African Americans in the CCC
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Harold Ickes to Robert Fechner, 20 September 1935


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THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON

September 26, 1935

My Dear Mr. Fechner:

I have your letter of September 24 in which you express doubt as to the advisability of appointing Negro supervisory personnel in Negro CCC camps. For my part, I am quite certain that Negroes can function in supervisory capacities just as efficiently as can white men and I do not think that they should be discriminated against merely on account of their color. I can see no menace to the program that you are so efficiently carrying out in giving just and proper recognition to members of the Negro race.

Sincerely yours,
[Harold L. Ickes]
Secretary of the Interior

Hon. Robert Fechner,
Director, Emergency Conservation Work,
Washington, D.C.