811.504 Mexico/197b
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith)
Sir: Reference is made to your despatch no. 13,082 of September 17, 1943, and to the Department’s instruction no. 4485 of October 12, 1943,76 in reply thereto, regarding a note from the Mexican Foreign Office concerning charges made by certain Mexican railroad workers that they had been made the object of discriminatory actions in the towns of Monahans and Midland, Texas. You were informed in the Department’s instruction under reference that this complaint had been invited to the attention of the War Manpower Commission and of the Governor of Texas.
A reply has now been received from the War Manpower Commission, a copy of which is attached hereto,77 from which it is apparent [Page 577] that the majority of the complaints concerned living conditions involving the complaining Mexican nationals. The War Manpower Commission report indicates that as a result of the prompt investigation made, immediate steps were taken to satisfy the workers.
Your attention is invited in this regard to despatch no. 1970 of October 25, 1943,78 from Consul General William P. Blocker, who states that ameliorative action has been taken by the President’s Committee on Fair Employment Practices. It is not clear, however, from Mr. Blocker’s despatch, a copy of which was forwarded directly to the Embassy, whether action was also taken on this matter by the Texas Good Neighbor Commission, to which the complaint was also referred through the Governor of Texas. If a further report on this matter is received from the Good Neighbor Commission the Embassy will be informed thereof.
Very truly yours,