is a substantial grower himself, having approxi-
5418 HARTFORD HEARINGS
mately 100 acres of shade, and who is a member of the Shade Growers Tobacco
Association.
Following this conversation I was called back on the telephone by the man
who had previously told me I would lose my farm and was told that I could
have the additional acreage. We then operated 81 acres of shade tobacco for
1 year.
I was told by many men who saw this tobacco in the warehouse that the crop
was far better than the average crop for that season. For some reason, which
no one could explain, the company which financed me during that year dis-
continued tlie operation with my company.
The discontinuation of this enterprise was very unusual because it is im-
possible to test the economic feasibility of the enterprise in a single year. In
addition, the total investment is so large that to discontinue meant sharp losses
in equipment and materials. »
The discontinuation after 1 year of operation has never been known in the
history of shade growing in the Connecticut Valley. This leaves me to believe,
only I have no means of proving it, that pressure was brought to bear upon the
company which financed me to discontinue.
As a result, I lost my farms through foreclosure and had to get out of the
tobacco business.
EFFECT OF DEFENSE ON LABOE SUPPLY
The present defense program has undoubtedly had its effect on the labor supply
available to the small farmer as well as the large farmer. It is true that the small
tobacco grower with 5 or 6 acres of outdoor tobacco doesn't need much extra labor,
but this year he may have to take unusual steps to get even this small amount.
For instance, he may have to pay more money for labor, he may even have to get
housing provisions in order to keep it. The big shade growers will feel it even
more, but they are much better able to take care of themselves. They can pick up
the wage and they can go out in their trucks and get help. Moreover, labor prefers
working in gangs, and so it tends to go toward the larger farms. Now the small
farmer, since he has to spend relatively little for labor, wouldn't mind paying
more, if he were assured of a decent price for his tobacco ; but as the situation is
now, he can't spend an extra dollar, and therefore will be in a relatively difficult
position, unless some arrangement can be made whereby he can compete on an
equal basis for obtaining the labor. In my opinion, the proposals which I have
heard for getting a Federal camp in this area would not be of any help to the
small man, since he only needs the labor for a few weeks. What he needs is the
cash with which to hire and provide for the labor, and a satisfactory price for his
product. There's where the nub of the problem is.
TESTIMONY OF GEORGE HAYES— Resumed
Mr. Arnold. How is the defense program affecting the labor prob-
lem of the tobacco farmer, both shade and outdoor ?
Mr. Hayes. I presume there will probably be a shortage to some ex-
tent. I don't think there is any doubt about that. But what usually
happens is that for the small farmer — the 6-, 6-, 8-, or 10-acre tobacco
farmer and the dairy farmer as well — it is harder to get help than it is
for the big organizations, because of the fact that the large organiza-
tions have trucks, they have boarding houses and they have the finances
and they have an organization — a good organization, a strong organi-
zation— and the small farmer hasn't got those things and he can't com-
pete with them.
As I understand, there has been a proposal for a corporation to take
care of this farm labor, and I am rather of the opinion that the smaller
farmer would probably not get much advantage from it because of his
position. He hasn't got the finances and he don't know whether he has
a market for his tobacco.
Mr. Arnold. What is the situation with the small outdoor tobacco
farmer ?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5419
Mr. Hayes. It is a sorry plight. For a long period of years he has
been producing tobacco for the cost of producing it, and in many cases
less than the cost of production. In very rare exceptions was there
much profit — I will take one exception, and that was 1 year, 1939.
During that year the Federal Bureau of Investigation was up here
making inquiries. Now, I don't know whether that had any bear-
ing on it or not, but I do know that in 1939 there seemed to be more
spice in the buying of the tobacco. The price wasn't what it should
be, but the tobacco was all sold. That is the big end of it. It was
sold within a week, but that was the first year that happened in a
good many years.
BANKS THINK TOBACCO CROP IS POOR RISK
Mr. Arnold. How does the small grower obtain his financing —
what does it cost him?
Mr. Hayes. I dare say that it probably costs the small grower
around 18 cents a pound to produce the outdoor tobacco. Maybe
this year it might cost 20 cents. With reference to finance, I think
the local banks consider a tobacco crop proposition as a very bad
risk. I think that is standard. They are financed, some through
dealers and fertilizer companies, and in that manner. There are
some who can get money at the local banks, but a very small number.
Mr. Arnold. What do they have to pay for credit where they are
financed by tobacco companies or through other companies?
Mr. Hayes. Usually what takes place is that the fellow is down
and out, and has got a proposition on his hands, and is pretty near
licked. The dealer will pick him up and say "Go ahead, and we
will furnish you with money as you go along." And, of course, at
the end of the season there is a general understanding that the man
who finances the crop has the first opportunity to buy it.
SAYS BIG FIRMS CONTROL MARKET
Mr. Arnold. He just about owns the crop then, doesn't he?
Mr. Hx\YES. That is about the size of it. I think there have been
some cases in which they agree beforehand that each shall take half
of the crop. That has always worked out very unsatisfactorily
because the buyers know the conditions, and they just don't give
anything for the farmer's part of the tobacco. He is more or less
at the mercy of the fertilizer company that loaned him the money
when he goes into that sort of a proposition.
Mr. Arnold. Then, of course, he is affected very materially by the
large purchasers of outdoor tobacco?
Mr. Hayes. Yes; definitely.
Mr. Arnold. They practically have control of the price?
Mr. Hayes. They have the situation well in hand. I mean by
that, the prices that are to be paid the farmer. The farmer doesn't
know what he is going to get paid until after the buying starts.
Mr. Arnold. Who are the large buyers of outdoor tobacco?
Mr. Hayes. Just the tobacco dealers here in the valley — Meyer-
Mendelson Tobacco Co. They are buyers of Havana seed tobacco
and also growers of shade tobacco. Hartman Bros, are also buyers
of Havana seed and broad leaf and they are also shade growers.
5420 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Arnold. Do you know how the large shade tobacco com-
panies are financed?
Mr. Hayes. Well, of course, in general we feel that they are
financed by the banks. Sometimes they are financed by the manu-
facturer, and I think there is one group of shade growers that
is being financed through the Hartford Production Credit to some
extent.
BUYERS BASE PRICE ON EARLY SURVEY
Mr. Arnold. Can you tell us briefly how the buying is done here
in Connecticut — the buying of tobacco?
Mr. Hayes. Most of the firms have their men go out and make
a survey, usually twice during the summer, when the crop is grow-
ing. They go right onto the man's farm and look the tobacco over
a couple of times during the growing season, and by that they have
a complete picture of it, and that survey is improper with the
tobacco farmer for a good many reasons. Sometimes, if things
don't look just right, the crop might not look too good in the field,
but it may still turn out to be a good crop of tobacco. But that
crop is marked "one," "two," or "three" class by what they see
in the field, and then, of course, the buying is done again by those
same men. When the actual bujang is done they will approach
a farmer and make him an offer, and in cases where there has been
an offer made and refused the farmer generally takes considerably
less. I have done the same thing myself. I have offered 25 cents
and have gone back probably 2 months afterward and offered 20
cents, under instructions.
Mr. Arnold. Not because of the market?
Mr. Hayes. No; just because of the condition there.
Mr. Arnold. Was that to teach the grower to sell when he is
offered a price?
Mr. Hayes. That is right. It is generally conceded in the val-
ley — I mean through the tobacco buyers and the large shade inter-
ests— that when any individual, whether he be a laboring man or
a small farmer, says something or does something that is detrimental
to the interests of the large shade-tobacco growers, he eventually
suffers at their hands. Undoubtedly it has been done repeatedly
here in the valley.
di\:ergent interests or growers
Mr. Arnold. I believe you said there were shade-tobacco com-
panies which also grow and buy outdoor tobacco?
Mr. Hayes. They grow shade tobacco and also buy outdoor to-
bacco.
Mr. Arnold. In general, do you feel the interests of the shade and
outdoor tobacco growers are identical?
Mr. Hayes. No ; I think they are entirely different.
Mr. Arnold. Will you explain that?
Mr. Hayes. The shade-tobacco growers, in the first place, have a
large organization. It is strong, financially and every other way,
and the small tobacco farmer hasn't the prestige to start with — he
hasn't the financial backing, and he is more or less at the mercy
of the large interests in every move he makes.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5421
Mr, Arnold. That is all.
The Chmrman. Thank you very much, Mr. Hayes.
Our next witness is Mr. Howard.
TESTIMONY OF DANIEL HOWARD, CONNECTICUT CONPEEENCE ON
SOCIAL AND LABOR LEGISLATION, WINDSOR, CONN.
The Chairman. Mr. Howard, Congressman Curtis will interrogate
you.
Mr. Curtis. Will you give your full name ?
Mr. Howard. Daniel Howard, from Windsor.
Mr. Curtis. What organization do you represent ?
Mr. Howard. The Connecticut Conference on Social and Labor
Legislation.
Mr. Curtis. Is that a full-time occupation ?
Mr. Howard. Oh, no.
Mr. Curtis. What is your business ?
Mr. Howard. I am a retired school superintendent — superintendent
emeritus now — and I am called upon not only by this organization
but many others to give a portion of my time.
Mr. Curtis. Who make up this conference on social and labor legis-
lation? Are they public spirited laymen, or social workers, or what?
Mr. Howard. There is a great variety. Once a year a large meet-
ing is held and invitations are sent out to all who are interested in
our work, and responses come from social workers' organizations,
labor unions, church groups, fraternal organizations, Y. W. C. A.'s
and Y, M. C. A.'s and others.
]\Ir. Curtis. The statement you have prepared for the committee
will be entered as a part of the record.
(The statement referred to follows:)
STATEMENT BY DANIEL HOWARD, CHAIRMAN, CONNECTICUT CON-
FERENCE ON SOCIAL AND LABOR LEGISLATION, WINDSOR,
CONN.
I have been asked what has been the history of labor in the tobacco industry
of the Connecticut Valley since the decade immediately preceding the World
War. My knowledge of this subject can best contribute to the answer to this
question by taking my home town, the town of Windsor, Conn., as an example
and illustration of what is common to all the other tobacco growing towns
in the valley. The Windsor tobacco industry also is more widely known than
that of any other of these 1 owns.
It was in this town that the progressive spirit of the tobacco growers led
them to organize about a half century ago to carry on scientific experiments in
order to determine the best fertilizers for their crops, and the best methods
for curing those crops in preparation for the market. Their experiments have
been of great value and the methods and processes devised as a result are now
followed almost universally by the growers. It was in this town also that
the first shade tent constructed in New England was set up in 1900 where
one-half acre was grown under cloth so successfully that the growing of shade
tobacco has become the largest single industry in the town. Here also is the
Connecticut Tobacco Experiment Station, the only one in New England, an
institution whose research publications are standard information wherever
tobacco is grown.
All this has resulted in making Windsor the center of America's shade-grown
tobacco industry, since the statisticians of the experiment station tell us that the
town grows more acres of tobacco under cloth than any other town, not only
in Connecticut or New England but in the whole world. In 1939, 1,84.") of the
4,800 acres of shade tobacco grown in Hartford County were grown in Windsor.
5422 HARTFORD HEARINGS
In 1940 Windsor also raised 551 acres of out-door tobacco, out of a total of
10,057 acres grown in Hartford County.
COMPLEX LABOR PROBLEM
Such an industry with its varying labor requirements at different stages of
production presents a complicated labor problem. In the spring when the seed
beds are being prepared and the seed sown, while the ground is being prepared
and the plants are being set, a comparatively small number of men can take
care of a large plantation. During the season of cultivation, also, a few workers
can take care of a large field.
But when harvest time arrives in August and early September the number of
workers must be doubled and perhaps trebled. With men of training and
experience to supervise and direct this work, men and women, boys and girls,
without training or experience can be used and are used for all stages of the
industry from early spring until the end of the harvest. Wages are uniformly
low until the harvest, when a marked increase generally takes place. In the
years immediately preceding the World War, local labor sufficient to bring the
crop to maturity was generally available at $1.50 for a 10-hour day. Before
the end of the World War labor had become so scarce that some of the growers
were paying $5 for native workers in tobacco and a plan had been devised
to bring Southern Negroes to Windsor to work in tobacco and also in the fac-
tories which were then in operation at Poquonock "Village.
To finance this venture, or at least a part of it, the factory management, so
the manager informed me, advanced the money to pay the transportation of
these Negroes from the South to Windsor where some of them were given
employment in the factories at 20 cents an hour, plus housing, I believe, and
others went to work for some of the tobacco growers who reimbursed the factory
for the expense incurred in bringing them to Windsor.
Many of these who came the first year were students who returned to their
studies in the South at the end of the season. Since that first venture students
and Southern laborers have continued to come to Windsor every summer to
work for a small number of the larger growers, though the majority of the
growers have not employed them.
Most of these workers must be classed as transients who return South at
the end of the tobacco season, but a few have become permanent residents here
and in the nearby city of Hartford. The ordinary scale of wages for the past
two decades may be illustrated pretty fairly by the following data from the
files of Mr. Thomas E. Connor, a highly esteemed individual grower, believed
to be willing to pay above the average scale rather than below it. The indi-
vidual growers are reputed to pay on an average about 50 cents a day more
than the syndicated growers.
PAY THRB3) TO FOUR DOLLARS FOR 9-HOUR DAy
Mr. Connor paid his native workers in June 1923, $3.50 per day, and $5 per
day during the harvest. In 1924 he paid $4.50 per day in June, July, and August.
This scale dropped only slightly during the next 5 years, and in 1929 Mr. Connor
paid $24 a week in May and $25 a week in August. In 1930 he paid $16 a week
in July and in September. In 1933 he paid $10 a week in harvest time. The
scale rose but slightly until harvest time 1937, w-hen he paid $24 a week. In
1940 he paid $3 per day in May, and $4 in August.
This year, according to the statements of both growers and laborers, the scale
of wages runs from $3 to $4 for a 9-hour day. Women and some men are working
for $3 a day.
There is a shortage of men of the age and ability required in the industries and
in the Army and some growers who never employed them before are now bringing
Negroes from the South.
These Negroes, according to statements that many of them have made, which
agree with the genex'al statements coming from some of the growers, receive $3
or about that for a 9-hour day. Most of these men are housed in barracks on the
plantations where they are employed. Some of them are fortunate enough to
receive this housing free, while others report that they pay a small rental. Prob-
ably the best accommodations enjoyed by any of these transients are the dormitory
privileges furnished to a group of southern Negro students by the Hartford
Seminary Foundation, which charges them $3 a week for their rooms.
The shortage of labor that exists today in June will largely disappear in July
with the closing of the public schools for the summer and the release of an army
:n'ational defense migration 5423
<jf boys and girls, many of whom will be eager to obtain a few weeks employment
in the tobacco harvest. While the compulsory school-attendance law, which is
well enforced in Connecticut, bars boys and girls under 16 years of age from em-
ployment when schools are in session, during vacation time those over 14 years
of age who find a farmer willing to employ them may obtain from the State
Board of Education a working permit which is stamped with these words "For use
in tobacco fields and farm work pursuits only, during the summer."
On account of their agility and adaptability these young people are considered
particularly desirable workers for the harvesting of the shade-grown tobacco. For
the harvesting of the out-door crop they are less adapted, but they can be used
as helpers to the men who must do the heavy work.
SEEK OTHER WORK IN WINTER
After the crops are harvested most of the summer workers must seek other em-
ployment for the winter months though some of them may obtain work in the
packing houses and do other work connected with the tobacco industry.
These workers on the tobacco farms and plantations constitute a class of
unskilled and low-paid laborers, but the growers say that their type of agriculture
could not survive and pay a higher scale of wages. This is doubtless true for
the great majority of the smaller employers and emphasizes the necessity for
some economic remedy by which the farmer and the tobacco grower can receive
for their crops and their products a return large enough to enable them to pay
these agricultural workers a wage that will remove the disparity that now exists
between them and the workers in industry and thus make it possible for both
the farmer and his workers to maintain a standard of living such as their labor
and their contribution to the general welfare deserve.
Exhibit 35. — Legislatre Needs of Farm Labor
by da\td hedley
Farmers in a Changing World, a yearbook of the United States Department of
Agriculture for 1940, has an article called Farm Labor in an Era of Change.
The author is William T. Ham of the Ihireau of Agricultural Economies. Mr.
Ham shows that in the earlier decades of this century farm wages tended to vary
up or down in fairly close correlation with gross farm income. Since 1933, how-
ever, wages on farms have failed to go up in the same degree as gross farm
income. The explanation given is that the factor which operated before the
great depression, namely, the opportunity for farm laborers to shift to industry,
has not continued to operate because of the large pool of unemployed in the cities.
However this may be, Mr. Ham states that on July 1, 1939, the average
farm hand's rate of pay per month was $36.26. without board. According to
the 1930 census the farm laborer gets about 150 days of work a year. Mr.
Ham's general conclusion is this: "In all probability the full-time earnings of
agricultural workers, including perquisites, average under $400 a year for the
country as a whole."
Noting the exclusion of farm labor from social legislation, which will be
dealt with more fully later, Mr. Ham expresses the belief that "the farm hand
is worse off, by comparison with the industrial workers, than he was in 1933."
The result of the low income of this group, says Mr. Ham, is that "Tlieir
standards of living are incredibly low, their housing is inadequate, their means
of preserving health are meager."
I would also like to draw the attention of the committee to Public Health
Bulletin No. 258, published by the United States Public Health Service, in
the Federal Security Agency. This is entitled "A Study of Medical Problems
Associated with Transients," and it was published in 1940.
In offering this data, I wish to make it clear that I recognize that the
problem of agricultural labor in Connecticut is only partially a problem of
migration; also that the facts presented in this Bulletin No. 2.58 are based
1 on studies which do not apply specifically to Connecticut ; and finally, that
insofar as there has been a great amount of defense migration to Connecticut
in recent months, this is primarily among industrial workers, who earn more
than the migrants referred to in this bulletin, and consequently are not
likely to be so serious a health problem. At the same time, however, we too
have our transient agricultural workers, especially in tobacco, and I feel that
the data in this Bulletin will imdoubtedly interest the committee as a whole.
5424
HARTFORD HEARINGS
TRANSIENT CASE STUDY
The Transient Case Study on which Bulletin No. 258 reports, was made in
1937-38. It covered 19 or 20 cities, widely spread out geographically. Nine
thousand and forty unattached transients were interviewed and 1,893 families.
The resident group, with which these transients are compared, is that surveyed
in the Health and Depression Study of the United States Public Health Service,
and the Milbank Fund.
Here are some of the facts brought out :
"Both in the total and in each age group transients had a considerably
higher disability rate than did the resident population" (p. 64).
"Transients suffer a higher rate of disabling illness than any economic class
of residents, even the poorest" (p. 68). "Accidents, epidemics, and digestive
diseases hit them especially hard" (p. 73).
"Over half (57.8 percent) of the disabling illnesses of family transients
received no medical attention at all, while among residents the proportion
was only one-third" (p. 75).
These are a few facts brought out about the health of interstate migrants,
and their lack of medical care.
The same bulletin draws attention sharply to the problem of settlement
laws as a barrier to transients benefiting from social services, especially
health services. This discrimination between resident and transient has been
crystallized into law in 39 States. Connecticut, for instance, requires 4 years'
continuous residence to establish settlement. Only 5 States have a longer period
than this.
How this works out in the practice of governmentally controlled agencies is
shown in the bulletin on page 55. "Among governmental agencies, the percentage
applying settlement restrictions is twice as large (58.9 percent) as it is among
nongovernmental agencies (27.9 percent). This fact has great bearing on the
availability of medical care to transients because more than three-fourths of all
applications to medical agencies are directly to governmentally controlled
agencie.s."
This discrimination against transients seems to apply, in varying degrees, to
general hospitals, tuberculosis hospitals, out-patient departments, governmental
agencies, case-work agencies, and, to a lesser degree, to what are called mass-
care agencies.
The study shows that the overwhelming majority of migrations took place
because of economic reasons, which means, in simple language, the search for a
living. Thus the residence requirements under settlement law in fact place
additional burdens on an already depressed and poverty-stricken class.
These few points are all I wish to say on the general question of the economic
situation of agricultural labor in general, and on migrants in particular. I have
introduced these facts here because I believe they show that the economic situa-
tion of the group we are speaking of is a very precarious one, and that conse-
quently even greater importance attaches to their fate in regard to social
legislation.
LOW STANDARD OF LIVING
The inevitable and recognized result of this low standard of living among
agricultural workers has been a continuous flow from rural areas to cities. From
1921-30 this amounted to 600,000 per year. The depression, of course, slowed this
trend down greatly, and from 1930-34 it was only 120,000 per year. Today,
however, there can be no doubt at all that in a State like Connecticut, where great
Govei'nmeut orders in connection with the defense program have started factories
booming, the result has been a sharp rise in the tendency for farm youth to move
to the cities.
This is attested to by all observers. Mr. Stanley Kendig, of the Connecticut
Council of Churches, was quoted in the Hartford Times, April 2, as saying that
the chance of getting work in defense is the reason for one of the most serious
losses of farm labor.
In the Hartford Courant of April 10, Mr. Albert Coles, of Morris, Conn., chair-
man of the Litchfield County Farm Bureau Labor Survey Committee, was reported
as saying that during the last few months, 60 hands had left the farms there, and
that ioo hands were needed in northern Litchfield County alone.
The same tendency to move from country to town is noted in the latest Biennial
Report of the Connecticut State Labor Department, where it is pointed out that
this shift from rural to urban areas goes continually ; that in 1939, for instance.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5425
widespread unemploymeut in industrial centers did not succeed in halting it, and
that in 1940-41 the favorable employment situation in industry has sharpened
the whole issue into a serious problem for farmers.
A farmer interviewed at random near where I live told me that all the regular
help he had for last year's berry-picking season has gone into the factories and
that he has great difficulty in getting help at all. This is so bad that he has
been using boys of 12, who stayed away from school and picked for 7 hours to
make $1.80. A good picker could expect to make 30 cents an hour, working a
10-hour day, he said.
Thus we cannot be in any doubt of the shortage of farm labor, both for the
regular truck-farm season and for the tobacco crop.
EFFECTS OF SOCIAL LAWS
With these few words on the background situation of these agricultural workers,
let us now see how their position is affected by our social laws.
In the case of migrant agricultural workers, we have already noted that an
added difficulty they have to deal with is the settlement law. According to
rhe Bulletin of the Public Health Service already quoted, in nearly all States
and in nearly all agencies that may have been set up or authorized by law to
help the needy, the workings of this law will result in the transient receiving
less help or no help at all.
In the case of agricultural workers in general, whether migrant or resident,
the case has been well summarized by Mr. William Ham in the article already
quoted from the Department of Agriculture Yearbook.
"In 1939, unprotected in his right to bargain collectively, with no floor for
his wages or ceiling for his hours, and denied the benefits of unemployment
insurance and old-age assistance, the farm hand is worse off, by comparison
with the industrial workers, than he was in 1933."
Thus the farm hand's situation may be expres.sed this way. He gets lower
wages than the industrial workers. Because of the farm commodity price level
Ihe average small farmer cannot pay his help a wage that competes with
industrial labor. The old idea that the farm hand was in some sense being
taught the art of farming preparatory to setting up for himself, and that this
teaching was part of his payment, is a thing of the past. The farm laborer
gets practically none of the protection which various social laws provide to
other workers.*^ And finally, today, he reads of factories booming because of
defense contracts, of more money to be made than he can hope to make on
the farm. All these things naturally combine to give him a strong reason to
go to the city. As long as the disparity of wages and conditions continues, at
any time when the reservoir of city unemployed is nearly dry, it will be the
farms that will first experience lack of an adequate labor supply.
EXCLUSION OF FAEM LABOR
Let us now look more closely at the exclusion of agricultural labor from
social legislation.
A Primer of Laws for Connecticut Workers, published by the Consumers
League of Connecticut, shows at least 11 protective provisions of State and
Federal law from which re.sident agricultural labor is excluded. They are
wages and hours under the Fair Labor Standards Act ; minimum wage board
under the State law ; payment of wages ; prohibition of work under 16 ; child-
labor provisions of the Federal wage-hour law ; provision of toilets on plan-
tations unless 25 are emploj^ed ; workmen's compensation, if less than 5 are
employed ; unemployment compensation, old-age pension, collective bargaining,
under the Wagner Act.
Migrant labor would also be excluded from old-age assistance, unless 5 years'
residence could be shown.
Or look at the matter this way: Suppose you live in a rural area and you
have a family growing up and you are thinking about their future and wonder-
ing what will be best for them, you may consider these things :
In the city, your child cannot work in a factory, store, or almost any other
place until the age of 16. On the farm he can start in at 14 and can work even
before that age out of school time.
As long as he is a minor, your son will be protected against excessive hours
of work, and especially against night work. That is, if he works in a store,
factory, restaurant, barber shop, bowling alley, or similar place. Your daughter
5426 HARTFORD HEARINGS
will get this protection as long as she works, except for relaxations unfortunately
being permitted in the name of defense. On the farm, there will be no
limitation on their hours of work.
If your children get jobs in interstate commerce, a 40-hour week and a
30-cent minimum wage will safeguard them under the wage-hour law. But
not on the farm, for agricultural workers are specifically excluded.
If your children are not covered by the Federal law, and if you come to
feel so dissatisfied at the conditions under which they are working that you
want to do something about them, you can band together with others and
ask the State commissioner of labor to hold a hearing and to set up a wage
board. You can bring your evidence before that wage board, and yoii stand
a fair chance (after a good long time, it is true) to get a minimum wage fixed
to protect your children against the sweatshop. But not if your children woi'k
on a farm. For farm labor is again excluded.
If you are a union man, it will not do you much good to tell your child,
who is working on a farm, packing tobacco for instance, that he can join a
union and bargain with his employer without fear of reprisals. That would
be all right if he was in a factory, under the Wagner Labor Relations Act.
But the opinion prevails that agricultural labor is not included under the
interstate commerce clause which gives the Wagner Act its jurisdiction. So
your sou who works on the farm is not protected if he wants to join a union.
In the general assembly here recently there was talk of a State Labor Relations
Act for Connecticut. Both Democrats and Republicans agreed that agricul-
tural labor should be left out of it.
If your son, the factory worker, gets hurt he will probably get compensa-
tion. But your son who works on a farm, where less than five are normally
employed, has no redress except a common-law suit.
When times are slack, your son in the factory will get his unemployment
compensation checks, to help him and the family along. But your son, the
farmhand gets no compensation and he must look at once to W. P. A., which
is fast dwindling away, or look to the poor relief.
Finally, when he gets old, if he is a farm worker, he can expect no pension
under the Social Security Act.
SITUATION OF SHADE-TOBAOCO WORKERS
This is the general picture. But it is not the whole picture. In addition
to the basic injustice, an added abuse has crept in. The definitions of agri-
cultural labor have become so widely extended that in this way large num-
bers of workers whose employment closely resembles large-scale industry, are
also left out in the cold.
Let me give you just one inst-ance. It is the story of the Connecticut shade-
tobacco workers. Mr. Joseph Tone, when commissioner of labor, assessed the
American Sumatra Tobacco Corporation for unemployment compensation con-
tributions. American Sumatra is a Delaware corporation producing shade-
grown tobacco in Massachusetts, Connecticut. Georgia, and Florida. In Con-
necticut alone it grows and packs over 1,000 acres of tobacco annually, and
the cost from first to last is about $800 per acre. That means they have
nearly a million-dollar business in Connecticut alone. At the peak of the
season 2,000 workers are employed. These facts are vouched for by the State
supreme court. Thus you have here all of the es.sential attributes of large-
scale industry. The principal objections to having the workers in agricul-
tural enterprises covered by social legislation, namely, the administrative
difficulties of collecting the pay-roll taxes and enforcing the law, cannot seri-
ously be said to apply here. Nor can it be said that the company is financially
unable to meet these payments.
Yet American Sumatra appealed against paying the unemployment compen-
sation tax and the State supreme court has ruled that the workers of this
corporation are not covered by the unemployment compensation law. The
reasoning is that the tobacco leaves are still tobacco leaves after all the
work is done ; thus there is no manufacturing to change the tobacco's form
or nature; therefore, it must be regarded as "an incident to ordinary farming
operations."
It .should be noted that a great deal of this work is done in the Corporation's
warehouse.s. The court decision says that at least half of the employees work
both on the farm as well as in the warehouse. But this implies that nearly half
NATIOiSIAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5427
only work inside. One of the shade-tobacco workers with whom we have corre-
sponded claims that 75 percent of the tobacco workers never work on a farm
but work exclusively in the warehouses at grading, sorting, and baling.
This entire group of workers is placed outside the benefits of the law by
the Supreme Court decision in this case of Tone v. American Sumatra Corpo-
ration.
Last year Mr. Farmer was working for the United Cannery, Agricultural,
Tacking, and Allied "Workers of America, C. I. O., as an organizer among the
shade-tobacco workers. He was told then by the national office of that union
that their Nation-wide experience made it evident that the National Labor Rela-
tions Board would not feel able to accept jurisdiction if a complaint of unfair
labor practice was brought against any tobacco growers by the union. Thus,
even if we accept the exclusion of agricultural labor, it is made to extend far
beyond the just boundary of the term, to deprive workers of unemployment
insurance and collective bargaining.
These are but two instances from our special situation here in Connecticut to
show how the exclusion of "agricultural" labor from these laws is being stretched
to protect the pockets of large and wealthy corporations whose workers very
seriously need the law's protection.
REASONS FOR EXCLUSION
Why are agricultural laborers always excluded? Mr. Ham, whom I have
already quoted a number of times, offers the following reasons :
First. A belief that the actuarial and administrative difficulties would raise
administrative costs prohibitively.
Second. A fear that the small farmer would be placed at a disadvantage.
Third. A tradition that the farm hand does not require protection.
Fourth. A fear that the inclusion of farm laborers would mean total defeat
of the proposed legislation.
Fifth. Lack of well-organized labor support.
Would it make costs too high? It would undoubtedly raise costs greatly.
Howevex", in England, New Zealand, Australia, and pre-Hitler Germany agricul-
tural labor has been successfully included in most social laws, and even the
"five or more" provision has been avoided, so that coverage is almost universal.
Moreover, even if administrative costs are high, they can and must be met. In
the recently ended session of the Connecticut State Legislature, Calvin J. Suther-
lin, legislative agent of the C. I. O., presented to the finance committee proposals
for a State income tax and an increase in the rate of our corporation tax which
would have yielded several million dollars without working a real hardship on
anyone. There can be no valid reason against, and every reason for, availing
ourselves of such financial possibilities to provide the extra staff that would
be needed for giving coverage to these "forgotten men." The same could be done
nationally.
The tradition that the farm hand does not need protection, if it ever was a
serious consideration, is obviously given the lie by the extreme eagerness of
laborers to get away from the farm into industry.
As to organized labor support, our conference, the C. I. O., and many other
labor organizations have continually sought this kind of expansion of social
legislation. In all the bills we have ever presented the farm hand has been
covered.
Two questions are left : "Would inclusion of farm labor place the small farmer
at a disadvantage? And would it result in the defeat of all legislative proposals?
Both of these questions raise vastly larger issues than those yet touched on
here. The chief issue they raise is, I believe, the .serious economic difficulties
which the average farmer has to face.
"fivej or more" clause for farms only
As far as large farm enterprises — such a stobacco — are concerned, I don't
think there can be any valid reason against immediate coverage for farm
labor. One might suggest, therefore, that the exclusion of farm labor, as such
should be immediately ended and that the "five or more" clause should be
retained for farms only, so that in agriculture only fairly large-scale operators,
or operators in the period of the year when they employ a fairly large number
of wokers, that is to say, more than five, should be covered.
5428 HARTFORD HEARINGS
But if this were used as an interim proposal, it should be made clear that the
provisions of all social laws, especially unemployment compensation, would go
into effect immediately upon the employer having five or more on his payroll,
with no exemptions, and should cover all weeks in which he employed five or
more.
This might serve as a first and immediate goal with regard to legislativfi
change. It would prevent abuses such as the exclusion of the American Suma-
tra's 2,000 workers. Yet it would not place an unfair burden (assuming it
would be an unfair burden) on the family-size farm where a couple of hands
are taken on for a few summer months. The farm which got along with less
than five hands except in the season, would be contributing to those workers'
social security benefits at any time when it had more than five hands.
This brings us to the other large point. Would the passage of all labor
legislation be jeopardized if farm labor were included? If this threat to labor
legislation is thought of as coming from the small farmers' belief that it would
barm him, the suggestion presented above should be enough to neutralize it.
If it came from farmers who were economically able to pay the sums that
would be involved by giving their help this protection, then public opinion
should be mobilized to force the opposition into line. Farm labor needs the
help of these laws. The community as a whole will benefit by extending it,
and the profits of big enterprises, which are now cutting their costs by avoiding
payments they should be making, ought not to be allowed to stand in the way
of social progress.
FAKM-FACTORY DISPAKITT
A few more things remain to be said here. It is clear that the problem of
farm labor will never be solved so long as the present disparity exists between
conditions of labor on the farm and in the factory. So long as the factory
offers more wages, security, leisure than the farm, any situation such as the
present will result in a sharp drop in available farm labor. Therefore, basically
the solution must be sought in increased wages for farm labor, as well as in
policies which will eliminate involuntary unemployment in city and country
alike by increased mass consumption, and provide jobs in the cities for farm
workers during the off season.
These are the basic conditions. But higher farm wages cannot be paid by
the small farmer unless his own economic problems are solved. And the.se
problems in turn cannot and must not be solved at the expense of the consumer
through higher retail prices, since this would only once again curtail the
farmers' market.
The solution, therefore, lies in cutting into the mark-up charged by the middle-
man, between the extremely low price he gives the small farmer and the ex-
tremely high price he charges the consumer. Legislation to definitely break
the monopoly stranglehold of, for instance, the Dairy Trust, to reduce its excess
profits and thereby open the way for a reduced price to the consumer and an
increased price to the farmer, would enable the farmer to pay his help more, and
would thus eliminate the discrepancy between town and country.
It would also make possible the universal payment of pay-roll taxes for unem-
ployment compensation. Thus, finally, a stable supply of well-paid, socially
secure farm labor could be assured.
I am well aware that this is a step of great magnitude and seriousness. But it
is one that is necessary to eliminate a real bottleneck in the defense of the well
being of the people as a whole. And as far as I can see, it is the only step
which would rai.se the payments to farm labor in wages and security up to an
equal footing with industrial labor. And nothing else will ultimately be satis-
factory.
This is not to deny that immediate extension of social legislation to the farm
hand, will do a lot to help restore the balance which is now so conspicuously
lacking. Above all, it will end the truly unfair situation by which a desperately
needy group is now denied aid.
But you will not finally solve the problem of agricultural labor until you can
pay a living wage. You will not do that until you solve the total problem of
agriculture. And you will not solve that problem until you break the power of
the mortgage-holding bank and the monopolistic distributor.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MKiKATION 5429
Exhibit 36. — Labor Rei.ations in AGRictiXTiniB
BY LEONARD FARMER
The shade tobacco iudustry in Conuecticut is a two-cycle seasonal industry
Its summer phase employs as many as 11,000 workers on 6,500 acres in the
Connecticut Valley, while the winter phase employs 5,000 workers in and around
Hartford packing. Since the first war concentration has proceeded to a very
advanced stage so that at present one company controls one-fifth of the acreage
and the average corporate plantation embraces 125 acres, involving substantial
capitalization. Likewise, the packing work is done by less than 20 warehouse
companies. Family-sized plantatinjis are now a rarity because of the high cost
per acre ($800) in the article's growth, and those few unincorporated plantations
which have managed to survive must process their product through their larger
competitors or with the cooperative warehouse.
While a modicum of work is carried on in the country after the winter packing
is over, the season summer work does not begin much before June. Most planta-
tions at that time begin their season's activity by setting fence posts, preparing
the land, checking the cloth, which has to be set over the posts after planting
takes place. When the land is ready and the seed-bed work has been completed,
the plants are transplanted.
At this stage, the home gang has to lie augmented by additional labor to do a
little sewing on the clKH^sfcloth. to hoc, ;ind later to pick the shade tobacco leaves.
The picking season will usually start .Inly 15th and last for 6 weeks. Before
picking, the labor ratio is 3 acres to a person. The first and last pickings are
smaller, and it is extremely important for the growers to be assured of an
adequate labor supply to get them through tlie middle pickings which are the most
valuable, for the leaves will dry up in 3 days if not taken care of immediately.
The field picking work then recedes as barn work progresses in importance.
The leaves will be hauled to nearby barns to be sewed by female labor and
strung to laths. Then as the harvest is completed, the tobacco leaves are char-
coal-cured and left to dry through September, and the summer work is over.
The winter work is essentially that of packing. Tobacco is brought to the
Hartford warehouses after going through a chemical and machine process of
being sweated and dried, to be sized, sorted, and packed. Then it is stored to be
sold.
Tlie winter season will begin the middle of October. Its length will be deter-
mined, naturally, by the size of the crop. However, the warehouse work may
generally be said to last at least until the middle of March. The complicated
nature of growing Sumatra tobacco in the Connecticut Valley, has lead to a
sizable degree of specialization of labor. This is true, although it can be said
that generally the growers try to rely on the cheapest labor possible to lower
their labor costs. This policy of diluting the labor supply has changed the
composition of the shade tobacco workers from the small farm owner, or hired
hand of 1010. who was in the prime of life, to extensive use of aged labor, of
woman labor, child labor; migratory. Negro, and student labor.
spjx:iAi,iz.vriON of summer labor
The spe.iallzation of summer labor proceeds along these lines: First, the
plantation will bo based upon those families who live on or near the fields, and
do the stea<ly all-year work of maintenance, etc., and are called the home gang.
The young njen and women of these families may be seasonal pickers ; the young
women alone, will sew both cloth and leaves. The older men on the home gang
may be teamsters, while the middle aged will set the posts, handle the trucks and
more complicated machinery, and do the harder work. Additional labor will be
brought in to work in the seedbeds and start the hoeing and picking. Picking
will be done predominantly by child hibor, and Negro labor on five plantations.
Dragging the baskets of leaves is exclusively a child-labor practice by custom.
Shedmen will be used to check the fires, while women are used exclusively to
sew.
It is iiecessai-y to point out that hoeing and picking is extremely hard
work, tinder the cheesecloth wliere the teniperattire and hmnidity vary wildly.
People have been kn.own to faint on the job. nnd many will catch colds if
60.S96— 41— pt. 13 27
5430 HARTFORD HEARINGS
picking the wet leaves early in the morning. Some have caught pneumonia
from this latter task.
The winter work has evolved equally into large scale use of specialized labor.
Sorters must separate the leaves according to variation in shape, veins, texture,
etc. Sizers separate as to sizes. Both sorters and sizers are supervised at
their benches by bench inspectors, while head inspectors have broader super-
visory functions.
Female labor is used extensively in the warehouses and it is generally known
that the age groups are marked ; 19-24 and 45 and over.
The dilution of labor through the years has meant a lowering of wages.
Both the dilution of labor and the cheapening of wages and labor costs have
obviously been the result of the trend toward monopoly. The growers have
banded together into a trade association, The Connecticut Valley Shade Grow-
ers Association, which gave considerable attention to building up machinery for
diluting the labor supply in 1917 when they hired a labor agent. Since that
time they have also united to fix more or less uniform wages. Wages are par-
ticularly uniform in the winter phase. I believe that one winter 17 warehouses
were paying identical wages to sorters and sizers ; these 17 were all members
of the above-mentioned association.
Following are samples of wage rates, summer 1940 :
Summer pickers: $1.75 to $2.50 a day, $2.50 top. Pickers age, 14 to 15.
Summer pullers, $2.75.
Sewing: 3 bimdles $1.00 piece rate, averaging $14 a week. Sewing on the
cheesecloth nets $2.50 a day.
Men on the home gang $2.75 daily, 9-hour day.
It is noteworthy that Negro workers contacted this summer on certain plan-
tations after being North for 10 days and all that time working on the fields,
do not know how much they will be paid. They will average 25 to 30 cents
hourly with deductions for rent. A certain bonus will be paid the end of the
season to induce their staying on. If a worker leaves the plantation before they
wish him to, he will lose his bonus. On the other hand, if the grower wishes
to fire him, this he will do without considering the payment of what has been
held back.
WINTER WAGES FOR WAREHOUSE WORK
Following are the winter wages for average warehouse work winter of li'Sl
to March 1940 :
Hours 7 :45 to 3 :30— y2-hour lunch — 42-hour week.
High inspector, $17.50, 42 cents hourly ; table inspector $16.00. 88 cents hourly ;
sorter, $14.50, 34 cents hourly ; sizer, $13.00, 30 cents hourly ; and separator,
$12.00.
These are mostly women's wages.
The wage scale for men on a 48-hour week is :
Part time, $19.00; 40 cents hourly. All year, $22.00; 47 cents hourly.
There was a time before industrialization had gone so far in shade tobacco
when no one made less than $25 a week. Today very few make that much.
Also in considering wage scales, besides the long run trend down in weekly
I'ates, one .should consider the tendency of industrialization to shorten the
winter season so that today the season's earnings in winter work are consider-
ably less than before.
IN.\DEQUATE HOUSING
Next to low wages in tobacco, the most important problem for the workers
is their inadequate housing.
The home gang will be found usually in single- or four-family dwellings. These
houses have no more paint and glass in them than the trucks which haul the
tobacco. Sanitation facilities are extremely poor. Frecpiently, outside privies,
the prevailing custom, are within despoiling distance of the drinking well. Six
families are forced to use the same well pump. These houses have broken window
panes which nmst be repaired at the tenants' expense. Many of them are drafty
and unfit for linman habitation. I recall one man having to bring up his new-born
child at liis mother-in-law's while he paid rtMit to his grower landlord for a too
drafty room.
Then the general ru>•^a housing conditions are equally as bad. Few dwellings
have been built since the first AVorM War. Negroes working on this summer's
crop are forced to sleep in parked cars in Hartford empty lots because they cannot
find arf#*quate housing adjacent to their work.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5431
The boarding houses are a separate problem in themselves. While some steps
have been taken to ameliorate crowded living conditions in them and to provide
better food, it is still possible to find such houses where young people get no hot
food all day, and are crowded into unbelievably small spaces. Often these houses
violate the State housing laws as to sanitation and fire regulation ; yet they con-
tinue to operate.
The Negro boarding houses are especially appUing. Thirty people will be piled
into a one-story shack, with only one inside egress and no outside fire escapes from
the loft. Clothes will be stored under and on the bed, while a garden hose may
provide the only washing and drinking facilities.
Housing problems of shfide-tobacco workers reach into Hartford from which the
Negro population and children come to work on the field, and should not be ignored
in mentioning tlie general problem. Crowded conditions there are conductive to
tuberculosis and other unhealthy conditions.
One cannot mention the housing problem of the tobacco worker without liken-
ing his lot to peonage. In the family house owned by the landlord grower, the
tenant worker dares not complain about the conditions of tenancy for fear of los-
ing his job. Perhaps if there is some glass left over from refitting the seed-bed
covers, he may get it. Perhaps, after the barns are checked, the holes in his wall
may be covered. But if he complains he may be asked to leave or to pay up his
back rent, for it is a practice on some plantations to charge weekly rentals 52
weeks a year although the tenants may only be working 10 or 30 weeks in the
year. The rent accumulates during slack periods until one goes back to work.
NO TENANCY RIGHTS
Then, too, in both family houses and boarding houses one does not have even
the slightest rights of tenancy. All such houses bear growers' no-tresspassing
signs. A union organizer or anyone else thought undesirable by the grower is
immediately driven off the plantation house. I have had the unique experience of
being arrested for trespassing when holding a luiion meeting by written request
where 40 Nigroes were attending, in the common driveway adjacent to their
sleeping quarters and for which they paid rent of 0 cents an hour. Also, there
have been many cases of southern Negroes not being able to have their relatives
from Hartford visit them week ends on the plantation because the plantation
owner feared that the northern Negro was likely to urge for higher wages. Then,
again, a growing family living in a company house might fear eviction if it does
not turn over its children to the plantation for i)icking. even if it felt that there
was more profitable work for them elsi'where during that period.
The company house on these plantations has had a generally antisocial effect
in that the tenant has only illusory rights of tenancy and has been forced to accept
progressively worse housing conditions.
LABOR RELATIONS
But the development of labor relations has been the most pressing of all
problems for the thousands of summer workers and for the winter warehouse
workers as well. Because labor costs are a relatively high elen>ent in the cost
of shade tobacco next to rent the drive toward profits has meant an ever-
hardening drive against wages. Every company gives its plantation manager
or warehouse manager a schedule of uniform costs. To the degree that he can
produce a certain quantity of tobacco at less than his quota he obtains a bonus.
This bonus is his incentive to cheapen his labor costs, and to drive his workers
harder.
For instance the American Sumatra Co. produces a weekly comparative cost
sheet for its winter work for its four warehouse managers. To the degree
that each manager can undercut the average his bonus is enlarged. The aver-
age sorting pound cost is 0.1237 cent with warehouse averages varying weekly
from 0.1150 to 0.13. This chaotic practice has led to a constant pressure on
the managers to .speed up the employees. Workers have frequently been
forced to protest the fixing of weighing scales in a certain warehouse which
constantly underpaid the employees for the actual poundage they produced.
And again in the summer each field boss will vie with the others to get more
work out of the pickers. Plantations sometimes provide uniforms for their
child laboi^ers to color their labor with an air of sport. Against this speed-
up the worker is powerless. When he puts up a grievance he is in most cases
summarily fired. This is done as a disciplinary example for the others. The
5432 HARTFORD heari:ngs
highly seasonal nature of the work with its varying need of a labor supply has
meant the constant laying off of workers. They are never layed off by any
rational scheme. It seems that the more a worker protests of the speed-up
the more likely it will be that he will be the first to be layed off. Then, too,
the local boss would prefer to fire than to lay off for the effect it ha.s on the
others.
As one of the grievances which I had to handle last summer I had 14 yonng
boys who were fired because they did not wish to woi'k picking the cold wet leaves
until the sun had warmed up a bit. They had told me that one of their gang had
become seriously ill from doing so just the week before. The labor department of
the State accepted their grievance and endeavored through mediation to get
them back to work. But the fact was that the manager had to let some pickers go
that week anyway. Similarly there have been cases known where a man in charge
of unloading charcoal was fired for asking for more helpers, and on one plantation
a Negro woman was fired for protesting at being slandered by her foreman, or
people being fired for seeking better drinking water facilities or sanitation
facilities.
FORMING WAGE COMMITTEES
At present the conditions of the tobacco workers are even worse in many respects
for this summer. They are faced with a 7 percent increase in the cost of living,
and an acute housing shortage. They have begun to form wage committees to
seek a commensurate increase in their wages. Without the benefit of any pro-
t,ecting legislation, and with employers antagonistic to the principles of collective
bargaining, they face a Herculean task, but they have done everything possible to
improve their conditio-n.s before and they will continue to do so. With a more
responsive legislative program at the State capital, and with a determined effort
to guard and preserve their civil liberties, it may be expected that ithey will
achieve material success. But suCh practices as closing the streets to their sound
equipment and pickets, and persecuting their union meml)ers for trumped-up
charges of violating the law or threatening them with bodily harm cannot be
categorized as a step in this direction.
TESTIMONY OF DANIEL HOWARD— Resumed
Mr. Curtis. We have had some description, Mr. Howard, of the
various types of labor used in the tobacco industry. Will you give us
some of your ideas of the conditions that prevail in the tobacco planta-
tions in reference to wages and housing conditions and bonuses and
sanitary conditions and so forth ?
Mr. Howard. Well, I can speak on it mainly as it ])ertains to the
town in which I live, the town of Windsor.
TOBACCO GROWING DESOltlBEI)
Most of the tobacco raised there is of the shade-gL-own type, and in
the spring the workers who have to be called upon first are mainly
men, men who are strong, to prepare the seed beds, get the soil ready
for the crops, fertilized, and so forth, and prepare the jxtsts, set the
posts for the tents and string the cloth and so on.
When the plants are set in the latter part of May or early June, these
same men remain on to help cultivate. Some women are taken on and
some young people who may be free, during the cultivation.
When the time of harvesting comes, which may be soon after the
middle of July, lasting throug-li August and into early September, a
great many young people who have come out of the schools are em-
ployed. Probably most of the picking is done by peo])le 14. 15. 16, and
1 7 years of age.
Mr. Curtis. In your opinion are the recommendations of the State
Department of Labor being carried out by the tobacco plantations?
NATIONAL DKFKXSK MIGRATION 5433
CHILD LABOR LAW OBSERVED
Mr. Howard. Well, in some respects. I am quite sure they are so
far as child labor is concerned. I know that that is looked after very
carefully during- the time that the schools are in session. Very rarely
does one leave school to work. Maybe it might be done occasionally
for a few days, but the young person is soon spotted and sent back.
Now, during the siunmertime all over 14 years of age — of course
after they are 16 they are free anyway — are granted permits under
ihe State'board of education, and I think that part is lived up to very
well indeetl.
You spoke of housing facilities: Well, a large part of these young
people live at home and either go back and forth a short distance
themselves or are brought in by trucks from the city or nearby places
and returned eacli night, so that takes care of a large part of that
group.
Those who are brought in here from the South and from other
parts of the country to work during the summer are housed in bar-
racks, mainly. That is, barracks on the farms and plantations where
they work. Those barracks are comfortable in a way, but vary very
much, from crude and not so satisfactory to very good accommoda-
tions.
Mr. Curtis. How about the sanitary facilities?
Mr. Howard. Well, they correspond with the barracks themselves.
They are rather meager but still endurable.
DISCONTENT WITH W^AGES
Mr. Curtis. Has there been much labor difficulty among tobacco
growers ?
Mr. Howard. I haven't heard of anything serious. There is con-
siderable discontent, considerable complaint here. Workers think
that their wages are low, and in some cases that their working condi-
tions are rather arduous, and now and then there is some little out-
break of difficulty, but not very much has come to my attention.
Mr. Curtis. Is their dissatisfaction justified, in your opinion?
Mr. Howard. Well, from the evidence that has come to me, I think
a good deal of it is justified.
Mr. Curtis. Some probably is and some isn't?
Mr. Howard. Yes.
Mr. Curtis. Something has been said in most of our hearings
about having social security benefits reach these workers. Has your
organization been active in that ?
BILL TO reclassify WORKERS
Mr. Howard. We were during the session of the legislature. We
introduced several bills. I think one that appeals most strongly to
these workers was a bill to attempt to get them out of the category
of farmers — that is, so far as it restricted them from obtaining these
benefits — to get them where they would receive the same benefits as
workers in industry under the Social Security Act — minimum wages
and all the other benefits.
5434 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Mr. Curtis. Now, I am not familiar with tobacco growing and what
I am about to say may not apply. But an ordinary corn and wheat
and livestock farmer of the Middle West is in a vastly diiferent posi-
tion from a man in industry. If social security benefits are given to
industrial workers, they are added to the cost of the product, but
that doesn't happen with the producer of the raw products on the
farm. Does that same situation prevail among the tobacco growers?
Mr. Howard. I assume it would be the same. Many of these people
who are barred from the privileges of these laws think that they
ought not to be classified as agricultural workers because they do
not work on the farms. Those are the people who, in the winter-
time, participate in the processing, the sorting and classifying and
preparing for market of tobacco, and though they may never go out
on the farm, they are classified as agricultural workers and come
under the same restrictions as those who do work on the farms.
Mr. Curtis. Are they in reality working for the processors or for
growers ?
Mr. Howard, They are both growers and processors. There are
some who work simply for processors and do not work for growers,
and others work for the growers themselves.
We have a court decision, I believe, that makes a distinction
between those two.
BILL FAILED OF ENACTMENT
Mr. Curtis. What attitude has your association taken in regard to
this problem?
Mr. Howard. That they ought to be so classified that they would
obtain all the benefits that come to industrial workers.
The bill that was introduced in the legislature, I ought to say in
passing, failed of enactment into law.
Mr. Curtis. What is your recommendation — ^that social-security
benefits be extended to all agi'icultural workers ?
Mr. Howard. My recommendation is that it be extended to all
agricultural workers; yes.
Mr. Curtis. Are you advocating such legislation as a national
movement ?
Mr. Howard. No. What I refer to applies simply to our own State,
and was an attempt to get all agricultural workers under the benefits
of these social security laws.
Mr. Curtis. That is all.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. Howard.
Our next witness is Mr. Luddy.
TESTIMONY OF JOHN LUDDY, WHOLESALE COTTON DEALER,
WINDSOR, CONN.
The Chairman. Mr. Luddy, will you please give your full name
and present address for the record ?
Mr. Luddy. John Luddy, Windsor, Conn.
The Chairman. What is your present occupation ?
Mr. Luddy. Wholesale cotton goods dealer.
The Chairman. Will you please briefly trace your background, Mr.
Luddy?
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5435
Mr. LuDDY. Well, I am a native of Massachusetts, but in 1916 I came
here as employment manager for the Connecticut Leaf Tobacco
Association.
The Chairman. And how did you happen to take up the business
of recruiting labor for tobacco growers ?
Mr. LuDDY. Well, I was out of employment at the time and was
offered the position.
The Chaerman. And how did you happen to get the job ? You made
a contact ?
Mr. LuDDY. I answered an advertisement in the Boston newspapers
and received a letter to meet a gentleman by the name of A. A. Olds,
who was the treasurer of the Connecticut Leaf Tobacco Association ;
and as a result of that contact I came here to Connecticut and inter-
viewed some other members of the association, the president and three
or four other men wlio were on hand at the oifice on State Street, where
I called.
The Chairman. What kind of people did you contact — where and
when, Mr. Luddy?
ISIr. Luddy. What kind of people ?
The Chairman. Yes.
ISIr. Luddy. Unskilled farm laborers. The first attempt I made
was to bring such employees here.
COST $50,000 TO BEING IN 3,000 WORKERS
The Chairman. Do you know, approximately, how many work-
ers you brought into this area?
Mr. LuT)DY. No ; I can't give a definite answer.
The Chairman. A large number or a small number?
I^Ir. Luddy. Well, I would say 3,000.
The Chairman. Have you any idea of the cost to the grower for
bringing them in here ?
]\Ir. Luddy. Oh, yes: I know the expenses incurred in connection
with the recruiting of labor.
The Chairman. AVhat would that amount to, approximately?
Mr. Luddy. In outlay for transportation, I would say over the
period that I was employed, about $50,000.
The Chairman. And what period of time did that cover?
Mr. Luddy. From 1916, in the spring, through the year, the grow-
ing year, of 1918.
The Chairman. And what kind of facilities were provided for
these workers — housing facilities ?
Mr. Luddy. Well, the first attempt to bring workers here was not
very satisfactory in that respect, because no arrangements had been
provided for boarding houses on the farms and it was more or less
a liit-or-miss arrangement, to be made when the workers arrived here.
But the tobacco gi-owers themselves saw the situation and immedi-
ately made efforts to change it.
There sprung up on different farms different types of boarding
houses and barracks to take care of them.
The Chairman. And are those boarding houses and barracks
livable?
Mr, Luddy, Well, I would say, as Mr. Howard said, some of them
are better than others.
5436 HARTFORD HEARINGS
The Chairman. Wliat wages were paid ?
Mr. LuDDT. As I recall, it was around $2.50 a da}' for 10 hours
for ordinary farm labor. Men who were able to handle horses or
run tractors and do the more skilled work received higher wages.
The Chairman. Were they hired by the day, the week, or the
month ?
Mr. LuDDY. By the day.
WORKERS BROUGHT IN BY RAIL AND TRUCK
The Chairman. What was the character of the transportation
used to bring them here ?
Mr. LuDDY. Railroad.
The Chairman. Were any brought by trucks?
Mr. LuDDY. Well, they used to bring some down from Boston by
trucks, but that wasn't a very fertile field to bring labor from.
The Chairman. Did you attempt to recruit any students?
Mr. LuDDY. Oh, yes; and I think one season, the first season, I
brought in 754.
The Chairman. Mr. Luddy, would you bring iu families as well as
individuals and students?
Mr. Luddy. There were one or two families that came in as a result
of special requests from one of the managers of a tobacco plantation,
but the members of the association were not prepared to take care of
them with housing facilities for colored families. Most of their houses
were occupied during the farm activities witli white people.
The Chairman. Did you have difficulty down South in recruiting
plantation labor?
FLORIDA recruiting SCHEME FAILED
Mr. Luddy. Well, I just had one experience in Florida that was
rather difficult.
There is a place down there called Quincy, winch is a tobacco grow-
ing section of Florida. They grow tobacco very similar to the tobacco
that we raise. The season is ending down there when we are beginning
up here — the picking season — and I went to Quincy with a letter of
introduction to several prominent men and asked them if they would
have any objection to my trying to recruit labor and bring it up to
Connecticut and return it to Florida after the harvest was over.
As a result of several interviews in Quincy, I was told that it would
not be a popular movement and they suggested that perhaps if I went to
Leon County, which is about 100 miles away from Quincy, that I would
have better success.
They gave me a letter of introduction to one of the bankers in the
city of Tallahassee, and I also had the address of the sheriff. I called
at the bank and explained the plan and he thought it would be a good
scheme as the workers in that section had finished in the tobacco houses,
and that would give them continuous employment. As a result of that
interview I had negotiations with a man who was operating a ware-
house, and arrangecl to hire him and his entire packing-house crew and
bring them to Connecticut and return them after the season was over.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5437
I went to see the sheriff and explained the situation to him, and
knowing that there was some hibor law against recrnitino-, I wondered
how he would view it. He seemed to think it would be all right.
I went to see the commissioner of labor in the capitol and talked
with him in reference to it, and he thought well of the scheme, and I
came back to Connecticut and arranged to place two cars at the rail-
road station at Tallahassee and carry the group to Connecticut, and
also arranged to take care of them when they got up here so they would
be housed properly.
While I was doing that I received a telegram that there was a
protest meeting held in Tallahassee against it. They wanted me to
withdraw the contract that we had more or less entered into. I
withdrew it and that was the end of it.
RECRUITED NEGRO STUDENTS
The Chairman. Have you recruited any Negro students from the
South?
Mr. LuDDY. Yes. The arrangements for that was sponsored more
or less by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People, with headquarters in New York. There was a white gentle-
man present at the time. I don't know his name. I met him at the
office one time.
The only thing I can recall about him was that he said he was a
Quaker and devoted most of his work to welfare purposes, and he
took up this association work.
The Chairman. Do you think the recruiting that you did your-
self encouraged general migration up here?
Mr. LuDDY. I think it encouraged it greatly.
The Chairman. The news spread around, didn't it ?
Mr. LuDDY. Yes; and the worlvcrs who came up here gave us
satisfaction and we felt quite pleased with the results that we ac-
complished with them.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. Luddy.
Is there anything further to come before the committee before
we adjourn?
Mr. KiLEY. Mr. Chairman, I would like to offer for the record a
number of statements prepared by interested parties who were not
able to appear personally before the committee.
The Chairman. Will you indicate on the record what they are?
Mr. Riley. I would like to offer for inclusion in the record as Ex-
hibit 1 an analysis of the farm labor situation which has been pre-
pared for the committee b}' the Farm Security Administration.
(The analysis refeiTed to above is as follows:)
Exhibit 1. — Farm Labor in Connecticut, 1941
eeport by labor division, farm security administration, united states depart-
ment of agriculture
The major types of commercial farming in Connecticut in which both regular
and exti-a seasonal farm workers are employed are tobacco (shade and sun-
grown), dairy, vegetable, potato, fruit, and berry, and poultry. In contrast to
5438
HARTFORD HEARINGS
other types of farming, which are generally scattered over the State, tobacco
growing is concentrated in a comparatiAely small geographic area of Connecti-
cut. Its acreage lies predominantly in Hartford County, particularly In those
townships bordering the Connecticut River.
Potato acreage is less concentrated than tobacco, but a substantial portion of it
is found, together with sun-grown tobacco, on the northeast bank of the river
in Hartford County. Parts of New Haven and New London Counties are devoted
largely to truck vegetable and berry farming and parts of Litchfield County
mostly to dairying.
Tobacco plantations are by far the largest employers of both regular and
seasonal labor in point of total immbers as well as in terms of average farm-unit
hiring. The seasonal labor peak in shade tobacco is particularly high, such
employment amounting to about five times the number of regular workers hired
during the year. In sun-grown tobacco, the seasonal-regular labor ratio is about
3 to 1. Dairy farms rank second to tobacco in terms of total volume of workers
employed, but rank much lower on the basis of average employment per farm
unit. Similarly, the seasonal labor increase on dairy farms as a whole is sub-
stantial largely because of the many units in the industry, but it is very small
on a per-farm-unit basis. Vegetable and fruit and berry farms rank third and
fourth, respecti\ ely, in terms of total volume employment of hired labor. Fruit
farms, however, employ more per farm unit than vegetable farms. Seasonal
labor employment on each of these types of farms is comparatively high — 4.5 and
4 times the regular labor requirements, respectively. Potato farms employ
considerably less year-round workers than poultry raising enterprises, but the
seasonal-labor peak on the former is much higher than on the latter.
The following table shows the estimated total and average per farm-unit em-
ployment of regular and seasonal farm laborers by types of commercial farming
in Connecticut in 1940:
Type of farming
Number of
farms
Regular
help
Seasonal
help
Employ-
ment per
farm unit,
regular
Employ-
ment per
farm unit,
seasonal
Shade tobacco
52
1,150
150
500
1,000
1,500
5,900
1,600
2,760
300
750
1,000
1,100
6,300
8,400
6,700
1,250
3,500
4,000
500
8,000
30.8
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
.8
1.1
105.4
Habana seed and broad leaf (sun-grown
5.8
Potatoes
8.3
Fruit
7.0
Vegetables
4.0
.3
1.4
Source: University of Connecticut Extension Service.
TOBACCO REQUIREMENTS
The shade-grown tobacco harvesting season commences around July 10,
and is completed about September 1. Sun-grown tobacco is cut between the
middle of August and September 10, with peak operations falling between
August 15 and 25. This year about 6,500 acres have been planted to shade
tobacco and about 13,500 acres to the sun-grown variety. The extra seasonal
labor requirements for shade-grown tobacco is estimated to be slightly less
than 1.5 men to the acre, and for sun grown, one-ha]f man per acre. This
is equivalent to a working force of 8,400 in shade tobacco and about 6,700
in sun-grown tobacco, or a total seasonal employment in both field harvesting
operations and in preliminary-processing work conducted in tobacco barns of
slightly over 15,000 workers. Seasonal harvest hands employed In other types
of farming have been estimated to number about 1,2U0 in potatoes, 3,500
in fruit orchards and berry fields, 4,000 in vegetables, 500 in jwultry, and
about 8,000 in dairy farming. This brings the total gross or cumulative
employment to about 32,000 man-jobs, or the number which have to be filled
for varying periods of employment throughout the agricultural season in the
State.
Partial or complete sequence in the maturity of the Connecticut crops,
however, permits seasonal employment of part of the labor force in more
than one crop or job so that at no time would the maximum 32,000 individual
workers be required. This assumes a fair degree of labor mobility. If we
further assume, for example, that from one-third to one-half of the gross or
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5439
cnmulutivH einployment is performed by seasonal farm laborers working in
two crops or two farm jobs, it would seem tbat the maximum number of
laborers needed for seasonal work in Connecticut agriculture would range
roughly from 24,000 to 27,000. A more careful analysis of seasonal employ-
ment of farm laborers particularly as it is reflected in the harvesting opera-
tions of each individual crop or farm activity within certain well-defined periods
of time during the agricultural season would probably reduce these figures
appreciably.
The possibilities which exist for seasonal laborers to capture more than one
job during the agricultural season in Connecticut can be roughly illustrated by a
recital of the agricultural seasonality in the State. Laborers employed in shade
tobacco, for example, are ostensibly free to move over to work in the sun-grown
tobacco harvest toward the end of August and continue until about September 10,
or to obtain jobs on dairy farms involving silo filling between September 1 and
September 15. The apple-harvesting period, September 15 to October 10, lends
itself also to the employment of workers previously engaged in tobacco work.
The harvesting of peaches, August 20 to September 10, and of tomatoes and sweet
corn, July 20 to September 20, overlap largely with the tobacco-harvest period.
But farmers who raise potatoes, which are harvested in October and in early
November, are in a position to tap seasonal workers employed in earlier cropKS.
Strawberry farmers who harvest in June find little com]>etition for the local labor
supply from other crops, but dairy farms which employ extra seasonal labor
between June 20 and August 1, mostly for haying operations, are faced with such
competition from the shade-tobacco growers. Beans are harvested from the end
of June to late SeptenihtT or into October, while most of the other vegetables have
a long season starting May 1 and terminating early in September.
CHARACTEEISTICS OF TOBACCO PEODUCTION
Tobacco farming in Connecticut is of two types: (a) Shade-grown and (b)
sun-grown. Practically all of the tobacco raised in Connecticut ( and in the Con-
necticut River Valley extending into Massachusetts), both the shade and outdoor-
grown varieties, is used as wrappers for cigars. A relatively small volume is used
as binders and fillers.^
The sole market for Connecticut tobacco, in any event, lies in the cigar field.
The shade-grown tobacco differs in its physical production aspects from the
Habana seed or broad leaf in that its growth is protected from the sun's rays by
huge "tents." These "tents" are made of rough but sturdy cheesecloth stretched
over wires which are attached to poles aliout 10 feet high. This process of par-
tially diverting the sun rays keeps the temperature even and increases the humid-
ity. The control thus effected produces a leaf the texture of which is considerably
finer than that of sun-grown tobacco. The process also has the effect of produc-
ing a more consumer-appealing color as well as decreasing the weight of the leaf
without impairing its textile strength.
The shade tobacco growing and marketing industry in Connecticut is "big
business" measured in terms of large size of plant and output, high total and
per unit investment, and employment of large numbers of field and shed workers.
The product is produced by a comparatively small number of large companies or
corporations whose production costs and value of the crop are characteristically
high. The relatively few "dirt fanners" who are engaged in the production of
this type of tobacco are usually financed by these merchant-growers or companies
for whom it is grown under contract and under their supervision.
In 1040, for example, there were only 47 growers of shade tobacco in Con-
necticut. They produced almost 5,00CK0(io pounds of this crop on approximately
6,000 acres, or, on the average, over 100,000 poirnds per grower on an average
plantation of about 125 acres. When it is realized that the gross cost of prodircing
1 acre of this product is almost $1,000, even the average grower, it will be rroted.
is compelled to make an appreciably large outlay.
The characteristically large-scale nature of this type of farmirrg is further
indicated by the fact that the total farm value of Connecticut shade tobacco last
year (1940) was $3,382,000, or an average gross return of $81,532 per grower.
Moreover, a distribution of the 47 shade-tobacco growers by size of plant and
production indicates a high degree of concentration of land holdings and of
output even among this comparatively small number of producers.
1 A cigar consists of three parts, the filler, the binder, which i.s used to keep the filler ia
the form of a cigar, and the wrapper, which is the finishing or outside leaf.
5440
HARTFORD HEARINGS
In 1940, 10 growers, or about 20 percent of the total, accounted for 05 percent
of the acreage, and of the output and 66 percent of the total value of the crop ;
only 3 growers, with tobacco plantations of over 50O acres, it will be noted, con-
trolled over 40 iDcrcent of the acreage, and of the output and received over 40
percent of the farm value of the crop. The following table shows the distribution
of acreage, production, and farm value of the crop by size of growers :
Shade-grown tobacco production in Connecticut, by size of farms, iti 19JfO ^
Growers
Acreage
Production
Farm value of
crop
Num-
ber
Per-
cent
Num-
ber
Per-
cent
Number
Per-
cent
Amount
Per-
cent
1 to 49 9
19
18
7
3
40.4
38.3
14.9
6.4
580
1,389
1,421
2,389
5,779
10.0
24.0
24.7
41.3
100.0
493, 000
1, 180, 050
1, 207, 850
2, 030, 650
10.0
24.0
24.9
41.1
$385, 000
921, 000
942, 000
1, 584, 000
10.0
50 to 149 9
24.1
24.6
500 to 1,000 and over —
41.3
Total
47
100.0
4, 912, 150
100.0
3, 832, 000
100.0
1 Distribution of shade-grown tobacco acreage and number of growers was obtained from the Connecticut
agricultural conservation program. Production figures were derived by applying the 1940 yield of 850
pounds per acre: this yield figure was taken from the Nov. 12, 1940, Crop Report on Tobacco, Agricultural
Marlceting Service. "Farm value of crop obtained from the Agricultural Marketing Service, U. S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture."
With the exception of a few large sun-grown tobacco producers, the farm units
devoted to this variety of the product are much smaller than those on which
shade tobacco is raised. Outdoor tobacco is raised by dirt farmers with small
capital. The gross cost of producing an acre of this product is about $200. To
the majority of these growers, the tobacco raised on a few acres repre.seuts their
only money crop. In 1940, for example, the average outdoor tobacco farmer had
less than 9 acres devoted to this crop, compared with 125 acres of the average
shade-tobacco growers.
The underlying reason for this structural set-up is obvious : Although there is
about twice the acreage in outdoor tobacco than in sliade-grown tobacco in
Connecticut, the number of those growing the former variety is many times
larger than the number of those growing the latter variety. Thus, in 1940 there
were harvested 10,385 acres of outdoor tobacco, which yielded slightly over
16,000,000 pounds of leaf with a farm value of $3,362,000. On the other hand,
there were but 5,779 acres of shade tobacco harvested that year, which yielded
.sliglitly less than 5,000,000 pounds of leaf Nvitli an estimated farm value of
$3,832,000. The outdoor tobacco was grown by about 1,200 fanners ; the shade,
by 47 growers, represented, in the main, by 17 large grower-marketing concerns.
In 1929 the permanent investment in laud and equipment of outdoor tobacco
farmers approached $55,000,000, while that of the shade growers about
$20,000,000.
Most of the shade leaf is packed by the growers and sold to jobbers or cigar
manufacturers. The operation of the Consolidated Cigar Corporation displays
perhaps the highest degree of vertical integration. This company not only
grows, processes, and markets its product, but actually manufactures the finished
product— the cigar. In 1940, as in 1939, the American Sumatra Tobacco Cor-
poration was the largest single grower of shade tobacco, and the Consolidated
Cigar Corporation was the second largest. Other large producers of this variety
of tobacco are : Cullman Bros., Inc. ; Windsor Shade Tobacco Co. ; Kahn Bros.
Tobacco Co. ; Meyer & Mendelsohn, Inc. ; Otel Tobacco Corporation ; A. N.
Shepard & Son; Silberman-Kahn Corporation; Howard Whitaker ; Rapaport &
Son ; Victor C. Fassler ; Wetstone-Kamins Tobacco Co. ; and Hathaway-Steane
Corporation.
In the outdoor field, on the other hand, the small grower usually sells his bundles
of tobacco to the representative of some packing house, which sizes, sorts, and
sweats the product before disposing of it to the cignr manufacturer. The follow-
ing table shows the distribution of acreage, production, and farm value of out-
door tobacco by size of farm. Also attached is a listing of the 1940 acreages
grown.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5441
Sun-grown tobacco production in Connecticut, by size of farms, in 1940 ^
Size (acres)
Growers
Acreage
Production
Farm value of crop
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Amount
Percent
516
448
192
37
12
42.8
37.2
15.9
3.1
1.0
1,589.9
3,318.6
3,040.3
1,271.3
1, 164. 7
15.4
31.9
29.2
12.2
11.3
2, 457, 191
5, 130, 81)0
4, 682, 523
1, 954, 429
1,784,023
15.4
32.1
29.1
12.2
11.2
$516,000
1,078,000
983,000
410,000
375,000
5.1 to 10
32 0
10.1 to 25
29.2
25.1 to 50
Over 50
11 2
Total
1,205
100.0
10, 384. 8
100.0
16, 005, 056
100.0
3, 362, 000
100.0
1 Data obtained from tlie agricultural conservation program. University of Connecticut, June 4, 1941
"i^'arm value of crop obtained from the Agricultural Marketing Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture. '
The Connecticut Valley Shade Growers Association, Inc., Connecticut Valley
shadc-grotvn type 61-A acreage grown in 19^0
Acres
Square
rods
Acres
Square
rods
American Sumatra To-
bacco Corporation ...
1,120
97
Kohn Bros. TobaccoCo.,Inc.— Con.
Fred Morgan
0
78
24
58
27
32
0
119
45
Cullman Bros. Inc.:
319
20
2,5
74
0
0
Estate A. H. Brown
Paul Sullivan ... .
Samuel Friend
78
Total
Total
364
74
506
65
Meyer & Mendelsohn, Inc.:
Meyer & Mendelsohn, Inc..
The Windsor Shade Tobacco
Co., Inc.:
F. M. Arnold & Sons
57
53
116
70
91
94
31
76
46
158
118
45
8
115
34
55
34
40
78
V. C. Brewer & Son
Walter Wolf
33
A. A. Clark
R. B. Clark
Total
Howard Thrall
164
156
The Otee Tobacco Corporation...
A. N. Shepard & Son:
C. F. Woodford & Son
99
100
Total
515
86
31
169
108
The Gershel-Kaffenburgh To-
350
6
201
89
103
40
50
20
104
0
23
146
99
Consolidated Cigar Corporation:
Consolidated Cigar Corpora-
tion . ...
Griflin-Fuller Tobacco Co....
Charles F. Griffin
Estate Fred M. Colton __
Estate A. T. Pattison
949
56
Howard McCormick
Mrs A. Dubon
Total
286
52
949
56
Leslie W. Swift, Inc
L. B. Haas & Co., Inc.:
185
168
45
17
143
96
123
111
164
44
Howard Whitaker:
28
C. K. &H. T. Hale, Inc
Total
50
Total
417
153
118
B. Rapaport & Son, Inc.:
Estate of Morris Rosenberg. .
S A TTodelor Ar On
The Hartman Tobacco Co.:
The Hartman Tobacco Co
I H Woodworth
473
65
120
90
86
44
27
Total
539
48
The Wetstone Tobacco Corpora-
tion ...
100
Kohn Bros. Tobacco Co., Inc.:
189
72
23
54
128
62
10
Total type 61-A grown in
1940
5,988
Estate Harry C. Griswold....
75
5442 HARTFORD HEARINGS
TRENDS IN TOBACCO PRODUCTION
Tobacco acreage in Connecticut underwent slow but steady increase during the
decade 1910 to 1920; it declined somewhat slower during tlie succeeding decade.
Acreage in sliade tobacco, however, reached its peak in 1921, and that in outdoor
tobacco in 1925. Since 1925 acreages in both of these crops declined rather sharply.
By 1930 the total tobacco acreage in tlie State was about 40 percent greater than
in 1910 but almost 30 percent less than in 1919, the all-time peak. Between 1930
and 1933 the decrease in acreage was extremely rapid. In 1934 the trend was
again reversed, largely because of the salutary effect on prices resulting from the
A. A. A. program, and in 1940 the acreage in tobacco was 25 percent higher com-
pared with 1935.
From a wider agricultural point of view, greater significance is attached to the
"fluctuation in plant capacity and output of sun-grown than of sliade-grown to-
bacco. The contraction of sun-grown tobacco in the State from 18,000 acres in
1928 to less than 7,000 acres in 1934 was accompanied by experimentation with
other lines of production. In the first place, tobacco planting disappeared from
the Housatonic Valley, and tobacco culture withdrew to the heart of the Connecti-
cut River Valley. Second, in the valley itself there was a shifting to potatoes,
particularly on the northeast bank of the Connecticut River. Infiltration of
vegetable farming nearer the markets, and of poultry, dairy, and part-time farm-
ing also occurred througliout the tobacco area. The nontobacco enterprises which
showed tlie most marked increase, however, were potato and vegetable farms,
iilthough the growth in dairying was also substantial. Chart I shows graphically
the trend of production of both outdoor and shade-grown tobacco in Connecticut
since 1910.
LABOR OPERATIONS IN TOBACCO FARMING
The major operations in tobacco farming are the preparation of the seedbed
and the planting of the seed in glass-covered frames, the preparation of the soil
involving plowing, harrowing, and steaming it, planting, cultivating, harvesting,
and tlie sorting, sewing, stringing, and hoisting of the leaves to dry or cure in
field tobacco barns. In the case of tobacco grown under shade, the sewing of the
cheesecloth and draping it over the wires attached to poles is an important labor-
consuming operation. Of these operations, harvesting and shed work require the
largest amount of manual labor.
Preharvesting work is done usually by year-round workers, those employed
from early spring to late fall, while harvesting and leaf-drying or curing
operations require extra seasonal workers for comparatively short periods of
lime, July through September. In shade tobacco, the sequence of operations
are approximately as follows : April 1 to May 1 — preparing seed beds and soil ;
May 1 to June 1 — sewing cloth, plowing, harrowing, and planting; June 1 to
July 10— planting and hoeing; July 10 to September 1 — harvesting and curing.
The cutting of outdoor tobacco begins about one month after the commencement
of shade tobacco picking, continues simultaneously with the shade tobacco
harvest for about two weeks during the last half of August and ends about
10 days to 2 weeks after the completion of .shade tobacco picking.
The harvesting, sorting, sewing, and stringing of shade tobacco leaves are
accomplished mostly by youth labor — boys and girls between 14 and 18 years
of age. They represent roughly 40 to 50 percent of the labor supply. Between
15 and 20 percent are adult women and the balance, 35 to 40 percent are older
boys and adult men. Young boys, becau.se of their small stature, are definitely
preferred in picking the leaves grown under "tents." The work is done fre-
quently in a crawling or stooping posture and, as is the case in all light
"stoop crops." lends itself to child labor. Three and .sometimes four pickings
are required. Girls and women are employed in sewing cloth for "tents ' prior
to planting and in sorting, sewing and stringing or stretching the leaves on
laths as the croi> is bi'Ought in from the field. The latter work is conducted
in tobacco barns located in the fields. About two pickers to one sorter and
sewer are required for the first picking and .slightly less for the subsequent
pickings. Some men are employed also in tobacco barns for the heavier work
involved in hoisting laths of tobacco leaves for drying and curing. Older boys
and men are used mostly for carting tobacco to the barns and for other heavy
field work. Thus, for example, the picked leaves are placed in baskets by
young pickers and the older boys drag the baskets to the trucks which carry
them to the tobacco barns.
The functional labor organization in outdoor tobacco farming differs sig-
nificantly from shade tobacco work only in the harvesting operation. The
NATIONAL DEFEXSP: MIGRATION 5443
proportion of older boys and men employed in cutting tobacco is appreciably
larger than that engaged in picking the shade product. Outdoor tobacco is
cut at the stalk with hatchets and involves, therefore, not only more laborious
work but a more dangerous occupation. Shade tobacco is not harvested in
this manner, being "primed" or carefully plucked from the stalk leaf by leaf.
The outdoor variety, morever, is then usually stripped from the stalks and
"rigged" in the fields before carted or trucked to the barns to be sorted,
.■sewed, and strung on laths in the same way as are shade tobacco leaves.
SOUECE OF LABOR
The principal source of farm labor, both regular and seasonal, for the to-
bacco fields of Connecticut lies within the State and usually is sufficiently near
to the plantation for the workers to be transported daily by the growers free
of charge to and from work during the period of employment. The large
ma.iority of the seasonal farm workers reside in the relatively nearby cities
or towns of Hartford, East and West Hartford, Mansfield, Thompsonville, Man-
chester, New Brirain, Wilson, Poquonock, etc., but Westfield and Springfield,
in Massachusetts also contribute to this supply. Farm labor families living in
adjacent rural regions are also drawn upon both for the seasonal pre-harvest
and harvest operations. Most of this local labor consists of Negroes and persons
of more immediate foreign extraction, mostly Polish and their native-born
children.
Out-of-State migrant farm laborers represent a small proportion of the total
labor force employed in Connecticut agriculture, and practically all of it is
found on the shade tobacco plantations. The preponderant majority of these
migrants are Negioes, usually from the southern States of North and South
Carolina and from Georgia. In past years, most of the southern Negro labor
recruited by the shade tobacco growers constituted preparatory school and
college students of Negro educational institutions, but more recently the ten-
dency has been to hire more and more experienced adult labor from the tobacco-
growing regions of the South.
In 1940, the Connecticut labor department reported that there were between
250 and 300 adult Negro males from various States of the South employed on
tobacco plantations in the Connecticut River Valley. Since its investigation did
not cover all the tobacco farms of the State, it is reasonable to assume that the
actual figure was larger. Even if it is estimated that about 500 out-of-State
migrants find their way to Connecticut each year, they would still represent
a small proportion of the total farm labor force engaged in harvesting the crop.
The significance of their influx, however, in terms of transpoi'tation, bousing,
health, sanitation, and other community problems which their presence gen-
erates outweighs their comparatively slim numbers.
SEASONAL WOiiKEBS
In addition to out-of-State migrants, there are also seasonal workers in to-
bacco whose residence is Connecticut but too distant from the farms which
employ them. Since such workers must all be provided with temporary hous-
ing at their place of work, they may be considered from the housing point of
view, as intrastate migrants. Most of the regular or .semiregular help is also
houseil on the farm or plantation and this, of course, reduces the available
supply of housing already only loo meager.
The recruiting of student and adult labor from southern educational institu-
tions and from other out-of-State sources for the tobacco fields of Connecticut
dates back to the spring of 1916. At that time, shortages of local labor for harvest-
ing operations led the Shade Tobacco Growers Association to hire a special agent
to canvas outside sources of farm laborers. The undertaking was directed by a
man named John Luddy, and the organization which he set up was well financed.
It is estimated that about $25,000 was expended for the work which was generally
considered a success. The recruiting operations were conducted from the city of
Hartford, but agents were stationed in New York, Boston, and in a number of
<-ities in the South. Preliminary contacts and public-relations work including,
in the case of the educational institutions in the South, the presentation of the case
before student and faculty bodies, preceded the mechanical operations carried
through by the local recruiting agents.
About 2,000 workers, practically all unattached male Negroes, were ultimately
imported for work in the tobacco harvest. It is estimated that about one-third
-came from Negro preparatory schools and colleges of the South, a smaller propor-
5444 HARTFORD HE.\i{INGS
tion from Boston and the majority, from New York City. Transportation costs
were advanced by the association, but later deducted from wages in sufficient
amounts not only to repay the advance but also to insure their ability to return
to their place of origin after the completion of the harvest.
It is alleged that recruiting was custom-made and on order, and no indiscrim-
inate or blind recruiting characterized the operations. Nor was a surplus of mi-
grant workers brought in. All transportation arrangements including the desig-
nation of the time and place of departure, the fixing of the hour and point of
arrival, accommodations en route, receiition on arrival, and subsequent placement
on designated farms were planned in advance. Hired agents usually accompanied
the workers on the train or bus to insure their arrival. Student hilxuvrs from the
South were generally escorted by a member of the faculty of the scIkjoI from which
they came or by an older student who acted in the capacity of an advi.ser. Al-
though a number of workers deserted en route or after arrival, the operations
were deemed generally successful.
INDIRECT BENEl ICIAEIES OF MICRATION
It is the consensus of the agricultural interests of the State that the influx of
this migrant labor in the spring of 1916 relieved the labor shortage not only for
the shade tobacco growers for whom the plan was designed, but also for the out-
door tobacco growers whose harvesting season partly dovetails with that of the
shade grc/vers, and who therefore had access to it after its release at the cul-
mination of the shade tobacco season. Indirect beneficiaries of this movement,
it is said, were other types of farming enterprises requiring extra seasonal farm
laborers who became more accessible in local sources largely because of the addi-
tional supply of migrant workers. This, of course, is not a disinterested view,
and leaves the impression that the whole affair was universally satisfactory.
It is not unfair to suggest that there is a possibility, although no proof, that the
local population usually engaged in farm work during the summer may have
been adversely affected in terms of wages and employment opportunities by the
influx of the migrants.
The migratory farm-labor movement into Connecticut during the last war pro-
duced at least three known questionable or undesirable results ; (a) it established
a precedent for this influx ; (b) it caused an acute housing shortage on the tobacco
plantations; and (c) it left an unemployed and partly destitute segment of these
migrants as a relief burden on the city of Hartford where many of them settled
permanently instead of returning home after the agricultural season. In fact, a
substantial portion of the present Negro population in this city is composed of
those migrants who did not return home in 1916 and who later brought their
families to join them.
NOW RECRUIT ON INDIVIDUAL BASIS
Today, tobacco growers who employ migrants recruit them on an individual
basis rather than through a centrally organized effort as was the case in 1916.
This is done usually by writing to a Negro educational institution in the South or
to one or more former workers to bring a crew with him at a specified time.
Students from Morehouse University in Atlanta, Ga., and high-school boys and
teachers from Goldsboro, N. C, are known to come to C<jnnecticut annually for the
tobacco harvest. Others arrive from Greenville, S. C. and Raleigh, N. C. and from
several other points in these two States and Georgia. Some are known to come
from as far south as Texas and as far west as Detroit. A small number of mi-
grants arrive in Connecticut as early as April and May but the majority come in
June and early July and remain usually through September.
Whatever mode of transportation the migrants use, the cost of it is borne by
them both ways. Growers are not known to send their trucks for these workers.
Transportation costs, however, are frequently advanced by them and later
deducted from wages in sufticient amounts to include the return as well as the
coming journey. Other deductions from wages may be made for food supplied
by the grower, the cost of services for a cook, and sometimes for services rendered
by a person in charge of keeping the living (puirters clean.
A number of growers pay wage lionuses to migrant workers who remain until
the end of the season. One planter has been known to pay such a bonus of $10
to each worker. Others hold back part of the wages in order to insure that
NATIONAL DKKKN.SK .MKIKATION 5445
workers remain until the completion of the harvest. Most of the migrants
i-eturn to their place of origin at the end of the season. The comparatively few
who remain usually seek employment in the larger towns or cities. In 1989
it was reported that 18 Negro migrants found jobs with a sand and gravel
company in Hartford nfter tobacco work was completed.
WORKING AND LIVING CONDITIONS
One of the reports of the Connecticut department of labor and factory inspec-
tion described labor conditions on shade tobacco plantations 10 years ago as
follows :
"In 1931 widespread complaints concerning conditions on tobacco plantations
led to a thorough investigation of these plantations by the health and labor
departments. The conditions which were revealed regarding child labor, health,
and morality .shocked public opinion. Ten year old boys were found working .")5
and 00 hours per week at arduous and exhausting tasks. On the plantations,
the boarding houses provided for resident workers, were found to be crowded
and unsanitary. The kitchens were dirty and the handling, cooking, and serv-
ing of food was carried on without any attempt at cleanliness. Men and women
were boarded without any particular atterition to proper segregation or
supervision." *
Appropriate remedial action was impeded by the fact that farm work, including
the large-scale industrialized farming practiced on these plantations, was
outside the jurisdiction of the labor laws. If improvements were to be initiated,
it was necessary either to obtain voluntary agreements on labor standards from
the growers or recommend legislation granting regulatory powers to a State
administrative agency. Since the latter method presented difficulties and delays,
an effort was made to obtain the voluntary cooperation of the growers in a broad
constructive program for the elimination of these abuses. Beginning in 1932
and renewed annually since then, agreements were entered into by the Con-
necticut Department of Labor with about 90 percent of the growers covering
employment standards, among which was the provision not to employ children
under 14 years of age. The latest agreement drafted in May 1940 at a conference
of Connecticut tobacco growers and the State department of labor contained the
following employment standards :
1. Child labor:
( a I Not to employ children under 14 years of age.
(b) Age certificates for all children of doubtful age. (Through the State
board of education, announcement will be made in the schools to
the effect that certification of age may be secured by all children
between the ages of 14 and 16 years desiring employment on the
tobacco fields this summer.)
2. Housing:
(a) Agreement on certain basic standards for all company and private
boarding houses.
(1) No overcrowding — adequate privacy.
(2) Cleanliness.
(3) All windows screened; outside ventilation for every sleeping
room.
(4) Reasonably adequate beds and bedding.
(5) Two exits should be provided for persons sleeping above
the second floor.
(6) Male and female boarders not to live in same building.
(7) Where employees provide own meals, refrigeration should
be provided for their supplies.
(b) In company boarding houses one hearty, cooked meal per day with
fresh milk should be made available.
(c) Registration Ity a central agent on each plantation, of the name of
each employee who boards in the vicinity and of the name and
address of iiis or her boarding house; the registrations to be open
to some central authority who will inspect boarding places.
1 Report of the State of Comiecticut, Department of Labor and Factory Inspection,
1936-38, Hartford, 19.S9.
60396— 41— pt. 13 28
5446 HAKTFOKD HEARINGS
3. Field:
(a) Water— should be readily available to both shed and field worliers, in
coverefl containers with sanitary bublers or paper cups.
(&) Safety kit — should be kept in every shed where work is going on.
(c) Privies — separate for men and women, marked, provided with locks
and toilet paper, kept dean, not too far from work places.
4. Transportation : The excellent regulations regarding transportation should
be followed moi-e generally.
5. Administration : On each plantation one man should be designated by the
company to see that all labor regulations are carried out, and should be fully
advised of any labor regulations adopted by the growers.
INSPECTION TOUR TN 194 0
In August of that year (1940) representatives of the Department of Labor
and a representative of the Consumer's League of Massachusetts visited 27 plan-
tations, representing 16 growers to observe to what extent working and living
conditions were improved in accordance with the agreement reached in the spring
of the year. The following is a summary of their findings : ^
1. Child labor : Thirteen children 13 years of age and two 12 years were working
on plantations visited. On every field but one there were children of doubtful
age who had not been asked for certificates. It was evident that the general
practice was to request proof of age when children only appeared to be under 14
years of age.
2. Wages : Women generally received $1 for sewing three bundles of leaves.
(There are usually 20' to 22 pairs of leaves to a lath and 50 laths constitute a
bundle.) The average experienced worker sowed 7 and 8 bundles a day, earning
a daily wage of between $2.30 and $2.65. Leaf girls were paid by the day, their
wages ranging from $1.7."') to $2.25 a day. Older boys, employed mostly at hauling,
received from $2 to $2.75 a day. Hourly wages in general averaged about 20
cents an hour. Wages, in some cases, were paid once every 2 weeks.
3. Hours : Usual working hours were 9 or 914 hours a day and 54 to 57 hours
a week. All fields were operating on a full 6-day week.
4. Labor force: About 2,200 men and boys and 1,400 women and girls, the
majority white persons, were employed. In addition, there were 260 male Negroes
brought from the South for the season.
5. Transportation : The majority of the nonmigrant workers were transported
in company or grower-owned' and oi^erated trucks to and from the plantation.
They were picked up at central points in neighboring towns or cities between
5 : 45 and 6 : 30 a. m. and returned late in the afternoon. In most cases no segre-
gation of the sexes were provided in transportation.
6. Working conditions : An improvement was observed in number and condition
of privies ; however, old failure to provide separate privies for men and women
was present and many privies were found at too great a distance from sheds for
convenient use. Two plantations had no privies, 9 provided privies for women
only and only 10 of the 27 plantations had a privy for each sex. No improvement
in drinking facilities was evident. On 9 fields the common dipi>er was in use.
subjecting the workers to danger of infection ; 7 fields supplied containers with
faucets or ungiiarded inverted spigots but no drinking cups ; and only 6 had
containers with faucets and paper cups. First-aid kits were found only on one-
half of the plantations. A few of the others offered a dusty, loosely covered, tin
box containing exposed cotton and an antiseptic.
7. Living conditions: Twelve company-owned and operated boarding houses
and three company-owned private dwellings with boarders were visited by the
investigators. It was reported that conditions differed little from those existing
in 1938 when they were discovered to be generally poor. There was, however, a
noticeable decline in the number of children housed in private dwellings "where
in previous years the most shocking conditions were found."
Some boarding houses were for both male and female workers; others, sepa-
rated the sexes ; still others wore for boys and/or girls ; a few were for Negroes
only. In three boarding houses for white males the board ranged from $6.50
to $7 a week for three meals a day and a room usually shared with one or two
others. Two houses which boarded both sexes, in one of which were found
boys and girls and in the other, adults, charged $1.25 a week for bed and
1 Working and Living Condition.s on Connecticut Shade Tobacco Plantations, Summer,
1040, Connecticut Department of Labor and Factory Inspection.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5447
coffee served three times daily. Dry meals and canned foods, seldom a hot
meal, were served the young workers. "The inability of these children to get
fresh vegetables in the few small stores in the vicinity and to secure refrigera-
tion for milk and meat is still a matter of the gravest concern," reported the
investigators.
Six company boarding houses were for colored males. One, a former C. C. C.
camp, by far the most adequate, charged $4 a week for bed and three meals
a day. The other five were extremely poor, charged no rent for bed and the
men pooled the weekly food costs which ranged from $2.50 to $3.50 per person.
Buildings usually were found to be fire traps, crowded, lacking washing and
bathing facilities, and containing foul smelling privies. In many cases the
bedding provided was worn, dirty, and inadequate.
Much could and should be done to construct imin-oved and additional board-
ing houses, stated the investigators. To support their contention they pointed
to the fact that "in 1938 one company built a large two-story boarding house
for white males which serves as an example of what can be done toward a
lietter standard of living on our tobacco plantations. Each of the 38 single
rooms contained a single bed, large dresser, and alcove clothes closet. The
bedding was clean and adequate. Off each of the two large, comfortably
furnished living rooms was a screened porch of almost the same size. There
were three exits by stairway and a fire extinguisher on each floor. In the base-
ment were toilets, tiled wash sinks and showers, hot and cold water * * *."
The Department of Labor has concluded time and again that although the
voluntary agreements have improved condilions. protective legislation was the
most effective way of meeting the issue.
LABOR SUPi'LY SITUATION
In March of this year the farm-labor survey of the Connecticut subcommittee
on farm labor conducted a State-wide farm-labor survey on a sample basis
for the purpose of canvassing the farm labor demand situation in the coming
agricultural season in the light of the heightened industrial-defense production
program.^ A questionnaire was used as an instrument to obtain the data.
Three sets of answered questionnaire forms were returned: (a) 464 replies
from nontobacco farmers, including dairy, poultry, fruit, and vegetable farmers ;
(b) 18 shade-tobacco farms repre.senting 9 large corporative growers; and (c)
13 farmers whose majdr crop was sun-grown (or outdoor-grown) tobacco."
The first group of farmi'rs reported that of the G80 full-time regular farm
workers whom they employed in 1940. 239. or slightly over one-third, had left
their jelts for work in factories or had been inducted into Army training as a
result of the Selective Service Act.^ These figures lose much of their value
as the findings do not reveal the number of lost workers who were replaced.
The percentage labor loss is probably somewhat less than one-third, since
119 farmers of the unknown lunnber who had experienced such losses were
succe.ssful in obtaining replacements, either in whole or in part. To counter-
balance the salutary effect of these replacements, however, it was found thai
about 160 of these regular farm employees, or about 15 iiercent of the total
employed in 1940, were classified with the selective service as class I regis-
trants who are subject to Army call as soon as their numbers are reached.
This group of farmers reported also that they were in n(>ed of about 250
regular men at the time of the survey (middle of March) and would u.se
an additional 1,000 seasonal workers later in the season. The latter figure,
it was noted, is about 300 seasonal part-time workers less than they employed
in 1940. To what extent their reduction in labor requirements is a conscious
1 Two agricultural groups in the State have currently concerned themselves with the
farm-labor shortase problem : The committee on farm Labor of the Connecticut Agricultural
Defense Council and the subcommittee on farm labor of the State Agricultural Planning
Committee. The personnel of the two committees are practically identical and to all
intents and purposes can be considered as one.
' The method used to conduct the survey left much to be desired from a scientific point
of view. No instructions accompanied the questionnaire, and the enumerators, where
employed, were not trained. Some of the questionnaires were handled through the mail,
while others were filled out by county agents or members of the local farm bureaus who
interviewed the informants.
A substantial number of the returns were only partially complete, while others were
neither uniform nor consistent. These deficiencies in the data somewhat reduced the
value of the findings.
* Over 75 percent of the losses found jobs in industry.
5448 HARTFORD HEARINGS
adaptation to an alleged shrinkage in the available local supply of farm
laborers and to what extent it may be explained by error in estimating 1941
needs is, of course, difficult to say without further information.
Tabulation of the statistical information received from 18 shade-tobacco
farms representing 9 large corporative growei-s shows that in 1940 they
employed on 3,800 acres about 2.j0 regular year-round workers and over 5,C00
extra ' seasonal workers between July 15 and September 1. These growers
reported that of the 250 regular workers employed that year, they had lost
113 to industry and 35 through the operations of the Selective Service Act,
or about 60 percent of this help. In this, as in the former case, no informa-
tion is available of how much of this loss was replaced. The large majority of
the farm laborers employed on these farms, moreover, are seasonal hands,
and the major concern of the shade-tobacco growers is, therefore, with the
present availability of this type of labor. But this is the question for which
the survey provides no anvSwer. The 18 farms, it should be noted, employed
on an average about 300 extra seasonal workers per farm in 1940, and together
hired from 60 to 70 percent of the total labor employed by all shade-tobacco
gi'owers in the Connecticut Valley of the State.
Records secured from 13 farmers whose major crop was sun-grown tobacco
show that in 1940 they employed 41 regular farm hands and 115 extra sea-
sonal workers, or, on the average, about 3 regular and 9 seasonal laborers
per farm. No information is available showing the seasonal labor losses,
and, indeed, could not be ascertained before the commencement of the season ;
that with respect to regular workers indicated a loss of almost one-third.
While it can be agreed upon that the survey established no conclusive
grounds for judging the issue of farm-labor shortage, it does suggest the
current existence of a moderate problem — at least as far as the supply of
regular farm workers is concerned. No relief to the problem is provided
by the survey with regard to the forthcoming seasonal labor supply — the major
item of apprehension. It is reasonable to believe that the same forces affecting
the regular farm-labor supply will make themselves felt on the seasonal variety
of farm laborers. If this proves true, the labor shortage of these workers
will be much larger and more acute. Absorption of rural workers into
higher-paying and steadier "defense jobs," and the possible compulsion to
use inexperienced workers, and hence larger numbers, are the major factors
governing this conclusion.
As partial but concrete evidence of a tightened farm-labor market, the
Farm Security Administration county supervisor in Hartford County revealed
that applications for loans to be used for hiring labor this agricultural season
show larger sums requested for this item than last year, largely because they
are being estimated on a daily wage basis of $3.50 as compared with $2.50 in
1940. According to the same source. Farm Security Administration clients
who in previous years hired out to other farms as activity became slack on
their own are being drawn off by the local factories, plants, and mills, prob-
ably with defense orders. Public-road construction in the county is also
absorbing a number of workers who otherwise would seek farm employment.
In addition, it has been observed that a number of farmers have lost their
sons and regular farm hands either to defense industries or to the Army
through the operation of the Selective Service Act.
CONNECTICUT AS A DEFENSE-PRODUCTION AREA
The argument advanced in connection with the farm-labor supply problem
in Connecticut is that the State has become an arsenal of the national-defense
program, and that expansion of its industries has, on the one hand, depleted
the supply of local farm workers, and, on the other hand, increased the need
for farm labor to meet the larger demands upon farmers for milk, eggs, fruits,
vegetables, and other farm products for the swollen numbers of industrial
workers now in the State. The heightened activity of industrial defense
production and its effect on the social economy of the State is suggested in
part by a few of the following indexes.
Among the 146 localities designated by President Roosevelt as "defense areas"
where homes may be financed under new liberalized Federal Housing Adminis-
tration regulations are the following seven cities or regions in Connecticut:
Bridgeport, Bristol, Hartford, Meriden. New Britain. New Haven-Ansonia,
New London-Oroton-Noi'wich, and Waterburv. Defense orders placed in the
State from June 13, 1940, to January 31. 1!)4i. U<inlvi\ over six Inindr-Ml million
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5449
dollars Almost 40 percent of these orders have been placed in Hartford
€ounfy the heart of the tobacco-growing area, and a third in New London
County! an important berry, fruit, and vegetable region.
The industrial boom and influx of workers is so extensive as to have le-
duced housing vacancy in the city of Hartford virtually to zero and i-ents are
at their highest level. Employment in Hartford County as of April 1 was
164 percent of the accepted normal as of .January 1, 1929; man-hours of work
were up 156 percent of normal, according to a survey of 82 plants by the
Hartford County Manufacturers' Association. The general relief load m Hait-
ford a source of seasonal farm labor, was about 25 percent less m March
1941* than at the same time a year ago, stated the State welfare commissioner.
IMPACT OF SHOKTAGB ON FARMING
Farm-labor shortages, as they may be reflected in absolute scarcity of
workers or in the payment of higher wages, do not usually affect all types
of farming enterprises with equal intensity. Their acutness increases in pro-
portion to the volume of workers required per farm unit. This is especially
evident when farms employing large numbers of seasonal workers are con-
centrated in a comparatively small geographical area. The extraordinardy
heavy demand for short-time seasonal farm hands which such agricultural
enterprises make on the local labor markets is frequently greater than they
could meet. , ^. , ^, *^- i
This situation has been observed even in normal times when the national
economy is operating usually below full capacity. The problem becomes ag-
gravated manifold when the country's economic plant has cause to function,
as it has today in a period of national defense, at levels approximating full
production and employment. In the present period of great industrial activity,
shortages of farm workers for seasonal employment are more keenly felt
because of the absorption of part-time, casual, and unemployed workers, many
witli rural background and farm experience, into industry which offers higher
wages longer tenure of employment, and generally better working conditions
than does agriculture.
In Connecticut, the case under review, the weight of the farm-labor shortage
can be expected to fall most heavily and in the first instance upon the shade-
tobacco growers. As a group, they are the employers of the largest number
of seasonal harvest labor, both on a total and per farm-unit scale. Numerically,
their plantations are concentrated in a comparatively small geographic area
of the State. At the same time, it must be emphasized, these agricultural inter-
ests are in a more favorable position to absorb the impact of the farm-Tabor
shortage than are those engaged in the other types of farming. The shade
tobacco and the large outdoor tobacco growers have, for example, much
better access to nonlocal labor markets than other farmers. A number of
these tobacco growers, in fact, have been importing annually since 1916 Negro
labor (mostly preparatory-school and college students) from the South, and
indeed, have already made similar preparations for the coming season. More-
over, they are financially competent to out-bid other farmers for the available
local labor. Not only are they able to pay higher wages, if necessary, but
they can offer greater employment attraction in terms of longer and steadier
work and hence higher seasonal earnings. The nontobacco farmers, however,
particularly dairymen and fruit and vegetable farmers, less able to absorb
the Impact of the farm-labor shortage, may be expected to be more keenly
disadvantaged in this respect.
APPRAISAL OF FARM LABOR SUPPLY SITUATION
No conclusive evidence has been marshaled, so far at least as this observer has
been able to gather, to demonstrate beyond a doubt that local and nonlocal
laborers who in past years had been available for regular and seasonal work on
farms in the State as a whole and in the Connecticut River Valley of the State
in particular will not be available in sufficient numbers adequate to meet the labor
requirements of farm operators for the coining 1941 cropping season. To draw
from this observation, however, the conclusion that such an eventuality is unlikely
or remote is to place an unwarranted confidence in the ability to predict or measure
with any degree of accuracy what the labor supply situation will be in the agricul-
tural season which lies ahead. Lack of complete factual information at this
time, and the absence of fine techniques to measure labor shortages before they
5450 HARTFORD HEARINGS
occur preclude the possibilities of assembling conclusive evideuce as a basis for
such prediction.
It is to be noted, however, that the farm-labor survey conducted by the Connec-
ticut subcommittee on farm labor did not reveal, as alleged, "That there vpill be a
shortage of at least 2,000 farm workers (in the shade-tobacco harvest) this coming
summer" in Hartford County. This estimate is completely divorced from the
findings of the survey, having no basis in established fact. It is purely a rough
figure based on an arbitrary assumption that one-third of the seasonal farm work-
ers employed in the shade-tobacco harvest in 1940 will probably be unavailable in
1941. With no pretense at scientific accuracy, it has been similarly estimated
that out-door tobacco growers in the State will be short about 1,500 harvest
laborers, fruit growers, about 1,000 workers, vegetable farmers, about 2,000 work-
ers, and dairy farmers, about 4,000 workers— or a total of about 10,000 seasonal
workers. No criticism of these estimates is intended, but it should be understood
that the basis of these predictions is extremely tenuous.
It may be stated categorically that difliculties of securing seasonal farm laborers
in sufficient numbers and of required experience and skill in the various agri-
cultural regions of Connecticut are already being felt and may be expected to
grow in June, July, and August, at the peak of hiring. This is not equivalent
to a prediction of an acute labor shortage on the farms and tobacco plantation.*
of Connecticut. A more realistic and ob.iective interpretation of the term "diffi-
culty" as it applies to the growers' efforts to obtain farm labor is that which de-
scribes the condition of the farm-labor market in relation to the customary facility
experienced by labor-employing farmers in tapping this market in former years.
In the past, the supply of farm labor was so abundant that workers came up to
the farms seeking jobs. As a result, farmers themselves exerted little or no
effort to obtain their farm hands and seasonal harvest workers. The local State
employment offices, moreover, had no reason to concern themselves with the
farm-labor market, seldom being patronized either by farmers or farm laborers.
Today these conditions no longer prevail. The surplus of farm labor is not as
large and labor-employing farmers are compelled to go to labor rather than the
reverse.
ACTION TAKEN TO OFFSET LOCAL LABOR SHORTAGES
The State agricultural defense council and its subcommittee on farm labor has
been operating on two broad fronts in their efforts to tap sources of farm 'abor
for the coming cropping season : the local-State and the out-of-State labor markets.
At the request of the subcommittee, the State department of education over the
connniss'oner's signature has mailed letters to principals of high and vocatiomil
schools, to headmasters of preparatory schools, and to presidents of a number of
colleges in Connecticut, requesting them to canvass their student bodies with re-
gard to the question of willingness to work on farms during the coming season.
Estimates indicate there are about 40,000 to 50,000 high-school boys over 14 years
of age and about 8,000 college boys in the State. Following this preliminary can-
vass, the State employment service is expected to follow up with a registration
effort by providing cards to be filled out by students willing and able to accept
such employment. These registration cards are to be collected by the State local
employment offices, and a farm-labor registry established. This job was planned
to be completed by the end of April.
The subcommittee is counting more heavily on this potential source of seasonal
labor than on any other. Most of the nontobacco farmers have indicated their
vviilingness to hire youth labor where adult labor is not available. To tobacco
growers, particularly the shade men, the employment of youth labor is not a
novelty. They have had long experience with it, and in fact prefer it because
it lends itself far better to harvesting operations (picking tobacco leaves under
large tents) than adult labor. An investigation conducted in 1917 by the National
Child Labor Committee in the shade-tobacco fields of the Connecticut River Valley
revealed that two-thirds of the children employed were between 8 and 13 years
of age.^ This proportion has declined materially in the years following. If a
serious labor shortage materializes, this season, however, an increase in the em-
ployment of children under 14 years of age may be expected.
In addition, the State employment service has agreed to expand generally their
farm-placement activities in the State, particularly in such major potential labor
reservoirs as Hartford. New Haven, New Britain, and Bristol. It is planned also
to examine the potential farm-labor supply among those enrolled in National Youth
^ R. Fuller and M. Strong, Child Labor in Massachusetts.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5451
Administration, Work Projects Administration, and rural and nonrural defense
training centers for out-of -school youth. The Outdoor Aid Division of the Depart-
ment of Public Welfare of Hartford also has been canvassed, and has already
submitted to tobacco growers a list of 150 of its inmates at Camp Nehantic, Oak-
dale, Conn., for possible employment in the harvest. The old-age composition of
this group, however, reduces the value of this labor source.
In connection with recruiting out-of-State labor, the agricultural defense
council, through its subcommittee, has submitted to the Connceticut State
Employment Service a list of 37 Negro educational institutions to be forwarded
to State employment services in several of the Southern States for the purpose
of canvassing the labor supply available among the students of these institu-
tions. Young men between the ages of 17 and 25 will be preferred. It is
reported that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
has endorsed this project.
HOUSING IN RELATION TO LABOR SHORTAGE
Among other proposals, tlie State subcommittee on farm labor has recommended
that abandoned or otherwise unoccupied Civilian Conservation Corps camps in
Connecticut be obtained for the purjDose of housing nonlocal workers employed
on farms. This proposal, of course, has a direct bearing on the general problem
of labor shortages. Particularly, however, it is advanced as a formula for
the alleviation of the anticipated labor shortage of those farmers who ai-e
least able to absorb its impact. It is precisely the realization of the potential
employment-attraction strength of the shade and the large outdoor tobacco
farmers that is tlie governing factor behind the Civilian Conservation Corps
camp proposal, at least in the Connecticut River Valley. To the extent, it is
reasoned, that the seasonal labor demand of these agricultural tobacco interests
could be diverted from the strictly local or even nonlocal intrastate labor
markets, the greater the opportunities of other types of farmers to successfully
tap the local labor i-eservoirs the coming season. But a successful and sub-
stantial diversion of the seasonal labor demand of the tobacco growers from
local to remote labor sources can be achieved only by overcoming the major
obstacle standing in the way, namely, the absence of sufficient housing. Hous-
ing facilities which tobacco growers at present can offer to out-of-State or
other nonlocal farm laborers are extremely limited, and, it can be conceded,
without additional accommodations the influx of such labor would be materially
curtailed. The use of unoccupied Civilian Conservation Corps camp in the
Connecticut Valley is advanced, in the last analyses, as a lever capable <if
alleviating the farm-labor shortage condition affecting nontobacco farmers by
enabling the tobacco farmers to increase their ability to import or to employ
imported out-of-State or other nonlocal labor.
PROBLEM OF HOUSING NONLOCAL WORKERS
If the employment of nonlocal or migratory seasonal farm workers on a
larger scale than heretofore becomes necessary this coming season in Con-
iecticut agriculture, as it seems it would, the largest employers of such labor
wiU undoubtedly be the shade-tobacco growers and the large outdoor tobacco
farmers. There is amjile evidence, both current and historical, to support this
prediction. If this is done, and assuming no expansion of housing facilities,
their labor shortages will be overcome only at the expense of the housing,
health, and living conditions of such workers. Thus, conditions similar to
those which developed in the last World War will be repeated. At that time
the importation of about 2,000 laborers (practically all Negroes) from New
York, Boston, and from the South, created housing and health problems which
bordered on a public scandal. Workers were housed in every conceivable
shelter, ranging from cellars to tobacco barns.
Today, as in 1916, there are comparatively few tobacco growers who have
sufficient and adequate facilities to house any substantial numbers of nonlocal
laborers. This deficiency will be aggravated, of course, if greater numbers of
nonlocal workers are employed this year than in the past. At present, per-
haps a third to one-half of the tobacco growers have houses or shelters which
fairly adequately accommodate comparatively small numbers of such workers.
No more than 25 percent of the total number of all seasonal workers are usu-
ally housed by tobacco growers in dwellings provided by them either directly
or through arrangements with persons conducting boarding houses or taking
in roomers. It is doubtful whether more than 1 out of 10 of these growers
5452 HARTFORD HEARINGS
are in a position to provide adequate housing with the facilities at hand, if
the total or per plantation ratio of nonlocal seasonal to local seasonal labor
is increased materially over 25 percent.
Only a handful of tobacco growers are now prepared to meet such an emer-
gency. Indeed, one of them purchased a few years ago the facilities of an
abandoned Civilian Conservation Corps camp accommodating about 200 persons.
Last year, this shade tobacco grower housed in this camp about 70 workers, mostly
Negro students and single men from the South, using the rest of the facilities for
storage and other purposes.
On the other hand, dairy farmers who as a group also employ large numbers
of sea.sonal hands are usually able to house such workers in their own homes
because individually they hire only one or two extras at the peak of operations.
They could accommodate such workers, however, only if they are white and
of a"^ reasonably high moral character. The other types of farming enteiiirises
in the State have had no experience, for the most part, in housing seasonal
agricultural workers, and indeed have had no occasion to do so in the past.
It is extremely doubtful whether many of them are prepared today to provide
housing for nonlocal seasonal labor.
FARM LABOR SUPPLY IN NEW HAVEN COUNTY
About 25 percent of the State's acreage in truck crops is found in New Haven
County. The 11,000 acres devoted to these crops are chiefly in string beans,
sweet corn, potatoes, and tomatoes, but the county produces many other varieties
of vegetables. Orchard fruits and berries are also grown in this county, but in
terms of acreage are less important than truck crops. In addition, this area
ranks third in tb.e State in the production of milk. In 1939 the county's 17,000
cows produced almost 106,000,000 pounds of milk, or about 15 percent of the total
milk output of the State. Local markets consume the largest bulk of the county's
output of vegetables, fruits, and milk.
The major crops requiring seasonal harvest labor in this county are vege-
tables, strawberries, and orchard fruits. Dairy farms are also in need of extra
labor for haying and silo filling. The seasonal labor peak on the county's dairy
farms, however, i.s small in comparison to the seasonal harvest requirements of
the above-mentioned crops. It has been estimated that at seasonal peaks there
are about 900 extra jobs for varying periods of employment on the farms of the
county. Fruit harvesting requires an estimate of 345 workers ; vegetables, 235 ;
strawberries, 230 ; and dairy farms, about 80. There is, however, a moderate de-
gree of dovetailing of the seasons to enable farm workers to be employed on more
thai! one job. Assuming reasonable labor mobility and more effective control of
the .seasonal labor market, it is possible for fewer than 900 workers to meet the
seasonal peak labor requirements of all the farms in the county. The cropping
seasons are as follows :
Strawberry picking, June 1-21 ; haying, June 15- August 1 ; potato harvesting,
July 15-August 15 and September 15-October 15 ; fruit picking, September 1-
October 15 ; and silo filling, September 15-October 15.
In former years, the problem of securing sufficient numbers of workers to
harvest the vegetables, fruits, and berries, and to cut the hay and fill the silos
has not been acute. Farmers had experienced occasional difflr^ulties from time to
time, but no widespread labor shortage. This year, however, there is a strong
feeling among farmers that such an eventuality is imminent in July, August,
and September, the height of the cropping season. The planting season seems to
have evinced no serious labor supply problem. Defense production in the New
Haven area, it is alleged, is absorbing the labor which ordinarily is employed on
farms. Analysis of the several factors governing the present situation points to
two developments: (a) A moderate contraction in the seasonal labor market, and
(b) a more pronounced curtailment of the supply of regular or year-round help.
For many years harvest operations in this country have been performed by
large numbers of women and young girls of high-school age who together con-
stituted as much as 50 percent of the extra seasonal labor force. These workers,
mostly Polish and Italian women and their native-born children from neighboring
towns and cities, are transported by the growers to and from the farms. This
type of labor may not be forthcoming as readily as in former years in families
where the chief breadwinner has been favored by more lucrative employment,
perhaps in a defense industry.
It does not seem likely, however, that any appreciable number of families will
find themselves in such favoring circumstances as to reject opportunities for
additional earnings especially if they are sought after vigilantly and if wages are
NATIONAL DEFKNSE .MIGRATION 5453
made more attractive than in the past. Moreover, with the present intensification
of the efforts of local public employment services any losses in the ranks of adult
farm labor will be replenislied probably in large part by youth labor. The
local employment office in the New Haven area, in fact, has anticipated this de-
velopment and has built up an agricultural labor registry of almost 900 boys 14
years of age and over who expressed a willingness to work on farms.
Defense industries are forbidden by State law to hire boys under 18 years of
age, and although some of them will find nonfactory jobs vacated by others, the
majority of them will be available for some kind of summer work, including farm
employment in many instances. Finally, there is no reason to believe that a
substantial number of high-school girls, who in former years represented about
25 percent of the seasonal labor supply, will not be available this season. In
short, as far as this region of Connecticut is concerned, a large part of the
traditional seasonal farm labor supply iiroiiably will be available but only after
an intelligent and vigorous effort is made to organize and rationalize the local
labor market. This may entail, in this as in other commercial farming regions,
the necessity of tapping an increasing number of young workers and the raising
of wages to attract the adult farm labor.
The labor supply situation with respect to regular or year-round help, on the
other hand, is less encouraging for the farm employers. Experienced farm
workers are able to obtain jobs in factories today at much higher wages than
those they have been receiving in agriculture. This type of agricultural worker,
moreover, usually possesses some skill in handling tools and machinery, is ac-
customed to long hours at hard work, and has acquired other attributes readily
acceptable to industry. It is not difiivult to uixlcrstand that as defense industries
step up production and employment, more and more of these professional farm
workers will leave the farms for the factories. This movement has already begim
and is reflected in the rise of monthly wages by about $10 at various levels. Thus
farm hands who only a short time ago were being paid $35, $40, and $45 per
month with board and room, are now getting $45. $50, and $55. These wage
increases may prove to be more effective as time goes on in stemming migration
from the farms to factories especially if the cost of living in defense centers
rises sharply.
To counteract the forces which are pulling labor off the farms, there is a
renewed emphasis upon the use of machinery wherever possible. There is
much evidence that dairy farmers, who as a group employ considerable number
of year-round labor and who particularly are being affected by these forces, are
resorting to hibor-replacing machinery. Sales of milking machines, for exjiuiple,
are showing significant gains in commercial dairy farming regions. In addition,
farm-management specialists are urging more careful ijlanning of farm work and
recommending adjustments in the farm economy more consistent with the chang-
ing farm labor supply situation.
LITCHFIELD COUNTY
Litchfield is the major dairy farming county in the State. In 1939 its 26,000
cows produced over 161,000,000 pounds of milk or 22 percent of the total output
of the State. That year it also had about 2,100 acres in a variety of vegetables,
70 percent of which were in potatoes. Tlie principal labor requirements, how-
ever, are on dairy farms, mostly of the year-round type. Seasonal short-time
workers are also in demand for haying late in the spring and filling silos in the
late sunmier. It was this category of labor more than the regular farm hands
which aroused apprehension of shortages.
In an effort to determine the extent of these feared shortages and to ascertain
prospective labor needs the county farm bureau labor commmittee conducted a
survey among the labor-employing farmers of the county. Some 2,500 ques-
tionnaires were mailed out, but unfortunately only about 165 were returned.
The dairy farmers who answered the questionnaire, however, were large entre-
preneurs who usually require the bulk of the farm labor in the county.
Of the total number of farmers who answered the question "do you need farm
help," about 60 percent replied in the affirmative. Further questioning revealed
they were in need of approximately 340 workers at the time of the inquiry (early
in April), and of this number, they indicated, about 70 percent were needed for
part-time seasonal work. The county farm bureau labor committee interpreted
this data as revealing a labor shortage. A closer examination of the results, how-
ever, arouses considerable doubt as to the validity of this conclusion.
The phrasing of the question, "do you need farm help." for example, does not
reveal the total effective demand for labor but, in many cases, may be taken
5454 HARTFORD HEARINGS
to mean labor that the informant could use but, for some reason or other, is not
able to hire. Moreover, assuming that expression of need was equivalent to
ability to hire, the total demand did not apply to the actual time of the inquiry.
In fact, those that answered the question "would you hire help now if you could
get it," reported a demand for only 81 workers, or less than 25 percent of the
number they stated were needed. The large majority of the workers in demand
were of the seasonal type. There is also, of course, the other side of the question —
the supply factor. There was nothing on the schedule to indicate that the in-
formant had made any effort to recruit labor or what channels he had employed
to obtain needed labor. Without this information there is no basis for apprais-
ing, even indirectly, the condition of the available supply of farm labor in the
county.
About 90 farmers, or slis'htly moi'e than half of the number who returned the
questionnaire, stated that they had lost help to industry and to the draft.
Almost three-fifths of them, however, reported they had replaced the help thus
lost. The number 'of workers lost and replaced was not specified and this
omission represents a quantitative appraisal of the net loss.
A more recent canvass of the labor supply and demand situation in this county
indicates that no serious farm labor shortage may be expected in 1941. The
State local employment ofiice has contacted a number of the farmers who in the
questionnaire stated they needed labor but found no unusual demand. Many
of the farmers had either replaced the labor which they had lost or had been
successful in retaining their present help by raising wages. It is significant that
in a number of instances farm operators themselves were found to have left
their farms for jobs in defense industries and were in the market for labor to take
their place. It was reported that such jobs were dilficult to fill because of the low-
wages offered. One county official summed up the situation as follows : "Some
of these fellows are going to do their own work now, some are going to improve
housing conditions for their regular help with a little raise to boot."
To meet any future labor emergency in this country, several courses have been
or are planned to be followed. Schools have been canvassed for possible summer
help, and in case of shortages of adult labor youth workers will probably be hired
in larger numbers than heretofore. There is also a vigorous movement on the
part of dairy farmers to substitute milking and haying machines for hand labor.
Farm-management specialists are also urging farmers to adjust their farm
economy with the object of minimizing labor needs. Typical of such advice
appeared in one of the local farm newspapers :
" 'With farm labor scarce and w;iges increasing, it is good business this year
to reduce labor requirements on farm in every possible way,' says P. L. Putnam,
farm management specialist at the University of Connecticut.
"It is more important than ever, he believes, for farmers to provide 6 months
of good pasture for dairy animals. 'Let the cows do the work of providing rough-
age for the summer months,' Mr. Putnam says. 'You don't have to pay them
wages.' " ^
Mr. Rtley. As exhibit 2 I would like to offer for inclusion in the
record an analysis of industrial activity and the need for W. P. A.
employment in Connecticut, prepared l3y the Division of Research
of the Federal Works Agency.
(The analysis referrecl to is as follows :)
Exhibit 2. — Connecticut Industrial Activity and the Need for Work Projects
Administration Employment, May 1941
BEPORT by FEDE21AL WORKS AGENCY, WORK PRaTECTS ADMINISTRATION, DIVISION OP
research
June 20, 1941.
Business in Connecticut was already at a comparatively high level of activity
before the defense program was inaugurated. But with tlie award of .some
$558,000,000 in prime defense contracts between June 1, 1940, and May 31, 1941,
and an unknown but large amount in foreign orders, business activity rose
sharply.
In May 1941, Connecticut's level of activity was considerably above 1929 and
1937 peaks, and higher than that of the country as a whole. Manufacturers in
1 Litchfield County Farm Bureau News, April 1941.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5455
every part of the State have at least a few direct or indirect defense orders, and
in certain centers activity is very great: Hartford (airplane engines, propellers,
und firearms), New London (submarine), Bridgeport (airplanes and ammnni-
tion), Waterbury (ammunition components), and New Haven (rifles, machine
guns, and time bombs). The textile factories of eastern Connecticut and the hat
industry in Norwalk and Danbury, however, are less active than other segments
of Connecticut industry.
In terms of employment, industrial expansion has meant a net addition of
104,000 nonagricultural workers (an increase of 18.6 percent) between April
J 940 and April 1941 besides increased hours for those already at work. Large
numbers of workers (estimated locally to be about 10,000 during 1940) have
migrated into the State from Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode
Island, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Out-of-State advertisements
for labor by employers as well as newspaper and magazine articles telling of
favorable employment and training opportunities within the Siate have encour-
aged this migration considerably. Many persons, especially women, who pre-
viously had not been seeking work, or workers who were seasonalily unemployed
in rural areas, have secured factory or other employment. In manufacturing
industries wage increases are tending to attract an adequate supply of skilled
as well as semiskilled and unskilled workers. In spite of these factors tending
to enlarge the supply of labor, the number of persons actively seeking work
through the State employment service declined by more than 54 percent between
May 1940 and May 1941. During the same period, Work Projects Administration
employment declined almost 60 percent and employable general relief cases
dropped 54 percent to a low point of 2,437 cases during the year ending March
31, 1941.
PEAK DEMAND IN AUGUST
The Connecticut State Employment Service estimated in February that defense
industries might add as many as 50,000 more workers by the end of 1941. How-
ever, shortages of materials and new equipment, already developing in some
plants, may become so acute as to prevent such a rapid rise. Agricultural labor
requirements reach their peak in August, when a total of 12,000 seasonal farm
workers will be needed.
Despite the magnitude of anticipated labor needs no general shortage is pre-
dicted. There were still 38,873 workers (21,476 men, 17,397 women) actively
seeking work through the State employment service at the end of May 1941,
while in most active centers there are many out-of-State workers (predominantly
unskilled) seeking employment who are not registered with the State employment
service. About 60 percent of the registered workers are in the areas of greatest
activity, while almost two-thirds of the total are registered in manufacturing
occupations.
Adding to the general supply of available workers, many graduates of high
schools and colleges will soon be seeking permanent employment while numbers
of students will be seeking summer work. In a special registration, almost 3, .500
students have expressed a willingness to accept agricultural employment this
.summer. As a result of material priorities, a few lay-offs, which may well be-
come more serious, have already occurred on nondefense production. Further
additions to the labor supply, moreover, may be expected from among those not
formerly seeking woi'k, as well as by in-migration of many more workers from
other States.
As the supply of skilled and semiskilled workers in very active industries has
diminislied, reliance has been increasingly placed on upgrading, job dilutions,
and in-plant training policies to help solve the skill problem. Skills in textile
and other industries are being found adaptable to metal-working occupations.
Under the 200-hour defense training program 2,853 persons were in training on
May 15. Training activities of the National Youth Administration are expand-
ing. At Winchester Arms in New Haven the Work Projects Administration is
developing one of the country's first two in-plant training projects. Although
much is being done toward solving the skill problem, efforts must be increased if
demands are to be met. Persons formerly passed over should be reconsidered
for training.
MANY WOKKS PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION WORKERS GET DEFENSE JOBS
Of the Works Project Administration workers who have left their project jobs
during the past year, many are known to have secured defense employment.
Over 1,000 have been retrained for defen.se work. Of the 7,568 workers remain-
5456
HARTFORD HEADINGS
ing on Works Project Administration projects in May 1941, it is estimated that
2,935 workers are qualified for employment in defense Industries, suitable for
vocational training, or assigned to training courses. The remaining Works
Projects Administration employees, like many of the employable cases receiving
general relief, are at a disadvantage in competing with the other unemployed.
As the younger workers have left Work Projects Administration for private em-
ployment, the average age (median) of certified Works Project Administration
workers has risen to 47 years and the number with minor physical handicaps has
become proportionally greater.
Although age restrictions have broken, down almost completely for skilled and
even for many type of semiskilled workmen, they still apply in the case of un-
skilled workers for the most part. Moreover, the Work Projects Administraliou
load includes a growing proportion of Negroes and American citizens who are of
Italian descent and whose employment opportunities will continue to be restricted
while nationality and color remain factors in hiring policy.
So long as other States remain relatively less active, and Connecticut's employ-
ment opportunities are more attractive, qualified or trainable migrants will con-
tinue to offer keen comi>etition to the local unemployed. Nevertheless, it may be
expected that additional Work Projects Administration workers will find oppor-
tunities in defense work, aioreover, as qualified workers continue to leave
clerical, gas station, laundry, agricultural, and other types of nondefense em-
ployment for the better paying defense jobs. Work Projects Administration
workers will have an opportunity to replace them. In all, further reductions in
Work Projects Administration employment may be expected as the demand for
workers continues to increase during 1941.
SITUATION IN BRIDGEPOllT
Bridgeport is an outstanding defense production center. Witli direct defense
contracts (including those in Stratford) totaling more than $142,000,000 on June
1, foreign orders of a substantial amount and "certificates of necessity" (pro-
viding for 60-month tax amortization of plant expansion) totaling $5,900,0(X),
industrial activity in Bridgeport is at an all-time high. Activity is particularly
great in the production of airplanes and parts, shell casings and brass tubing,
guns, ammunition and machine-tools, and in industrial and housing construction.
Manufacturing employment in the Bridgeport metropolitan area increased by
about 14,000, or 36 percent, between March 1940 and Mnrch 1941. Increased
private employment is reflected in the decline of active registrants at the State
employment service from 11,963 at the end of May 1940 to 3,835 as of May
31, 1941. The number of employable cases on general relief dropped from
905 in March 1940 to 413 in March 1941. Work Projects Administration employ-
ment during the 12 months ending in May 1941 decreased from 1,623 to 777,
or 52 percent, primarily as a result of a net movement of men into private
employment.
Rising industrial activity has resulted in reemployment not only of Bridge-
port residents but also of workers from surrounding towns and villages, some of
them commuting as far as 30 or 40 miles. In addition, thousands of workers
(principally unskilled), most of whoiM do not register with the local ofl^ce of
the State employment service, have migrated into the Bridgeport area principally
from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Many more such workers are
expected to migrate into the area to meet the heavy labor demand in defense
industries in the next few months. It is estimated that at least 10,000 workers
will be added by November 1, 1941. However, the total employment level will
not rise proportionately. Lay-offs caused by defense materials shortages and
priorities totaling between 300 and 400 workers have already taken place in non-
defense plants.
A good proportion of the demand will be for unskilled workers, of which there
should be an adequate supply with continued migration and further hiring of
unemployed women in jobs which have usually been filled with men. Much
of the demand for skilled and semiskilled workers, however, will luive to be
met through training activities as well as by up-grading and job dilution. On
May 15 there were 342 employed workers taking supplementary training course.s
under the defense-training program. Many other workers are being equipped
for production jobs through in-plant training programs. To secure highly
skilled workers, however, some defense employers in Bridgeport are offering?
increased wages to defense workers in other areas.
Many of the 777 workers still employed on Work Projects Administration on
May 27, 1941, are at a disadvantage in competition with workers who enter the
NATIONAI, DEFKN^K MIGRATION 5457
iiKiv market from outside, manj- of whom are younger and are already quali-
lied for defense employment. As a group, the Work Projects Administration
workers are characterized hy a predominance of older workers, lack of skills
required in defense industries, and long-term unemployment. Only about one-
fourth of all Work Projects Administration workers are below 40 years of age,
and of the 598 men, less than one-fifth are under 40. Discrimination against
American citizens of certain national and racial groups (Italians, Germans,
Negroes) has tended to increase the proportion of these groups among the re-
maining Work Projects employees. It is estimated, however, that about one-
fifth of the Work Projects Administration workers are qualified for employ-
ment in defense industries, suitable for vocational training, or are already
assigned to vocational training courses.
As the labor market grows tighter, and fewer qualified workers are available
among those who have migrated into the area, further relaxation of hiring
! standards may be expected. However, so long as the influx of workers con-
tinues on such a large scale the complete absorption of all Work Projects Admin-
istration workers — both men and women — into private employn^ent in this
-Ipfense area cannot be expected.
SITUATION IN NEW HAVEN
Direct defense stimulation of industrial activity in New Haven has been less
marked than in Bridgeiwrt and Hartford. Between June 1, 1910, and May 31,
1941, New Haven received direct defense contracts totaling only $5,250,000, or
5.3 percent of the value of the 1939 output of manufactures. British orders,
however, have been very substantial. Orders for electric cable, cotton comforters,
and rubber gloves are largely completed. "Tooling up" is for the most part
completed for machine-gun, rifle, time-bomb, and large quantity ammunition
orders, and production operations are beginning.
Manufacturing employment in the New Haven metropolitan area increased by
5,500 workers, or 16 percent, between March 1940 and March 1941, chiefly as the
result of defense subcontracts and nondefense industrial activity. In addition,
many local skilled and semiskllUnl workers, as well as young men seeking a start
in factory* employment, have secured work in Bridgeport or Hartford, where
higher wages have more than ((Piiipeiisated for the extra commuting expense.
As a result, at least one important local manufacturer has raised wages twice.
Increased employment in New Haven and employment of New Haven workers in
other areas is reflected in the 43-percent decline in registrations at the local office
of the State employment service during the 12 months ending May 31, 1941.
Defense manufacturers, and those with British orders, are expected to require
at least 3.000 workers by November 1, 1941, many of whom will be women. In
addition, defense subconti-actors and nondefense manufacturing industries will
continue to expand employment, and the demand for oflUce workers, construction
workers, store clerks, gas-station operators, and other nonmanufacturing workers
will grow. As priorities are placed on increasing numbers of manufacturing
materials, however, lay-offs may occur in certain types of nondefense production
unless facilities can be quickly converted to defense use. Such lay-offs may well
be an important factor in slowing up net employment gains.
The supply of local workers available to meet the new demands has been
artificially limited to some extent by hiring specifications. Until recently, sev-
eral important defense plants refused to hire any workers of Italian descent.
This restriction has been particularly serious since a very high proportion of
those seeking employment in New Haven are Italian. The majority of the 5,957
I>ersons i-egistered with the local office of the State employment service were of
Italian descent. Relatively few of these registrants have had recent factory
experience, but less than 30 percent are 45 years or older. Housewives are now
I'eturning to the labor market in search of jobs, and a considerable number of
employed workers are seeking better jobs in trades at which they formerly
worked. In-migrat!on of skilled, semiskilled, or trainable workers from other
States or areas of Connecticut, which has not occurred as yet, may be expectetl
to become an important source of labor supply if employment opportunities and
wages become relatively more attractive.
Increasing reliance is being placed on training programs to increase the supply
of skilled workers. Some 130 persons were taking preemployment and refresher
courses under the 200-hour defense-training program on May 15. Private in-
plant training programs are developing, while at Winchester Arms, the Work
Projects Administration is developing one of the first two in-plant training
projects in the country.
5458 HARTFORD HEARINGS
During the past year many Work Projects Administration workers and em-
ployable workers on general relief have secured defense and other employment.
Work Projects Administration employment in New Haven City declined from
2,010 workers in May 1940 to 985 in May 1941, while employable general relief
cases declined from 628 to 353 between March 1940 and March 1941. About a
third of the Work Projects Administration workers in New Haven are listed as
qualified for defense employment or vocational training, a sub.stantially higher
percentage than in Hartford or Bridgeport. On the otlier hand, an increasing;
proportion of the Work Projects Administration workers are disadvantaged in
seeking private employment by nationality, age, or minor physical handicaps. Of
the 2,672 workers (2,128 men, 544 women) remaining on Work Projects Ad-
ministration in New Haven County at the end of April, some 39 percent were
50 years or older, while 43 percent of the men were in this age group. A N'ery
high percentage of the Work Projects Administration workers are American
citizens of Italian descent, while some 222, or 8 percent, are Negro.
With the tempo of New Haven industry increasing month by month and dis-
crimination against Italians relaxing to some extent, it may be expected that
many more unemployed workers, including th.ose on Work Projects Administra-
tion, will secure private employment. Despite this favorable outlook, the ex-
perience of other Connecticut cities, where reemployment has been greater, sug-
gests that unemployment and need in New Haven will by no means disappear
during 1941. Moreover, if developing material priorities interfere with the con-
tinued production of New Haven's many nondefense products, as seems quite
possible, total unemployment may not decline appreciably although defense
employment expands rapidly.
SITUATION IN HARTFORD
At least 7,500 additional workers, mostly men, will be required by November 1,
1941, in the immediate vicinity of Hartford ' by airplane engine, propeller, machine
tool, firearm, and other defense manufacturers. Other workers will be required
in the Hartford area for extensive highway improvements, considerable airport,
industrial, and housing construction, picking and processing the tobacco crop,
and in connection with expanding nondefense industries. During the yi'ar ending
March 1941, manufacturing employment in the Hartford metropolitan area in-
creased by some 24,000 workers, or 32 percent, under the direct and indirect
stimulus of prime defense contracts, which totaled over $250,000,000 by June 1,
1941.
Encouraged by advertisi^ments, newspaper and magazine articles, and even
labor scouts telling of high wnges. training facilities, and ready employment oi>
portunities, many workers from New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts
have migrated to Hartford in search of jobs, and are continuing to do so. Numer-
ous unemployed workers, or those receiving only seasonal farm income or com-
paratively low factory wages, have come to Hartford from surrounding towns and
villages, from textile areas especially. An increasing number of persons not for-
merly seeking work (particularly women) are now seeking factory and other
employment. Some 7,087 persons (4,029 men, 3,058 women) were actively regis-
tered with the State employment service on May 31, and many other workers from
out-of-State were seeking employment who were not registered.
That there are still several thousand unemployed workers in such an active areii
is indicative of the highly selective character of labor demand. For the most part,
only skilled and semiskilled men and trainees have secured employment. Un-
skilled workers, particularly the older ones, Negroes, Italians, Germans, and
women are the types of labor least in demand.
To meet the sizable demand for male defense workers during 1941, reliance is
being placed not only upon in-migration but also upon vocational training, up-
grading, job dilution, and shifts in employment of skilled or semiskilled workers
who have been out of their trade for a number of years. Preemployment, re
fresher, and in-plant training courses are being expanded. On May 15 there
were 982 trainees in the 200-hour defense training program in Hartford, while in
surrounding towns many more persons were receiving training. The influx of
qualified or trainable male workers from other States and areas of Connecticut is
expected to continue. When one newspaper article in a Boston paper sends 100
young men hurrying to Hartford, and when the drain of workers from n<rrtherii
and eastern Connecticut continues even after textile ninnnfaeMirers in these areas
have raised wages on two occasions this expectation seems r(>asonable. This con-
Ilartford, Ea.st Hartford, aud West Hartford.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5459
tinned increase of the labor supply has enabled most local manufacturers to main-
tain rigid hiring standards which have limited job opportunities for workers on
W. P. A. and on general relief rolls.
Many W. P. A. workers have left projects for private employment in both
defense and nondefense industries, with the result that W. P. A. employment
declined by 58 percent from May 1940 to May 1041. The number of employ-
able general relief cases dropped 65 percent during the year ending March
1941. A high proportion of the remaining 1,331 workers on W. P. A. (910 men,
421 women) in Hartford County on May 27 find it difliculi to compote with
the skilled, semiskilled, or young male workers who have been attracted to
the area by defense opportunities. Over 44 percent of the male W. P. A. work-
ers are 50 years old or older. As in other Connecticut industrial centers, the
growing proportion of W. P. A. workers who although American citizens are of
Italian and German descent, or the 115 who are Negro, find reemployment
exceedingly difficult. Few job opportunities are open to female W. P. A.
workers even though 47 percent were less than 40 years old. Despite these
handicaps, it is anticipated that additional W. P. A. workers will be found
qualified for defense employment or suitable for vocational training.
With discrimination against workers of Italian descent relaxing to some
extent, further reemployment of the local unemployed, including those on
W. P. A. may be expected. Discrimination in hiring continues, however, against
Negroes and workers of German descent. Seasonal farm eitiploymcnt, is being
offered to those W. P. A. workers with farm experiene*'. :u.(l t'lnijloynient on
highway improvement projects and other construction proj.x'ts will be available
lor others. But job opportunities for most female W. P. A. workers, as for
other women seeking work, will be restricted to openings created by shifts in
employment to defense lines. Although further reductions may be expected in
the number employed by W. P. A., need for such employment will continue so
long as present hiring standards are maintained, and insofar as highway,
construction, and seasonal farm employment does not absorb the remaining
needy unemployed.
Mr. Riley. As exhibit 3 I offer a statement by Mr. Thomas J.
Mills, of the unemployment compensation division of the State
labor department.
Exhibit 3. — Interstate Movement of Workers
eepokt by thomas j. mills, director, research and statistics, c0nnex)ticut
employment security division, connecticut department of labor
The Connecticut unemployment compensation division has two principal
sources of securing factual information on the extent of the movement of
workers from one area to another in connection with employment. The 18
local offices of the employment service in their ordinary operations of registra-
tion and placement of unemployed workers secure detailed work histories of
each worker seeking employment through them. Since 1935, approximately
600,000 individuals have registered for emi)loyment with this service. Ex-
amination of the work records of recent registrants reveals the direction of
the migratitm of workers together with the skill levels which they have
attained.
Another primary source of information is the claims for unemployment com-
pensation benefits which are filed through local employment offices. Such
claims are filed by residents against State unemployment compensation funds
of those States in which they were recently employed. Generally, the State
of residence and last employment are identical, but where they are not, inter-
state agreements permit the filing of claims against liable States through the
State of residence or agent State. These interstate claims form an excellent
source of information on the movement of workers from one State to another.
For example, interstate claims filed in other States against Connecticut indi-
cate workers formerly employed here have moved to other States, while an
analysis of interstate claims filed in Connecticut against other States shows a
movement of workers to this State as well as States from which they have
come.
New registrations of five local employment offices were analyzed during the
period February 17 through March 29, 1941, to determine the relative volume
of workers coming into these areas and the direction of the movement. Loca-
5460 HAKTKORl) HKAKlN^iS
tion of last permanent employment (1 month or longer in (hiration I wa.s used
as the basis of determining whether the worker had recently moved into the
ai'ea, and, hence, might be considered as migratory. The tive offices are located
iu the five important defense manufacturing centers of Bridgeport, Hartford,
New Haven, New London, and Waterbury. It should be noted that the work
registrations afford a more accurate picture of direction and relative volume
of worker migration than absolute volume, since local offices do not ordinarily
accept work registrations of workers without local addresses. The many
migrant workers who are hired directly at the factory gates often have no
contact with the service and would not be included among the registrants.
With these limitations in mind, the following material may be considered as
evidence of the character of the movement of workers toward Connecticut
indiistrial defense areas.
BRIDGEPORT
Daring the 6 weeks' .survey peiiod, new regi.stralions fur employment tiled at
the Bridgeport office totaled 1,774 and 071. or 37.8 percent of thim, were filed
by workers last employed in other than the Bridgeport area. Api)roximately
11 percent, or 73, of the 671 migrant workei's were last employed in other
Connecticut areas with the probability that many of them had been accustomed
to commute from Bridgeport to their employment. The remaining 598 workers
were last employed in other States and may be considered as typical of the
workers attracted to the area.
As might be expected, the greatest number of the migratory workers, 252,
were last employed in the neighboring State of New York, princiijally in the
metropolitan area. Tenusylvauia accounted for 183 workers, chiefly from the
eastern mining area around Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Forty-four of the
registrants reported their last employment in Massachusetts; 25 were last em-
l)loyed in New Jersey, 22 in New Hampshire. 14 in Maine, 13 in Rhode I'^land, 9
hi Vermont, and 86 in all other States.
Male workers last employed in other States numbered 451, and females 147.
Registrations of women were particularly heavy from New York, Pennsylvania,
and Massachusetts. All major occupational groups were represented by the
migrants, although most of them were either unskilled or semiskilled factoi'y
and noufactory laborers. Semiskilled and unskilled factory labor registrations
were filed by 62 men and 49 women, while semiskilled and unskilled nonfactory
laborers numbered 155 men hnd 8 women. In the skilled groups, 41 men and 1
woman were registered for factory work and 25 men in nonfactory work. Regis-
trants in clerical occupations numbered 36 men and 33 women, in personal sei'vice
21 men and 18 women, and in sales 16 men and 11 women. Work exiierience of
61 men and 19 women was so limited that allocation to specific occupational
groups was impossible.
Bridgeport is the chief manufacturing center in the State, with a large number
of metal-trades industries important to defense located there. Among them are
factories producing aircraft, small arms and ammunition, aluminum and mag-
nesium castings, machine tools, brass and copper, valves, gages, and electrical
appliances. The area is almost entirely a manufacturing one, and all types of
skilled and semiskilled factory workers are in demand.
H.^RTFOKD
During the same 6-week period 2,273 new registrations for employment were
filed at the Hartford local employment office. Of this number, 340, or 15 percent,
were filed by persons last employed in other than the Hartford area. Some 29
were last employed in other Connecticut areas, while the remaining 311 were
last employed in other States. A total of 199 of the workers from other States
were males and 112 females.
The greatest number of workers from other States were from Massachusetts,
vvith 107 reporting their last employment in that State. New registrants from
New York numbered 60, from Maine 46. from New Hampshire 29, from Vermont
15. from New Jersey 9, and S each from Rhode Island and Pi'nnsylvania. Accord-
ingly, it appears that the bulk of the migration of workers into the Hartford
area is from Massachusetts and northern New England, although a substantial
number are moving into the area from New York. New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
All other States accounted for 29 new registrants.
The occupational character of the migrant workers is nearly as diverse as that
reported in Bridgeport. Registrations for factory employment included in the
skilled group 16 males and 3 females, in the .semiskilled group 7 males and 17
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5461
females, and in the unskilled group 6 males and 3 females. A total of 59 workers
were registered for various types of noumanufacturing employment. Registra-
tions of clerical workers numbered 33, including 9 males and 24 females. Occu-
pations in personal service included 19 males and 22 females. The sales occupa-
tions were next in importance with 10 male and 12 female registrations. Sixty-
eight registrants, including 53 males, could not be classified in specific occupations
on account of limited work experience.
Hartford is both a manufacturing and financial center with numerous insur-
ance companies located in the area. Principal manufacturing plants produce
aircraft, firearms, machine tools, electrical appliances, office machinery, and
tools.
Careful examination of the registration cards of approximately 100 workers
last employed in other States indicates that workers coming into the Hartford
area are not the type usually known as migi-atory. For the most part, they
have lived fqr several years in northern New England, often on farms. Rela-
tively few 7»f them have work experience indicating they they have been
accustomed to move from place to place in habitual search of employment.
NEW HAVEN
New Haven reported a smaller volume of workers migrating into the area
than any of the other four defense centers. Defense industry was slow in
getting started in this ai'ea and did not receive the early publicity which
attracted workers to other Connecticut cities. During the survey period, only
79 of the 1,618 new registrations at the New Haven office were filed by workers
last employed in other areas. Of this number, 28 were filed by persons last
employed in other Connecticut areas. The remaining 51 were last employed
in other States, principally in Maine. All registrations of workers last em-
ployed in other districts accounted for slightly less than 5 percent of all new
registrations.
A total of 31 of the workers last employed in other States were from Maine.
Only 6 reported their last employment in New York, and the remainder were
scattered among several States. Nearly GO percent of the out-of-State workers
were registered as semiskilled factory laborers.
New Haven is an important manufacturing center with its principal indus-
tries producing firearms and ammunition, hardware, shells, machinery, elec-
trical appliances, clothing, and paper boxes.
NEW LONDON
In the New London area, 548 new registrations were filed during the period,
of which 156, or nearly 29 percent, were filed by persons last employed in
other areas. Of this number, 41 were last employed in other Connecticut
areas and 115 in other States. Eighty-four of the workers last employed in
other States were males and 31 females.
Workers last employed in New York numbered 33 including 25 males and 8
females. Ma'ssachusetts workers included 15 males and 7 females; Rhode
Island, 9 males and 3 females; and a small number were reported from New
Jersey, Maine, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire.
Nearly all occupational groups were represented among the new registrants,
although manufacturing experience was the principal one. Some 39 workers
were registered for factory work including 24 skilled, 9 semiskilled, and 6
unskilled. Noumanufacturing workers included 9 skilled, 12 semiskilled, and
8 unskilled. Ten persons were registered for sales occupations, 13 for personal
service, and 8 for clerical work.
The demand for workers in the New London area in the metal trades is
principally for skilled boat builders. Other important industries include tex-
tiles, apparel, and machinery companies. There is a large volume of construc-
tion in the area on both public and private building projects.
WATERBUBY
During the 6-week survey period, 1.152 new registrations were filed at the
Waterbury office. Of this number 296, or nearly 26 percent, were filed by
workers last employed in other areas including 211 filed by persons last em-
ployed in other States than Connecticut. Registrations of persons last em-
ployed in New York State numbered 94, including 63 males. Next in importance
was Pennsylvania with 37 new registrants including 32 males. A total of 27
60396 — 41 — pt. 13 29
54g2 HAHTiOK]) HP:aK1N<^S
was reported from Massachusetts, 19 from Maine, 6 from New Jersey, 5 from
Vermont, 4 from New Hampshire, 3 from Rhode Island, and 16 from all other
Eighty-eight of these new registrations were in manufacturing occupations,
including 9 skilled workers and 16 semiskilled. Nonmanufacturing occupations
inchuled 14 skilled, 9 semiskilled, and 37 unskilled. The other large occupational
group included clerical workers with 23 registrations, of which 18 were for females.
Waterbury is the center of the brass and copper goods industry in Connecticut,
and the principal demand for workers is from this source. Semiskilietl and
unskilled factory workers are in demand. The machine-tool industry is impor-
tant with a demand for skilled craftsmen. Machine operators are in demand by
the local rubber factories.
SUMMARY
New registrations filed at five Connecticut local employment offices during the
period February 17 through March 29 numbered 7,365. of which number 1,542, or
21 percent, represented workers last employed in other areas.
Among those last employed in other States were 917 males and 369 females for
a total of 1,286, or 83 percent of all workers last employed in other areas. Workers
last employed in New York State accounted for 35 percent of the out-of-State
workers and were the most numerous group in Bridgeport, New London, and
Waterbury. Pennsylvania workers were 18 percent of all out-of-State registrants
and were reported in greatest numbers in Bridgeport and Waterbury. Massa-
chusetts was the last place of employment of 15 percent of the interstate workers,
constituting the largest group in Hartford. Maine accounted for 9 percent of the
out-of-State workers; New Hampshire for 4 percent; New Jersey, 4 percent;
Rhode Island and Vermont, each 3 percent; and all other States, 9 i^ercent.
While the greatest demand for workers by Connecticut defense industries is
for skilled metal tradesmen, relatively few of the out-of-State workers possessed
these skills. The largest occupational group represented by the out-of-State
migrants was unskilled nonfactory labor, which was 13 percent of the total.
Semiskilled factory workers were 12 percent of the registrants ; clerical workers,
11 percent ; unskilled factory, 9 i)ercent ; semiskilled nonfactory. 8 percent ; ijer-
sonal service, 8 percent; and skilled factory, only 7 percent. More than 12 per-
cent of these workers could not be assigned to specific occupations on account of
limited experience or abilities.
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION BENEFITS
Unemployment compensation benefit claims filed in Connecticut against other
States and those filed in other States against Connecticut were analyzed in an
effort to secure further information on the movement of workers. Unfortunately
the analysis of benefit ]iaynients for 1940 proved inconclusive; principally, it is
believed, for the reason that the unemployment compensation laws of nearby
States are not comparable. For example, 73.4 i)ercent of the interstate compensa-
ble claims paid by Connecticut in 1940 were filed in the States of New York, Massa-
chusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Compensable claims filed in Connecticut
and paid by these same States accounted fpr 74.8 percent of all Connecticut agent
State compensable claims. Noncomparability of State laws is demonstrated by
the Connecticut law allowing claims for partial benefits, while only Massachu-
setts, which began such payments in October, of the four selected States paid
partial benefits in 19^0. It seems apparent tliat similar provisions in the State
unemployment compensation laws allcnving the payment of partial benefits would
have resulted in a sharp increase in the interstate claims filed in Connecticut
against other States. Partial benefit payments accounted for 12.9 percent of all
Connecticut payments in 1940.
Excluding data for the States of New Yoik, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and
Pennsylvania reduces the material to such an extent that few valid conclusions
can be drawn. However, it may be noted that more interstate compensable
claims were received from Florida a,gainst ("oni:ecticut than from any other
State, excepting New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Jersey.
With 32,387 interstate benefit payments issued by Connecticut in 1940. 1.325
went to persons filing in Florida. Benefit payments on account of claims from
California numbered 967, or more than to Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont.
As the result of interstate benefit claims filed in Connecticut, 28.740 payments
were issued by other States in 1940. The payments included 12.079 by New
York. 7,167 bv Massachusetts. 3,CK)1 by Rhode Island, 1,389 hv New Jersev, 868
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5463
by Peunsylvania, 826 by Maine, 671 by Califuruia, 359 by Veruiont, 357 by New
Hampshire, 296 by Florida, and 1,727 by all other States. These claims are
indicative of the States from which workers came to Connecticut in 1940.
While more interstate claims were tiled against Connecticut than were filed
in Connecticut against other States, this circumstance should not be considered
conclusive evidence of a net migration out of the State. Differences in State
eligibilitv requirements, commuting to employment across State lines, relative
length of unemployment in different States, and efficiency in processing inter-
.state beiiefit payments are all factors influencing the numbers of claims.
Mr. Riley. As exhibit 4, I offer a statement presented to the
committee by Dr. Allen F. Jackson and prepared by Mr. Charles E.
Enson, entitled "Impact of National-Defense Program on the Hart-
ford Negro."
(The statement referred to above is as follows:)
Exhibit 4. — Impact of National Defense Pkogram on the Habtfokd Negbo
report by charles e. eason
Sharing the spotlight of the national defense program is the city of Hartford,
Conn., a city with a normal population of 166,329 inhabitants, and with a total
over-all population of 248,178 (preliminary figures, 1940 census, including towns
of Windsor, Wethersfield, West Hartford, East Hartford, Bloomfield, and New-
ington.)
Of this figure about 8,500 are Negroes. According to figures of the local
manufacturers' association, the population has increased by some 35,000 since
the completion of the census. This increase has been due to the sudden rise
in employment opportunities due to industrial programs for defense. Hartford
is one of the largest nuniition centers in the East. It ranks thirteenth in the
Nation in volume of defense contracts, with an employment increase to a total
of 174 percent of the 1929 employment.
Large-scale migration has begun toward Hartford, with new job hunters
arriving hourly by every means of transportation. As a result, conditions
comparahic to those faced by the '"Oakie.s" in California have been created here.
COMMUNITY DISORGANIZATION
Community facilities have been greatly strained and the result is disorgan-
ization and dislocation. Standards of health and decency have been threatened.
The conununity pattern of life appears scrapped. Families and racial groups
have been shunted to a standard of life below that of the premodern era.
Into this chaos has been swept the Negro.
Despite training and experience he has been denied, because of color, his
share in the op^iort unities afforded other citizens, except in a menial capacity.
This fact is puzzling in face of the cry, "national defense for the preservation
of democracy." On the other hand, the Negro is being asked and is proud
to take up arms to defend this same democracy which denies him the right to
earn a living in a niiinner equal to his white neighbors.
Negroes in Hartford have made every effort to secure a share of work in
the defense plants. Their applications have been brushed aside ruthlessly
with the excuse, "I'm sorry, my white employees will not work with you."
! This answer, given so seriously by the employers, is simply a misstatement.
Here in Hartford, Negroes and whites have lived side by side for years. They
liave gone through elementary and high school, and even college, together ;
they have played together in the streets and on athletic teams, where team
work was essential for victory, and yet, when it comes to the defense of the
country which gave them their social heritage, they cannot work together.
Is it the boom and high wages? Perhaps so. For cvertainly during the dark
days of depression, and on into the boom era, Negroes and whites worked
side l)y side on Work Projects Administration and at equal salaries.
In one instance a group of boys, white and colored, had lived and played
together, attended school together, and loafed together several years because of
lack of work. Hearing of the opportunities to get work, and' being resident.^
of the cir.\ of Hartford, they went to the employment offiee of Pratt & Wliitney
Aircraft. The white boys were hired. The Nesiro lioys were turned away.
5464 HARTFORD HEARINGS
They were told, "You can't work together peacefully." The white boys pleaded
for their Negro companions but in vain. They were aware for the first time
of the fact that in this democracy not all the citizens were on an equal footing.
TRAINING SCHOOLS NEGLEX:T NEGRO
In the training schools established for the purpose of education for jobs the
Negro has been shunned. One Negro who ranked high in the class was approached
by his instructor and asked if he did not think he w^as wasting his time, since
there would be no chance for his employment in the defense industry when he
completed the course. The Negro, still believing in the all-inclusiveness of our
democracy, completed the course. Today he is still unemployed. These in-
stances can be multiplied many times.
Since we know that in some other sections of the country Negroes and whites
are working side by side and in perfect harmony, it is obvious that the refusal
to employ Negroes in the skilled and better jobs is an attitude of the employer
alone. The local Young Women's Christian Association gives us a good example
of how thin the excuse of the employer is, accepting, for the moment, his state-
ment as true. The Young Women's Christian Association employed a number of
Negro girls to work in its foods department. The white workers, hearing of the
plan, announced that they would not work with the Negro girls. They were
advised of the day the Negro giils were reporting to work and given the oppor-
tunity to resign their jobs in advance. The Negro girls came, the white girls
stayed, and the work runs smoothly on. The police department runs smoothly,
too, despite the appointment of a Negro policeman some time ago. Negroes and
whites will work side by side when permitted by employers. This has been
demonstrated by the local labor groups.
How can the problem of discrimination be most effectively dealt with? In
protecting the citizens, who in turn are preparing to protect the Nation, the Gov-
ernment could, in letting defense contracts, control the evil by writing in the con-
tracts a clause making mandatory the employment of qualified and available
Negroes. It would then not be left to the prejudices of a few employers or a
group of workers to say who shall work, or how they shall work, to build American
defense.
HOUSING SHORTAGE
The migration to this area has created a housing shortage unheard of in the city's
history. One year ago the city had a vacancy rate of 1.6. The vacancies were
at that time to be found only in the higher rental brackets. In the lower brackets
there were no vacancies. Today we are overcrowded to the extent that health and
morals are being seriously affected. Here again the Negro suffers most.
Limited to a given area, the Negro has been unable to move or to meet the
demands made on him by unscrupulous landlords. Denied the right to employ-
ment at an earnings rate commensurate with the rising costs of living, the Negro
has had to resort to unsatisfactory methods of securing funds for even a minimum
subsistence. The subletting of rooms, to the extent that the family unit becomes
disintegrated, has been a necessity, Reports of overcrowdeduess are many, and
they seem unbelievable. Yet such conditions do exist.
The housing shortage has been further affected by the demolition of a vast area
of residences for the purpose of building a Federal low-cost housing project.
Rehousing of the families of that area has been practically impossible and the
problem has contributed much to the condition of delinquency in the area.
In projects that are completed for occupancy, the Negro is again being
kicked about. Here again, inability to obtain employment of a secure nature
has affected his status. Below-minimum wages, insecure jobs, and political
manipulations deprive the Negro of the benefits supplied by his Government
for its citizenry.
EXAMPLES OF OVERCROWDING
The number of families living in overcrowded homes is great. Here are
a few examples: The M family consists of 11 people (2 families forced
to double up), 4 of whom are minors. They occupy a four-room apartment.
This family is reported as able to pay for a suitable apartment but cannot
find a place.
The S family consists of 12 persons. They were forced to move from a
seven-room apartment because the building was to be torn down to make room
for the Federal project houses. They share a three-room apartment. They
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5465
are not eligible for a project home because of combined incomes in the family.
They are unable to move because there are no vacancies.
A family of four recently moved from the area of the project houses and
was reported to have been arrested when they were found to be living in a
truck parked in the city streets. They were forced to accept this temporary
condition because no apartments were available.
In one home, it is reported, n>en are paying $1 per night for the privilege of
sitting up in the living room. Reports of the use of hallways for sleeping
quarters by families evicted from their homes in face of the rent increases are
frequently heard.
A few blocks away stands Nelton Court, a housing project recently com-
pleted. This is the Negro area, but Negro families have not been allowed
to move into the houses to any appreciable extent. The Housing Authority
does not want to go over a limit called "ratio." Despite acute human suffer-
ing, this theoretical "ratio" is being rigidly adhered to.
These conditions, backed by the prejudices of the few, can but militate against
the health and morals not only of those immediately affected but of the whole
community. The necessity of making children sleep in the rooms with their
parents and other adults constitutes a threat to moral standards. The rapid
rise in juvenile delinquency cases is but a reflection of the inner life of the
community.
PROSTITUTION
Prostitution and other forms of vice have kept a steady pace with popula-
tion gains. Prostitutes and racketeers sponsoring this evil have always fol-
lowed men and money, and Hartford has not been ignored. The local police,
in conference wirh the health officers, recently stated that there had been
no increase in vice as a result of the industrial boom. This statement was
made on the basis of comparative figures of arrest. One has but to journey
through the streets of certain areas to prove the contrary. Women walking
the streets are being molested constantly by men. They feel unsafe without
proper escorts.
White men are constantly coming into the area to seek Negro women
companions. White women are setting up in the Negro area to consort with
Negro men. They are not residents of this city. Rather, they have come to
gather their share of the spoils. If arrests were made, with severe penalties
following, instead of the suspended sentence method so generously used, the
problem of prostitution and vice would be controlled. We need only to review
the files of the local police department for an idea of the atrocious conditions.
HEALTH STANDAEDS
No people can live and enjoy health, so vitally necessary to defense, under
conditions obtaining now in Hartford. The health department reports a 69-
percent increase in venereal-disease cases for the period ended March 31 — a
figure that scarcely bears out the report of the police and health departments,
relative to the increase of vice and prostitution.
Our efforts to wipe out tuberculosis and other communicable diseases will be
in vain unless some program to promote better standards of living is presented
and effected.
If the figures for venereal-disease cases were broken down into racial groups,
the Negro would, no doubt, be at the top of the scale. The same applies to
tuberculosis. The Negro is already the leading victim of that now curable
disease; not because of inherent racial traits, but because of the standards
of life in terms of housing and nutrition, which he is forced to accept. Tuber-
culosis has no respect for persons or social position. It attacks all alike.
But certainly it makes its greatest gains on those of lower economic levels.
If our community programs are to wipe out the dreaded disease, then pro-
vision for adequate living conditions must be made for the Negro as well as
all others.
Says Dr. Burgdorf, city health officer, "We are building up a condition
that may explode into a conflagration." Hartford is at the point of con-
flagration.
MIGRATION OF TOBACCO WORKERS
Adding to the problems created by the influx of migratory defense workers
is the problem of migratory tobacco workers. This problem, arising yearly,
5466 HARTFORD HEARINGS
has come to be as acute as any. From the South come hundreds of Negro
workers yearly to secure work on tobacco plantations. Efforts to eliminate the
problem by the use of the local labor reserve have been ignored by the tobacco
growers. The conditions under which these workers must live are deplorable.
The inadequacy of sanitation facilities constitutes a menace to health. Housing
facilities are unfit for human habitation. Lack of privacy adds to other de-
plorable conditions. Visitors are not permitted on the plantations lest they
report their findings.
Tobacco growers and plantation owners will argue that they bring only boys
frc^m the southern colleges who return to the South in the fall. For' every
college boy who comes for this work, 75 or more men and women are imported.
Since the work is seasonal and since the earnings are small, those not of
the college group are left stranded and flock to the nearest large city, where
they eventually become public responsibilities. Their care must be assumed
by the tax-paying public, of which the tobacco growers and plantation owners
are not a part.
ITEMS FOR CrVIC PLANNING
Said Norman D. Bertolette, president of the chamber of commerce, before a
meeting of leaders in the Hartford achievement campaign on June 11, 1941, "Hart-
ford faces an unprecedented growtli, already upon us, which will demand the
expansion of every business and civic endeavor along stable lines if the population
is to be permanent and an asset to the community."
Hartford is not unlike other cities. In its program for growth and expansion
along stable lines, it must consider all its population, both black and w^hite.
Social and economic problems are not black and white, and cannot be dealt with
as such. In its planning, it must insist that its industries employ all persons so
qualified. It must provide housing facilities and expand areas of residence for
its inhabitants. Adequate police protection for control and prevention of vice
must be afforded. As for the evils resulting from the employment methods of the
tobacco growers, the imijortation of cheap labor should be discouraged through
legislative enactment. Demolition of the huts now used for living quarters for
the workers should be forced, and mobile living quarters, with sanitary facilities,
substituted.
The achievement campaign committee cannot successfully plan a program of
social betterment for its citizens without having knowledge, through adequate
representation of the citizens, so that planning and functioning will be for the
good of the entire community.
Hartford, rich in tradition and culture, faces a challenge not unlike the chal-
lenge of any other community faced with the problem of rapid expansion.
Mr. EiLEY. I offer as exhibit 5 a statement of the impact of the
national-defense program on the city of New London and vicinity,
prepared by Dr. Florence M. Warner, of Connecticut College.
(The statement referred to appears below:)
Exhibit 5. — Impact of Defense Activities on New London Area
report by dr. florence m. warner, head of department of economics and
sociology, connecticut college
recreation
A general impression gained while making this survey is that the problems of
recreation created by defense activities and employment in New London concern
the service men much more than they do tlie workers in defense industries, such as
the Electric Boat C-i. Different people consulted emphasized this fact, indicating,
although witlmnt statistical proof, their belief that on the whole the defense
workers were more likely to be married and therefore less inclined to seek and
not as greatly in need of recreational activities outside their working hours.
On tlie other hand, the recreational needs of the members of the families of the
defense workers will exert a pressure on the recreational facilities of both New
London and Groton. Unfortunately, time did not permit a check-up on this aspect
of the situation, but it should be kept in mind, even though one can insist that
the more obvious and pressing problems are concerned with the service man
rather than the defense worker.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5457
COMMERCIAT, RECREATION
Time did not permit a complete examination of this form of recreation.
A conversation witli tlie manager of one of onr local movie theaters who claimed
that his statements applied to all four theaters as well as to his own indicated
that there has heen no appreciable effect upon attendance at the movies due to a
stepping up of defense work and an increase in the number of men in the different
services. The managers expected the contrary to be true but have been bitterly
disappointed. Attendance and receipts at the local theaters, as well as those in
other parts of the country, have been on the down grade, and have continued in
that direction in recent months. A few more service men than ordinarily have
probably come to the theaters, but on the whole service men have steered clear
of the movie houses. This particular managei- jiointed out that the .submarine
base has a theater of its own capable of seating 60O to 700 men, equipi^ed with
the latest in movie facilities, and has shown some pictures before they liave ap-
peared in local theaters. Therefore, those men are not inclined to go to movies
when they are on leave and in search of recreation away from the base.
The proprietor of one of the local bowling alleys indicated that thus far there
has been no great increase in his business. He anticipates, however, that after
the summer is over he will be unable to take care of all of his patrons, expecting
to get more of the trade of the service men than in the past. What he based such
a prediction on I was unable to determine.
It seems that local restaurants where drinking and dancing are permitted are
reaping ii harvest, for it is to these places that men on leave go in search of a good
time, whatever it may include. One of the places \yhlch is known wherever serv-
ice men gather is a favorite spot with most service men in this area. While the
proprietor and his employees apparently attempt to run an orderly business and
have the best orchestra and dance tlnor in New London, and have an officer or two
always on hand, and frequent calls from the policewoman, it has not been found
possible to prevent it from becoming a place for pick-ups. Delinquency among
girls may not occur there, but it has its beginning in meetings with men there.
Other re.staurants cater to service men and civilians, and in varying degrees
present problems of supervision of girls with respect to drinking by minors, and
casual prostitution.
Time did not permit a checkup of the pool rooms. Nor could the volume <'f
gambling be estimated. It is interesting to note that one religious organization
is conducting an outdooi- bingo game to raise money for a center for service men.
NONCOMMERCIAL RECREATION
Various semireligious organizations have adapted their program to the prob-
lem of recreation, particularly for the service men. At the Young Women's
Christian Association an extensive program of dances has been initiated and
will be continued. For the past 8 months, but now suspended temporarily, a class
in social dancing lessons conducted by Eleanor Priest, of Connecticut College, has
been held. About 25 men attended. Since the end of March a dance has been
held every Saturday evening for men of the services, both naval and army, with
an average of 55 men in attendance.
Miss Locke, the general secretary of the Young Women's Christian Association,
reported that these men have been partially successful in overcoming the atti-
tude of suspicion toward men in uniform and are now able to call for and
upon the girls whom they met at the Y in their homes. As this favorable im-
pression of the service men spreads the Y hopes to increase the attendance at
its dances. Twice a month on Wednesday evenings a dance is put on for the
enlisted men at P^ort Wright by the service club at the fort. Up to this year
such dances were held at the fort, but this year they were transferred to the Y.
For the noncommissioned men at Fort Wright dances are held twice a month on
Tuesday evenings at the fort. Since the end of March the Y has had an open
house on Sunday afternoons with 30 to 35 men as an average attendance.
A girl's club looks after these Sunday affairs and has a program which includes
picnics and such games as horseshoes. l)adminton, deck tennis, and social dancing.
When a picnic is not planned, refreshments are served. In addition this group
has planned to have special social events during the week, such as spaghetti sup-
pers, for the service men. The Navy Wives' Club of the Young Women's Christian
Association has had two theatrical performances at the base followed by dancing
during the past year. While dancing seems to have been the major form of
5468 HARTFORD HEARINGS
recreation attempted by the Y a small drama group composed of 10 men and a
few girls also was formed.
The Y is planning to run a ping-pong and checker tournament and hopes to
set up some form of activity with craft work in the fall if there is enough
demand for such an activity. Finally a plan has recently been projected for
some form of cooperative program of recreation with the American Legion
but nothing definite has yet been decided upon and it is not clear just what will
be attempted.
TOUNG men's christian ASSOCIATION PKOGRAM
At the Young Men's Christian Association there has been a considerable ex-
pansion of its work with the service men also. The use of showers, a crying
need in New London for service men on leave, and of the swimming pool has
increased considerably. Since January of 1940 the number of lockers used by
service men has jumped from 247 to 410. The use of the swimming pool by
transients is also on the increase although no definite figures on this score were
available. For the past 4 Saturday nights a dance has been held with the
number of couples in attendance ranging from a minimum of 30 to a maximum
of 50. A directress has been employed to take care of obtaining girls for the
men. Such girls are enlisted in a hostess club, which has named itself the
Y-Anna Club. As the supply of girls is increased the number of couples at the
dances will grow, it is expected. The Young Men's Christian Association keeps
its facilities free on Saturday evenings for just this purpose and plans to carry
on this plan as long as the need for it continues. On Sunday afternoons there
is open house with music in the lobby from 5 to 6 o'clock and free refreshments
from 6 to 7 : 30 o'clock. Games of various sorts are played. Wives of men
belonging to clubs at the Y and to church groups are hostesses on these occa-
sions. On the average some 45 men have attended. The Y has thrown open
its billiard and pool tables, its lobby games, showers, swimming, and bowling
facilities to service men only on Sundays but thus far there has been no great
demand for these things. Bowling is too expensive for most service men.
Because of the fact that the gym at the sub base has had to be taken over for
sleeping accommodations, the Y gym has been used as the base of operations
for some 20 boxers from the base.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
The Knights of Columbus have set up a program for the service men and is
hoping to have a real center of activities for them. Weekly dances are held in
cooperation with the girls of the Crowley Club of St. Mary's Church but here
again the problem of the unfavorable attitude toward men in uniform has been
a handicap in securing the attendance of girls. Social dancing lessons and card
parties have been sponsored since the 1st of May. When the money has been
raised the Knights of Columbus is hoping to put on a summer program of
athletic activities for the service men.
They plan to hold an elimination boxing tournament among the service men
on a strictly amateur basis and to sponsor a soft-ball league composed of teams
of service men. A library is now being collected by donations from interested
persons. This group found as the result of a questionnaire submitted to the
men that the prevailing opinion among the service men is that New London
is an unsociable and cold town and that to be in a uniform is to cut oneself off
from all normal life with civilians in the community. Many men indicated a
desire to play golf and ride horseback.
SALVATION ARMY
The Salvation Army has secured a large building which is being renovated for
use for the service men. They plan to open it within the next two weeks, and
it will be in charge of Captain Brown, who has taken the special United Service
Organization training course for recreation workers with service men.
Commander Donaho of the United States Coast Guard at Fort Trumbull de-
plores the treatment of men in uniform here in New London. He believes that
there is too much discrimination, and that there is need to educate the citizens
to the knowledge that most of tlie men in uniform are respectable. There are
recreational facilities at the base for the men. These include pool tables, ten-
nis, bowling, and many other games.
There is a well-edeveloped program for recreation both at the United States
submarine base and at the Electric Boat Co. At the Electric Boat Co. the
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5469
entire program is in the hands of the men, and they have all sorts of athletic
teams and programs. It is the understanding of the management of the
Electric Boat Co. that the National Labor Relations Board frowns upon any
attempt on the part of the management to promote recreational and welfare
programs.
Time did not permit inquiry into the program of public recreation as it has
been affected by defense. However, I have heard nothing of such a program
and with the man who has usually directed the summer program now in
service I doubt that our public agencies are going to do much in this area. I
did find out that some of the service men's wives have been using the New
London Library and that it has experienced such a demand for technical books
on the part of students from the Diesel Engine School at the base that it has
secured money from the Palmer fund for a special section of technical books.
Under the auspices of the Connecticut Public Library Committee the Works
Project Administration has supplied Fort Terry, Fort Wright, and other centers
with reading material.
DEnjNQTJENCY AND CRIME
Captain Courtenay, chief of police of New London, does not believe that the
defense program has increased the rate of crime to any great extent here in
New London. While the statistics of arrests show that there have been greater
numbers this year that for the corresponding months of last year, it is due to
the fact that a concerted drive has been made to enforce traffic regulations, and
the increase can be accounted for by this fact. He says that the sailors who
need attention are turned over to the shore patrol and are not booked. The
United States submarine base has had patrol service since last March ; and the
Coast Guard has had patrol service for about 1 month. The captain said that
there had not been a noticeable increase in numbers of men on the streets and
no real problem in policing had been observed.
Judge McGarry of the police court in New London said that while there had
been a slight increase in juvenile delinquency, it could not fairly be laid at the
door of the defense program.
. Mrs. Noonan, the policewoman, has been very active in attempting to handle
the vice problem insofar as it affects girls and young women. She sends them
home when she finds them in questionable places. It is her opinion that her prob-
lem has increased about 50 percent in the past year. Unquestionably, there is
grave danger that the moral problem may be accentuated sharply if there are not
provided better recreation facilities here in New London. Now, the sailors have
only taverns and eating places in which to sj^end their spare time. While there
is a genuine and sincere attempt on the part of the management to prevent all
immorality, it is clear that there is a good deal of dating of young girls by men La
uniforms, generally of the Navy.
The S'tate farm for women has reported the number of women committed for
the past 5 years, and this fiscal year has no larger number than the average for
the past 5-year period. On the other hand, the correctional school for girls reports
that there are more girls coming to them from the New London area.
GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES
United States Army. — There are 3,000 men in the Army camps at forts on the
islands off New London. 1'hese men come by boat to New London to take the train
and also for recreation outside the camps. While there are men with families in
the Regular Army, there has been no increase in the number during the past few
months.
United States snimanne tase, Groton. — ^Two thousand five hundred men are
stationed here. Most of these men are married, and there is a very serious hous-
ing problem. The Government has erected 100 housing units which are now occu-
pied, 100 additional units are being constructed, and 100 additional units will be
added later. These houses are restricted to families where there are children.
The rentals vary from $15 to $35 a month, and the men must pay for utilities.
The number of civilian employees has increased from about 150 to 250 and most
of these men are married.
United States Coast Guard, Netv Lmidon. — Fort Trumbull, New London: The
commanding officer reports a personnel of 695 men at the New London base, the
training school, and the maritime school, whereas they had 400 in 1940. Of these,
25 to 40 percent are married and have to seek quarters in the city or thereabouts,
food being furnished to the men at the base. Quarters are furnished all single
men on the reservation and on a service ship.
5470
HAKTIOKI* HKAKlNii
United States Coast Guard Academy, New London : This is the offieers training
school. While the numbers have been increased during the past year, there is no
problem since all of the men are adequately cared for at the academy.
INDUSTRIES CONCERNED WITH DEFENSE ACTIVITIES
The Electric Boat Co., Groton. — The Electric Boat Co. of Groton builds sub-
marines for The Government. During the i)ast 8 mouths they have added 2,700
men to their pay roll, and there will probably be 1.500 additional men added to
the staff. Mr. Robinson, the general manager, reports that approximately 55 to
58 percent of the men are mai-ried. They lo.se skilled married men because of the
housing shortage. He also reported that rents were being raised. There are 200
families in the new Government housing adjacent to the shipyards, and it Is ex-
pected that 100 additional houses will be built by the Government. Also, there
have been dormitories erected to care for 500 single men. Mr. Robinson reported
that they have 2,000 people under training now, who had had no previous ship-
yard experience. He said that they had to take these men and train them, because
many of the married, experienced men were not available because of the
housing shortage.
Mr. Robinson stated that they have health examination for their appren-
tices, and also have a hospital for accident cases. They also have accident
and health insurance for the men, and they are working on a hospital plan
that will cover the families as well.
A representative of a concei-n in New London which is doing some defense
work said that he did not wish to be quoted, but that his firm had increased
its pay roll 80 to 100 percent. Most of the workers are local residents, and
therefore, he knows of no housing problem. He feels a shortage of skilled
workers, and said that if they could get them at reasonable wages they might
expand the plant.
Federal-State Employment Office, Netv London. — Workers are registering for
two types of jobs: (1) for regular openings, and (2) for better jobs. There
has been no decrease in the number of registrants in spite of the fact that
placements are continuously increasing. Placements have jumped from an
average of 225 per month in 1940 to 615 in April and 585 in May of this year.
Most of these placements are for men. and about 50 percent come from the
neighboring States.
Chamber of Commerce, Neiv London. — They have no figures available as to
the additional number of people who have been brought here in any one indus-
try, or collectively.
New London Post Office. — It has been necessary to add two new men and to
add auxiliary service equal to two additional men. In addition two &-hour
routes have been increased to 8-hour routes.
Norwich. — Skilled workers are leaving the textile mills to work in defense
industries, thereby making it impossible for textile orders to be filled, and
many of them are for defense purposes.
Tlie report of the commissioner of public welfare of the State shows the
percent of population receiving public assistance in March for —
1940
1941
1940
1941
Norwich
New London
11.5
11.3
1.3.9
7.5
9.2
7.4
Groton
I Montville
Stonington
5.4
16.6
9.3
47.
8 1
Waterford
6.3
LABOR SHORTAGE
Farmers are complaining because they cannot get people to work in the fields.
Also there is a need for dairy farm and ranch workers.
There is a des]ierate need for additional housing in this area, and also for con-
trol of rentals. There are many complaints i-eceived l)y the governmental agencies
engaged in defense work, from industrial workers, and from social workeis.
Electric Boat Co., Groton. — Some married men are giving up their jobs because
of the hou.sing problem. The Government has erected some houses, hut the mini
NATIONAL r)EFp:NSE MIGRATION 5471
ber is far from adequate and there is dissatisfaction about the method of charg-
ing rentals. For example, in a double house one side will be rented for one price
and the other side for another price. Apparently the rent depends upon how
much the worker earns and also the size of the family.
There is also a problem of sewage disposal. The Electric Boat Co. had to put in
the sewage disposal foi- the new houses. Also, private houses built near the golf
course had to provide their own sewage disposal, as the town of Groton could not
care for them. There is also some question about the adequacy of the water
supply.
The United States suhiiuirine base. — There is a very serious housing problem.
Some 350 families will be cared for by the Government "housing, but there is still a
pressing need. The men have to seek for houses in New Loudon, Norwich, Groton,
etc., and have great difHculty in finding homes. There has been a decided increase
in rentals since the defense began. There is a pressing need for a clearing house
for rents.
United States Coast Guard, Fort Trtimbull, New London. — Commander Douaho
reports that living conditions in New London are almost impossible. Anything
available at $35 or less monthly is positively terrible. The rents for $50 and up
are not so bad, in fact they are fairly good, but the average man has a salary of
from $60 to $125 a month and cannot afford this high rent. Of the 200 students
coming on July 1, many of whom are married, the salaries are $99 per month.
They will be obliged to take one room, live in cabins, trailers, or whatever they can
find in the vicinity. In most places where they are stationed it is possible to locate
very good quarters at $L'."i per month, but in New London it is next to impossible to
live like human beings. Commander Donaho says that there are not enough
medium-priced tenements in this section. He also feels that there is discrimina-
tion against the service men, both in where they are permitted to rent and also in
the amount asked of them. He says that the city council here claims that there
are no slum districts in New London, but if some of the places wiiere his m?n are
forced to live are not slums, he never saw one.
Mayor Chappell, Ncio London. — The mayor says that he does not know any-
thing about the housing situation and does not think that there is any shortage
at the present time. He is not interested in any housing project in New London,
and has apparently little concern about the complaints of profiteering on rents.
Chamber of Commerce, New London. — They rei»ort that they have had few
complaints about exorbitant prices of rents, although they have had an occasional
complaint. They know nothing at present about the shortage of houses or whether
there even is one. They feel definitely that a registry should be established with
a paid executive in charge, office help provided by the National Youth Adminis-
tration or the Work Projects Administration, where complaints might be regis-
tered, places listed, etc. ; in other words, a clearing house for the housing situation.
City manager, Neiv London.— The city manager says that the city is not contem-
plating any major activity in the field of housing.
Director of public irclfare, Neiv London. — Reports a serious shortage of low-rent
dwellings, and that rentals are being raised.
Young Meti'ti C1tri.sti(ni Association, iYrjr London. — They have found a dearth
of apartments that service men can afford. Rents are jumping for furnished
apartments and are entirely out of line fnr the facilities provided. They have
been able to place all applicants for single rooms thus far. The Young Men's
Christian Association has put in 66 additional cots to care for the service men who
stay in New London over the week end on leave. The maximum demand thus
far has been 76 in one week end, but it is growing rapidly.
Captain Courtney, police department, Neiv London. — He reports that the police
department has received a large number of complaints from service families about
profiteering and unfair busines's practices regarding housing.
Red Cross, New London. — Reports that they have had a number of complaints
about rent increases.
Diocesan bureau. New London. — Reports that the housing shortage is very acute.
Some families have to live in one-room tourist homes for lack of better accom-
modations.
Negro housing problems. — It is reported that many landlords even in the poorer
districts will not permit a colored tenant. The houses where several Negro
families live have intolerable conditions, inadequate toilet facilities, broken plaster
which is dangerous, lack of electric lights, serious rat problems, etc.
Norwich. — Mr. McWilliams, first selectman of Norwich, and Mr. MacKay, direc-
tor of public welfare, report that cheap rents are a problem, but that they can find
enough over $35 per month. They also report that rents are increasing.
5472 HARTFORD HEAEIIs'GS
EDUCATION
Trade training — Chapman Technical High School, 'Neiv London. — Offers 2
hours shop every day throughout 40 years ; also 2 hours of homemakiug every day
throughout the 4 years. The whole school is set up in terms of emergency needs.
Boys have been prepared and sent out into industry before the end of the school
year with school credit. Also 25 seniors are iu a special course in machine-shop
practice and welding, from 2 to 10 p. m. This work is in addition to the regular
high-scliool work. More boys are to be added to the course. This is a part of the
national-defense program, and is Government sponsored.
Apprenticeship training. — Apprentice training courses are offered by —
Electric Boat Co., Groton : Maintains National Apprenticeship Council
standards.
D. E. Whiton Machine Co., New London : Does not have National Apprenticeship
Council standards.
Babcock Press, New London : Not quite up to National Apprenticeship Council
standards.
Atwood Machine Co., Stonington : Small apprenticeship group, with National
Apprenticeship Council standard.
C. B. Cottrell Co., New London : Does not meet National Apprenticeship Council
standards.
The Carpenters' Union : Tries to maintain a certain number of apprentices and
they are meeting National Apprenticeship Council standards.
Chapman Technical High School, New London : Offers training to out-of -school
people in machine-shop practice, in welding, and is preparing to do so in sheet
metal ; using Federal funds. This is not a refresher course, but is given to
unskilled adults for work in industry. They have 200 hours of training. They
are also offering a Civil Aeronautics Administration course in preparation for
flying. Between 750 and 800 of the boys at Chapman Tech are working outside
of school. There is close cooperation between the school and the employer.
Defense job training. — Lawrence and Memorial Associated Hospitals, New Lon-
don, offers a refresher course of 16 weeks for nurses. Any graduate nurse is
eligible who was registered or was entitled to registration.
New London Junior College offers the following courses for adults, which it
initiated as a defense measure. About 125 men are registered. They must be
high-school graduates or have its equivalent in industrial experience. Many who
are already in industry are getting training for work as supervisors. The courses
offered are : Engineering, drafting, machine design, industrial electricity, pro-
duction control, strength of materials, scientific bases of welding.
SCHOOLS
Crroton. — Three Government defense housing developments, totaling 400 family
units, are now in the process of construction or completed, and 2 more, totaling
300 family units, are reliably reported to be in prospect. From these 5 develop-
ments, totaling 700 family units, it is reasonable to expect to have 500 new
elementary-school pupils and 50 new high-school students, for practically all of
whom new plant facilities will have to be provided. Request has been made to
the Federal Government for assistance in meeting this problem.
2Vew London. — The superintendent of schools reports that the status of the
schools will remain practically as before, principally because the building of the
new bridge necessitated razing between 50 and 75 buildings, each of which housed
2 or 3 families, and the type of families who had children in schools. These
were low-priced rents, and these tenants were unable to reestablish themselves
in New London in rents they could afford to pay, and have therefore been obliged
to go to Groton, Montville, or Waterford. That has decreased the school load,
particularly in the grade schools, and there have not been over 50 or 75 new
houses built in the city. There may be some increase in the high schools, as pupils
come from Waterford, Montville, and Niantic to the New London high schools.
Norwich. — There is no problem as yet.
HEIALTH
Hospitals. — Mr. Richard J. Hancock, superintendent of the Lawrence and Me-
morial Associated Hospitals of New London, reports that the hospital is seri-
ously concerned about the situation which has arisen because of the defense
program in three respects : The labor problem, diflSculty in getting adequate help
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGKATION 5473
in nurses, orderlies, maids. Three doctors also have gone into the service. Tre-
mendous and frequent Increases have occurred in the price of practically all
hospital supplies — drugs, surgical dressings, linen, furniture, etc. There has
also been an increase in patients, vphich is due somewhat to the defense pro-
gram— that is, new families who have come to town recently. The hospital was
planning to receive a new group of nurses for training July 1, but are having to
postpone this class due to their inability to get beds and other furniture for the
nurses' rooms.
Dr. Robert Henkle, Home Memorial Hospital, New London, reports that the
hospital is having great difficulty in getting maids and orderlies and has felt an
increase in the cost of supplies of all kinds.
Health officers. — Dr. Benjamin Pennell, city health oflScer of New London,
reports that there has been no effect of the defense program, except for an in-
crease in the number of cases reported of syphilis, chiefly among service men —
an average of two new cases a week as against possibly two a month previously.
Dr. Charles Dyer, city physician of New London, reports a definite decrease in
the number of calls for the city physician, due to the fact of increased employment.
Visiting nurses. — Miss Gertrude Osborne, New London Visiting Nurse Associa-
tion, reports that as yet they have not felt any great change in calls due to the
defense program. There have been a few children coming to the clinic from
families who have recently come to town and a few home calls on such families.
On the other hand, some of the families formerly under their care are now having
the services of private physicians due to increased income.
Miss Van Hovenberg, Groton Visiting Nurse Association, reports that they have
noticed no effect of the defense program, since the Electric Boat Co. has its own
nurses, and the submarine base also takes care of the health of the Navy families.
They expect more calls when the new families occupy the new housing develop-
ments.
Mrs. Grace Arnold, Waterford Visiting Nurse Association, reports that more
families, mostly from the Navy, have made calls on their services.
^Ycl|arc agencies. — Miss Anna Parkhurst, secretary of the American Red Cross,
New London, has been here only 3 months and was assigned primarily because
of the defense program. She reports that she is having a great many calls for
help and advice of all kinds. A great many of the cases have to do with family
situations of the selectees in the Army and in Navy families. She reports that
a number have complained about rent increases.
Miss Alice Wall, of the Diocesan Bureau of New London, reports a 20-percent
increase in case load. She stressed the housing shortage and bad living condi-
tions. She said that there was a rise in delinquency and problem children. She
also reported an increase in illness. The draft has been found to disrupt
certain homes. There is also a lack of good foster homes, which causes an
increase in the institutional load. (This was also substantiated by Mrs. Murphy,
of the Norwich oflSce of the Bureau of Child Welfare.)
Miss Veronica O. Wilder, Associated Charities, New London, reports that as
yet there has been no serious increase in their work, but that they expect that
there soon will be.
Mr. William MacKay, director of Department of Public Welfare of Norwich,
reports that their case load has decreased tremendously.
Colonel Dorsey, director of the Department of Public Welfare of New London,
reports the lowest relief load in years.
Work Projects Administration reports a decrease of 50 percent and that the
great majority of men are working on national defense projects.
Old-age assistance workers report that older men are getting jobs, and also
that the case loads are declining because other members of the family are getting
jobs.
Unemployment compensation reports the lowest figiu-e for claims that they
have ever had.
SUMMARY
I. Apparently the largest proportion of men employed in defense industries in
New London come from this vicinity. On the other hand, men employed at the
Coast Guard, the submarine base and the Electric Boat Co. come from outside
the New London area, and they are the ones that suffer because of the housing
shortage and of the high rentals for inferior houses.
II. Housing is especially acute in Groton. In New London the city officials
and persons concerned with rentals and sales of houses are unwilling to admit
5474 HARTFORD HEARINGS
that there is a housing need. Officials in the various governmental services and
social workers are greatly concerned about the need for additional, decent,
moderate-priced housing. Because of the fact that New London will not face
the housing problem, and also because between 50 and 75 houses have been
demolished because of the approach to the new New London-Groton Bridge, new-
comers in this area are spreading out into the surrounding towns, even as far
away as Norwich.
III. Apparently there is a pressing need of a clearing house for housing. This
should not only have a list of houses, but also some plan should be set up to
prevent discrimination and profiteering.
IV. It is obvious to everyone that there is a dearth of good recreation for the
service men when they are on leave. Also, there appears to be little recreation
for the families moving into the area.
V. Apparently there has not as yet been any significant Increase in demands on
the social and health agencies.
VI. The hospitals report two problems: (1) It is difficult to obtain com-
petent workers in the hospitals. (This complaint also is made by other institu-
tions.) This is due to the fact that there has been such an increased demand
for workers in the defense programs and industries. (2) The price of medical
supplies and equipment lias been notably increased.
VII. There is no problem as yet concerning the schools in New London ; but
there is a very serious problem in Groton. Possibly some of the towns in the
vicinity of New London may have a real problem in the autumn, because New
London's lack of housing is driving workers into the surrounding towns.
VIII. There seems to be .some discrimination against Negroes. This is not ad-
mitted, but the Negroes are prepared to give certain facts that appear to sub-
stantiate their claims. Unquestionably, the Negroes have wretched housing in
New London, even though certain officials maintain that this is not true.
IX. Up to the present time, there appears to be no significant increase in
crime and delinquency. However, there is a serious problem involved in the
attendance of young girls and women at taverns frequented largely by sailors.
X. There is need of education of the people of New London to accept men in
Uniform as equals.
XL There is a shortage of farm laborers, and also a migration from textile
plants to defense industries.
Mr. Riley. As exhibit 6, I offer a .statement by Mr. James A.
May, formerly mayor of the city of New Londoiu Conn., and at
present a member of the city council of that city.
(The statement referred to is as follows:)
Exhibit 6. — Defense AcTrviTiES in New London, Conn.
BEPOBT BY JAMES A. MAY, MEMBER, NEW LONDON, CONN., CITY COUNCIL, JUNE 18, 1941
National-defense activities which have created need for housing of new
workers employed in the New London area include the following :
1. The Electric Boat Co. is located in this area at Groton. The present
number of employees is about 5,000. Before the defense preparation, the
number of employees was about 1,500. This concern has contracts for about
20 more submarines for the Government. In addition, they have repair work.
The Government has granted much financial assistance in the expansion of
this plant.
2. The United States submarine base is located in this area (town of Led-
yard). There are at present approximately 3,000 officers and men. There
is a submarine scliool for officers and men (of which the 80-foot diving bell
is a part). A number of "R" type submarines are attached to base. There
is also a command school attached to the sub base. The plant at the base
is quite large and represents a considerable amount of investment by the
Federal Government.
3. The United States Coast Guard Academy is located in New London. It
has a 4-year course and graduates the cadets with college degrees as well as
commissions of ensigns. In addition, there is a fairly large assignment of
officers and men. This Coast Guard Academy is a relatively new construction
and represents considerable investment. There are about five houses for the
captain and for some of his staff.
NATIONAL DEFENSE xMIGRATION 5475
4. The old Coast Guard Academy, known as Fort Trumbull, is used for a
dual purpose at the present time — first, as a receiving unit for Coast Guard
enlistments; second, as a maritime school and station.'
At the fort is based a boat (a school ship) that is used to house many of
the men.
5. There are also stationed at tlie State pier some boats ; at the present
time, I believe, one or two old destroyers.
6. There is a patrol that anchors in the harbor from time to time.
7. The home of Babcock Printing Press (Cuneo Press) has increased its per-
sonnel about 300. This firm does subcontract work for the Electric Boat Co.
They also have contracts on making shells for the Government.
8. This area is a central rail center : Grand trunk Central Vermont and New
York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad.
9. Also has an excellent harbor and is used for commercial shipping.
10. Fort Wright, Fort Terry, and Fort Michey, with its 2,500 officers and men
(Army) now stationed on the'^e island forts.
11. There is a flying field or airport in Groton owned by the State but used
by the Federal Government for training purposes.
12. At Noank is a shipyard which is at the present time constructing two mine
layers for the Government. This yard had been idle until the defense program.
13. There are other industries, such as woolen mills, machine shops, etc., that
are employing many more than were employed previous to the defense program.
14. Since the defense program, the State ha.s entered into contract for a new
highway bridge ovei- the Thames River between New London and Groton. In
fact the substructnre is under construction already. In addition, the approaches
are also under construction. The total cost of the bridge and approachc? is
approximately $6,000,000. This has also created an additional number of
employees. In addition, there are about 150 tenants who have been evicted
because of demolition.
15. Then to service the additional number of employees and their families also
increases the number of persons in nondefense work.
16. The summer colonicv; have already shown a tendency to be increased in
number because of lack of ability to take cruises to foreign lands.
Tlie above-mentioned 16 rea.'Jons certainly establish the fact of need of addi-
tional housing.
HOTISINO PROJECTS IN GROTON
The housing projects have been placed in the town of Groton because of the
following facts :
1. The present highway bridge, being too nan-ow, creates a bottleneck in
traffic.
2. Time being essential in emergency to the personnel of the sub base.
3. Time being essential to the Electric Boat Co. on submarine construction.
4. The sub base actually is in the town of Ledyard which adjoins Groton.
5. The Electric Boat Co. is in Groton and the erection of housing project?
adjacent eliminates additional parking space needs.
Tlie following projects of housing and their percent of completion is as follows :
1. Walker Hill development : 100 units for enlisted men ; rents from $11 to $26 ;
project constructed by Wadhams, May & Carey; completed and occupied; land-
scaping yet to be completed (under Navy supervision).
2. On road adjacent to Slienecossett golf course: 200 units for defense
workers; contractors. :\IondeUi & P.envenuti ; 50 percent completed; rents to be
between $25 and ."foO; troulilo with carpenters leaving project; June 15, 1941,
visited (under Public Buildings).
3. Starr Hill, short distance from project No. 1; 100 units for enlisted men;
rent, $11 to $26; about 45 percent completed; some difficulty in sewerage;
visited June 15, 1941 (under Navy Department).
4. Two hundred more units for defense workers ; site not announced ; con-
tracts not awarded (Federal Works Agency).
5. One hundred more units for Navy enlisted men ; site not announced ; con-
tracts not awarded.
6. Eight units of dormitory type ; 50 rooms to a unit for defense workers ;
single men and married men living away from home ; suggested that the charge
' There was an appropriation for .$3,000,000 for a maritime school and chief pett^if
officers' school to be located on the estate of Henry Plant. The land was to be purchased
by the State of Oonnecticnt and offered to the Government as a gift. This bill passed the
Senate but House conferees rejected it.
5476
HARTFORD HEARINGS
will be $3.50 double bedroom per week or $5 for single bedroom ;
completed ; Farm Security Division ; visited June 16, 1941.
75 percent
BENT PROFITEEBING IN NEW LONDON
There is an apparent acute shortage of rents and a chronic state of rent
profiteering existing in the New London and vicinity area caused from the
following reasons :
1. Migrntion of defense workers to defense industries.
2. Assignment of a larger personnel in the Navy, Coast Guard, Maritime, and
Army.
3. Migration of nondefense workers to serve defense workers and service
units.
4. Demolition of over 100 houses for right-of-way of new bridge.
5. Lack of low rents for aliens who are barred from' Work Projects Admin-
istration Federal projects and who have no profession or skilled status and
those citizens of no skilled status who receive low wages.
6. Chronic state of rent profiteering.
Mr. Riley. As exhibit 7 I offer material submitted by the East
Hartford Aircraft Federal Credit Union, dealing with the means
of making credit available to defense ^Yorkers in the area.
(The material referred to above, with the exception of sample
forms of the Credit Union which are being held in committee files, is
as follows:)
Exhibit 7. — Operations of East Haetfokd Aircraft Federal Credit Union
REPORT BY HAROLD A. IVERSON, TREASURER AND GENERAL MANAGER
On June 26, 1934, the SeveHty-third Congress passed an act. No. 467, authoriz-
ing the establishment of a Federal Credit Union System, to establish a further
market for securities of the United States, to make more available to people
of small means credit for provident needs through a national system of coop-
erative credit, thereby helping to stabilize the credit structure of the United
States.
A group of 15 employees of the United Aircraft Corporation bcame interested
in credit unions .aid applied for a charter, which was granted by the United
States Government on January 8, 1935. These 15 individuals pledged them-
selves to purcha.'OC' at least one $5 share in the organization, and as soon as
enough money was on hand the first loan of $50 was made. On January 31,
1935, membership had increased to 293, share deposits to $491.25, total assets
to $550.25. The ret loss for the month amounted to $22.71. At the end of
the first year's operation, December 31, 1935, membership had increased to
1,074, total assets to $30,679.87, as can be seen by the statistics listed below:
Date
Member-
ship
Net
profit
Shares
Loans out-
standing
Total assets
and liabili-
ties
293
1,074
1,609
2,467
3,019
4,262
8,025
-$22. 71
512. 49
2, 902. 54
4, 928. 38
5, 697. 80
11,176.39
24, 625. 24
491. 25
28, 384. 38
62, 625. 40
109, 907. 04
153,091.21
293, 620. 98
619, 509. 98
Dec 31, 1935
$27, 961. 31
49, 240. 97
103, 501. 99
124, 277. 86
219, 107. 89
430, 233. 81
30 679 87
Dec. 31, 1936
68, 799. 72
Dec 31 1938
163 632 45
Dec. 31, 1939 - - -.
312, 307. 58
Dec. 31, 1940
657, 831. 83
Investments ^
Dec. 31, 1937 $5, 250
Dec. 31, 1938 13,640
Dec. 31, 1939 55,350
Dec. 31, 1940 $107. 730
May 31, 1941 240, 000
^ U. S. Government bonds. Federal Savings & Loan Association, loans to other credit
unions.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGUATION
5477
LOANS MADE TO MEMBERS
Our records show that 16,671 loans were made to our members up to December
31, 1940, totaling $2,087,834.36. Of this amount $918.50 was charged off as uncol-
lectable. Since December 31, 1940, the growth of the credit union has been
phenomenal, due to the defense program. During the past 5 months we have
added 2.6.39 new members, bringing our total member.ship up to 10,664; our share
deposits have increased by the sum of $275,998.51. bringing the total to $895,508.49 ;
loans outstanding have increased by the sum of $202,012.86, bringhig the total out-
standing to $632,246.67. Our total assets have increased by approximately ,$275,000
since December 31, 1940, bringing the total to $025,000. As of May 31, 1941, we
have approximately $12,000 in our reserve fund, $15,346.50 in our undivided profits
account, and a net profit for this year amounting to approximately $11,000.
As of May 31, 1941, we have made a total of 20,987 loans totaling $2,792,017.96.
Our write-off up to this date now amounts to approximately $1,100.
Our present monthly cash income from share and loan payments now amounts
to $255,000 through pay-roll deduction and cash over the counter ai d it is our
problem to keep this income moving safely in loans to our members and in
investments.
The rate of interest charged by this credit union for loans amounts to 1 percent
per month on the unpaid balance and as requested we are enclosing herewith a
copy of our loan application form and note.
Our investments are limited by law to loans to our members and Federal Savings
& Loan Association shares, loans to other credit unions, and obligations of the
United States Government, guaranteed both as to principal and interest. Divi-
dends are paid to our members on their deposits, and since organization have
amounted to 4 percent, paid annually as of December 31.
Since August of 1937 this credit union has been a fiscal agent of the United
States Government, which permitted us to accept orders for United States savings
bonds. This gave us an opportunity to divert members' savings into bonds when-
ever authorized.
For your additional information we are listing below a complete break-down on
various purposes for which money is loaned. This break-down covers 8 consecu-
tive business days, which we- feel typically describes our regular routine.
Loans made during 8 consecutive days, May 19-i1
Purposes of loan
Auto finance
Auto repairs
Bills:
Household and furni
ture
Medical and dental
Consolidation of bills
Fuel ..
Real estate
Boat purchases
Property taxes
Vacation.
Number
of loans
MIL 00
8, 286. 27
2.151.00
7, 144. 83
38.25
8, 478. 00
311.38
615. 00
1, 279. 00
Purposes of loan
Jewelry
Musical instruments -
Farm equipment
Police court fines
Camera purchases
Wedding expenses
Insurance, liability...
Investments
Motorcycle purchases
School expenses
Loans to friends.
Airplane club
Number
of loans
$210. 85
200.00
2.50. 00
250. 00
120. 00
545. 00
307. 04
85.00
150. 00
30.00
155. 00
1, 840. 00
' 23 individuals borrowed $80 each to form flying club and purchase plane. We have financed 5 such
Due to the extreme lack of housing facilities in this vicinity, we are con-
stantly receiving loan applications from our members to cover down payments
toward the purcha.se of new homes. It has been our policy to discourage this
type of loan, inasmuch as we are not permitted to accept second mortgages and
in most cases the individuals are imable to furnish adequate security for the
loan. Furthermore, the law will permit us to lend only up to $100 unsecured,
and any loan, if granted, must be paid within 2 years.
Our credit union, incidentally, is the largest Federal credit union now in
operation in this country out of a total of approximately 6,000 Federal credit
unions. As stated to you during your recent conversation, you may obtain
detailed statistics concerning operations of all credit unions from the credit
union .section. Farm Credit Administration, Washington, D. C, attention of
60396— 41— pt. 13 30
5478 HAKiFoun ni:AiiiN(;s
Ml'. C. R. Orebard, director of the credit union section, or Mr. Edward J.
Hickey, his assistant.
It might also be interesting to know that our board of director.s consists of
15 individuals, elected by the members at the annual meeting. The directors
elect the officers in the usual manner. The men on our board are avei-age
individuals, such as machine operators, office clerks, foremen, etc., none of
which have ever had previous banking experience.
Mr. Riley. I would like to offer for inclusion in the record, as
exhibit 8, a statement on the housing emero;ency in Bristol, Conn.
(The statement referred to above is as follows :)
Exhibit 8. — Bristol Housing Emergency
KKPOKT BY CLYDE L. FENNIMORE AND JAMES J. m'CUSKEH, OF LOCAL 02 IJ, UNIlEIi
AUTOMOBILE WOEKERS OF AMEKICA. HOUSING COMMITTEE
An emergency exists in Bristol in regard to housing facilities. During
May and June Local 626, by means of a bulletin board announcement in the
plant, secured the names of 100 persons in the union who are seeking rents
and cannot find them. Meanwhile rents are rising.
In February Attorney Joseph J. Button, chairman of the Bristol Housing
Committee, found but 20 vacancies in the towns of Bristol and Terryville.
Today Mr. Button states that there is not 1 vacant rent in either town.
According to the United States Housing Census of 1940 there were at that
time only 81 vacancies within the town. This shows that even in normal
times Bristol has a serious rent shortage.
On June 4, 1941, the New Britain Herald carried the following article which
we would like to quote:
"workers LEAVING CITY IN DISGUSI UNABLE TO FIND PLACES TO LIVE MORE THAN
2 00 QUIT JOBS
"Over 200 persons have resigned their jobs in Bristol factories the past few
weeks because they were unable to find places to live. Men have come to
this city and obtained employment and then began to search for rents so
that they could move their families here. Many of them have been sleeping
in their cars nights. Tiring of this and unable to find places to live, they
resigned their jobs and left the city."
The rent situation here is becoming more and more acute. Not one family
has been able to move from one rent to another here in several months. Many
new homes are going up but will not be completed for some time. An idea
of the situation here can be seen in the marriage reports. Nine out of every
ten couples married in the past year have returned from their wedding trips
to live with their parents.
All claims that private building concerns are solving the problem are false.
Only 90 homes have been built or are .scheduled to be built from January 1
to July 1, according to information secured through contractors by the Bristol
Hou.sing Committee. It is true that private business has made claims that
this situation will be corrected, but we firmly believe this claim has been
made solely to prevent Government action. And private business has succeeded
in its purpose to prevent Government action for there is no Government project
thus far planned for Bristol.
The population of Bristol has already increased by several thousand becau.se
of the defense program, and probably will increase much more. We, therefore,
urge you to take immediate steps to carry out the following i)rogram :
1. A defense-housing project in a decent location.
2. A rent control commission to see that no rents are advanced unless genuine
improvements in the in'operty are made.
3. Follow the national Congress of Industrial Organizations plan for expand-
ing the original United States Housing Administration program.
Mr. Riley. As exhibit 9 I offer a statement on the housini»- situ-
ation in East Hartford, submitted by John J. Burke, president of
the council of that town.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5479
(The statement referred to above is as follows:)
Exhibit 9. — Housing in East Hartfokd
KEPOBT BY JOHN J. BURKE, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, TOWN OF EAST HARTFORD, CONN.
In the past 2 years many new single houses have been constructed by private
contractors and' many similar houses are being built at the present time by
private contractors. These houses are built to sell and not for rental. Only
a very few of these houses have been purchased by employees of the United
Aircraft Co., which is located in East Hartford. The reason for this is that
these employees do not want to own real estate in East Hartford, because they
have no assurance of continuous employment over a period of years. They
prefer to rent rather than to buy. There are many new houses as well as
many older houses which are for sale, but, as I have stated, employees of
United Aircraft are not interested in buying.
The shortage is in rental units. Just how acute this shortage is, is a matter
of opinion, but it is generally conceded that there is some shortage. The
office of the Defense Housing Coordinator in Washington estimates this short-
age at 503 dwelling units. It is my perso)ial opinion that that estimate is too
high. At any rate, the Federal Government is willing to construct 500 dwelling
units in East Hartford.
At the same time, private interests are ready and willing to construct very
much more than that number of dwelling units. One private concern is pre-
pared to construct 350 units and an additional 300 units if there is a demand
for them, and a further 750 units if there is still a demand for that number.
Another group of private interests are prepared to construct 200 units with an
additional 200 units if needed. Obviously, the town does not want or need
any such number as the total of all of these units.
PRIVATE AND PUBIJC HOUSING CONFUCT
Our problem at present is whether the Federal Government will insist upon
proceeding with the construction of 500 units, or whether the private interests
referred to will proceed with their construction. The private interests do not
wish to proceed, if the Federal Gcvernment is to proceed. In other words,
it is a conflict between public and private housing. We understand it to be
the policy of the Fedeial Government not to construct Federal housing in any
locality where private industry is willing to fill the need. The town council
of East Hartford has unanimously adopted a resolution in favor of construc-
tion by private interests, rather than by the Federal Government.
We have not now, and do not anticipate, any problem resulting from the
employment of single men. Many East Hartford families, as well as families
in the surrounding towns, have taken in single men as roomers and boarders,
and there are still available many rooms in private homes for single men.
For several months, we have been maintaining a rooms' registry where those
who have available rooms in their own homes can register them and these lists
can be consulted by single men seeking rooms.
We have one large modern trailer camp, which is laid out to accommodate
160 trailers which can be easily expanded to take care of 320 trailers. This
camp has been in operation under our municipal ordinance since May 1 of this
year. I understand that there are about 50 trailers now in this camp. This
camp is privately owned and operated, and the trailers are. likewise, privately
owned. The owner of this camp is somewhat disappointed that there hasn't been
a greater demand for space in this camp. He had anticipated that it would
till up rapidly, but there is now considerable doubt that it will ever be used
to full capacity.
WATER SITPPLY AND SEWAGE DISPOSAE
Since January 1 of this year, the town of East Hartford has been a part of
the metropolitan district, which supplies water and handles the sewage of
Hartford, Windsor, Bloomfield, Newingtou. and Wether.sfield. East Hartford
has its own reservoirs and the greater part of the water used in East Hai-tford
is furnished by these reservoirs. Some 5 years ago. a water connection was
made under the Connecticut River Bridge with the metropolitan district water
5480 HARTFORD HEARINGS
system so that when occasion required, metropolitan district water could be
turned into our system to supplement it. Another similar connection has been
made within the past week so that from now on, a considerable amount of
metropolitan district water will be used in East Hartford, as well as the
water furnished by the town's reservoirs. The activities of the United Aircraft
have greatly increased the consumption of water, but it is believed that the
connections already mentioned as well as our own reservoirs, will provide
adequate water for all purposes.
The sewers and sewage disposal are matters which are under the jurisdiction
of the metropolitan district. The district plans to construct a sewage disposal
plant in East Hartford and I understand that this will be done within the
coming year.
H&.\LTH
East Hartford has a local health department and a public health doctor.
He works closely with the State department of health. I do not know of
any unusual health problem which has arisen as a result of an influx of de-
fense workers to this town. We have our own visiting nurses association,
and their headquarters are owned by the town. The town annually appi'o-
priates money for the use of this organization We, likewise, have our own
tuberculosis association. Both of these organizations work closely with the
doctors and nurses connected with our school system. In my opinion, the
health of the community is just as good today as it ever was, and, perhaps,
better. We have one privately owned small hospital. We are within 2 miles
of the city of Hai'tford, which has at least three large hospitals which are
available to East Hartford people. The town of Manchester, which adjoins
East Hartford on the east, has a large hospital, which is sometimes used by
East Hartford people. The two larger hospitals in Hartford, recently have
been, or soon will be, enlarged. I believe that there are ample hospital facili-
ties for some time to come.
The United Aircraft employs its own physician and all applicants for work
are thoroughly examined. This plant also employs many male nurses to take
care of its own employees, and have all necessary facilities for all first-aid
treatment.
GENERAL COMMENTS
A report prepared by our superintendent of schools concerning educational
matters is attached, hereto.
While the personnel at the United Aircraft greatly increased since 1939, it
must be remembered that a great many of these employees do not live in
East Hartford, and many of them are men who for several years have made
their homes in Hartford, East Hartford, and many other surrounding towns.
Many other employees live within a radius of 50 miles of the Aircraft plant,
and drive back and forth each day to their work. Some of these own homes
in the towns in which they live.
The Aircraft employs a large number of single men who have come to this
area from other States. Many of them room in Hartford, East Hartford,
Manchester, Glastonbury, and other surrounding towns. I do not believe that
the single employee has created any serious problem, as there appears to be
many available rooms for them in the Hartford area. As indicated at the be-
ginning of this memorandum, our chief problem concerns the married em-
ployee who finds it difficult to rent a dwelling in the Hartford area. As has
been indicated, the Federal Government, as well as private interests, are now
competing to fill this need.
Apart from our ordinary recreational facilities, including playgrounds, base-
ball facilitis, tennis courts, and public swimming pool, the town has made no
special effort to provide recreational facilities for Aircraft employees. Some
steps in that direction might be desirable. For the most part. Aircraft em-
ployees receive good wages, and they seem to find ways of amusing themselves
in both Hartford and East Hartford. It is, likewise, noticeable that many
of them own automobiles. I understand that a proposed bill is now pending
in Congress which has for its object the furnishing of money by the Federal
Government to certain localities, where some type of recreational facilities
may be needed for defense workers.
NATIONAL DEFENSE xMIGRATION 5481
June 19, 1941.
Hon. John J. Burke,
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Mr. Burke: I am herewith submitting answers to the questions with
reference to which you requested information a few days ago.
1. Tliere are 120 supervisors, principals, and teachers on the school staff at
the present time. As I reported to the board of education at its meeting
Tuesday night, we shall need an additional teacher in South Grammar School
to which grounds we are removing one of our portables during the summer.
This increase is due to new buildings in that part of the town, some of which
have been taken by defense workers.
2. There are 10 buildings in use at the present time; that is, 5 combined
elementary and junior high school buildings with kindergarten, grades 1 to <>,
and grades 7 and 8. There are 3 elementary buildings with kindergarten and
grades 1 to 6, and 1 elementary building with kindergarten and grades 1 to 3.
There is 1 senior high school with grades 9 to 12.
3. There has been slight increase in enrollment traceable directly to defense
work in the town. It has not, however, during the current year, caused us
to add to the teaching staff or to building accommodations. As stated in No. 1
above, we shall have to add a portable to one building on account of tlie slight
increase, and further definitely anticipated increase during the coming year.
4. There will not be additional transportation needed apparently during
the first half of the coming year. There may possibly be during the latter
part of the year, especially if the Federal Government quickly erects the 500
houses it is understood have been proposed.
5. I do not see that there will be any needed increase in facilities next year
except the shifting of a portable from the Columbus Street section to the South
Grammar School grounds. We have, at the present time, three vacant rooms in
Woodland School and two in Silver Lane School, hence ample room to take care
of any increase in those expanding areas of the town. These are areas in which
there might be further transportation needed before the end of the year.
Very truly yours,
Percival S. Barnes, 8nperintende7it.
Mr. Riley. As exhibit 10, I offer a statement on social services in
the community of Bridgeport, submitted to the committee by Mr.
W. Earl Prosser, assistant secretary of the community chest.
(The statement referred to above is as follows :)
Exhibit 10. — Sociai- Services in Bridgeport
report by w. earl prosser, assistant secketaey, community chest and council,
inc., bridgeport, conn.
In a very recent analysis of some 26 public and private social welfare and
health agencies, of the Bridgeport community, to determine what new and
increased problems were being encountered and what increased needs were
most evident, the following problems were found to form a pattern of needs felt
by a majority of the agencies. These problems were not only the most evident
but also most acute.
LACK OF HOUSING FACILITIES
Undoubtedly, you will receive from official sources information on this point
that will be more adequate than I can give you. I believe almost everything
has been done that could be done, but nevertheless, in consultation with the
executives of our agencies, I gather that houses and apartments for rent are
still at a premium. Rooms may be found for men but the prices of renting
such rooms are in some cases too high. A good single room costs about $4.50
to $5 per week for men. Good double rooms, $7.50 to $10 per week. There has
been a tendency to crowd two people into rooms that should be singles and to
put as many persons as possible in a room in order to capitalize on the defense
program by getting all that the traffic will bear by way of remuneration.
Counteracting this tendency, I believe gradually people are coming to the realiza-
tion that they cannot get good roomers, permanently, at exorbitant prices, and
5482 HARiF(JKL> HE AH I NGS
some are now willing to reduce the prices of their rooms fr«»ni tlie level they
formerly demanded.
Light-housekeeping rooms for couples or families are inadequate to take care
of the demand. Rooms for single girls and women are also difficult to get.
Summarizing: Rooms for men, an adequate supply: room.s for .single women,
inadequate; rooms for couples and familites. very ina(lf(iuate.
Information on housing projects and private buildinji as stated previously can
be gotten from official sources.
One point I think worthy of mention is the fact that many people working
in Greater Bridgeport do not live here, but commute from surrounding town.s
and cities thus making the situation less acute than might otherwise be thf
case.
INCREASE IN RENTS
Coupled with the shortage of rents available (both houses and apartments)
has been the sharp increase in the price of rents. I have no statistical material
available but it has been my impression that exhorbitant rents have been
charged for very unattractive places. This rise in rents has effected most
adversely the low-income groups who are least able to stand it. This situation
has been particularly difficult among colored people. In some cases families
have been dispossessed because the landlord wished to turn the house into a
rooming house because his returns were greater that way. Many rents have
been raised 25 to 30 percent or even in some instances as much as 50 percent.
The rent situation has been complicated, too, I believe, by the demolition of
homes in slum areas to make way for housing projects. In some cases the
dispossessed have had a difficult time in finding a place to stay during the
building process.
BOTH pare:nts working
Our agencies report that in many cases, both parents are working, taking
advantage of defense wages and jobs. This situation, of course, leads to
neglected children and probably to an increase in delinquency.
RECREATION FACILITIES AND PERSONNEL
I am not one of those who prescribe recreation as a panacea for delinquency,
poor housing, inadequate incomes, and almost every conceivable ill, but I do
believe that if more money and personnel were available to both private and
public recreation groups, it would be a great boon to this community and is
in fact a sheer necessity.
HE.VLTH
Our two hospitals which are in the community chest, St. Vincent's and Bridge-
port Hospital, are crowded and need much new equipment. This problem is
not entirely due to the "defense" situation, but it is complicated by it, inasmuch
as "defense" conditions could lead to an epidemic or an emergency disaster
which might prove our hospital or health facilities wanting. A possible
capital fund campaign for the two hospitals mentioned in the spring of 1942,
will probably relieve the situation at that time.
Many of us feel a volunteer service bureau would be a valuable adjunct to our
community services during this period, if the money can be found to finance it.
We have studied and made plans for this project carefully and at length, but at
the moment have no funds available to set up such a project.
We have reason to believe that a mayor's defense council embodying in its
scope a social welfare division (includes health) will soon be functioning strongly
and well.
SEiEVICEI TO DRAFT BOARDS
The department of public welfare, a member of our council of social agencies,
has cooperated very effectively with the various draft boards and has designated
a member of their staff for this particular function. A communication received
from the department of public welfare regarding this phase of their work, states
in part :
"Draft board clearances — November 1940 to April 1941 — 144. Includes social
and economic clearances for di'aft boards, necessitating conferences with draft
board officials, family groups, and individuals drafted."
In addition to the services of the department of public welfare our family
welfare agencies have offered their specialized services to the local draft boards.
A Sinn 11 nn)nl»er of cases have been referred to them, but on the whole the need
is being adcciuately met at this time by the department of public welfare.
NATIONAL DEFKNSK MIGRATION 5483
tOt>KDINATI0N AND OEVFXOPMENT OF HEIVLTH SKBVIOE
The council of social agencies has held two meetings to point up interest in the
development of more adequate health service. Wide newspaper publicity was
given to bath of these meetings. The meetings were:
(1) Dr. Albert S. Grey, director of the division of industrial hygiene, spoke on
the subject. Protecting the Health of the Industrial Worker in Our Community.
(2) A joint meeting of the council of social agencies and the medical association,
initiated by the council of social agencies. Dr. Charles Walter Clarke, executive
director of the American Social Hygiene Association, spoke on the subject Venei'eal
Disease — Its Prevention, Control, and Cure in a Defense Community.
EMERGENCY PLAN FOR HF>ALTH SERVICES
A plan has been drawn up by the Bridgeport Hospital (a member of the
council of social agencies) to provide for the handling of any emergency dis-
aster in the city. The program utilizes all available space and equipment in
the hospital, all staff doctors, internes and ex-internes. It provides also for the
use of a local high .school as the nearest overflow institution.
PL.\N FOR EXTENDING TEMPORARY CREDIT TO EMPLOYEES
Through information supplied by our agencies, the community chest board
of directors came to the conclusion some months ago that some plan should be
inaugurated whereby defense workers coming to Bridgeport who found it
necessary to do so, could receive temporary credit for food and lodging until
they became established. Accordingly, the chest agency community relations
committee urged the manufacturers association and other employers that a co-
operative plan be worked out to supply this needed credit on a sound financial
basis.
It was unanimously agreed at the start that industry could not and should
not assume responsibility for all the floaters entering our city, but a plan was
devised whereby cooperating plants could readily underwrite, with practically
no financial risks, essential exjienses of its own recently hired employees, who
for any reason, were in need of temporary credit and at the same time secure
against loss those inilividuals or agencies extending assistance to the employee.
The plan in its essentials is as follows :
First, cooperating employers issue to that particular community chesi
agency, or to that private room and/or boarding house which agreed in ad-
vance to assist one of its employees a "reimbursement certificate" similar to
sample.
Secondly, the plant shall secure without fail from each employee in whose
interest .a "reimbursement certificate" is issued a "wage deduction request" and
attach same to a copy of the particular "reimbursement certificate" referred
to so that the proper wage deduction may be made thus preventing monetary
loss.
GROUP WORK AGENCIES
Boy Scouts. — Increased difficulty to get volunteer manpower on which this
agency largely depends ; need to intensify emergency service ; coi-ps work ; more
work office staff; more call for service on part of Scouts; anticipate Scouts will
be called upon for Government service selling defense savings bonds, etc.
Young Wotnen's Christian AssociatioH. — Summarizing, I would list large num-
bers of women, both employed and home women, coming into a strange community
desiring contacts and recreational facilities a Young Women's Christian Associa-
tion should give; house of employment creating a physical condition among
women demanding expert leadership in order that morale and health may be
built ; a staff already small for a normal load facing an abnormal load and more
to come ; space inadequate for the next 2-year period for carrying iDrograni if east
side building is to be closed for reconstruction ; expectation of a much increased
demand for service by the end of summer.
Girl Scouts. — Increased demand from girls who want to become Scouts and in-
sufBcient staff to haiulle this.
Sterling House. — The jiroblems or demands that we are trying to solve are —
I. Social: (a) Community evenings (such as meet-a-body clubs),
(ft) Space for more recreational activities.
II. Increase in upkeep.
III. Increase in clerical help.
5484 HARTFORD HEARINGS
IV. Attendance: (o)The increase in attendance including all activities tliat we
direct will probably tell you more than any words.
Adults, first 4 months of the year:
1940 9, 499
1941 10, 746
Children, first 4 months of the year :
1940 11, 874
1941 15, 975
There is an increase of over 5,000 using the house in 4 months which alone
should indicate that there has been increased wear and work.
Young Men's Christian Association. — The work already undertaken in provid-
ing recreation for industry, and the demands of industry for additional programs
means a full-time professional worker, an additional stenographer, office expense,
and travel.
The room registry demands much more time than formerly. The Young Men's
Christian Association continues to list rooms all over the Bridgeport area, and
to direct young men to such rooms. This places an additional burden on our
office but does not run into a large sum of money.
Now considering the use of gymnasium, showers, and swimming pool from
11 p. m. until 3 a. m. for men on the 3 p. m. to 11 p. m. night shift. This addi-
tional program has not yet been completed, but will have to include in addition
to the usual clerical help a professional worker especially to handle the gym
and aquatic program.
Boys' Cluh. — Not able to take care of demand for shower baths. Otherwise no
decided need for increase in services other than has always been the case. Have
never been able to take care of more than 50 percent of the boys who needed it.
Jeioish Community Center. — Could use about one extra half-time worker, but
not seriously overburdened with defense needs as such.
HEALTH AGENCIES
City Dispensary. — No increased demands.
Bridgeport Hospital. — No increased demands on social-service department.
In the hospital itself several needs are evident such as new operating rooms,
adequate quarters for nurses and internes, new elevator and modernization of
kitchen equipment. While these needs have been present for a considerable
period of time and are not a direct result of the defense program, nevertheless
they have a bearing on this situation.
"The increase in manufacturing activities, the employment of more men, the
influx of new people into this vicinity, and the speeding up of all factory activities
will certainly increase the number of severe accidents. As the defense measures
of the country get well under way, we are naturally going to be a great deal busier
than we would be under normal conditions. It seems very imperative to us that
something be done immediately towards the increase of our operating-room
facilities." (Quote from letter to Mr. Samuel Senior from W. Lee Weadon,
medical doctor.)
St. Vincent's Hospital. — "We are pleased to submit some interesting figures
regarding the extra heavy demands made on hospital service at St. Vincent's.
Average daily for 21 days of May 1941 266
Average daily for 21 days of May 1940 287
Average daily for 21 days of May 1939 213
Average daily for 21 days of May 1938 194
Increase of patients 52 from 1938 to 1941 daily.
Number of patients admitted up to May 21, 1941 (fiscal year begins July
1, 1940) 7, 434
Number of patients admitted, May 21, 1940 6, 896
Number of patients admitted, May 21, 1939 6, 273
Number of patients admitted. May 21, 1938 5. 646
This is not for a full calendar year but from the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Average daily admission for 21 days of —
May 1941 25
May 1940 20
May 1939 17
May 1938 17
Our hospital has been crowded to the doors. In the new wing we have been
compelled to make many private rooms into semiprivate. Extra beds have been
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5485
placed in all the wards. We feel that we are facing a real crisis in regard to the
accommodation of patients. Another great problem in the hospital field partic-
ularly Bridgeport area, is the inability to secure adequate help. Many of the older
hands have left to go into factories where the wages exceed those paid in hospitals.
In order to cope with the situation as we would like to, it would be almost neces-
sary for us to compete with the factories in paying our employees and this is an
impossibility.
Visiting nurse association. —
Number of new families 25
Families living in 1 room (2 of these are families in whicli, the mother
is pregnant) 5
New families moving in with old families 8
New prenatals living with old families 3
Beds being used on relay 3
Increase in rents. — Practically all families have had rents increased from
10 to 38M{ percent. Most of these increases range from 20' to 331/3 percent.
All families living in industrial neighborhoods are using all spare rooms —
renting to friends and relatives and roomers coming to Bridgeport to work
in industry.
As yet there has been no noticeable increase in morbidity due to the increase
in defense workers, crowding, and so forth, but this is to be anticipated in the
fall when ventilation will be difficult.
We expect an increase in tuberculosis and genito infectious diseases as well
as in the upper respiratory diseases.
Stratford Red Cross Nursing Service. — No appreciable increase in demands
for nursing service. Slight increase in service to men in Army and Navy and
to their families.
CASE WOKK AGENCIES
Catholic Charitable Bureau. — We have made a study of applications received
at the Catholic Charitable Bureau for the past 6 months — November 1940 to
April 1941. We made a similar study of the applications received from Novem-
ber 1939 to April 1940, inclusive. We have noted and made comparisons of
these two 6-month periods. You will notice that the total number of applica-
tions dropped from 393 to 337.
Our foster home applications dropped from 51 to 29. There was also a
slight decrease in our out of town inquiries. The number of requests received
from Bridgeport single persons remained about the same. The number of
transients jumped from 45 to 87. Our requests for relief decreased from
168 to 104. No great differencesi were noted in our service cases. Each appli-
cation was classified in only one column, that being the major request of the
person making the application and not the major problem or problems in the
situation, as seen by the social worker. Applications include those coming
to both the Family Welfare and the Child Welfare Departments.
We discussed your letter at staff meeting and the workers felt that the hous-
ing problem was one which needed a great deal of study and consideration.
Kents are being increased beyond their worth. Many people are now finding
work and their incomes are above the amount which makes them eligible for
the new housing projects, yet they are unable to find other desirable rentals.
The staff felt that there is a pronounced need of day care for children. A
good many families known to our workers are considering the plan of
placing their children, with parents going to work, very often in an attempt
to pay off indebtedness that has accumulated during the past few years.
Anticipate a need for community planning for recreation and leisure time
activities (see analysis of cases attached).
Family society. — The following data covers the period from January 1 to
May 1, 1941, during which time we knew 245 families.
Bridgeport
Stratford
1. Housing problems:
16
15
8
10
11
4
Overcrowding (several families doubling up with other families)
11
11
II. Lack of supervision of children because of employment of parents
3
5486
HARTFORD HEARINGS
Probably tbe problem which is outstanding is the one of housing, and. if you
wish, we would be very glad to give definite examples of this. Although wp
have a small number of Negro cases, their yrolilem seems to be most acute and
at present we know of one family of eight which is sharing a four-rf)om apart-
ment with another family f>f six in a house which was condemned by the board
of health a year ago.
Jewish Welfare Bureau and Cliildren's /S'oc/c///. — No increased demand for
services ; mention of the existence of serious housing shortage ; do not anticipate
any serious problems.
Department of publie tcclfare. — New and increased demands on the department
of public welfare are numerous and complex. The major problems can be listed
under the following headings:
1. Draft board clearances, Nttvember 1940 to April 1941, 144.
2. St^paration allowances.
:i. Housing: (a) Rentals increasing. Complicated by the fact of demolition
of homes in slum areas for housing projects with the housing projects not yet
completed and an influx of defense workers.
4. Defense workers: Great increase in number of women wanting to work,
making a difTicult situation in the child-care group accruing from inadecpiate
foster care for children.
5. Out-of-town inquiries : Our intake of out-of town collaterals has vastly in-
creased in the last 6 months. New phase in this particular effort is agencies in
other cities throughout the country seeking information relative to fathers of
families who have come here to secure employment and whose families, we
assume, from the correspondence forwarded, are evidently on relief in their
home towns.
6. Anticipated needs: It is serious to contemplate, but unless the housing
situation should meet with a thoKnigh ad.jnstnient. a health problem possibly
along epidemic lines might be a normal anticipation.
See copy of department of public welfare report attached which is highly
revealing and illuminating.
Stratford Welfare Department. — No new or increased demands for service.
Shortage of low-priced rents very noticeable but this existed before the defense
program.
Salvation Army. — Not facing any serious problems except April 1940 had only
14 applicants for meals and in 1941, 104; March 1940, 226; March 1941, 203.
Insufficient statistical material.
Bureau of child %velfare. — ITie defense program has not affected the number
of neglected and uncared for children committed either to the commissioner of
welfare or the Fairfield County Commission.
WoodfieM.- — 1. New and increased demands for service have already been
placed upon our agency as a result of the defense progi-am :
(a) Applications for care of children when both parents are working.
(I)) Clerical and other office work involved in furnishing birth certificates for
former residents of the orphanage since certificates are required in obtaining
employment in defense industries.
(e) Reque-st for mothers helpers to replace factory workers.
2. New problems :
(a) Filling of vacancies on the staff from position of maid to that of case
supervisor. Our summer recreational director has been called for Army service
and we have almost come to the conclusion that this position cannot be filled.
(b) Difficulty in obtaining houses or for single women in obtaining rooms
when the house-s where they have been living have been sold or rented at higher
prices.
8. Advantages resulting from defense program :
(a) Rehabilitation of families being helped by housing project.
(ft) Increased employment allows parents to cany out their desire to con-
tribute more largely to support of children.
Ass^ociated Charities. — Increase in number of applications for nursery care.
International Institute. — We should like to say that our demands began last
fall. During and after the alien registration, we have had many more contacts
with factories and other business houses as citizenship is demanded for work.
Not only in working on naturalization problems has this increase been felt,
but in locating birth certificate or proofs of birth throughout the country. We
I
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5487
feel that this demand will continue, as there are 19,000 aliens in Bridgeport
and all business houses have not demanded citizenship.
In considering naturalization problems, the demand has been much larger
for men and women who became citizens through their father's naturalization
to obtain papers for themselves. This type of citizenship that we call "deriva-
tive" takes much more time and exploration than the ordinary citizenship paper,
and we feel that this type is growing.
One reason for more work in citizenship is that women as well as men are
obtaining work and they have to have papers and proof which they have not
had while staying at home.
Another problem which has been referred to us by the factories, but which
is not alone a factory problem, is that of men and women illegally in the
country. In some instances, these people are kept in their positions while
we work to clear their entry.
To show the increase due to the need of citizenship for employment —
September 1939 through April 1940 :
Individuals served 2, 090
Naturalization problems 1, 907
Illegal entry problems 26
September 1940 through April 1941 :
Individuals served 2, 987
Naturalization problems 2, 819
Illegal entry problems 117
Mental Hygiene Society. — Out of 33 cases referred since January and ac-
cepted, there were 11 in which either both parents are working or out of the
home for some reasons. It seems fairly clearly indicated tliat the lack of
proper parental supervision is at the root of the difficulty in these cases.
American Red Cross. — Lack of sufficient space is their biggest limitation.
Fairfield Family Welfare Society. — The following new services have been
required as a result of the defense programs :
Forty-one draft investigations received to date.
Service of the general secretary and a member of the staff on subcommittees
of the disaster preparedness and relief committee of the American Red Cross.
Increased need for planning with families regarding evictions, increase of
rents, etc.
Planning for families whose wage earner has been called in the Reserves,
with service given in helping the families to request a separation allowance.
Planning with other agencies to assist all members of families under care
to receive vocational tests and ■ training in order to secure employment in
the defense programs.
Assisting members of families to secure employment made available by the
drawing of usual workers to the defense industries. These members of the
families had formerly been rejected by industry as being too old, untrained,
etc.
Greater assistance required in assisting a small number of aliens to locate
work when they could not be accepted in the defense program.
Assistance to aliens in interpretation of the alien-registration program.
Cooperation with agencies handling alien problems in securing information
needed by immigration authorities in settling questions of citizenship and
illegal entry.
Mr. EiLEY. As exhibit 11, I offer a statistical report relatiiio- to
the migration of motor-vehicle operators, submitted by the Connecticut
Department of Motor Vehicles.
[The report referred to above is as folloAvs :]
Exhibit 11. — Migration of Motor Vehicle Operators
BtPORT BY state OF CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, SAFETY-PROMOTION
SECTION, CALENDAR YEAR 1940
Total number of applicants examined and passed 55, 887
Total number of applicants from other States examined and passed 17, 163
Total number of operators licenses issued 580, 222
Total number of temporary registration plates issued 9,404
5488
HARTFORD HEARINGS
The follo-sviug tabulation is based upon a study of l.OCO applicants during the
year of 1941. This group of applicants was divided into 10 sections of 100 appli-
cants. The percentage between the sections varies little and it is assumed the
tabulation presents a reasonably accurate picture for the year.
Origin of applicants from other States
State and number of applicants :
Maine 461
New Hampshire 388
Vermont 316
Massachusetts 3, 544
Rhode Island 510
All other States 2, 525
State and number of applicants — Cont.
New York-
New Jersey-
Pennsylvania.
Ohio
Michigan
California __.
3,547
510
I, 359
510
316
267
In connection with the same study it was develoi^ed that a very large per-
centage of those persons migrating from other States were residents of Con-
necticut for at least 6 months before securing a Connecticut license. Conse-
quently, a tabulation by States was not made.
Gasoline consumption in gallons, hy months
1940
1941
1940
1941
January
25, 075, 280
22, 646, 360
24, 997, 825
27, 413, 782
31, 805, 378
34,831,493
35, 056, 376
27, 436, 021
26, 190, 070
29, 075, 429
32, 272, 272
36, 877, 019
August
38, 246, 842
33,570,911
34, 124, 233
31, 428, 696
30, 088, 380
April
November
May
December
Total consumption in
gallons for 1940
June
July
369, 285, 556
On the basis of the population of the various States, Massachusetts sent a
higher proportion of her residents into Connecticut than did any other State,
followed closely by Rhode Island and New Hami^shire.
The ratio of those securing Connecticut licenses to the total population of
their home State is as follows:
Massachusetts 1 in 1,200
New Hampshire 1 in 1, 3(X)
Rhode Island 1 in 1,400
Maine 1 in 1, 800
New York 1 in 2,000
Pennsylvania 1 in 7, 000
New Jersey 1 in 8, 000
Ohio 1 in 13,500
Several studies have been made in other years to determine how many appli-
cants have migrated from New York and Rhode Island. In some instances Mas-
sachusetts and New Jersey applicants were included.
The figures for 1933, 1934, and 1935 are estimated on the basis of a study
made for April of each year. The figures for 1937 are actual and those for 1940
on the ba.sis of a study made of 1,000 applicants. The tabulation :
State
1933
1934
1935
1937
1940
New York
3, 933
433
2,166
533
3,500
4,767
17, 994
3,671
414
2,267
540
4,174
6,927
21, 577
4,243
333
2,409
667
3,743
7,133
21, 805
4,933
504
6, 457
Rhode Island
510
3,544
New Jersey
'Vis,' 236'
"'"32,382"
510
Other States not Connecticut
6,142
7,113
New drivers not previously licensed
31,611
33, 326
39, 570
40,333
56, 055
55,887
Including Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5489
State of previous license
[5 groups of 500 applicants examined for driver's license, 1940-41. In the first 2 groups no attention was
paid to date of entry into Connecticut. Those in the last 3 groups came in 1940-41]
State of previous license
First
500
Second
500
Third
500
Fourth
500
Fifth
500
Total
Percent
1
1
2
1
5
3
1
1
6
4
3
2
37
5
140
4
3
30
27
217
4
14
51
23
4
3
17
5
2
2
1
4
6
17
0.08
.04
4
1
1
4
2
.28
.20
Florida
1
1
.12
.04
1
1
2
1
1
.04
Illinois
1
1
2
-.
1
3
.24
.16
.12
Kansas
1
1
2'
. 12
.08
1
4
1
24
3
.04
3
1
31
2
1
1
37
2
11
22"
2
1
12
2
26
f
1.48
.20
5.60
.28
.16
Missouri - -
.04
1
1
.04
Nebraska
1
.12
1
4
6
55
2
5
.04
2
2
45
2
7
4
56
11
29
6
8
32
1.20
1.08
New York
8.68
North Carolina
.16
Ohio
6
1
10
2
._
1
.56
Oklahoma
.04
10
11
5
1
1
2
9
2
1
7
1
2
1
13
4
1
4
1
2.04
.92
South Carolina
.16
Texas
3
2
.68
Virginia
.20
.08
.08
1
.04
1
1
2
2
1
4
.16
1
5
3
5
.24
Other countries
Total .
145
121
152
122
126
666
26.64
Mr. EiLEY. I offer, as exhibit 12,
ation in Hartford, prepared by Mr
Dealers' National Association.
The resume referred to above is as follows :)
I resume of the trailer-home situ-
David L. Moore, of the Trailer
Exhibit 12.- — ;\Ioiiii,E Housing
REPORT BY DAVID L. MOORE, GOVERNOR, TRAILER DEALERS" NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As far back as 1936, trailer coaches in a mucli smaller size than are now manu-
factured began to appear in the role of housing substitutes, instead of the
camping and touring uses for which they were originally devised.
Mr. Roger W. Babson's much publicized statement at that time as to the
alarming proportion of citizenry which was destined to adopt this form of
housing unduly alarmed municipal authorities and thereby set in motion a wave of
unduly restrictive legislation against their occupancy except as touring vehicles.
Both Hartford and West Hartford immediately ruled that under existing build-
ing and sanitation ordinances, an occupied trailer coach was automatically
barred, and that ruling has been rigorously enforced since.
This complete ban of mobile housing units has already resulted in several
amusing but exasperating repercussions, with relation to temporary defense
5490
HARTFOKD HEAHINGS
housing-. Just this past wiuter, the authorities of Hartford suddenly decided
that what had liitherto been a local anathema would be most acceptable if trailer
coaches could be donated by the Federal Government. Due to the complete igno-
rance of Hartford's citizenry as to what a modern trailer affords in comfort and
sanitation, or as to the high personal caliber of defense workers occupying same,
such a storm of protest arose over the location of a suitable trailer park for the
Government-owned trailers that the idea was abandoned.
In one ward niceting a woman projirrty owner protested that she would "be
afraid to have iiackaues h'ft (in Iier porrli" with defense worlvcrs living in trailers
nearby. (There has Ijeen lui complaint to date of purloined packages by defense
workers who have to step over on the way to their .$15-per-week I'oom.)
COMMUTATION FROM TRAILEliS
Particularly pertinent to defense migration is the fact that defense workers
who arrive here with sizable investments in trailer coaches and cars are forced
to commute great distances to and from their work from the remote districts
where they are permitted to park without being bedeviled by police officers, sani-
tary inspectors, building inspectors, members of the zoning board, and the S. P.
C. A. This enforced commutation does not tie in well with the now proposed
gasG'line economy program.
The utmost in incongruity is the case of several Army and Navy inspectoTS, in
the employ of the United States Government, who are now forced to commute
some distance and through as bad traffic conditions as exist anywhere in the
Nation, to perform their official duties.
BILL TO DEBAR RIGHTS TO TRAILER DW EKLERS
"While Connecticut as a State has been cooperative with residents wjio use
trailers for camping, one overzealous State legislator recently introduced a bill,
which fortunately was tabled, to debar entirely the rights of settlement to trailer
occupants.
It is apparent that the greatest need today of migratory defense workers who
have invested their own capital in mobile housing is Federal assistance in obtain-
ing relief from the multitude of local ordinances and rulings that violate in spirit,
if not in fact, article IV of the Bill of Rights. This states that "The rights of the
people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreason-
able searches and seizures, shall not be violated. * * *"
Mr. Riley. I offer, as exhibit 13, a <i:rou|) of i-epoits on conditions
in the city of Waterbury, inchiding :
(a) Statement by Mayor Vincent A. Scully; (b) statement by Dr.
Edward J. Godfrey, health officer; (c) statistical report submitted by
Mr. Frank J. Green, secretary of the Waterbury Chamber of Com-
merce.
(The material referred to above is as follows:)
Exhibit 13-A. — Defense Problems in Waterbury, Conn.
REPORT BY mayor VINCENT A. SCULLY, OF WATERBURY, CONN.
The present problem in Waterbury since .June 1940, occasioned by the require-
ments of defense industries, is the question of an adeqiiate supply of water.
We feel that, as far as it can be estimated, the housing situation for defense
workers may be adequately covered by the 300 units to be installed during
the present year.
That question has no relation, however, to the general (piestion of low cost
housing which is a matter of continuing interest to the city of Waterbury.
The reason that the water question is paramount is that the city of Waterbury
owns and operates three reservoirs in Litchfield County and they supply prac-
tically all the water used in the city of Waterbury by means of a 10 mile,
SO-inch pipe line. This pipe line has been in use since ISiW and in constant
daily u.se since 1895. It has been supplying water to Waterbury for domestic
and industrial c<insunq)tion at a rate upwaids t<> 14 or 1o million gallons a
lay without 11h> opportunity being alTorded to check, repair or inspeci the line.
I)ue to the deni.inds of tlie defense recpiirements in \V;if('rl)ury. it is of vital
NATIONAL DEFENSE MKHIATION 5491
iuiportaiK-e that a coutiiiuiiig water supply be guaranteed as far as it is
liumanly possible. To that end, plans are being made to put an additional
pipe line into operation in conjunction with a new reservoir in the same reser-
voir area in Litchfield County. Waterbury is one of the leading industrial
t'omnmnities In the State of Connecticut and its factories are engaged in
producing millions of dollars of defense supplies which requires the use of
considerable water.
Under normal circumstances the question of having a safe system of trans-
porting water would be of great importance to the city of Waterbury, but
under existing conditions when the transportation means so much to the
industrial life of the city and the success of the defense program, generally, the
situation becomes even more important. This problem has become more acute
than ever since June 1940.
PROBLEM OF SEWEKAGE
The question of sewage in relation to the city of Waterbury is of great impor-
tance also because with an increased population, caused by the defense boom,
sewage which is now, and has been for years, emptied into the Naugatuck River
makes more acute than ever the health problem, Eventually the Naugatuck
River will be clear of sewage and cities such as Waterbury will have a sev/age-
disposal plant to accomplish this purpose.
The city of Waterbury has done a great deal toward this end but it is still
neces.sary to install a main carrier system from the side of the disposal plant up
and along the Mad River which empties into the Naugatuck River. This carrier
system will care for the most populous part of the city of Waterbury. This is the
question that will become increasingly important as time goes on and particularly
as the population of the city increases.
We feel that we have adequate school facilities to absorb the increase that may
be expected in our school population. Naturally we are talking about the present
situation and the possibilities for a year or so in the future because we do not
attempt to read the future or its requirements with accuracy.
REf RELATION PROBLEMS
Our recreation problems are of great concern to all of us and particularly to
our park department \A';ii(h has charge of these matters. In Waterbury the park
system and rt'creation system is in charge of a park commission which is almost
entirely linanced Ity appropi-iations from the city of Waterbury. The question
that comes to mind in corniection with recreation facilities is that a growing inun-
ber of people, nren and women, are going into defense industries, and this means
that art increasingly large number of children are the responsiliility of the com-
munity as far as recreation goes. We expect that fi'om time to time the need of
additional recreation centers and equipment will be a problem which should
receive prompt attention. I suggest to your committee that this question is of
paramouirt importance, because the welfare aird health of the growing ijoprrlation
must not be overlooked, despite the fact that there are many other pressing
problems at hand.
Naturally the situation since June of 1940 has presented a question of the need
of addititmal fire-fightii^g personnel and equipment. I do not especially emphasize
this matter before this committee because I feel that it is particularly a defense
problem which will leceive attention from the oflSce of Maj. F. H. LaGuardia,
director of civilian defense.
Exhibit 13-B. — Health Conditions in Waterbury
report by e. j. godfrey, m. d., health 0ffice3j, waterbury, conn.
The population for Waterbury, census for 1940, was given as 99,314. The
census was taken on April 1, 1940. The midyear population estimates, or the
population as of July 1 of any year, is customarily used in the compilation of
statistics.
Since this city showed a decrease in pojiulation in 1940 over 1930 no adjust-
ment has been made, the census as of April 1, 1940, being taken as the popula-
tion for July i, 1910, which figure has heen used in any computations that
follow, ^^'e know that there has been an increase in the population since that
5492
HARTFORD HEARINGS
time, chiefly because of the vast expansion of war industries. We base our
conclusions on the following facts: (a) Influx of nonresident skilled and non-
skilled labor for defense work; (ft) acute housing shortage; (c) overcrowding
of present available places of abode.
In comparing the figures for the first 5 months of 1940 with those for the
same period for 1941 we find the gross death rate remained practically the
same. The infant and tuberculosis mortality showed a decline. There was a
slight increase in the total number of communicable diseases reported. A
detailed statistical analysis follows:
Waterbiiry, Conn.
Total births
Total deaths
Total deaths under 1 year
Total cases of communicable dis-
Total deaths from communicable
di£
DEATHS UNDER 1 YEAR (BY
CAUSE)
Whooping cough
Cerebrospinal meningitis
Cerebral hemorrhage
Hemorrhagic infarction
D iarrhoea under 2 years
Congenital malformations
Congenital debility
Premature birth
Injury at birth
Other diseases of early infancy -
Ill-defined
Disease of thymus gland
Accidental suffocation
Disease of heart- _
Bronchopneumonia
1940
(Janu-
ary-
May,
inclu-
sive)
Typhoid fever
Undulant fever
Cerebrospinal meningitis
Scarlet fever
Whooping cough_._
Diphtheria
Tuberculosis, respiratory
Tuberculosis, meninges
Tuberculosis, joints
Tuberculosis, genitourinary tract.
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
Influenza
Measles
Chickenpox
German measles
Mumps
Bronchial pneumonia
Lobar pneumonia
Septic sore throat
Trichinosis
Total_
1941
(Janu-
ary- .
May,
inclu-
sive)
Cerebrospinal meningitis
Whooping cough
Tuberculosis, respiratory
Tuberculosis, meninges
Tuberculosis, joints
Tuberculosis, disseminated
Tuberculosis, genitourinary tract
Syphilis
Influenza
Bronchial pneumonia
Lobar pneumonia
Total.
TOTAL DEATHS (BY CAUSE)
Cerebro spinal meningitis
Whooping cough
Erysipelas
Tuberculosis, respiratory
Tuberculosis, meninges
Tuberculosis, joints
Tuberculosis, disseminated
Tuberculosis, genitourinary tract
Influenza
S^^^hilis
Cancer and other tumors
Rheumatism — nutritional dis
Diseases of the blood
Alcoholism
Diseases of the nervous system. . .
Diseases of circulatory system
Bronchial pneumonia
Lobar pneumonia
Other respiratory diseases
Ulcers of the stomach
Diarrhea under 2 years
Diarrhea over 2 years
Appendicitis
Intestinal obstruction
Other diseases, digestive tract
Nephritis
Diseases of the genitourniary
system
Diseases of pregnancy
Diseases of bones
Congenital malformation
Diseases of early infancy
Senility
Suicides
Auto accidents
Other accidents.
Ill-defined.
Total.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5493
Exhibit 13-C. — Employment and Business Indexes of Waterburt, Conn.
Total employment, manufacturing concerns, public utilities, retail stores, etc.
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
35, 030
30,688
28, 416
25, 946
23, 234
28, 403
28, 875
32, 055
36, 803
30, 830
32, 068
35, 302
41, 959
35, 349
30, 634
28, 506 25, 815
23,552
29, 001
28, 97C
32, 025
36, 994
30, 974
32, 208
35, 098
43, 275
35, 481
30, 226
28, 231 25, 531
23, 026
29, 638
28,864
31, 899
37, 676
30, 633
32, 204
35, 204
35, 529
30, 104
28, 247 24, 791
23, 021
30, 081
28, 747
31, 935
37, 882
30, 491
32, 223
35, 105
44, 510
35, 522
29, 916
28,428124,377 24,294
30, 8fv4
29, 057
31, 902
37, 672
30, 102
32, 073
34, 75C
45, 348
35, 543
29, 269
28,528 23,460,26,068
29, 319
28, 827
31,961
36, 939
29, 915
32, 165
35, 34(1
45, 750
35, 398
29, 768
38,23223,518 27,824
28, 775
28, 168
32, 586
36, 987
30, 616
32, 307
35, 977
35, 367
28, 519
27,817i23,680 29,lll
28,785
29,172
33, 146
37,240
31, 093
32, 692
37, 033
35, 038
28, 798
27, 39624, 343 30, 75629, 032
30, 994
34, 619 36, 748
31,518
34,083138,123
34, 562 29, 045 27, 339 25, 479 31, 029 29, 145
32,264
35, 530l36, 072131, 999
35,558 39,394
33, 871 129, 160 27, 153 25, 252 30. 360 29, 057
32, 471
36,007 34,813132,256
36,275 40,407
32, 69229, 169 26, 400 24, 616 28, 594 29, 219
32,110
36,683 31,657|31,985
36,527 41,053
34,949
29, 608
27, 891
24,734 26,739,29,276
29, 876
33, 354 36, 457
31, 034
33, 365 36, 900
January
February -
March- --,.
April *-
May
June
July ..: ,
August -■-
September
October
November
December
Average monthly _
Monthly business survey, Waterbury, Conn.
MONTH OF JUNE 1940
Month of
June 1940
Compared
with May 194
Compared
with June 193
Bank clearings ---
Bank debits
Bank savings
Building permits:
Number
Value
Births..-
Deaths
Electricity, Kilowatt-hours
Employment:
Total employed in manufacturing, retail stores, and
public utilities.
Eight largest manufacturing concerns
Freight tonnage:
Less-than-carload cars received, tons...
Carload cars received, tons
Less-than-carload cars forwarded, tons
Carload cars forwarded, tons...
Gas, cubic feet
Health-
Cases of communicable
Deaths resulting therefrom
Marriages
New families
Postal receipts
Telephones...
$7. 142, 600. 00
$29. 097, 438. 69
$47, 105. 835. 14
$201, 755. 00
182
16,328,927
35, 349
18, 776
2,344
43, 556
4,066
6,419
82, 293. 000
46
4
145
1 $2, 130, 000. 00
1 $5, 936, 256. 84
1 $29, 205. 35
$10, 885. 00
2 17
1 15
1 573, 749
1 150
1 978
1 107
2 1, 239
4, 295, 000
12
'85
" $4,' 117.20"
1 $642, 600. 00
2 $782, 845. 20
2 $1, 672, 708. 09
2 23
2 $116, 755. 00
27
25
2 1, 664, 238
2 3, 184
2 2, 508
■35
1 1,491
1 117
2 2, 680
2 5, 243, 000
21
1 2
2 52
$3, 895. 27
2 1,117
* Increase.
-41— pt. 13-
5494
HARTFORD HEARINGS
Monthly hus'mess survey, Waterbury, Conn. — Continued
MONTH OF JULY 1940
Month of July Compared with Compared with
1940 June, 1940 • July, 1939
Bank clearings.-- - -
Bank debits -
Bank savings - -- -
Building permits:
Number --- -—
Value - - - -
Births - - - -
Deaths
Electricity, kilowatt-hours-
Employment:
Total employed in manufacturing, retail stores, and
public utilities
Eight largest manufacturing concerns
Freight tonnage:
Less-than-carload cars received, tons --
Carload cars received, tons -
Less-than-carload cars forwarded, tons
Carload cars forwarded, tons
Oas, cubic feet
Health:
Cases of communicable disease
Deaths resulting therefrom
Marriages .- -
New families -
Postal receipts
Telephones-.-
$6,617,400.00
$28, 569. 630 34
$47, 513, 965. 84
67
$103, 460. 00
196
14,402,561
35, 977
19, 119
2,326
51,028
3,844
6.374
84,094,000
41
2
77
42
$42, 715. ,50
20, 054
1 $525, 200 00
' $527, 808. 35
' $408, 130. 70
1 14
« $98, 295. 00
2 14
25
• 1, 926, 366
2 343
' 18
2 7, 472
I 222
145
2 1,801,000
'5
12
'■ $660, 700. OO
3, 571, 164. 29
1, 798, 930. 79
! $28, 960. Oa
2 28
26
2 917, 169
2 3, 670
s 2, 762
122
2 9, 886
121
2 2. 700
11,863,000
1 14
1 1
120
2 $1,5
! $3, 485. 55
2 1, 225
MONTH OF AUGUST 1940
Month of
August 1940
Compared with
July 1940
Compared with
August 1939
Bank clearings
Bank debits
Bank saving's
$0, 855, 200. 00
$29, 905, 715. 32
$47, 497, 453. 85
65
$204, 935. 00
208
64
17,200,883
37, 033
19, 955
3,141
64, 402
5. 084
9,874
76, 066, 800
32
2
93
69
$42, 571. 68
20, 130
2 $237, 800. 00
2 $1, 336. 084. 98
1 $16. 511. 99
'2
2 $101, 475. 00
2 12
1 30
2 2, 798, 322
n,0,56
2 836
2 815
2 13,374
2 1, 240
2 3. 500
1 8, 027, 200
19
(3)
2 16
2 $1,130, 300. 00
2 $5, 189, 244. 58
2 $1, 865, 318. 43
Building permits:
Value
1 $16, 215. 00
Electricitv, kilowatt-hours
2 2,059,453
J 4 341
Employment:
Total employed in manufacturing, retail stores and
public utilities
1 2
Freight tonnage:
Less-than-carload cars received, tons
Less-than-carload cars forwarded, tons
Carload cars forwarded, tons
1 70
2 5 194
2 5,329,800
2 1
Health:
Cases of communicable disease
Deaths resulting therefrom
(3)
New families
Postal receipts .
1 $143. 82
2 76
2 $3. 035. 68
2 1, 266
' Decrease.
2 Increase.
3 No change.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
Monthly business survey, Waterbury, Conn. — Continued
MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 1940
5495
Month of Sep-
tember 1940
Compared
with August
1940
Compared
with Septem-
ber 1939
$6,408,800.00
$28, 456, 947. 3S
$47, 476, 358. 36
73
$104, 870. 00
168
90
17, 625, 822
38, 123
20, 675
2.996
67, 616
4,643
11,679
87, 402, 000
29
4
120
43
$49, 124. 55
20,280
' $446, 400. 00
' $1, 448, 767. 94
1 $21, 095. 49
S8
'$100,065.00
"40
8 26
2 324,939
2 1,090
3 720
1 145
8 3,214
1 441
2 1, 805
s 11, 335, 200
13
22
»27
2 $425, 400. 00
2 $1,097, 476. 10
2 $1,999, 129. 98
2 26
» $6, 830. 00.
25.
24.
« 2, 614, 314.
2 4. 040i
2 2, 892
1 138
2 5, 222
1506
2 7, 250
2 10,657,000
2 11
Bank debiis
Bank savings
Building permits:
Vilue
Electricity, kilowatt-hours .
Employment:
Total employed in manufacturing, retail stores and
publip utilities
Freight tonnage:
Lei's than carload cars received, tons
Carload cars received, tons
Carload cars forwarded, tons
Oas cubic feet
Health:
Cases of communicable disease
Deaths resulting therefrom
2 2
New families
> $6, 552. 87
2 150
2 $3, 794. 65.
2 1,314
MONTH OF OCTOBER 1940
Month of
October 1940
Compared
with Septem-
ber 1940
Compared
with October
1939
Bank clearings
Bank debits
Bank savings
Building permits:
Number -.-
Value- -
Births -
Deaths _
Electricity, kilowatt-hour -- _
Employment:
Total ( mployed in manufacturing, retail stores
public utilities.
Eight largest manufacturing concerns
Freight tonnage'
Less-than-carload cars received, tons
Carload cars received, tons ..-
Less-than-carload cars forwarded, tons. ---
Carload cars forwarded, tons
Oas, cubic feet..
Health:
Cases of communicable disease
Deaths resulting therefrom -..
Marriaees
New families...
Postal receipts
Telephones-.
$7. 817, 500. 00
$36, 296, 733. 02
$47, 949, 366. 21
91
$198,275.00
183
21,646
3,844
80,242
5,834
13. 231
96, 264, 000
104
57
$54, 452. 56
20.516
2 $1,408. 700. 00
2 $7. 839, 785 64
2 $473, 007. 85
2 18
2 $93, 405. 00
2 12. 626
2 1.191
2 1. 552
1, 862, 000
2 10
U
116
2 $5, 328. 01
2 236
2 $839, 600. 00
2 $6. 403. 159.49
2 $2,121,530.99
234
2 $61, 250. 00
2 19
24
2 2, 886, 914
2 538
2 6, 945
2 166
2 6, 101
2 14,631,000
> $3, 755. 17
2 1,316
> Decrease.
'Increase.
5496 HARTFORD HEAJRINGS
Monthly husiness survey, Waterhury, Conn. — Continued
MONTH OF NOVEMBER 1940
Month of No-
vember 1940
Compared with
October 1940
Compared with
November 1939
Bank clearings -..
Bank debits
Bank savings
Building permits:
Number
Value
Births -
Deaths..-
Electricity, kilowatt-hours --.
Employment:
Total employed in manufacturing, retail stores, and
publ ic utilities
Eight largest manufacturing concerns
Freight tonnage:
Less than carload cars received, tons
Carload cars received, tons
Less than carload cars forwarded, tons
Carload cars forwarded, tons ..-
Gas, cubic feet
Health;
Cases of communicable disease
Deaths resulting therefrom
Marriages -..
New families -
Postal receipts - -.-
Telephones
$7, 762, 400. 00
$33,671,011.19
$48,140,113.40
48
$90, 170. 00
178
115
19, 351, 386
40, 407
22, 269
3.258
66, 817
12, 741
100,411,000
1 $55, 100. 00
1 $2, 625, 721. 83
2 $190, 747. 19
143
1 $108, 105. 00
1 5
S27
1 651, 253
2 1,013
»623
I 586
1 13. 425
1865
1490
'4,147,000
$47, 012. 40
20, 703
2 $526, 100. 00
2 $2, 676, 763. 40
2 $2, 226, 469. 16
2 10
2 $2, 170. 00
2 26
2 4, 132
2 2, 657
2 216
■ 2 9, 677
'291
2 5, 339
2 12,581,000
8 14
I 1
12
$7, 440. 16
2 187
! $1, 760. 07
2 1, 407
» Increase.
MONTH OF DECEMBER 1940 AND COMPARISON OF TOTALS FOR THE YEAR
Month of
December
Compared
with Novem-
ber 1940
Compared
with
ber
Total for the
year 1940
Total com-
pared w ith
the year 1939
Bapk clearings
Bank debits.
Bank savings..
Total number of de-
positors
Births
Building permits:
Number
Value
Deaths
Electricity, kilowatt-hours
Employment:
Total employed in
manufacturing, re-
tail stores and public
utilities
8 largest manufactur-
ing concerns
Freight tonnage:
Less than carload cars
received, tons
Carload cars received,
tons
Less than carload cars
forwarded, tons
Carload cars for-
warded, tons
Gas, cubic feet
Health:
Cases of communi-
cable disease
Deaths resulting there-
from
Marriages
New families.-
Postal receipts
Telephones ..
$8, 323, 300. 00
135, 905, 089. 25
$48, 653, 224. 34
2 $560, 900. 00
$2, 234, 078. 06
2 .$513, 110. 94
1 $79, 300. 00
2 .$3, 240, 653. 83
2 $2, 382, 548. 34
7, 035. 00
88
. 382. 103
41,053
22, 698
11,546
103, 1 18, 000
2
33
40
$82, 469. 75
20,904
1 27
2 20
! $1.36, 865. 00
127
2 30, 717
127
2 38
2 $167, 575. 00
I 17
2 2, 849, 906
3, 193
2 175
6,130
151
1 1, 195
' 2, 707, 000
2 14,!
4,511
75,000
2 $35, 457. 35
2 201
;, 862. 54
2 1, 470
$86, 849, 700, 00
$372. 499, 588. 66
$•18, 653, 224. 34
82, 624
2,121
710
$1,946,315.00
1,173
207, 997. 310
8 19, 889
34, 278
703, 596
55, 111
95, 774
1, 105, 023. 800
787
51
881
415
$590, 709. 38
20,904
2 $5. 213, 000. 00
.$43,910,321.08
2 $2, 382, 548. 34
2 2, 170
'97
2 211
2 $893, 680. 00
2 51
2 22, 767, 480
2 8 3, 535
2S2,661
2 477
2 86, 673
1 1,190
1 40, 594
2 120. 940, 800
"26
2 136
2 $33, 793.
2 1,470
1 Decrease.
Increase.
Average.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
Monthli/ hxsmess survey, Waterhury, Conn. — Coutinued
MONTH OF JANUARY 1941
5497
Bank clearings...
Bank debits
Bank savings
Building permits:
Number...
Value
Births
Deaths.
Electricity, kilowatt hours _.
Employment:
Total employed in manufacturing, retail stores and
public utilities
8 largest manufacturing concerns
Freight tonnage:
Less-than-carload ears received, tons
Carload cars received, tons
Less-than-carload cars forwarded, tons
Carload cars forwarded, tons
Gas. cubic feet
Health:
Cases of communicable
Deaths resulting therefrom
Mai-riages
New families.
Postal receipts
Telephones
Month of
January 1941
$7, 388, 600. 00
$37, 650, 103. 62
$49, 492, 763. 46
$91, 075. 00
196
126
21, 538, 801
5,419
11, 046
112, 488, 000
122
12
51
25
$51, 158. 08
21, 159
Compared with
December 1940
1 $934, 700. 00
2 $1,745, 014. 37
2 $839, 539. 12
135
' $135, 960. 00
2 45
2 504
2 9, 370, 000
$31,311.67
2 256
Compared with
January 1940
2 $681, 600. 00
2 $6, 465, 436. 41
2 $2, 560, 081. 35
2 16
1 $55, 425. 00
2 30
3 6, 657
2 4, 704
2 391
2 5, 699
2 12,780,000
2 $3, 587. 93
2 1, 579
> Decrease.
2 Increase.
MONTH OF FEBRUARY 1941
Month of
February 1941
Compared
with January
1941
Compared
with February
1940
Bank clearings
Bank debits
Bank savings
Building permits:
Number
Value
Births.
Deaths
Electricity, kilowatt hours
Employment:
Total employed in manufacturing, retail stores,
public utilities, etc..
8 largest manufacturing concerns...
Freight tonnage:
Less-than-carload cars received, tons..
Carload cars received, tons
Less-than-carload cars forwarded, tons.. —
Carload cars forwarded, tons
Gas, cubic feet.
Health:
Cases of communicable
Deaths resulting therefrom
Marriages
New families
Postal receipts...
Telephones
$6, 749, 700. 00
$32, 542, 436. 12
$49, 646, 010. 61
34
$53, 075. 00
162
43, 275
24,284
3,579
66, 021
11,' 602
998, 000
117,
126
3
48
40
$43, 046. 47
21, 421
1 $638, 900. 00
■ $5, 107, 667. 50
2 $153, 247. 15
21
I $38, 000. 00
"34
112
1 481, 087
2 425
1 3, 148
126
2 556
! 5, 510, 000
24
$8, 111.
2 $465, 600. 00
! $5, 323, 220. 78
! $2, 612, 003. 49
2 12
1 $14, 300. 00
125
26
2 4, 328, 144
2 8, 177
2 5,405
2 780
2 16, 525
2 1, 044
2 6, 951
2 17,804,0001
29'
14
J 22
a $283. 84
2 1, 748
1 Decrease.
2 Increase.
5498 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Monthly business survey, Waterhury, Conn. — Continued
MONTH OF MARCH 1941
Month of
March 1941
Compared with
February 1941
Compared with
March 1940
Bank clearings
Bank debits
Bank savings
Building permits:
Number -
Value
Births
I>eaths_
Electricity, kilowatt-hours
Employment:
Total employed in manufacturing, retail stores,
public utilities, etc
8 largest manufacturing concerns
Freight tonnage:
Less-than -carload cars received, tons
Carload ears received, tons
Less-than-carload cars forwarded, tons
Carload cars forwarded, tons
Gas, cubic feet
Health:
Cases of communicable disease
Deaths resulting therefrom
Marriages
New families
Postal receipts
Telephones
$7,399,000.00
$37, 910. 342. 15
$49, 708, 073. 68
57
$113,900.00
202
105
20,639,411
24^746
4,179
78,311
5.981
12, 134
117,853,000
134
5
33
57
$50, 283. 38
21, 640
2 $649, 300. 00
2 $5, 367, 906. 03
2 $62, 063. 07
2 23
2 $60, 825. 00
2 10
2 624
2 462
2 532
1 145, 000
2 $1. 148. 200. 00
2 $9. 775. 847. 04
2 $2, 549, 103. 72
238
2 $92, 850. 00
228
' 7
2 5,067,189
2 5, 945
2 1,480
2 22, 524
2 1, 835
2 7,543
! 21, 125, 000
2 47
12
2 11
' $7, 236. 91
2 219
MONTH OF APRIL 1941
Month of
April 1941
Co^-pijred with
March 1941
Compared with
April 1940
$7, 779, 600. 00
$40, 538, 826. 75
$50,031,267.02
102
$283,025.00
186
98
21,782,431
44,510
25, 141
4,059
68, 841
6,102
11, 200
111,412,000
114
5
96
51
$50,050.76
21, 772
2 $380, 600. 00
2 $2, 628, 484. 60
2 $323, 193. 34
2 45
2 $169, 125 00
116
' 7
2 1,143,020
2 611
2 395
1120
1 9, 470
2 121
1934
16,441,000
120
2 63
2 $371 600 00
2 $11, 513. 876. 47
Bank savings
2 $2, 521, 483 99
Building permits:
2 31
Value
1 $85, 225 00
Births .- --
•3
Electricity, kilowatt-hours
2 5 768, 106
Employment:
Total employed in manufacturing, retail stores,
public utilities, etc
2 9, 405
8 largest manufacturing concerns
Freight tonnage:
Less thancarload cars received, tons
Carload cars received, tons
Less-than-carload cars forwarded, tons
Carload cars forwarded, tons
2 6,556
2 1, 614
2 20.289
2 2.042
2 7 059
Gas, cubic feet
2 19,255,000
257
Health:
Cases of communicable disease
21
>4
New families
Postal receipts
1 $232. 62
2 132
2 $2 894 79
'21,922
No change.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
Monthly business survey, Waterbury, Conn. — Continued
[May report omitted]
MONTH OF JUNE 1941
5499
Bank clearings
Bank debits
Bank savings
Building permits:
Number
Value
Births
Deaths
Electricity, kilowatt-hours
Employment:
Total employed in manufacturing, retail stores, pub-
lic utilities, etc
Eight largest manufacturing concerns
Freight tonnage:
Less-than-carload cars received, tons
Carload cars received, tons
Less-than-carload cars forwarded, tons
Carload cars forwarded, tons
Gas, cubic feet
Health:
Cases of communicable disease
Deaths resulting therefrom
Marriages
New families
Postal receipts
Telephones
Month of
June 1941
.$7, 515, 100. 00
$40, 806, 279. 15
$49,431,403.87
82
$607, 235. 00
230
96
22, 437, 290
45, 750
25, 750
4.206
112, 775
6,085
13, 569
99,085,000
55
5
206
51
$48, 810. 32
22, 244
Compared
with May
1941
1 $3, 171,500.00
1 $3, 361, 862. 06
1 $188, 142. 40
140
2 $236, 870. 00
160
2 10
1 614, 004
2 402
2 112
1432
2 42,640
1 541
2 2, 331
3, 167, 000
148
2 $716. 23
2 194
Compared
with June
2 $372, 500. 00
2 $11, 708. 840. 46
2 $2, 325, 568. 73
21
2 $405, 480. 00
2 48
27
2 6, 108, 363
2 10. 401
2 6, 974
2 1,862
2 69. 219
2 2,019
2 7,150
2 16,792,000
29
21
2 61
! $7, 978. 71
2 2,266
Mr. Riley. I wish to offer, as exhibit 14, a report by Mr. Sidney
E. Cornelius, of the Manufacturers' Association of Hartford County.
(The report referred to above is as follows:)
Exhibit 14-A. — Points of Origin of Labor Supply
REPORT BY SIDNEY E. CORNELIUS, MANAGER AND SECRETARY, MANUFACTUREXS
ASSOCIATION OF HARTFORD COUNTY, HARTFORD, CONN.
Over a period of 12 months, beginning September 1939 and ending August 31,
1940, this association made a survey for its own information and that of other
interested agencies of tliis particular condition.
It was found that, of more than 22,000 accessions to pay rolls of member
factories in Hartford County during that period, 70 percent were residents of
the county. In making the count, bearing in mind that charges of a great
influx of workers from other States and other parts of this State must be met
with meticulously conservative refutation, those who gave as a last place of
employment factories in localities out of Hartford County, regardless of the
fact that they may have listed a Hartford County address, were placed as out-
siders. In spite of this, the percentage of Hartford County people was high.
While 85.1 percent of the total came from Connecticut, only 7.1 percent were
recorded as from Massachusetts. The percentage from all other States was
but 7.8 percent.
5500 HARTFORD HEARINGS
We have supplemented this report with another survey continuing from
September 1940 to date. A slight, but natural change in the percentages is
noted. It was found that the total from Hartford County had dropped to
65 7 percent. From other parts of Connecticut the percentage lowered to 12.9
from the previous 15.1. The Massachusetts influx increased slightly to 8.4
and a larger increase of workers from other States brought that total up to
13 percent.
This is indicative of the fact that the local source of supply is dwindling.
We look, however, for a percent increase within the next several months of
accessions from Hartford County people as a result of training courses for the
high-school students soon to be released by graduation.
A parallel check to determine points of origin in the State of Connecticut of
people hired specifically in metropolitan Hartford factories was obtained as the
result of a spot survey covering the period of a week in the month of March of
1,164 accessions.
Seventy-five percent of these originated in Hartford County ; 2.3 percent, Litch-
field County ; 0.6 percent, Fairfield County ; 4 percent. New Haven County ; 4.6
percent, Tolland County ; 3.6 percent, Windham County ; 3.7 percent. New London
County; 6.2 percent, Middlesex County. Fifty-three percent of the total were
from the greater Hartford area. Altogether 114 towns of the State were repre-
sented and fairly well covered the State geogi-aphically.
STUDY OF AGE GROUPS
A study of age groups obtaining jobs in industry in the county was also made
in conjunction with the influx surveys. While 82.4 percent of the male accessions
registered were under 40 years of age, leaving 17.6 percent for those over 40, this
did not tend to upset the known and constant percentage of males over 40 years
retaining and obtaining employment in the factories.
In August of 1938 the Manufacturers Association of Hartford County, at the
end of a year marked by depression and separations, published the result of a
survey which demonstrated that 47 percent of all male factoi-y workers retained
in the county were over 40 years of age. During the year of decreasing employ-
ment 77 percent of the men who had been separated from pay roll were under 40
years of age and only 23 percent were 40 or over.
While during the recently surveyed period 82 percent of the male hires were
under 40 years of age, an increase of 5 percent over the number previously sep-
arated, three important factors contributed to this result. The training program,
initiated by the manufacturers in cooperation with the Governor's committee,
introduced a large number of young men to factory work. Again the number of
available men of more mature years was dwindling. Thirdly, the greater pro-
portion of turn-over was in the inexperienced lower-age group. In spite of this,
considering the exceptional increase, the proportions are fairly well maintained.
A chart indicating these i)ercentages is attached as exhibit A.
TRAINING PROGBAM
Representatives of the association participated in a training program from the
time of its inception, when the Governor gave us to understand that a friendly
government in Connecticut would lend its oflicial aid to industi*y's attempt in a
practical and understanding way to reduce unemployment roles and give oppor-
tunity for training to persons within the State who, for one reason or another,
apparently were denied such opportunity heretofore.
The association's records of employment, of shortages of certain types of skilled
workers, and allied data, proved of extreme usefulness to the commission in con-
junction with the records of the State employment bureaus, which also were
cooperating in the movement.
That the program should have gotten under way in Hartford County even
before other parts of the State had approved the general plan and instituted their
own methods of operation is due largely to the cooperative spirit with which
the members of this association are imbued.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5501
PROCEDUKE OF TRAINING CAMPAIGN
Perhaps a brief recitation of what took place might prove interesting. As the
names of unemployed young and old were made available by the State employ-
ment offices they were given initial "screening" by the employment service to
determine their aptitude for mechanical training.
In factories where demand for certain types of operatives was particularly
pressing, personnel officers interviewed groups of candidates for training, and in
turn earmarked their cards for entrance into the night-shift coui'se which was
being developed in the trade-school building, with the indication that upon suc-
cessful completion of 200 hours of training the possibility of employment would be
open to them.
Industry made the instructors available for this special course. It in no way
interfered with the regular trade-school program, nor did it attempt to duplicate
its time-established long-term system. The purpose of the course contemplated
then was to make available for supplemental training of a specialized nature
men who at least could absorb some familiarity with production machinery or
process in the short space of 200 hours. It was felt that they were, at least, a step
in advance of those whom industrial plants would otherwise of necessity have to
take in "green."
SURVEY SHOWS SUCCESS OF PROGRAM
A recent survey made by the association, prompted by present-day conditions
that necessitate an expansion of the training and employment program, indicates
full well the success of the venture.
The survey disclosed also that the majority of the factories in Hartford County
have in training hundreds of regular apprentices. The majority of these are
taking part-time trade-school courses. In addition factories are giving specialized
training for their own individual needs to men and women by the hundreds as
machine operators and for single process jobs.
A tacit understanding among Hartford County manufacturers to avoid "labor
piracy," as it is termed, in other sections has contributed materially to the stabi-
lizing of the labor market in this area. In spite of this, investigation indicates
that a voluntary shifting of men, particularly within the territory, is marked.
A recent issue of the monthly statistical report of the association, herewith
attached as exhibit B, presents some interesting figures in this regard and also in
connection with tlie trend and increase of employment. It will be noted that in
the month covered by this report, of 3,307 separations in the county factories,
2,933 were voluntary quits, only 94 were discharges, and 280 lay-offs, presumably
on the score of inability to perform the task for which hired. The accessions in
that period totaled 5,710, giving the recorded net increase of 2,403.
COMPILATION OF HOUBLY EABNINGS
We attach as exhibit C sample sheets from a recent survey of hourly earnings.
In presenting this, it is incumbent upon us to explain that the association in no
manner attempts to determine high or low wages. It merely surveys its con-
stituent plants for the earnings paid in each of some 250 job classifications. These
results are compiled in the form indicated by the attached exhibit C These
reports provide for the individual member a gage to determine by comparison
the relation of the earnings of his employees to what we term the high, low, and
bracket of the majority. He is thus prepared to make such adjustments upward
as may appear to be necessary in order to prevent migration from his plant.
Of passing interest perhaps is the fact that the attached survey report listed
as exhibit D on the subject of handicapped workers prompted the association to
initiate a program calculated to utilize additional physically handicapped workers
trained for specific jobs. This, it is believed, if satisfactorily promoted, will
relieve able-bodied employees for advancement to other jobs requiring sound
physical condition. For instance, a man without legs can do bench assembly if
his hands are agile.
The types of jobs in which handicapped persons have been customarily em-
ployed are being surveyed and studied with this program in mind. This, it is felt,
will further tend to relieve the employment shortage situation.
5502
HARTFORD HEARINGS
1^3^
% is1?'o tsx izx
NOV.
ifif.% fit'/. ujy- '\LV^i'^^
V7.^7, ir?. i3.'tr.H7. izx
S-% vrV.5- •/« l3i%l23%J.lX (■%
LEGEND
AGE GROUPS
i^Tu
^y.^ %
/v.^^ ?.7 2^.«-;
JUNE
■HH^^ HI
20 7.
^0. %
/3% »?^V-^^ /iX
JULY
XS-L'A
vj^i %
/yv^/o^^^-r^ -7^
AUG
w^mk m\
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5503
Exhibit 14-6. — Statistical report, May 19^1, by Manufacturers' Association of
Hartford Comity, Hartford, Conn.
Number
of em-
ployees
Number
hours per
week per
Man-hour&
per month
Hartford district (43 plants):
April
May
Percent change:
April
May__
New Britain district (27 plants):
April. - - -.
May. - -..
Percent change:
April
May
Bristol district (12 plants):
April
May
Percent change:
April.
May
Total (82 plants):
April
May
Percent change:
April
May
55, 823
57, 654
+1, 831
22,703
22, 983
12, 785
13,077
91,311
93, 714
1,672
2,037
+4.1
+3.2
1,379
1,276
+1.6
+1.2
+3.3
+2.2
5,956
5,710
2,923
3,307
+3.4
+2.6
48.2
47.6
49.0
49.9
46.7
46.6
48.2
48.0
10, 769, 428
10, 990, 176
+220, 748
+4.4
+2.0
4, 449, 596
4, 588, 009
+0.2
+3.1
2, 391, 335
2, 437, 063
+45, 728
+4.2
17, 610, 359
18,015,248
+3.3
+2.2
Net gain (employment) per month:
June-December 1941. 14,648
January 1941... 3.664
February 2,881
Net gain (employment) per month— Con.
March 1,797
April 3,033
May 2,403
TURN-OVER, MAY 1941
Quit
Dis-
charged
Laid off
Separa-
tions
Acces-
sions
Differ-
ence
Hartford district
1,770
957
206
67
15
12
200
24
56
2,037
996
274
i;276
566
+1, 831
New Britain district
+28»
+292
Total
2,933
94
280
3,307
5,710
+2, 40S
COMPARATIVE STATISTICS OF INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY, HARTFORD COUNTY
Date
Employ-
ees (per-
cent of
normal)
Man-
hours
(percent of
normal)
Date
Employ-
ees (per-
cent of
normal)
Man-
hours
(percent
of normal)
Jan. 1, 1929 (accepted normal).
Sept. 1, 1929 (old peak)
July 1, 1937 (second peak)
100
105.6
119
100
103
96.1
124
173.4
177.9
100.4
May 1, 1941
161.8
June 1 1941
165.5
Note.— The figures used in these reports constitute an index. They do not represent total factories
nd employment in Hartford County.
5504
HARTFORD HEARLNGS
Hartford buuness indicators
Telephones
Savings deposits (last business day of month).
Bank debits --
Bank clearings
Gas consumption, cubic feet
Carloadings, tons
Electricity, kilowatt-hours. _
Building permits, value.
Manufacturing:
Employees
Man-hours
Life insurance sales
Families on direct and work relief
New cars
Advertising lineage --
Payrolls
Railway express shipments
Bankruptcies
Postal receipts
Water consumption, million gallons
March 1941
75, 125
$156, 356, 201
$276, 487, 913
$52, 477, 798
211,450.700
133, 378
35,513,000
$1,380,332
53, 576
10. 307, 336
40, 160, 000
1,552
1,821,310
$4, 080, 716
90,570
24
$275, 550
704. 50
February 1941
74, 702
$155, 874, 035
$231,064,506
$48. 099. 168
213, 420, 000
118.871
31.441.000
.$290, 429
52, 556
9, 840, 600
36,161,000
1,603
1, 473, 999
$3, 837, 492
77, 242
18
$257, 039
618. 47
68, 561
$150,015,133
$198. 280, .511
$53. 238, 674
201,310,000
94. 874
26, 369. 000
$296. 677
35.619
6. 085. 967
40, 625, 000
2,531
595
1.761.215
$2, 729. 017
81,139
4
$267, 752
622.96
Telephones
Postal receipts
Savings deposits (last business day of month)..
Bank debits
Bank cloirings
Oas consumption, cubic feet
Carloadings, tons
Electricity, kilowatt-hours
Building permits, value
Manufacturing (43 plants in Hartford district) :
Employees
Man-hours
Life insurance sales
Families on direct and work relief
Water consumption, million gallons
Advertising lineage
Payrolls.
Railway express shipments
Bankruptcies
73, 400
$273, 817
$156, 750. 339
$271,530,754
$64, 599, 898
187, 246, 400
141. 222
32, 942, 000
$427, 702
60,671
11,874,403
$38, 264. 000
996
764. 61
1, 780, 997
$4, 803, 508
82, 545
15
May 1941
74, 426
.$275,516
$156,8."i2, 198
.$276, 817, 389
$63,048,563
193, 008, 000
121,594
33, 012, 000
$374, 069
57, 654
10,990,176
$37, 431. 000
1,172
746. 15
1, 986. 378
$4, 709, 706
90,265
13
69, 045
$232, 618
$150. 247, 945
$192. 086, 832
$52,295,115
177,050,000
96. 566
25.110,000
$1,254,653
38, 167
6, 738. 478
$37,572,000
2.231
641.86
1,276.651
$2, 783, 230
72, 444
13
Exhibit 14-C. — Subvey of Hourly Earnings
REPORT BY MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OF HARTFORD COUNTY
The attached report is divided into three separate sections covering the Hart-
ford district, the New Britain district, and the Bristol district.
The Hartford report is based upon data submitted by 36 firms, and covers
40,804 employees under the job classifications selected.
In the New Britain district, 19 submitted the data, covering 17,463 employees.
The Bristol report is based on the figures of 9 firms, covering 10,164 employees.
The italic numerals at the top of the column indicate the hourly earnings in
cents. The numerous in roman show the number of employees earning the various
amounts as indicated.
No attempt to present averages has been made, but you will note that the next
to the last column is left blank for your use in striking the weighted average in
such instances as it may prove beneficial.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5505
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NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5507
Exhibit 14-D. — Survey of the Physically Impaibed
KEPOBT BY MANUFACTUREKS ASSOCIATION OF HABTFOBD COUNTY, HARTFORD, CONN.
The Manufacturers Association of Hartford County has just completed (March
24, 1941), another survey, prompted by the following extract from a letter by
Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins, addressed to Senator James M. Mead :
'•But very closely tied up with the older worker matter is the subject of pre-
employment physical examination. Our field workers are reporting from time
to time that while industries are waiving hiring limits for skilled mechanics they
still adliere to the preemployment physical examination technique which fre-
quently scares out the older workers. At the national conference on labor legis-
lation a year ago a resolution requested me to appoint a committee to inquire
into the effect of these preemployment examination practices. * *■ * it seems
to me that it would be desirable to modify your resolution to embrace this closely
related problem as it may also materially affect defense production."
The inquiry on the subject of handicapped workers, specifically those who were
without an arm or a leg, definitely lame, deaf mutes, or blind, sought also the
information as to whether they had been hired in spite of the condition, or re-
tained after the partial incapacity had occurred, and whether preemployment
physical examination was a practice of the company.
While in these cases the evidence of handicap is obvious, the insertion of the
query regarding preemployment physical examination was to demonstrate more
fully that its over-all effect was to enable the employer to select the proper
occupation for the employees in view of partial incapacities, rather than refrain
from hiring them.
Fifty-nine member factories contributed to the report.
They recorded an employment of 404 in the various categories enumerated
above ; 355 were male.
Of the total, all but 28 had been hired in spite of the physical condition.
About 70 percent of the factories reporting follow a practice of giving pre-
employment physical examination.
Forty of those reported as having only one arm were male, one female.
Thirty-four with one leg were male, one female.
Two hundred and twenty-one males were reported as definitely lame and 36
females.
Deaf mutes totaled 57 male and 24 female.
The greatest number employed by any one company was 86. Smaller com-
panies had proportionately less.
The type of work performed ranged through a diversity of job classificationss,
though in most cases clearly dictated by the incapacity suffered.
A large number of employees with but one eye were reported but no tally of
these was made because the handicap was not considered in the same light as
the other physical impairments.
[The following was submitted by Mr. Cornelius and received sub-
sequent to the hearing :]
Exhibit 14-E. — Negbo Workers in Hartford County Factories
Alleged unwillingness on the part of manufacturers in Hartford County to
employ Negroes prompted a survey by the association in April.
Thirty-eight factories reported that they were, and had been, employing Negroes.
The report disclosed that 898 Negroes were working in Hartford County factories,
as against 191 several years ago. Two hundred and fifty-nine were tallied in the
Hartford area alone. A number of Hartford plants have a larger percentage of
Negro employees to the white employees than the percentage of Negro population
to the white population in the area.
The job classifications filled by Negro workers in Hartford County factories are
varied, although comparatively few are skilled workmen. These jobs include
handy men on furnaces and hardening room, laborers, tumble-barrel operators,
driver of electric truck, yardmen, porters, clean-up and sweeper, chip cleaners,
elevator operators, washing-machine operators, skilled buffer, machine operator,
packing, enamel work, hand dipping, molder (foundry), casters' helpers, picklers,
janitor, janitress, matron, etc. There are six Negro women working in Hartford
County plants.
5508 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Since January 1, 1941, eight Negro men were enrolled in the special training
course at the State trade school. Five of these dropped out of their own volition
because of continued absence and lack of progress, another because of illness.
Another who left the school after a period of a little over a mouth now is employed
as a handler in a Hartford factory.
Mr. Riley. As exhibit 15, I wish to submit for the record an ex-
change of correspondence in connection with an unsuccessful effort
through the office of the Hartford County agent to place certain
southern workers in the Connecticut tobacco fields.
(The correspondence referred to above is as follows:)
Exhibit 15. — Coebespondence on Attempt to Place Union Workers From
THE South
SouTHEiRN Tenant Farmers Union,
Memphis Tenn., May 26, 1941.
Hon. John H. Tolan,
House Committee Investigating National Defense Migration,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Congressman Tolan : I am enclosing copies of correspondence with
Mr. William L. Harris, of Hartford, Conn.
You will note, in the last letter I received from him dated May 22, he stated
that two tobacco companies will write us in regard to employing two small
groups of workers. We are in hopes that these arrangements go throug'h as
there is a surplus of farm labor in this area.
I am going to contact the farm placement service here in regard to the
possibility of placing some of ^ our people in other defense areas where farm
labor is needed, and I will be glad to advise you as to the outcome of these
conferences.
In a few days, I will send a statement to Mrs. Norton on the labor contracting
bill.
Sincerely yours,
H. L. Mitcheij:^ Secretary.
[Copy]
American Sumatra Tobacco Corporation,
East Hartford, Conn., May 26, 19^1.
Mr. H. L. Mitchell,
Secretary, Memphis, Tenn.
Dear Sir: We are writing you this letter at the suggestion of Mr. Harris,
the county agent of Hartford County, Conn.
We could use farm laborers at $2.75 to $3 per day while working from the
middle of June to about September 1, 1941.
Board is obtainable at $7 per week and would be taken out of earnings each
week.
We could take 20 male farm laborers as above, and if they prove satisfactory,
we would take more later.
If necessary, we would advance cost of transportation with the understanding
that same would be taken out of earnings.
Kindly let us know all you can about the farm laborers you would supply
for employment under the above conditions.
Very truly yours,
American Sumatra Tobacco Corporation.
H. A. Kramer.
[Copy]
May 29, 1941.
American Sumatra Tobacco Corporation,
East Hartford, Conn.
(Attention Mr. H. A. Ki'amer.)
Gentlemen: I have your letter of May 26 and your offer of employment to
20 farm laborers to begin work about the middle of June.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5509
I note you are offering $2.75 to $3 per day. Is this the rate of two different
classifications of workers and also how many hours per day will they be
required to work?
Also, you state that board is obtainable at $7 per week and would be taken
out of earnings each week. Will you please explain just what the arrange-
ments are for securing board and room under these terms and if it would
be possible for them to make any other arrangements they may wish to make
under their own initiative?
Also, will they be paid each week, and if any cash advances are made, will
there be extra charges?
The above questions have already been raised by several people who are
interested in securing this work, and I would like to have this information so
there will be no misunderstanding on the part of any laborers we may send
you.
Many of our people are Negros, and it is quite possible that the majority
we send will be colored. We will send only good workers who are capable of
doing a full day's work though it must be uuder.stood that they will be com-
pletely unaccustomed to working in tobacco.
Transportatif n would necessiarily have to be advanced, and I have lookeil
into the rates by bus. The fare would be $15.25 one way or $27.50 round trip
with a possible reduction if as many as 20 are sent at each time.
Pending receipt of your reply to this letter, I am selecting a group of 20 who
can leave on or about June 15. Before they are sent, will send you names,
addresses, ages, and past working expe.it nee of each person.
We appreciate your offer of employment to some of our people and since there
is a surplus of farm labor in this area, I think we can supply the number
required to meet your needs.
Yours very truly,
H. L. Mitchell, Secretary.
[Copy]
American Sumatra Tobacco Corporation,
East Hartford, Conn., June 2, 19^1.
Mr. H. L. MiTCHsxL,
Secretary, Memphis, Tenn.
Dear Sir : We wish to thank you for your letter of May 29.
Hawever, as we have meanwhile made other arrangements, we will not be
interested in your farm laborers this year.
Very truly yours,
American Sumatra Tobacco Corporation,
[Signetl] H. A. Ivramlr.
[Copy] '
June 6, 1941.
American Sumatra Tobacco Corporation,
East Hartford, Conn.
(Attention: Mr. H. A. Kramer.)
Gemtlemen : This will acknowledge receipt of your letter of June 2 in which
you state that other arrangements have been made for farm laborers this year.
Wo regret that this is the case since we had notified 20 very good people to
be ready to leave on the 15th.
Yours very truly,
H. L. Mitchell, Secretary.
[Copy]
June 6, 1941.
William L. Harris,
County Agent, Hartford, Conn.
De^r Mr. Harris: I enclose a copy of a letter I have just received from the
American Sumatra Tobacco Corporation and my reply to it.
Will you take up with other companies the question of taking some of our
people since we had made certain commitments to some of our members on the
basis of the offer made us recently.
60396— 41— pt. 13 32
5510
HARTFORD HEARINGS
I understand some 75 Negro college boys from this city will be sent by the
United States Employment Service. I wonder if we might work out arrange-
ments through this Employment Service for sending our people up there.
The only reason I see for the refusal of the Sumatra Tobacco Coriwration to
stand by its offer is the fact that these people would be coming from a union.
Anything you can do to help us will be greatly appreciated. May I hear from
you at j'our earliest convenience?
Sincerely yours,
H. L. MiTCHEix, Secretary.
Southern Tenant Faemers Union,
Memphis, Tenn., June 9, 1941.
Congressman John H. Tolan,
House Committee Investigating National Defense Migration,
Washington, D. C.
Deiar Congressman Tolan : I enclose additional copies of letters in reference
to labor being sent to Connecticut tobacco fields.
You will note that the tobacco company, after making a definite offer to us,
later refused to take workers that were members of our union.
I have found the Arkansas-Tennessee Farm Placement Service very helpful
and I understand they are sending some Negro boys from a Negro college here
in Memphis to work in Connecticut. Mr. E. W. Normant, 122 Union Avenue,
Memphis, Tenn., who, I believe, appeared at the Montgomery hearing, told me
of these people being sent.
I would like to clear with the county agent in Hartford before authorizing
our correspondence being entered in the record. I am sure he will have no
objections but I feel he is due this courtesy.
Sincerely yours,
H. L. Mitchell, Secretary.
June 9, 1941.
[Copy]
William L. Harris,
County Agent, Eartfm-d, Conn.
DEiAB Me. Harris : I have had some correspondence with Congressman Tolan
of the House Committee Investigating National Defense Migration, in Washing-
ton, D. C, and he has requested copies of our correspondence for the records.
This is quite agreeable to me, but I feel that I should have your consent that this
material be inserted in the committee's records.
I worked with Congressman Toland last fall and have been in touch with him
since i-eturning here.
May I hear from you about this matter?
Also, I would appreciate anything you can do on placing some of our people, as
we are getting a number of inquiries about these jobs.
Sincerely yours,
H. L. Mitchell, Secretary.
[Copy]
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics,
State of Connecticut,
June 12, 1941.
Mr. H. L. Mitchell,
Memphis, Tenn.
Dear Mr. Mitchell : I appreciate your writing in regard to turning over our
correspondence to the Tolan investigating committee. This is perfectly agreeable
to me. If you do not have copies of any letters, I think we have copies of all of
them from both parties.
I wish to assure you that I am still trying to find places for the men we had
jointly assured of jobs in the Connecticut Valley. I have no specific report to
make at the moment.
Most cordially yours,
Wm. L. Harris, Jr., County Agent.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 55X1
(lu addition to the two letters preceding, a signed release for publication of the
two letters from the American Sumatra Tobacco Corporation is he Id in committee
:files.)
(As exhibit 16 there is here inchicled a statement, received by the
committee, subsequent to the hearing, from the Division of Defense
Housing Coordination in the Executive Office of the President :)
Exhibit 16. — Recommended Defense Housing Progkams in the Connecticut
Defense Areas
J;EP0RT by the division of defense housing coordination in the EXECUTIV'K
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
On the basis of all information available from Government agencies and pri-
vate sources in the way of surveys, reports, and memoranda providing data
as to defense activities, labor need and supply, in-migration, vacancies, recent
construction and housing conditions generally within the area, the Coordinator
of Defense Housing has determined and recommended to the President pro-
grams for the housing of defense workers in the following areas in the State
of Connecticut : Bantam, Bridgeport, Bristol, Hartford, New Britain, New
London, Waterbury.
BANTAM
For Bantam, Conn., situated in Litchfield County, 37 miles west of Hart-
ford, a program has been approved for the construction by the Federal Works
Agency of 40 houses to be occupied by industrial defense workers at an ap-
proximate monthly rental of $25 to $35. Bantam is a somewhat typical
example of a small rural town, where industry has secured sizable defense
■contracts, so that it is necessary to bring in workers from outside for whom
rental housing is not available. Equipment for military bombers and other
types of planes is manufactured in this locality. It was reliably reported that
100 additional workers would be necessary to the labor supply in this locality
by August 1941. Practically all vacancies had been absorbed, and all possible
labor had been drawn from the practical commuting area ; so it was deemed
necessary to provide additional houses for the accommodation of that portion
(if the in-migrants to the locality expected to be married workers with
families. Since building by private enterprise was extremely meager, it was
believed that such building would not be provided in sufficient numbers or soon
enough to meet the need.
BRIDGEPOET
Bridgeport, county seat of Fairfield County, is located in the southwestern
part of the State. This area, one of the primary suppliers of defense ma-
terials during World War I, is again a place of considerable defense activity,
necessitating the importation of labor from outside a feasible commuting
radius. In this region the Coordinator of Defense Housing has recommended
the provision of 4,600 additional dwellings to accommodate the families of de-
fense workers. It is recommended that 2,400 be provided by private enter-
prise at rentals ranging from $35 to $60 per month. Provision is made for
2,200 units to be constructed by the Federal Works Agency at rentals from
S20 to $o5 per month. In addition, 250 dormitory units and 200 portable
houses, programed for construction under the Farm Security Administration,
are held in temporary deferment pending receipt of further information.
The main factors which have contributed to the need for this housing in the
Bridgeport locality are the expansion of facilities for the production of small
arms and ammunition, artillery ammunition, airplanes, aluminum, and other
miscellaneous products on defense orders, both direct and under subcontracts.
Indication of the number of workers to be brought into this locality is
shown in a report of the Bureau of Employment Security, dated December
23, 1940, in wliich it was estimated that 10,000 additional employees would
be required by July or August 1941. Of these, it was estimated that 7,800
would be men and 2,200 women.
A supplement to this report dated February 4. 1941, reported an increase in
total requirements to approximately 12,000. Other reliable estimates indicate
5512 HARTFORD HEARINGS
that this fifrure mav be nearer 15,000 with a possibility that anticipated im.
portation uji,i;ht increase to as many as 8,500. Of these, 8,500 workers who are
likely to migrate into the Bridgeport area, it is estimated that approximately
50 percent or 4,250 will be married.
The housing census of 1940 reported a gross vacancy of 1,327 units or a
ratio of 3.3 percent, as of April 1, 1940. A survey conducted by the Work
Projects Administration in December 1940 indicated a vacancy ratio of less
than 0.9 percent. Vacancies in nearby towns from which workers might com-
mute were also reported to be very low. Rental increfses averaging from
about 8 to 13 percent for the period October 15, 1940, to January 15, 1941, are
reported by the Bureau of Labor S atistics for about 10 percent of rental units;
rentals on'the remaining 90 percent had remained the same or declined during
this period.
New construction for which permits were recorded in Bridgeport during
1939 provided 1,588 dwelling units, including 1,251 built by the United States
Housing Authority, and in 1940, 948 units were provided, including 516 built
by the United States Housing Authority. For the first 5 months of 1911, a
total of 853 permits were recorded, of which 600 were for publicly financed
defen.se housing. This construction, together with that provided in nearby
localities, indicated a private building rate of approximately 100 houses per
month for the area. Reports of private agencies indicate tha,t private enter-
prise in the locality is willing and able to undertake construction of neces-
sary dwellings except those in the lower rental and sales brackets. The
financing provisions of title VI of the National Housing Act are available iu
this area and it is hoped that private builders, through the help of the Federal
Housing Administration in this respect, will be enabled to provide the private
housing program.
BRISTOL
For Bristol, Conn., situated in Hartford County, the Defense Housing Co-
ordinator has recommended a program of 300 dwelling units for industrial
defense workers, 2no to be built by Federal Works Agency at approximate
shelter rentals of $20 to $30 per month and 100 to be privately built at ap-
proximate rentals of $35 to $50 per month.
Defense ac ivities which have caused expansion of plant facilities and the
need for additional employment include the manufacture of aircraft parts,
machine tools, and a diverse number of articles necessary to the defense ih'o-
gram. Much of this material is produced on a subcontract basis rather than
under direct Government contract. According to the Bureau of Employment
Security survey, dated January 25, 1941, it is estimated that between 1,050 and
1,550 additional workers will be needed in manufacturing plants in Bristol
during 1941. A Federal Housing Administration memorandum of March 1, 1941,
on the current housing situation puts the number at 1,100. The present demand
will be for unskilled and inexperienced workers adaptable to training.
There has been no marked influx of workers as yet into this area, and since
most of the workers needed will be unskilled and semiskilled machine oiierators
who will be trained on the job, the basic problem is whether a sufl!i?ient
number of unskilled and inexperienced workers for training are available.
Since Bristol is predominately a manufacturing town, relatively few workers
are available in other industries for transfer. It appears that it will be
necessary to import 300 to 400 unskilled workers to start at wages that will
not exceed $20 to $25 per week.
Vacancy data indicate an extreme housing shortage in the Bristol locality,
the housing census of April 1, 1940, reporting only 81 units available for sale
or for rent in Bristol, this being about 1 percent of all units. Vacancies in
surrounding towns within the commuting area are also reported as extremely
low. A later survey of vacancies conducted on January 23, 1941, for the
Bristol housing committee by postal carriers reports only 15 vacant units
available in Bristol and another 5 in Terryville, a small village adjoining the
west boundary of Bristol. A subsequent check on February 3, revealed that
of these 20 units, only 4 remained for sale or rent on the latter date. In
May 1941 a sample survey conducted by the Work Projects Administration
reported vacancies to be about 1.0 percent of total; habitable units for rent
being anly 0.2 percent of total. Rent increases averaging 15 percent for 40
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 55I3
percent of all rental proper.ties over the period March 1940 to May 1941 were
reported in a special survey of rental changes made by the Work Projects
Administration.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports building permits for new construc-
tion for a total of 78 dwelling units in Bristol during 1939, this figure rising
to 132 in 1940 and 35 for ,the first 4 months of 1941. The consensus among
businessmen is that private enterprise cannot take care of the 1941 demand
for rental housing in Bristol without stimulus. Title VI provisions of the
National Housing Act, now in effect in this area, should prove an aid to the
stimulation of private building.
HAKTFORD
The Hartford locality, including the surrounding towns of East Hartford,
Newington, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor, is probably the primary
defense area in the State. For this area there have been programed by the
Defen.se Housing Coordinator 3,085 permanent dwelling units to be used imme-
diately by workers in defense industries, plus 372 temporary demountable
dormitory units and 200 trailers. Of the 3,085 dwellings recommended to be
constructed, 1,000 are to be built by the United States Housing Authority
through the local housing authority; for these tentative rentals have been
established from $20 to $30 per month. The Federal Works Agency is to
construct 585 units for which similar rentals are to prevail, and private in-
dustry is allocated the construction of 1,500 units for which rentals of $30
to $50 per month are recommended. The need for the 372 dormitory units
results from the large number of single men or married men without families
who have been brought to the Hartford locality from elsewhere and have found
that rooms within reasonable commuting distance are not available. The
need for the 200 trailers results from the lack of shelter for the families
of the industrial-defense workers within reasonable commuting distance of
the industrial plants, and these trailers are, therefore, being provided to
]-elieve the housing shortage until the completion of the permanent family
dwelling units mentioned above.
As of recent date, the 1,000-unit United States Housing Authority project is
reported 23 percent completed, and at the same date provision of the trailers
and dormitory facilities by the Farm Security Administration is reported 40
percent complete.
The main factors which have contributed to the need for housing in the
Hartford area are as follows: (0) The establishment of military facilities
at the Hartford Municipal Airport, and the assignment of enlisted personnel
and civilian employees thereto; (ft) the expansion of facilities for the pro-
duction of airplane motors, machine tools and gages, and small arms and
machine guns. According to the best estimates available, between 10,000
and 12,0rx» additional employees will be required by defense industries in
the Hartford area within the year 1941. More than one-half of these additional
employees will be required by the middle of the year. An increase in industrial
employment in the Hartford area of 22,000 workers during the past year has
absorbed all of the locally available skilled labor, and about 6.000 employees
have already been hired from outside the Hartford area. Local training
facilities are expected by the Bureau of Employment Security to supply ap-
proximately 6,000 adaptable employees within the year. The greatest diffi-
culty from this standpoint seems to be in securing a suitable supply of trainees
locally. It will probably be necessary to import a part of the younger men
who are being prepared for work through these training courses.
In addition, it is probable that the remaining 6,000 employees will be drawn
into the area during the year. Of these it is estimated that approximately
one-half, or 3,000, will be married. The housing census of 1940 reported the
following vacancies for sale or rent in the Hartford area as of April 1940:
Units
Hartford (1.8 percent) 800
West Hartford (3 percent) 278
Ea.st Hartford (1.8 percent) 88
Manchester (1.5 percent) 98
Wethersfield (1.6 percent) 38
Total 1,302
5514
HARTFORD HEARINGS
In October 1940 the Work Projects Administration reported on the basis of a
sample vacancy survey conducted in Hartford, East Hartford, and West Hartford :
"At present the vacancy ratio is below 1 percent, and there are probably less than
200 dwelling units vacant and available for rent in the Hartford area." It is
believed that at the present time practically all of the vacancies in suitable con-
dition and for rent in ranges which defense industrial workers can afford to pay-
have been absorbed. Between October 1939 and February 1941 rents increased
an average of 9 percent for over one-quarter of rental properties, according to a
special Bureau of Labor Statistics survey.
Permits for new building in recent years in Hartford and the immediately
neighboring towns of East Hartford, Farmington, Manchester, West Hartford,
and Wethersfield were recorded for 1,029 units in 1939 (of which 146 public),
2,215 units in 1940 (of which 5G7 public), and 1,426 in the first 4 months of 1941
(of which 1,000 were for public defense housing). Title VI provisions of the
National Housing Act are available in this area as an aid to reducing the risks
of private builders in providing that construction programed for private enterprise,
NEW BRITAIN
For New Britain, Conn., which is located in Hartford County, a program of
housing for industrial-defense workers has been projected calling for 600 dwelling
units. Of these 600 units, 5^0 are being built by the Federal Works Agency, and
it is recommended that rentals approximate $20 to $30 per month. A project
containing 3(0 of these 50O units is reported more than 50 percent completed as
of recent date. An additional 100 units are recommended for construction by
private enterprise to provide accommodations at rentals of $35 to $40 per month.
Defense activity in this area which has contributed to the expansion of employ-
ment and the need for defense housing includes the manufacture of airplane and
bomb parts, ammunition components, gas mask parts, machine tools, and other
diversified products essential to the defense program.
According to the Bureau of Employment Security survey, dated January 25,
1941, it is estimated that a minimum of between 2,000 and 2 300 additional workei*s
will be employed in New Britain during 1941. The local supply of labor is inade-
quate to meet the anticipated hirings during the coming year even for inexper-
ienced workers and a general labor shortage looms as a possibility in the area.
Types of workers required for the most part will be unskilled and semiskilled
factory labor, although employers will demand experienced hands so long as they
can be secured. Based on the shortage of labor it is estimated that approxi-
mately l,CO0 to 1,200 workers will have to be imported during the current year.
Since local employers rely principally upon the defense training courses to supply
the necessary skilled workers, it is felt that the greater part of the workers to be
imiwrted will be unskilled. At the start these workers will receive about $20-$25
per week. The executive director of the local housing authority estimates that
50 percent of the workers to be imported will be married.
The extremely low level of vacancies in the area is indicative of the housing
shortage, the housing census reporting vacancies of only 125 units or 0.6 percent
of the total as of April 1, 1940. Subsequent surveys since this date show
an even more stringent situation with respect to available dwelling accommo-
dations. Rent increases averaging about 13 percent for two-thirds of rental
properties were reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics over the period
between October 1939 and April 1941. Building by private enterprise has been
unnble to keep pace with the needs for additional housing, especially in the
provision of rental housing which defense workers can afford on the basis of
prevailing earnings. Private building accounted for 76 units in 1939, 163 In
1940, and 42 in the first 4 months of 1941, according to recorded permits. Public
buildings supplied 340 United States Housing Administration units in 1940 and
300 defense housing units in the first 4 months of 1941. Provisions of title VI
of the National Housing Act are available in the New Britain area.
NEW LONDON
The New London area, including Groton and the other immediately surrounding
towns of Waterford, Ledyard, Stonington, and Norwich is located in south-
eastern Connecticut. On the basis of expansion of defense activity at the
United States Naval Submarine Base at New London and the Electric Boat Co.
in Groton, a defense-housing program for 800 family dwelling units has been
projected. In addition, 400 demountable dormitory units have already been
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5515
provided by the Farm Security Administration for single civilian defense
workers in the shipbuilding industry in order to meet the immediate needs for
housing this type of workman.
Of the 800 family dwellings programmed, 100 have already been built for
enlisted men at the submarine base directly by the Navy, and for these units
approximate rentals of $11 to $26 per month are recommended. The Federal
Works Agency is building 200 units for enlisted personnel at the submarine
base to rent at similnr amounts, and 400 units for workers of the Electric
Boat Co. for which approximate rentals of $20 to $50 per month are proposed.
Eecommendation is also made for 100 units to be built by private enterprise to
rent for approximately $25 to $50 per month.
Aside from the expansion of the submarine base and of employment at the
Electric Boat Co., there is in addition diverse manufacturing in this area which
will be stimulated both directly and indirectly by defense orders.
According to a Bureau of Employment Security survey dated March 13, 1941,
local labor is estimated to be sufficient for unskilled employment needs. The
importation of 500 skilled workers is deemed necessary. In view of other re-
ports this estimate is extremely conservative, partly because of the cautious
selection policy of the principal employer and partly because of the probability
of the extra employment required in other defense activity in the area.
A local survey in December 1940 reported a .stringent vacancy situation, and
a recheck in March 1941 found practically no habitable vacant dwellings within
the immediate vicinity of defense plants. Rent increases averaging 14 percent
for a fifth of all rental properties were reported in a special survey of the Work
Projects Administration for the period March 1940 to May 1941.
Private building is proceeding at a rate of around 50 new family dwelling
units per year. However, New London expects to lose between 40 and 50 dwell-
ing units this year by demolition as a result of the construction of a new bridge
between New London and Groton. The financing provisions of title VI of the
National Housing Act are now available in the area and it is hoped that under
these provisions private builders will be able to provide 100 additional dwellings.
WATERBUKY
In the Waterbury, Conn., area a large group of manufacturers, including the
American Brass Co., Chase Brass & Copper Co., Scovill Manufacturing Co.,
Waterbury Farrel Foundry & Machine Co., and Patent Button Co., have received
extensive defense contracts for ammunition components and other materials di-
rectly or indirectly essential to the defense program.
Although complete data on this situation are not yet available, it is apparent
that as a consequence of the expansion in employment a critical housing situa-
tion has resulted. Existing vacancies and current private construction are not
adequate to meet this housing need. A vacancy survey conducted by the Work
Projects Administration in February 1941 showed vacancies of only 1 percent;
rental vacancies being only 0.3 percent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports
permits for Waterbury of 138 units in 1939, 233 in 1940, and 72 in the first 4
months of 1941. The same agency reports increased rentals averaging 10 per-
cent for over half of all rental properties for the period October 1939 to April
1941.
Due to the extreme urgency of getting defense housing started for those de-
fense workers who are clearly out of the reach of private enterprise, because of
low incomes or because of the uncertain period of defense activity, the Coordina-
tor of Defense Housing has made a special preliminary recommendation for the
immediate building of 300 family dwelling units by the Federal Works Agency
with rentals tentatively recommended to approximate $25 to $35 per month.
The housing situation in Waterbury is currently being closely followed so that
attention will quickly be given additional needs for defense housing should they
appear on the basis of information gathered as to labor requirements and supply,
in-migration, vacancies, the rate of new construction and other pei-tinent data.
FINANCING PROVISIONS OF HOUSING ACT MADE AVAILABLE
In general, it should be emphasized that as an aid to stimulating new con-
struction by private industry in areas urgently requiring housing for defense
industrial workers, the financing provisions of title VI of the National Housing
Act have been made available in the Bridgeport, Bristol, Hartford, i^Ieriden
New Britain, New Haven, New London, and Waterbury areas by the I*ederal
rr j^ HARTFORD HEARINGS
Housing Admiuistration. The Division of Defense Housing Coordination is
keeping a close watch on the volume of new construction by privare industry
in these areas in relation to the defense-housing requirements. , , ^, ^
The defense-housing program in these Connecticut areas, as elsewhere through-
out the country, is organized to be as flexible and adaptable as possible, both
as to the type of housing judged best to meet the needs of any locality, be it
constructetl by private enterpi'ise or public agency and permanent or temporary
in type (even to the provision of trailers and demountable dormitories for
immediately urgent temporary needs), and adaptable to meet changing condi-
tions due to changes in the nature and direction of the defense program as
^ These areas in Connecticut where defense housing has already been pro-
grammed, as well as all other localities in the State where there is reason to
believe that the impact of the defense effort may adversely affect the housing
situation are under constant surveillance by the Division of Defense Housing
Coordination so that the housing requirements of industrial defense workers
may adequately be cared for with the least dislocation of normal economic
relationships consistent with the full accomplishment of the emergency pro-
gram. Further expansion of defense industry beyond that now anticipated, or
more rapid exhaustion of resident-labor supplies than is believed likely, would
necessitate revision of the hoysing program. Continuing reinvestigation of
these areas is, therefore, regularly carried on, so that changes in the local
housing requirements may be met by corresponding changes in the programs
for defense housing.
HOMES EEGISTKATION OFFICES
Homes registration offices have been set up by the Division of Defense Hous-
ing Coordination in the areas of Bridgeport, Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford,
New Britain, New Haven, and Waterbury. At New London, Stamford, and
Torrington, other such offices are being established which are not yet in
operation. One of the functions of these ofl^ices, besides their primary func-
tion of discovering all available existing accommodations in the locality and
relating them to the needs of defense workers, is to report to the Division of
Defense Housing Coordination the need for additional housing for defense
workers as determined by their records locally of available rental accommoda-
tions and of applications which are made to them by defense workers in
urgent need of a place to live.
This information, in addition to the large amount of material already
gathered reflecting the labor and housing situation in these areas, will be
an additional aid to the Defense Housing Coordinator in determining housing
needs for defense industrial workers.
(As exhibit 17, there is here induded a statement received by the
committee subsequent to the hearing, from Mr. Noel Sargent, secre-
tary, National Association of Manufacturers, of New York City,
which contains information applicable in part to industries of the
Connecticut area of national-defense activity, as well as to other such
centers throughout the country. The statement follows:)
Exhibit 17. — Recruitment and Training of Labor for Defense
report by noel sargent, secretary, national association of manufaottjrbiis,
new york city, n. y., july 7, 1941
The National Association of Manufacturers has undertaken surveys in the
months of January, February, April, and May of companies having defense
contracts. A different group of companies was covered in each of such surveys.
The following percentages of companies surveyed have reported shortages of
skilled labor:
Percent
January 45
February 55
April 41
May 56
Because there has been a great deal of discussion in recent months of the
iwssibility of industry going on a 24-hour 7-day basis, we also asked these com-
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5517
panles whether they would have a shortage of skilled labor if an effort were
made to operate on such a 168-hour week basis. The following percentages of
companies with defense contracts indicated that they would have a shortage
of skilled labor if they attempted to so operate :
Percent
January 73
February gg
April ~_ 7g
May , 89
SHIFTING OF WOKKEKS
We have no statistical information as to competition between employers "for
workers where the labor supply is inadequate." I wish to advise, however, that
the National Association of Manufacturers has, through its board of director!?,
taken the following position with reference to this :
Employers should cooperate with each other, and with Government and em-
ployees, in endeavoring to encourage workers engaged in defense production in
one area to remain in such areas. Such shifting is uneconomical since it may
involve unnecessary double training of workers, may encourage spiraling of costs
and prices, may create special housing troubles in many communities, and may
add to the problems of present defense production and postdefense reconstruction.
The problem of an adequate and efficient labor supply is of primary concern
to manufacturers today. Many employers are losing capable employees to other
employers, as well as to the Government, and replacements are difficult. Ex-
panding organizations suffer through inability to augment their present forces
by capable additions. Under these circumstances, the following suggestions
should be helpful toward bringing about an understanding of the present situation
and in centering thought on ways and means that may help to solve the
difficulties.
LABOR A LOCAL PROBLEM
While the emergency is a national one, the labor problem is essentially a local
problem, and to the extent that manufacturers can work out their problems
locally, the national objective will be facilitated.
The prosecution of the defense program is not necessarily helped by the move-
ment of employees from one defense industry to another, bec-ause obviously the
total employment is not increased. As a matter of fact, operations are slowed
down because of the probable lower efficiency of employees in new employment
as again.st their efficiency in their old employment.
Employers in nondefense industries would do well to reconcile themselves to the
probability that some of their employees will be taken by defense industries.
It seems obvious that the necessities inherent in the defense industries may bring
forth financial inducements to employees which employers in nondefense indus-
tries will not or cannot meet.
The foregoing considerations will vary in degree in localities. Joint meetings
of employers locally are suggested for the purpose of spreading a common appre-
ciation of the situation and exploring the opportunities for cooperation with the
objective of prosecuting the defense program most effectively and with the least
detriment to all. In such discussions, while emphasis may be placed upon the
primary importance of the defense industries, the desirability of facilitating
defense production with the least disruption of nondefense industries may prop-
erly be considered.
RECOM M ENUATION S
Out of the experience of several communities and those of manufacturers who
have for some time faced this problem and, with varying degrees of success
solved it, a review of some of the approaches that have been found helpful may
be of assistance to others.
We, therefore, make these recommendations :
(1) In the recruiting of new labor we believe employers should first make use
of all available agencies within their community whose primary concern it is to
supply employees, including Federal, State, and manufacturers' employment
services; and, further, that employers should utilize all available local labor
resources befoi-e resorting to the recruiting of additional labor from out.side their
local areas.
(2) The use of intensive short-term job training to develop rapidly an ade-
quate and efficient labor force.
5518 HARTFORD HEARINGS
(3) The necessity for continuous apprenticeship training during this critical
period to build up the nucleus of skilled labor essential to the welfare and
progress of the country.
(4) The use of upgrading.
(5) The fullest use of vocational and trade-school facilities in the community.
(6) We believe tlie use of such recruiting practices as advertising and general
solicitation for currently employed workers does not expand the total available
labor force and that these practices often disturb current defense production.
TRAINING PROGRAM
With reference to the problem of training programs within industry, I submit
herewith a memorandum analyzing the nature of training programs now being
conducted by several companies with defense contracts. I addition, I wish to
advise that our association lias taken the following position with reference to
the training of workers.
(a) One of the urgent problems in the Nation-wide effort to increase produc-
tion for national defense is tliat relating to the rapid training of a sufficient
supply of skilled labor.
(b) Employers should endeavor to augment the supply of skilled labor in occu-
pations where shortages now exist or are threatened. This involves an intensive
training program to develop an adequate supply of workers able to perform
^jecific operations and tasks to meet the emergency requirements of the national-
defen.se program.
(c) The task of training a labor force adequate to fill defense-production re-
quirements can most effectively be accomplished by industry itself, and we believe
that the basic principles enumerated below may serve as a guide to management
in meeting its individual training problem.
FACTORS IN SHORT-TERM TRAINING
It is recommended that consideration be given to these various factors that
enter into a short-term training program :
(1) That each company give some thought to the trade- and vocational-school
facilities available in its community for the purpose of cooperating with such
community efforts in a training program.
(2) That the technique known as job training, insofar as it is practicable and
feasible, serve as a basis for the training program. This technique, which is predi-
cated on the breaking down of complex jobs into their single component opera-
tions, has in many cases proved successful as a means o-f providing short-tyei'mi
instruction to unskilled and semiskilled workers by teaching them, on the ma-
chine, how to perform elficiently the single task or operation that will be required
of them.
(3) That all trainees be instructed on the specific machines they will be required
to use on the job.
(4) That all applicants be given ability tests to determine if they should be
given the proposed training.
(5) That adequate and competent instruction and supervision be made avail-
able to them during the period of their training.
(6) That employers give some consideration to the "vestibule school" technique
that was developed during the World War for the purpose of training unskilled
workers on the very threshold of the shop to familiarize them with various aspects
pt machine operation in a very short period of time. This method proved both
practical and valuable during the war period in turning out reasonably competent
machine operators in a comparatively few days' time.
(7) That each company give some study to the intensive short-period training
programs developed during the World War by the United States Committee on
Education and Special Training. Tliis committee developed high-speed training
techniques based on the theory of "teaching on the job" thirough performance
questions, problems, and guided discussions.
id) In approaching the problem of short-term intensive training, we believe
it is desirable to point out the difference between the training problem that exists
in mass-production industries and in those companies which are engaged in
specialty work, by reason of the fact that the job-training technique might prove
botli practical and feasible in building up the required labor supply for mass
industries, but would prove unsatisfactory for the specialty plants, wliich require
iill-around skilled mechanics for the largest part of their production work.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5519
(e) Another phase of the intensive, short-term training problem is the danger
inherent in developing a substantial number of semiskilled workers trained
in only one or a few of the single repetitive operations required for the national-
defense production program who will be unfitted for any other work when the
emergency of the defense program is over. In this connection, we believe it
to be desirable for all employers to give serious consideration to the possibility
of affording such employees the opportunity of rotating from one job to another
in the plant, so that they may progress from simple jobs to more complex ones
through a wider familiarity of production operations, and, further, that com-
panies should extend what cooperation they can in making it possible for such
employees to develop themselves into all-around mechanics. In this way such
■employees may be better equipped for peacetime work when the armament
period is over.
Training Programs in Plants Hamng Primary Government Defense Contracts
AS RFArEAI.ED BY "PeEPAREI>.\ESS THROUGH PRODUCTION" SURVEY CONDUOTED UnDE»
THE Auspices of the National Industrial Council
Various types of in-plant training programs were reported by 672 primary con-
tractors in 16 major industries, or almost one-half the total number of 1,393
primary contractors throughout the Nation, which were reported in the survev
(See table 1.)
The metal trades, including iron and steel, nonferrous metals, machinery, trans-
portation equipment, and railroad and machine repair shops accounted for almost
64 percent of all the plants reiiorting training programs. The next 10 percent of
these plants were in the textile industry, followed by 5 percent in the forest-
products industry. The remaining 21 percent were distributed among the other
9 major industries, ranging in importance from 3.6 percent in the stone, clay,
and glass industry to less than 1 iiercent in the petroleum and coal-products
industry. (See table 1.)
According to this survey 71 percent of the prime contractors manufacturing
products of petroleum and coal reported in-plant training programs ; printing and
publishing prime contractors and machinery prime contractors each accounted for
65 percent of their industry, rubber contractors for 64 percent. In no industry
were training programs reported in less than one-fourth of the plants. (See
.table 1.)
SIX TYPES OF PROGRAMS
Six major types of training programs were covered by this survey.' (See
table 2. ) The metal trades, including five major industries, accounted for between
58 and 72 percent of all the training programs.
Next to the metal trades, the textile industry reported most of the supervisory
trailing programs or 8.4 percent of the total in this category, 10.4 percent of the
machine-operator training programs, and 17.4 percent of the learner-training
programs.
The forest-products industry was second in importance in apprentice training
■with 5.7 percent of all the programs ; the chemical industry was second in im-
portance in technical training with 6.5 percent of the programs ; and the stone,
clay, and glass industry was second in short-term job training, with 7.1 percent
of the programs in this category.
The relative importance of the six types of programs is shown in table 3. For
all the 16 industries combined apprenticeship programs appear to be most im-
portant and were reported by 49 percent of the 672 plants having training pro-
grams : 46 percent of the plants had machine-oiierator training programs, followed
in order of importance by 35 percent of the plants with supervisory, 33 percent
with learner, 14 percent With technical apprentice, and 13 percent of the plants
with short-term job training.
The metal trades, with most of the training programs, followed all industries
fairly closely in the relative importance of the programs : 56 percent of its plants
had apprentice training, 48 percent reported machine-operator training, 35 percent
learner training, 32 percent supervisoi-y, 14 percent technical apprentice, and 12
percent short-term job training.
See Deflnition.s of Training Programs, p. 5520.
5520 HARTFORD HEARINGS
SUPEEVISOEY AND TECH^^OAL TRAINING
Supervisory training and teclinical training were relatively more important
in the petroleum-aud-coal-products industry than in any other, as 80 percent of
its plants had such programs. Apprentice training was most important in the
printing and publishing industry, where 73 percent of the plants reported such
program ; machine-operator training was most imiwrtant in the pai>er industry,
as attested by 75 percent of its plants ; learned programs were of greater relative
importance in railroad and machine-repair shops, with 60 percent of such plants
having these programs ;. and short-term job training, the least mmierous of all
the training programs, was of greatest relative importance in the chemical indus-
try, witli 29 i)ercent of its plants included in this category.
Table 4 shows the number of plants with defense contracts, which indicated that
they would be able, because of in-plant training programs, to expand their labor
force in 3 months in varying degrees without hiring additional skilled labor from
outside. The total nimiber, 687, represented one-half of the total number of
primary contractors in this survey.
Over one-half of the 697 plants were in the metal trades, where skilled labor
shortages have been reported in various parts of the country. Forest products
plants, textile plants, stone, clay, and glass plants, and chemical plants each
accounted for over 5 percent, and altogether for over 28 percent of the total. The
remaining 7 industries combined reported less than 19 percent of the total.
The ability to expand the skilled labor force from within was reported by 51
percent of the metal trades, 71 percent of the printing and publishing plants, 65
percent of the chemical plants, and 64 percent of the rubber plants. Of the 16
major industrie.«, only 5 indicated that fewer than 50 percent of their plants had
a potential skilled labor reserve.
If production were stepped up from present levels to a 3-shift-per-day basis,
441 plants, or 32 percent, of the 1,393 primary contractors in this survey would
require 65,816 additional skilled workers (see table 5). This is an average of
149 skilled workers per plant.
The metal trades comprised 62 percent of the total number of plants, and in-
cluded 61 jiercent of the total added skilled labor requirements. Forest products
industries accounted for the next 10 percent of the total number of plants, but
included only 4 percent of the total added labor requirements, whereas the textile
industry, accounting for 8 percent of the total number of plants, included 17
percent of the total added labor requirements.
The greatest number of added skilled labor per plant, 500, would be needed
by the rubber industry, followed by 325 per plant hy the textile industry. Six
industries were estimated to need more added skilled workers per plant than
the 149 computed for the national average ; these are, in addition to the rubber
and textile industries already mentioned, the leather, the nonferrous metal,
the machinery and the transportation equipment industries. The metal trades
combined would require 148 added workers per plant on a three shift basis of
production.
DEFINITIONS OF TRAINING PROGRAMS
Apprentice: An individual employed by a company for the purpose of re-
ceiving the long-term training, both theoretic and practical, necessary to become
an all around skilled artisan.
Technical apprentice : An individual employed for the purpose of receiving
intensive training in the technical aspects of production, i. e., engineering, etc.
Machine operator: An individual who operates either one or several parts
of a machine, or the machine as a whole.
Supervisory employee : One who directs the work of other employees ; acts
as management's representative and exercises the authority necessary to
achieve the production requirements of his position.
Learner : An unskilled individual given general training and instruction to
familiarize him with the operations of a given job. Often the learner is
trained to become a helper to a more proficient worker, and within a given
period may become a semiskilled or skilled worker.
Short-term job training: Is the technique of giving individuals intensive
short-term training on the machines which they will be expected to operate,
or on the particular job that they will be required to do. Generally, this
training is limited to a single task ; sometimes to two or three simple tasks.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5521
Table 1. — Summary, ly industries, of training programs in plants having
primary defense cotitracts
[Compiled by National Associations of Manufacturers from "Preparedness through production" survey
conducted by National Industrial Council]
Food and kindred products —
Textiles and their products...
Forest products
Paper and allied products
Printing, publishing, and allied products
Chemicals and allied products
Products of petroleum and coal
Rubber products
Leather and its manufactures
Stone, clay, and glass products
Iron and steel and their products not including
machinery
Nonferrous metals and their products ._
Machinery, not including transportation equip-
ment —
Transportation equipment, land, air, and water
Railroad and machine repair shops
Miscellaneous industries —
Total--
Metal trades
104
1,393
Primary con-
tractors report-
ing training
programs
1.5
10.1
5.2
1.2
1.6
2.5
.7
2.1
1.3
3.6
25.6
6.4
26.3
4.5
.7
6.5
Plants reporting training pro-
grams according to type
Table 2.-
-Percentage distribution by industry of six major types of training
programs
Food and kindred products
Textiles and their products
Forest products --
Paper and allied products
Printing, publishin?, and allied products
Chemicals and allied products
Products of petroleum and coal
Rubber products
Leather and its manufactures
Stone, clay, and glass products
Iron and steel and their products, not includ-
ing machinery .-
Nonferrous metals and their products- -
Machinery, not including transportation
equipment
Transportation equipment, land, air and
water . . -
Railroad and machine repair shops
Miscellaneous industries
Total-
-Metal trades-
Super-
visory
2.9
8.4
6.7
1.7
1.7
2.5
1.7
2.9
2.1
4.2
18.5
6.3
Appren-
tice
100.0
71.7
Techni-
cal ap-
prentice
29.0
5.4
100.0
63.4
Machine
operator
1.3
10.4
3.9
2.0
1.0
.4
17.4
4.0
1.3
1.3
6.7
28.6
100.0
66.5
Short-
term
job
22.4
4.7
5522 HARTFORD HEARINGS
Table 3. — Types of training programs as a percent of all plants in each industry
having training programs
Super-
visory
Appren-
tice
Technical
appren-
tice
Machine
operator
Short
term
job
Food and kindred products...
Textiles and their products
Forest products --
Paper and allied products
Printing, publishinR, and allied products
Chemicilsand allied products
Products of petroleum and coal
Eubber products
Leather and its manufactures
Stone, clay, and glass products.
Iron and steel and their products, not includ-
ing machinery
Nonferrous metals and their products-
Machinery, not including transportation
equipment
Transportation equipment, land, air, and
water.
Railroad and machine repair shops
Miscellaneous industries --.
Total
Metal trades.
Table 4.- — Summary and percentage dif^trihntion by indnittry and percent of
total number of plants in industry, of primary contractors able to expand
labor force in S months without hiring additional skilled labor
Industry
Food and kindred products
Textiles and their products -
Forest products... -
Paper and allied products -
Printing, publishing, and allied products..
Chemicals and allied products
Products of petroleum and coal
Rubber products ..-
Leather and its manufactures.
Stone, clay, and glass products
Iron and steel and their products, not including machinery.
Nonferrous metals and their products
Machinery, not including transportation equipment
Transportation equipment, land, air, and water.
Railroad and machine repair shops
Miscellaneous industries
Total
number
of pri-
mary
contrac-
tors
Total..
Metal trades.
1, 59:5
728
Primary contractors able to
expand labor force
Num-
ber
Percent-
are dis-
tribution
697 I
368 I
5 7
. 1
2,0
1.6
6.3
24.0
5 3
18.4
4.3
.9
8.5
ino.o I
52.8 I
Percent
of total
numoer
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5523
TABLE 5. — Summary and percentage distribution hij industry of added skilled
labor required by primary contractors, if production is stepped up from present
levels to a 3-shift basis
Industry
Food and kindred products
Textiles and their products
Forest products
Paper and allied products _
Printing, puMishin? and allied products
Chemicals and allied products
Products of petroleum and coal .._
Rubber products . . .
Leather and its manufactures
Stone, clay, and class products
Iron and steel and their products, not includlnsr machinery
Nonferrnu= mcta.« and their products.
Machinery, not including transportation equipment
Transportation equipment. land, air, and water
Railroad and machine repair shops
Miscellaneous industries
Total....
Metal trades
Added skUled
labor
Plants
reporting
Aver-
age
num-
ber of
Num-
Percent-
M
Percent-
work-
ber
aee dis-
ber
age dis-
ers per
tribution
tribution
plant
480
0.7
9
2.0
63
11,359
17.3
35
7.9
325
2,662
4.0
42
9.5
63
265
.4
5
1.1
63
477
.7
4
.9
119
985
1.6
19
4.3
52
18
(')
1
.2
18
3.002
4.6
6
1.4
50O
1,674
2.5
6
1.4
279
1,051
1.6
15
3.4
70
9.822
14.9
112
25.4
88
6,101
9.3
30
6.8
203
15. 280
2.3.2
102
23.1
160
8.915
13.5
24
5.4
371
93
.1
3
.7
31
3,652
5.5
28
6.3
130
65. 816
100.0
441
100.0
149
40. 191
61.1
271
61.5
148
1 Less than one-tenth of 1 percent.
(The followinor were also received subsequent to the hearing and
have been entered in the record as exhibits :)
Exhibit 18. — Purch.\sing Procedure of War Department
W.\R Department,
Office of the Under Secretary,
Washington, D. C, July 15, 19^1.
Hon. John H. Tolan,
Chaif^man of the Select Committee to Investigate Migratory Labor,
House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.
Dejar Mr. To'An: It is desired to clarify some points covered in a statement
hy Mr. N. W. Ford, manager of the Mannfacturers Association of Connecticut,
Inc., submitted to your committee in Hartford, Conn., on June 24 and June 25,
1941. The particular points at issue relate to his statements that: (1) The
Hartford Ordnance District Office acts primarily as a "forwarding office"; (2)
the HiM'tford office has no authorization to award prime contracts; (3) and,
that office should be authorized to award contracts for component parts.
In the first place it is evident that Mr. Ford is not clearly familiar with the
purchasing procedure now in force. In the lai'ge majority of cases bids re-
ceived for Ordnance materiel are negotiated. The Congress granted such
authorization to negotiate contracts, but in order to maintain a sufficiently
high degree of competition consistent with the expeditious placing of contracts
several districts are usually required to submit negotiated bids for the same
5524 HARTFORD HEARINGS
jirticle of muuitions. The actual awards have to be made in Washington.
Upon the announcement of the award the district offices proceed with the prep-
aration and execution of contracts, and the executive of the district is nor-
mally the contracting officer. This procedure explains why Mr. Ford might
have gained the impression that the district office acts primarily as a forward-
ing "office."
You are further advised that the only contracts placed by Ordn- ce district
offices are prime contracts. In contradistinction, the only otheir ^ of con-
tract is the subcontract which, as its name implies, is placed in « . instance
by the prime contractor.
In regard to the authority to place contracts for component parts the policy
■of the Ordnance Department uniformly prescribes such practice when it is
practicable to do so. For instance, a complete round of artillery ammunition
is composed of the following metal components, which are contracted for sepa-
rately : Shell forging, machining of shell, cartridge case, primer, fuze, and
booster. Also, in purchasing artillery materiel contracts are let for compo-
nents as follows : Gun forging, gun machining, carriage, recoil mechanism, and
fire-control equipment.
It is desired that your committee take cognizance of the information con-
tiiined in this letter in the clarification of Mr. Ford's testimony.
Sincerely yours,
Robert P. Patterson,
Under Secretary of War.
Exhibit 19. — Vocationai, Rehabilitation Service
REPORT by E. p. CHESTER, STATE SUPERVISOR, VOCATIONAL REHABIUTATION SERVICE,
CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Vocational rehabilitation was conceived as a service supplementing work-
men's compensation, and was originally developed for the benefit of the so-
called industrial cripple. The Basic Federal Act establishing this service
indicates a purpose of "reestablishment in industry of persons injured in
industry or o;;herwise." The word "otherwise" i-efers to persons incurring
disabilities as the result of accidents other than industrial, as the result of
disease or from congential causes. The promoters of rehabilitation legisla-
tion felt that such a service was needed fully as much for economic reasons
as for social benefits. They felt that the vocational adjustment of persons
with physical defects from a condition of dependence upon society to a status
of independence, in which as workers they could support themselves and their
families, was the responsibility of society. Furthermore it was felt that
acceptance by society of the responsibility of providing an adequate service
of vocational adjustment of its physically defective citizens would not only
greatly lessen the burden of supix)rting such persons in idleness, but at the
same time would improve the quality of citizenship of the community.
Another consideration which is part of the basic philosophy of rehabilita-
tion is that persons who desire to earn their own living, and have sufficient
mental and physical capacity to do so, are entitled to an opportunity to work.
Still another consideration is that all of the jobs in a community do not
require the full use of all of the physical abilities of workers. There are
many jobs which persons with less than full physical capacity can perform
with entire satisfaction to an employer.
Perhaps a final conception of the philosophy of rehabilitation is that it is
far less expensive to allow persons with physical defects able to do a day's
work, to share such work opportunities as are available proportionately with
physically normal workers.
HISTORY OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
Oiiginally sponsored by a few workmen's compensation officials, vocational
rehabilitation service had its beginning in a few instances prior to 1920, at which
time the Federal Government passed the Civilian Vocational Rehabilitation
Act. This provided grant.s-in-aid to States accepting the act on the basis of
funds being matched dollar for dollar in the promotion of rehabilitation service.
Soon after the Federal act was passed a large number of States accepted the
Federal act. Within 10 years there were less than a half dozen States not
cooiierating with the Federal Government in a service of vocational adjustment
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5525
to physically handicapped persons. At the present time all of the States are
cooperating with the Federal Government in this respect as well as the District
of Columbia and the possessions! of Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Approximately
100,000 ijersons throughout the country have been rehabilitated into a condition
of self-sup;r>tt't and have assumed their places in society as workers and are
meeting tii* -i obligations to society as responsible citizens.
■ ..,,^70
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION IN CONNECTICUT
The State of Connecticut accepted the Federal Rehabilitation Act in December
1929 and the work was inaugurated late in 1930. During this period some
2,000 persons have received benefits from this service who are now working in
various capacities in committees throughout the State.
It has been the purpose of the Connecticut Service of Rehabilitation to provide
such aids as were permissible and practical that would result in the satisfactory
vocational adjustment of persons throughout the State, found to be permanently
physically handicapped. Wherever possible when services were required by
individuals which involved expenditures of funds not permissible under the
Rehabilitation Act, arrangements were made with cooperating agencies for the
securing of such additional needed services. I refer specifically to such situa-
tions as the provision of maintenance during periods of training, surgical pro-
cedures, hospitalization, etc.
The primary service of vocational rehabilitation is vocational adjustment by
process of preparation for a person with physical defects so that he may work
satisfactorily and safely. The most common form of preparation is vocational
training. This training is provided either in our State trade schools or is pur-
chased from other reputable schools that are equipped to furnish the type of
preparation needed. Since there are many more occupations at which persons
are employed or can be employed than are specifically taught in established
schools, it is very often necessary that a plan of preparation which we term
"employment training" be utilized. By this is meant the making of training
arrangements with an employer for training directly on the job. Since time is
necessarily lost while a worker stops production to give time to instruction in
such a case, payment is made as a tuition fee to such employers during the
period of actual instruction involved. In most cases pei-sons with physical defects
trained by this method remain with the employer as workers after the training
period has been completed.
Occasionally preparation by vocational training is provided through the engag-
ing of a tutor. To cite an illustration let us suppose that a worker loses a hand in
employment and the employer is willing to return this worker to a suitable type
of job after recovery. If such a situation is brought to the attention of rehabilita-
tion, arrangements can be made to provide a feasible school type of training to
the injured worker during a part of the period he is receiving compensation, in
preparation for a type of employment which has been determined as practical.
Upon the completion of the vocational training above-mentioned an employer might
feel it desirable to have the injured worker begin his new job carrying cm at
the same time specific further preparation more closely related to the actual work
conditions of the job. In such a case it would be possible to arrange with the
employer for the selection of one of his capable workers who would serve as a
tutor. Instruction out of working hours could thus be provided which would
improve the vocational fitness of the worker to meet the requirements of the new
job. Under such a plan, vocational rehabilitation service would defray the
costs of instruction at the school, and also of tutorial training provided by the
employer's representative.
It is the purpose of our Connecticut Rehabilitation Service to render a dis-
abled person as physically fit for employment as possible. There would be little
use in providing a new skill to such a person, and then asking an employer
to accept him as a worker, if the condition of an artificial appliance were such
that the employer would be assuming an unusual risk in hiring such a person.
In such a case it would be the plan to provide for the satisfactory repair or
replacement of the defective appliance.
Appliances usually authorized by vocational rehabilitation service are artifi-
cial legs, arms, occasionallv braces, and aids to improve or restore hearing.
While the primary function of vocational rehabilitation service is preparation
for employment, the responsibility does not cease at this point. It would be
an unwise' expenditure of public funds to provide preparation for employment
without at the same time providing such aids as may be possible to the person
60396— 41— pt. 13 33
5526 HARTFORD HEARINGS
with physical defects so that he might secure employment in line with the
preparation received. For this reason employers are contacted ;ind persons
are referred to them for con>!ideration of employment suited to their physical
capacities. In other words, the rehabilitation process does not stop until persons
accepted for service actually jio to work.
In accepting placement, the cooperation of other agencies is solicited, and
chief among such cooperating agencies is the Connecticut State Employment
Service.
PL.VCE OF REH.\BIIJTATION IN NATIONAL DEFENSE
In regard to the national-defense program, rehabilitation finds itself in a
two-sided situation, first, increased opportunity for the utilizing of persons with
physical defects due to the need for the more physically perfect workers in
either military service or more arduous types of employment; and, secondly,
an increased responsibility occasioned by the gri'atly increased number of per-
sons working, the conditions under which relatively unskilled persons must be
quickly trained, and the element of speed required in production. These factors
have already shown a tendency to result in an increased rate of industrial
accident. Workers incurring injury in the course of employment after having;
gained experience should be i-eturned to employment suited to their physical
condition as promptly as possible. Rehabilitation service desires to cooperate
to the fullest extent with the employers in this respect.
In regard to the increased opportunity for the employment of persons with jihys-
ical defects, it is the plan of rehabilitation service to prepare as many of these
persons for defense production jobs as can be absorbed in employment. Further-
more, there are opiiorttuiities wiucli persons with physical defects can fill not
necessarily of a defense-production nature, but as replacements in many of the
service occupations where the regular emi'loyees having greater skills or physical
capacities are changing over to defense jobs.
It would seem that many readjustments might be made within industry itself
whereby physically normal workers employed on operations that could be per-
formed by persons with less than normal physical abilities could be transferred
to other types of work and replaced with physically handicapped workers.
In order to meet the opportunities and responsibilities brought about by the
national-defense program, with the cooperation of the Bureau of Vocational Edu-
cation of the State Department of Education, the rehabilitation service has been
assigned two agents who are devoting their entire time to locating, evaluating, and
preparing persons with physical defects to take their places in defense production.
The attitude of rehabilitation service in promulgating such a program is not one
of attempting to place or recommend for employment as many physically handi-
capped persons as possible regardless of their wt)vk capacities, or their integrity,
thereby expecting an employer to assume an unusual risk in hiring them. The
purjiose is to evaluate as carefully as possible the abilities of these persons to
become proficient and productive workers in specific types of occupations required
either for national defense or as replacements of workers transferred to other jobs.
There are many problems to be solved in such a program dealing with persons
with less than normal physical abilities, and it is gratifying that many employers
throughout the State have been willing to consider our rehabilitation applicants,
and have evaluated their fitness for specific types of jobs on the basis of ability
rather than disability. In other words, many employers have not barred from
employment a person with a physical defect, where the defect did not interfere
with satisfactory performance on the selected job.
Some employers, however, are still skeptical of the feasibility of utilizing per-
sons with physical defects as workers. The major fear on the \^art of the employer
is that a further injury to an already handicapped individual constitutes a risk
they are not willing to assume. Further accidents to partially handicapped work-
ers can be avoided if careful consideration is given to the type of work to which
they are assigned, fitting them to the jobs at which they can be most efficient, and
.giving them the fullest measiu-e of pay commensurate with their ability.
There are. of course, persons who cannot work with safety to themselves and
their fellow employees who must be rejected. Employers cannot use this type of
disabled iierson. and will naturally refuse to hire him." But there are many iiandi-
caiiped persons who can work effectively who should not be denied an opportunity.
Wherever possible, this type of person should be fitted to a job suited to his ca-
pacity and paid for the work he can do. In other words, he should be hired and
fired on the same basis as the physically normal worker.
NATIONAL di:fensk mighation 5527
EXPKBIMENT WITH VOCATIONAIXY HANDIOAPPKD WORKERS
About 10 years ago the Western Electric Co., of Kearny, N. J., to quote their
representative, J. W. Dietz, considere<J that "from a social point of view it has
been branded as unjust for any industry to enter a community and emr^loy only
thos(i who could qualify as being physically perfect. In order to be a good member
of a community, socially minded citizens have felt that organized industry, as such,
should consider itself responsible for employing a cross section of the entire popu-
lation of the community, rather than a highly selected group, as has been ita
custom.
"From an economic point of view, little more could be said then that the voca-
tionally handicapped candidates for employment should, because of their difficulty
in securing employment, present a group of more stable employees than the so-
called physically perfect group. The actual pro<jf of the idea that it would be gwd
business to employ this class of r>eopie would nwe.ssitate an actual experiment."
Believing that such an experiment would be desirable, the Western Electric Co.
reviewed the medical requirements for employment, and made such revisions a»
would enhance the opportunity for consideration for employment of handicapped
per.sons formerly not accepted.
Some of the more important changes made were :
Vision. — For suitable work, applicants were accepted whose vision was 20/40
in one eye, regardless of the vision in the other eye.
Deformity or losfs of member. — Such defects merited consideration for suitable
work, rather than serving as reasons for outright rejections as was formerly the
case.
Lo.is of orfjans as result of surgery. — Applicants were considered for suitable
work wherever possible. Formerly such cases were rejected.
In order to establish a basis of comparison between the physically defective
workers and the physically perfect workers, each defective worker as he was
hired was matched with a perfect worker. These per.sons were matched as
nearly as possible in that they were hired on the same day, for the same tyi)e of
work, and in the same department.
For a period of 1 year 052 ijersons with physical defects were hired, 482 of
which were male and 170 female. The following is the percentage of distribu-
tion of the defects :
Percent
Vision 49. 7
Deformity or loss of member 19. 4
Hernia 16. 1
Loss of organ as the result of surgery .3. ,3
Other 11 . 5
At the completion of the year's employment analysis was made, and it was
found that nearly 8 r)ercent more physically perffict workers severed relationships
with the company than did the memlx^rs of the physically imperfect group; that
only 2.6 percent less physically perfect cases were laid off due to lack of work
than the physically imperfect cases: that 7.4 jK^rcent more physically perfect
cases were relieved because they were not suited to the type of work than were
physically imperfect cases.
As regards sickness there were 7 percent more physically perfect workers
ab.sent on account of sicknes than physically imperfect. As regards accidents,
5.0 percent more of the physically j^rfect workers had accidents than did mem-
bers of the other group. As regards income, the members of the physically
imi)erfect group paid on a weekly rated basis, showed an average of 4.0 percent
increase in earnings as against 4 percent for the physically perfect group.
As regards production, the cases were spread over many tj'pes of work and
since many of t^ie jobs were .such that objective measurement of success was quite
difficult it was reiwrted that the physically imrxjrf<?ct group in many cases equalled
any empjloyees and also in many ca.«es there were refK^rted exceptionally outstand-
ing production record.s.
As regards turn-over, at the end of the trial period there were 307 physically
imperff^t workers as against 287 physically r)erfect.
Acfording to Mr. Dietz. .58 percent of all applicants classified by the me<]ical
examirier as being physically sound but having some physical defect were placed
in suitable employment. Mr. Dietz states that this group was employed nf»t be-
^528 HARTFORD HEARINGS
cause they possessed vocational defects but because they were qualified to per-
form a useful service to the company.
The conclusion of this Western Electric study is as follows : "Based upon the
data presented thus far in this study, we are of the opinion that there is no real
reason why people possessing certain vocational defects would not be employed
by large industrial concerns. The result of our year's experience with vocation-
ally handicapped workers was sufficiently satisfactory to make their acceptance
a part of the standard practice of our medical department."
EXPERIENCE OF OTHER EMPLOYEKS WITH HANDICAPPED WORKERS
In an address before the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards
and Commissions of 1930, Dr. Frank G. Pedley, of Montreal, Canada, said, "The
handicapped individual who finds all doors firmly closed against him is not in
the way of becoming a good citizen, or a creditable parent," and starvation is not a
satisfactoi-y treatment for the handicapped." Commenting upon these remarks
and others by Dr. Pedley on the subject of the physically handicapped in industry.
Dr. P. R. Crowder, medical director of the Pullman Co., Chicago, said:
"Dr. Pedley has brought before us what I consider a very important subject,
one with large social implications. It goes without saying that applicants who
cannot work with safety to themselves and their fellow employees must be re-
jected. Industry cannot make use of them and must protect itself against them.
But there are many handicapped who can work effectively. A job is the thing
the handicapped worker need.s most. Without it the extra compensation he
might receive for injury is entirely nonoperative. The remedy for this con-
dition is not a medical one, but a remedy is certainly needed.
"Men who have been handicapped through injury in a plant deserve and should
receive from their employers special consideration in order that they may con-
tinue as useful and productive members of society. In most places I believe
they get it. Wherever possible the man should be fitted to a job suited to his
limited capacity and paid for the work he can do. He should not be allowed to
use the injury sustained as an excuse for loafing. He should not be made to feel
that he can draw wages whether or not he does honest work. Good workmen
are often spoiled by such treatment.
"The real difliculty comes, of course, when the handicapped workman must
seek a job in a new location, must become an applicant for work in the open
market of employment. In my estimation the wise industrial physician tries to
find out what kind of work his defective applicant can do and to place him in it,
rather than to discard him simply because he is defective, and wise industrial
management supports this policy. It may work all right to discard men simply
because they are found to be somewhat greater insurance or accident risks so
long as only a few industries apply the physical-examination test ; but as more
and more industries apply such tests and the open field of placement on the simple
basis of capacity to produce becomes more restricted, the rejected applicant finds
himself in a bad way. In order to live he must work, and the world is becoming
so industrialized that only a few can work for themselves. To reject the handi-
capped is to eliminate a considerable proportion of the potential working forces,
among them many good workmen. If strictly applied, it would necessitate the
support of many public charges and bring about a social situation which must
in time lead to political action for its correction, in which case industry cannot
escape large charges.
"The question is, what can the handicapped do? Men who have lost one
eye are safe workmen for almost any occupation. They are scarcely handi-
capped at all. They are rejected by many employers because of the extra
hazard of total blindness. It is a very small risk, if occupations especially
hazardous to all eyes are avoided, and can well be assumed by any large
organization. In 20 years we have had no case of blindness in .such a man,
though we have many of them in service. They should be and are required
to wear protective goggles in shop work, and they should not be given work
which requires accurate judgment of distance.
"Men with fingers and thumbs off are usually as good workmen in practice
as men not so crippled. Nature has a way of compensating for these things.
A man will seldom apply for work he cannot do, and I would always give such
a man a chance to make good if he can.
"Men who have lost a hand or an arm are considerably limited in their
capacity, but if the proper occupation is found, tliey often make useful em-
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION 5529
ployees. With the proper mechanical appliance for the job he is doing, such
a man often keeps up with those who have two good hands.
"Men who have lost a foot or a leg are very little handicapped unless the
amputation is done high above the knee. In general they should not work
off the ground, though with a low amputation, a good stump, and a well-fitting
artificial limb, many of them can climli ladder.s and work on scaffolds very well.
"Men who are handicapped from defects due to some constitutional disorder
are more of a problem than those handicapiied through injury. The selection
of employment must be more carefully made, and conditions under which
tlie work is done must be considered in the selection of jobs. Some of the
commonly encountered conditions are:
"Men with defective vision. Generally this can be corrected or greatly
improved by glasses. If the defective vision can be brought to or near the
normal, such a man should be able to do any kind of work except some special
job wliere it is practically impossible to wear glasses. Many rough jobs are
done as well by those with very low vision, even without corrective lenses.
"Deafness is not much of a handicap for work in most factories. The deaf
learn to use their eyes effectively and acquire the habit of attention. It has
been our experience that deaf mutes are exceptionally good workmen. They
waste no time, and they seldom make trouble.
"Heart diseases make a difficult problem. If bad, these cases cannot work at
anything with safety to themselves. If only moderately severe, they may do cleri-
cal work or possibly very light labor. There are, however, many hearts showing
distinct physical evidence of organic lesions which cause no symptoms and are but
slightly handicapping. Such persons should not be put at very heavy labor, but
they can do anything which does not involve heavy physical strain. They should
be examined from time to time, until it is determined that the work they do is
suited to their capacities.
"Hernia is a defect which should disqualify men for very heavy work, but a
man with the ordinary kind of hernia can do light to moderately heavy work
without detriment to his health, provided he wears a properly fitted truss. There
is a little danger of strangulation in any of these cases, but is is very slight, and
industry can well afford to take the risk and give them work. To do otherwise
eliminates at once about 5 percent of male workers. They cannot be spared, and
they should not be deprived of jobs. Industry should not, however, be made
responsible for an increase or aggravation of the ordinary form of hernia through
work. It is a natural anatomical defect which, with the lapse of time, is likely
to become more troublesome anyway, regardless of work. Making the employer
responsible gives the workman a little compensation now and then, but it more
often deprives him of a job which would pay him much more. Some compensa-
tion commissioners have a correct view of this subject ; others have yet much to
learn.
"In general, a man who is crippled either through injury or constitutional dis-
ease and who realizes his handicap is likely to be faithful and loyal to the organ-
ization that gives him work to do, thus enabling him to maintain his independence
and self-respect. He is. therefore, likely to be useful to the organization not
only in spite of, but because of, his handicap, provided the work is suited to his
capacity. It should be the industrial physician's endeavor to fit him into a task
that he can do."
O. F. MeShane, member of the Industrial Commission of Utah, who took part
in this discussion, remarked :
"I .still believe, with the majority of the commissioners here, that this is a
problem for education of the employer, and that when an employer selects a
man he should intelligently select that man and place him in suitable employ-
ment ; if that is done, I feel that the extra hazard of employing a defective man
is very slight indeed.
"I had occasion to make a comparison between two employers in our State,
the International Smelting Co., which employs a large number of men, and the
United States Smelting, Mining & Refining Co. Tlie International Smelting Co.
gives a very rigid physical examination, but asks for no waiver and turns no
man down because of a physical disability if something can be found, and usually
something is found in the plant for him to do.
"The other company turns men down. Waivers cannot be taken in our State
and the experience of those two companies is in favor of the International Smelt-
ing Co. It has fewer industrial accidents per man-hour exposure than the com-
pany which turns down the defectives.
^530 HARTFORD HEARINGS
"I want to make one comment regarding the loss of an eye, wliicli was referred
to and emphasize the statement that was made by the doctor. This smelting
company, the United States Smelting Co., employs a great number of men who
have but one eye, because of the fact that if such a man loses another member,
the company is charged only with the member that is lost while in its service,
and the man is compensated out of the combined-injury benefit fund of Utah
for permanent total disability, after the second employer has discharged his
legal obligation. The experience in that plant for 3 years showed that the men
with only one eye had a better experience than the men with both eyes, propor-
tionately, because those with but one eye were more careful."
There is also a place in almost every industrial plant for the blind employee.
Employers generally are skeptical as to whether the blind can adapt themselves
to industrial processes, but some of them have been educated through the place-
ment of blind workers in their plants. J. M. Woltz, safety director of the Youngs-
town Sheet & Tube Co., wrote to the Youngstown Society for the Blind, as
follows :
"For some years now we have had in our employ men sent to our plant by your
organization. I am frank to state we were very pessimistic when first approached
regardng the placing of totally blind persons in our mills. After your blind agent
had demonstrated his ability to do certain classes of work that we had, before
that, considered essentially for men of normal vision, we took on several blind
persons.
"One was placed in our tube mill, on a socket machine, and his work h,as proven
eminently satisfactory in every way. As a matter of fact, his production has been
greater than the men alongside him on similar machines whose operators had
normal vision."
Some of the processes to which the blind have successfully adapted themselves
are:
Abattoirs. — Linking sausage and weiners, wrapping hams and bacon.
Alnmiuuui. — Riveting handles, sorting scrap foil, primary giinding.
AutomoltihH. — Stuffing cushions, making upholstery buttons, unit assemblies,
operating prothiction machines, such as drill presses, milling and tapping ma-
chines, broaching, primary grinding, bolt threading.
i?ofcery.— Delivery from ovens, carton forming, packing.
Bedding. — Spring assemblies, making springs, filling mattresses.
Bolt and nut. — Threading, tapping, assembly, and packing.
Boxes. — Corner cutting, ending, and staying machines.
Bottling. — Building and repairing cases, delivery from filling machine.
Candy. — Filling belt of enroving machine, wrapping, and packing bars.
Cement. — Filling bags on compressed-air machine.
Electrical. — Stacking laminations, winding and taping coils, assemblies, machine
processes similar to automobile.
Farm maehinenj. — Unit assembly, grinding knives, machine processes.
Pumps. — Assembly of parts, all processes, making of leather and fiber washers.
Rubber. — Trimming mechanical rubber goods, stringing metal washers on wires
for rubber heel machines. Packing.
Soap. — Wrapping, cutting in slabs.
Stoves. — Assembly of parts, drilling and grinding.
Tannery. — Hanging hides, skiving.
Sporting goods. — Stringing tennis racquets.
Tobacco. — Stripping and packing.
A special study made by Roy N. Anderson, entitled, "The Disabled Man and
His Vocational Adjustment," published in 1932, reveals that of 4,404 case his-
tories of men with orthopedic handicaps, covering a period of 13 years, a lower
incidence of accidents was found as compared to a control group. Only 8 men
were reported to have incurred second injuries. These workers held 10,176 jobs,
of which there were 635 different types of work, representing 70 percent of the
557 occupations and occupational gi-oups listed in the United States census for
1930.
This study reveals the great versatility of jobs held by physically handicapped
workers, in addition to the smallness of their number involved in industrial
accidents. It has been proven in many instances where a physically handicapped
person is employed that such a worker gives greater care to the performance of
his work than does a normal person. He begins his day's work with two strikes
counted on him already, and he takes every precaution against being struck out
altogether either througli an industrial accident or less efficient work.
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
5531
' CONNECTICUT WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION REGULATIONS
Section 5267 waiver on account of physical defect : The Connecticut Workmen's
Compensation Act adopted in 1913 and as subsequently amended, makes special
provision for the employment of persons with physical defects without imposing
an unusual hazard upon an employer or depriving the worker of any rights to
compensation unless an injury sustained in the course of employment is deter-
mined to be attributable in a material degree to the physical defect of the
worker. Form No. 37-B of the Workmen's Compensation Commission of Con-
necticut, "Waiver on Account of Physical Defect," is quite generally used by
employers when hiring physically handicapped persons.
SECOND INJURIES
The reasons advanced by many employers for not considering favorably the
employment of persons with physical defects is increased liability in the event
of a further injury.
Tile Compensation Act was amended in 1937 to cover this situation. Whether
employed on the basis of a "waiver" or not, a worker incurring a second injury
is entitled to compensation only for the extent of injury actually incurred in the
course of employment with the new employer.
Such a situation is covered in Section 5286, which reads as follows :
"An employee who shall have suffered the loss or loss use of one of the mem-
bers of his body, or part of one of the members of his body, or the reduction of
vision in one eye to one-tenth or less of normal vision with glasses, shall not
receive compensation for a later injury in excess of the compensation allowed for
such injury when considered by itself and not in conjunction with the previous
incapacity."
Exhibit 20. — Applications to Central Homes Registry
COMPILED BY T. E. BUELL, CENTRAL HOMES REGISTRY, HARTFORD, CONN.
Defense Wo7-kers (New) — 77
June 15, 1941.
Size of quarters desired :
1 to 2 rooms 8
3 rooms 7
3 to 4 rooms 15
4 rooms 18
4 to 5 rooms 18
5 or more rooms 10
Ability to pay :
To $29 5
$30 to $34 6
$35 to $39 18
$40 to $44 23
$45 to $49 12
$50 up 13
Number of children in families :
None 25
1 22
2 11
3 9
4 or more 5
Not stated 5
Of 77 applicants, 12 desire furnished
quarters.
Defense Workers (Native)— 37
Size of quarters desired ;
1 to 2 rooms
3 rooms,
3 to 4 rooms
4 rooms
2
4
5
4
4 to 5 rooms 11
5 rooms 11
Ability to pay:
To $29 5
$30 to $34 6
$35 to $39 7
$40 to $44 16
$45 to $49 1
$50 up 2
Number of children in families :
None 7
1 9
2 8
3 3
4 1
5 3
Of 37 applicants, only 2 specify fur-
nished quarters. Thirteen applicants
mention rent raise or receipt of eviction
notice.
5532
HARTFORD HEARINGS
Nondefense wwkers (neio) — 26
Size of quarters desired :
Number of children in families :
1 to 2 rooms
3
None 7
3 rooms
3
1 8
3 to 4 rooms
4
2 7
4 rooms
5
4 2
4 to 5 rooms
3
Not stated 2
8
Of 26 applicants, 7 desire furnished
quarters.
Ability to pay:
To $29
1
§30 to $34
3
$35 to $39
3
$40 to $44
4
$45 to $49
2
$50 up
13
Nondefense tcorkers {native) — ^4
Size of quarters desired :
1 to 2 rooms
3 rooms
3 to 4 rooms
4 rooms
3
3
7
9
4 to 5 rooms 11
5 or more rooms-^ 11
Ability to pay :
To $29 7
$30 to $34 10
$35 to $39 12
$40 to $44 11
$45 to $49 2
$50 up 2
Number of children in families :
None 9
1 8
2 11
3 7
4 4
5 or more 5
Of 44 applicants, 5 desire furnished
quarters; 20 applicants mention rent
raise or receipt of eviction notice.
Referral s — Placem ents
Referrals — Family dwelling units
(Vacancies to which applicants have been referred)
Defense :
Unfurnished 199
Furnished 27
Nondefense :
Unfurnished 97
Furnished 7
Defense.
226
Referrals — Rooms
64 I Nondefense — .
Placements — Fam ihj diveUinr/
104
47
Defense
Nondefense
$30 to $34
3
8
8
7
6
8
$35 to $39
4
$40 to $44
5
$45 to $49
$50 and up __.
3
Total
32
20
Placements — Rooms
Defense 26
Nondefense 12
NATIONAL DEFENSE MIGRATION
Available Quarters
Family dwelling units
5533
Unfur-
nished
Fur-
nished
Resort
cottages
and city
sub-lets
To$29rent. - -
$30 to $34..
2
$35 to $39
I
$40 to $44
4
1
8
3
$45 to $49
3
19
4
Total
22
15
33
Note.— Of 37 city vacancies, 26 wUl not take children.
Rooms :
Single
257
Double -
190
Suites and triplets _
^R
Total :. _
360
The Chairman. The committee will stand adjourned and, Mr.
Reporter, the record will be kept open until these gentlemen have
submitted the various papers that are to be forwarded to the com-
mittee in Washington.
(Whereupon, at 3 : 30 p. m., the committee adjourned, subject to the
call of the chairman.)
INDEX
Agriculture (see also under Employment) : Page
Dairying 5396, 5405, 5438, 5453
Fruit and berries 5086, 5395, 5400, 5438, 5452
Growers' organizations: Policies, programs, recommendations, re-
quests 5386, 5396, 5410, 5423, 5426-5428, 5441, 5450
Mechanization 5396
Peak periods for various crops 5395
Relation to defense program 5386,5403, 5418, 5448
Tobacco 5023, 5395, 5399, 5402, 5410-5420, 5426, 5432, 5437-5444
Vegetables 5402, 5438, 5452
Bridgeport:
Employment situation 5456
Federal aid 5357
Health 5356, 5361, 5482, 5483, 5484
Housing 5188, 5192-5196, 5356, 5358-5360, 5481, 551 1
Labor supply 5365
Municipal services 5357, 5481
Post-emergency prospects 5360
Recreational facilities 5356
Sanitation 5361
Schools 1 5361
Welfare 5484-5487
Contracts. {See under Industry.)
Credit union, East Hartford Aircraft 5476-5478
Defense industry. (See under Industry.)
Defense projects, proposed {see also under Housing) 5037-5039
Defense \vorkers' problems 5117-5123, 5138-5144, 5275-5278, 5319-5325
Discrimination. {See under Employment.)
Employment {see also Migration) :
Agricultural:
Child Labor 5397,5400,
5403, 5411, 5412, 5422, 5423, 5429, 5433, 5445-5447, 5433
Clearance 5084,5087
Farm Security Administration analysis of farm labor in Con-
necticut, 1941 5437-5454
Labor relations 5429-5434
Labor supply 5394, 5447, 5449, 5452-5454
Legislative needs 5423-5428, 5433
Living conditions 5424, 5445-5452, 5466
Negro --- 5406-5411, 5422, 5437, 5465, 5466
Placement 5085,5389
Recommendations by Farm-labor Committee of Defense
Council 5387-5396
Recruiting 5083,5084,5092,5096-5106,5387-5406,
5411, 5422, 5435-5437, 5443, 5444, 5450, 5508-5510, 5516
Relation to industrial labor market 5403, 5418, 5425, 5428, 5448
Shortage 5083,
5084, 5086, 5088, 5092, 5107, 5108, 5112, 5113, 5386-5396, 5449
Specialization of summer labor 5429
Student workers ^Pf'^A
5087-5091, 5387-5390, 5397, 5405-5408, 5422, 5453
Supply 5394, 5447, 5449, 5452-5454
Survey of farm-labor by Connecticut Employment Service 5083
Tobacco 5023, 5433-5439, 5442-5448, 5455
5535
5536 INDEX
Employmeut — Continued. ^^^^
Agricultural — Continued.
Wages and hours 5397, 5398, 5405-5412,5418,5422,
5423, 5424, 5425, 5429, 5430, 5432, 5446, 5453,
Warehouse workers 5408, 5423, 5429, 5430
Weekly report farm-labor situation (May 31, 1941) 5088
Women 5397,
5400, 5403, 5408-5410, 5411, 5412, 5445-5447, 5453
W. P. A 5389, 5404, 5454-5459
Connecticut State Employment Service 5053,
5054, 5056, 5083, 5244, 5247, 5264, 5270
Cooperation between employers 5240, 5241, 5517
Discrimination:
Against age 5058, 5316
Against aliens 5058, 5115, 5254-5255
Against color 5058, 5114, 5248,
5252, 5260, 5297, 5299-5302, 5316-5318, 5456-5459, 5463, 5464
Against migrants 5082, 5424
Against nationality 5115,5254,5297,5456-5459
Against phvsicallv handicapped 5256-5258, 5507
Against women. .1 5058, 5023, 5115, 5248, 5259
Legislation 5293
Dismissal wage 5028, 5273
Effect of priorities in materials 5297, 5298, 5368
Job transfers 5241
Placements 5108
Pratt- Whitney:
Pav-roll increases 5318
Point of origin of employees 5312, 5313, 5314, 5319
Policies 5316-5319
Training program 5311,5312,5314,5315
Priority of local applicants 5239
Recommendations to employers 5240, 5243
Recruitment 5054, 5236, 5242, 5243, 5458, 5516-5517
Registry of working population 5112
Report on emergency employment problems 5241-5244
Shift to defense...-" 5112
Shortages - 5053, 5220-5222
Sources 5052, 5054, 5055, 5059, 5110, 5117, 5220, 5249-5252, 5499
Summary of plants' ability to expand without extra skilled labor 5502
Three-shift basis 5235, 5522
Trade school graduates 5111
Types of occupations 5058
United States Employment Service 5055
Voluntarv savings plan 5272
Wages and hours 5131-5136, 5298, 5315, 5501-5506
Women 5023, 5058, 5115, 5248, 5259, 5316, 5370
W. P. A 5094, 5110, 5250, 5295, 5455, 5456, 5457, 5458, 5459
Federal aid:
Children's Bureau 5281
Defense projects 5037-5042, 5049
In lieu of taxes ■_ 5043
Lanham Act 5145, 5177, 5178, 5193, 5391
Social Security:
In relation to agricultural labor 5413, 5425-5428, 5434
Unemployment compensation 5369, 5370, 5371, 5386, 5459-5461
Groton:
Electric Boat Co 5470
Housing 5474
Schools 5146-5148,5178
United States submarine base 5496
Water supply 5284
INDEX 5537
Health: Page
Board of Health (Hartford) 5030-5031
Board of Health (Statej 5279-5281
Bureau of industrial hygiene 5196-5204
Facilities 5030, 5480
Hospitals 5030, 5032, 5034, 5044, 5050, 5342, 5348
Industrial medical service 5213-5219
Negro 5465
Nutritional program for defense workers 5215-5217
Occupational environment:
Hazards 5206-5208
Sanitary code 5204, 5219
Toxic materials 5205
Provision for nonsettled people 5045, 5046
Venereal diseases 5032-5034, 5045, 5465
Housing:
Conflict between private and public programs 5479
Effect of shortage on labor turn-over 5380, 5451
Evictions 5131-5137
Farm labor 5087,
5390, 5391, 5405, 5406-5408, 5411, 5422, 5430, 5446, 5452, 5466
Government:
Coordination 5025, 5191, 5194, 5335, 5385
Cooperation of local interests 5333
Demountable 5027
Eifect of defense activity 5327
Federal problem 5023
Financing provision of Housing Act 5515
Hartford Housing Authority 5326-5328, 5379
Large familv 5383
Projects 5030, 5043, 5065, 5192, 5328, 5329-5334, 5335
Recommendations to Federal agencies 5037, 5295, 5296
Recommended program for Connecticut defense area 5511-5516
Rent structure ■ 5336
Servicing defense housing 5044
Situation prior to emergency 5327
Slum clearance 5027, 5043, 5188, 5331, 5332, 5333
State program 5335
Temporary 5189,5377
Tenant eli'gibihtv 5328, 5329, 5338, 5339
Homes and rooms registration 5030, 5190, 5379, 5383, 5516, 5531
Mobile 5489,5490
Negro 5464,5465
Post-emergencv 5274
Private building 5192, 5193, 5333, 5379, 5380, 5384
Problem in Connecticut defense area 5059
Relation to public welfare 5130-5131, 5132, 5340-5342
Rent control 5296, 5334, 5380-5383, 5386
Rent profiteering 5023, 5044, 5191
Rent rises 5130,5340-5342,5348,5379
Shortages - 5117-5122,5138-5144,5275-5278,5293,5294,
5319-5325, 5331, 5362-5364, 5379, 5380, 5381, 5382-5386, 5478
State-wide committee 5190
Substandard 5328, 5331-5333, 5379, 5380
Summary of public and private dwelling construction 5035-5036
Industry :
Defense contracts:
Awarding power • 526 1
Connecticut's participation 5022, 5024, 5052
Distribution 5261
Farming out 5262, 5268-5270
Suljcontracting 5264, 5271
F. W. A. report on industrial activity and W. P. A. employment 5454-5459
In Bridgeport "- 5456
5538 i^^i^Ex
Industry — Continued. ■ Page
In Hartford 5458
In New Haven 5457
Industrial facilities:
Classification code (industry) 5266
Classification code (machine) 5265, 5266
Decentralization 5386
Six indexes 5263, 5268
Survey by questionnaire 5263,5265, 5266, 5270
Industrial plants:
American Brass Co 5515
Chase Brass and Copper Co 5515
Colt's Patent Firearms Co 5029
Connecticut Co 5258
Electric Boat Co 5179, 5470, 5515
Ingraham Clock Co 5297
Patent Button Co 5515
Pratt- Whitney 5029,5311-5319
Royal Typewriter Co 5143
Sco'vill Manufacturing Co 5183, 5515
Underwood-Elliott-Fisher 5320
United Aircraft. {See Pratt- Whitney.)
Waterbury Farrell Foundry & Machine Co 5515
Winchester Repeating Arms Co 5183, 5248
Wiremold Co 5258
Yale and Towne Manufacturing Co 5258
Manufacturers' Association of Connecticut:
Committee on emergency employment problems 5185
Industrial conference 5185
Preparation for defense 5184, 5185
Subjects and witnesses 5186
Labor. {See Employment.)
Lanham Act. {See under Federal Aid.)
Legislation:
Existing:
Indigent transfer law 5087, 5113
Lanham Act 5145, 5177, 5178, 5193, 5391
Settlement laws 5353, 5354, 5373, 5424
Proposed:
Antidiscrimination 5293
Amendment to Lanham Act 5393
Rent control 5023, 5191, 5295, 5334, 5380-5383, 5386
Manufacturers' Association of Connecticut. (<See under Industry.)
Maps:
Defense housing projects 5292 b
Industrial 5292
Trailer camps 5292 a
Migrant workers' problems 5371-5376, 5406-5410, 5423
Migration:
Advantages 5240
Agricultural 5443-5444
Ansonia district 5059, 5081-5082
Bridgeport district 5061, 5081-5082
Bristol district 5062, 5081-5082
Causes 5058, 5082, 5240, 5410
Chart showing distribution, source status, reason for migration 5081
Danbury district 5063, 5081-5082
Danielson district 5064, 5081-5082
Depletion of rural areas 5059
Disadvantages 5240
Distribution of migratorv load 5059-5080
Hartford district ' 5065, 5081-5082
Health and transiency 5424
Importation of workers 5237
Indigent transfer law 5113
Interstate clearance 5087, 5245
INDEX 5539
Migration — Continued. I'age
Intrastate 51 09
Marital status 5029, 5058
Meriden district 5067, 5081-5082
Middletown district 5068, 5081-5082
New Britain district 5069, 5081-5082
Motor-veliicles report 5487-5489
Negro farm labor 5408-5410
Negro student 5406-5408
New Britain district 5069, 5081-5082
New Haven district 5071, 5081-5082
New London district 5072, 5081-5082
Norwalk 5074,5081-5082
Problems 5244
Relation to housing 5059
Settlement laws 5353, 5354, 5373, 5424
Sources 5029, 5081, 5239
Stamford district 5075, 5081-5082
Status as to skill of migrants 5082, 5372
Tliompsonville district 5076, 5081-5082
Torrington district 5077, 5081-5082
Transient case studv (basis for Government Bulletin No. 258, 1937-38) _ 5424
Trends _' 5057
Undirected 5236,5272-5273
Volume 5057
Waterburv district 5078, 5081-5082
Willimantic district 5080, 5081-5082
Negro. (See under Health, Housing Employment.)
New Britain:
Fire and police protection 5309
Garbage and refuse disposal 5306-5308
Hospitals 5306-5308
Housing 5304,5307,5514
Migration 5069,5081-5082
Population increase 5308
Recreation 5306,5310
Sewerage 5304,5306
Streets and access roads 5306-5309
Water supply 5304,5305,5308,5309,5310
Welfare...; 5306
New London:
Defense industries 5474-5475
Delinquencv and crime 5469
Employment 5470
Government agencies 5469
Health 5472-5473
Housing 5470-5471,5514
Labor shortage 5470
Migration . 5072,5081-5082
Recreation 5466-5469
Schools 5472
Unemployment Compensation cool
Water supply 5284
""""'Sitict^.. ______ 5289-6291
Hartford__._ 8022,5042
Post-emergencv planning: ,„^„ ^„_, .„_.
Industrial- prospects. 5272-5275, 5367-5371, 5376
Inflation ^047
Post-defense orders '-'~„' 1.7^7^^ TkT?,
Public works 5026, 5027, 5048
Social welfare ^^^^
''"''Sts upon labor 5247, 5297, 5368
Metals 5262,5272
5540 iN^E^
Public Services: {See also Health: see under Bridgeport), Groton, New Britain,
New London, Waterbury.
Police: ^^^e
Hartford 5047
New Britain 5309
Recreation:
All defense areas 5059
Hartford area 5065
Sewerage:
Connecticvit 5286-5288
East Hartford 5479
Facilities for defense housing 5288-5289
Hartford 5034
Water supply:
Connecticut 5282-5286
East Hartford 5479
Facilities for defense housing 5288, 5289
Hartford 5283
Residence requirements. (See Settlement laws.)
Schools:
Age-grade report 5162
All defense areas 5144-5179
Bridgeport area .. 5145
Changes in secondary school subject elections, September 1941 5164
Children under school age 5176
Defense training in public schools 5180
Drop-outs 5180
East Hartford 5147
Elementary 5145, 5148, 5149, 5150, 5152, 5154, 5156, 5158, 5160, 5162
Enumeration of children between ages of 4-16 5149
Estimated gain or loss in enrollment (1939-41) 5148
Expenditures 5173-5175
Financial data 5175
Groton area 5146-5148, 5178
Hartford area 5147
Lanham Act 5177-5179
Milford area 5178
Secondary 5145, 5151, 5153, 5155, 5157, 5159, 5161
Suburban and rural (elementary) 5145
Suburban and rural (high) 5145
Teacher shortage 5165-5168
Teacher sources 5166
Teacher load 5 180
Teachers' college enrollment and graduates 5166-5167
Transportation 5173
Waterburv area 5146-5148
Settlement laws 5025, 5142, 5143, 5353-5355, 5374-5376
Social security. (See under Federal aid.)
Transiency. {See Migration.)
Traffic 5046
Vocational training:
Apprenticeship council 5221, 5225-5226, 5238
Apprenticeship training 5225
Courses 5168, 5170, 5172, 5173, 5222, 5223, 5228-5232
Engineering training 5055, 5224, 5234
Enrollment data 5170, 5171
For in-migrants 51 09
Minimum standards in 17 plants 5226
National Youth Administration 5111, 5220, 5224, 5235
Number of students in training, June 1941 5234
On-the-job training 5168, 5518, 5519, 5521
Pratt-Whitney program 5311, 5312, 5314-5316
Preemployment courses 5055, 5222, 5223, 5237
Preemployment training 5055, 5168, 5237
Prerequisites for training 5235
Supplemental 5055, 5168, 5222, 5223
INDEX 5541
Vocational Training — Continued. i^age
Trade-school graduates (1932-1940) 5094-5096
Trade schools 5222, 5224, 5237, 5311, 5314
Two-hundred-hour course 5237, 5299, 5314, 5501
Types of training 5519-5522
Upgrading and training 5054, 5221
Women 5055,5168,5173
W. P. A 5234
Waterbury :
Employment and business indexes 5493-5499
Health 5491-5492
Housing 55 15
Migration 5078, 5081,5082
Recreation 5491
Schools 5491
Sewerage : 5491
Unemployment compensation 5461
Water supply 5284
Welfare, public {see also Health) :
Case load for various years 5340
Cooperating agencies 5353
Council of Social Agencies:
Agencies in juvenile field 5130
Applications during two weeks of May 1941 5129
Case council 51 26
Case-work division 5126
Central planning council 5127
Citizens Committee for Social Welfare 5127
Community Chest 5127
Community organization division 5126
Effects of defense program 5127
Expenditures 51 28
Field of service 5123
Group work division 5126
Organization 51 26
Rooms registry 5130
Social-service exchange 51 26
Statistics on services rendered 5129
Temporary care 5137
Food cost rises 5343, 5344
Municipal nursery 521 7, 5349-5352
Relief:
Expenditures 5345
In relation to residence requirements 5374
Responsibility 6353, 5354, 5355
Transients- - 5374, 5375
Uniform public assistance 5374-5375
Salaries and wages (Hartford Department of Public Welfare) 5345
Vice 5465
Workmen's compensation 5531
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