Question

Discuss the recommendations of the committee appointed by the President Truman in 1946.

Answer 1

In 1946, President Harry S. Truman created the President’s Committee on Civil Rights, which issued its landmark report, “To Secure These Rights” (1947). The committee declared that a strong federal initiative was essential and offered a broad program to follow, such as:

1. Strengthen the federal machinery for civil rights enforcement: Establish a permanent Civil Rights Commission to investigate infractions. Create a Justice Department Civil Rights Division with legal power. Re-establishing a permanent, statutory Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEPC) would combat workplace bias.
2. Secure full political rights: Pass a federal anti-lynching statute. Eliminate poll taxes and other voting restrictions for Blacks. Protect voting with federal registrars and harsh intimidation penalties.
3. End segregation and unequal treatment: The military forces were desegregated under Executive Order 9981 in 1948. Ban segregation in interstate transportation, public housing, schools, and other facilities. Guarantee equitable jury service and GI Bill benefits.
4. Promote economic and social security: Guarantee equal pay for equal work. Expand federal housing and health programmes without racial discrimination.