Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The American Republics, Volume VII

811.504 Mexico/300

The Chairman of the War Manpower Commission (McNutt) to the Secretary of State ⁵⁹

Washington , [undated].

My Dear Mr. Secretary: As you know, the War Manpower Commission, under an agreement between our Government and the Government of Mexico,⁶⁰ has been importing Mexican Nationals for employment in the railroad industry. Although this program has never met the labor needs of the industry, it has, during the nine months of operation, made a substantial contribution to the effective prosecution of the war despite the limitation imposed by the Mexican Government, which established a ceiling of 20,000 as the number of its Nationals who may be engaged in railroad employment at any one time.

Railroads who have learned of this importation program have currently on file with the War Manpower Commission requests which total 32,810 workers over and above the number of workers who can be recruited from domestic labor reservoirs and over and above the number of Mexican Nationals currently in railroad employment. It is believed that if all railroads were solicited, this number would be considerably higher. As reported to the Railroad Retirement Board, as of December 1, 1943, the railroads indicated labor needs of 97,551 workers, exclusive of the Mexican Nationals in their employ, of whom 77,794 are required for maintenance of equipment and stores and maintenance of way and structures.

Since it will be impossible to meet these labor needs from any available domestic sources, despite the recent wage increases granted in industry, the War Manpower Commission requests the State Department to negotiate with appropriate representatives of the Government of Mexico for an increase of the present ceiling of 20,000 workers to 40,000 workers.

The War Manpower Commission and the railroad industry is deeply appreciative of the contributions made to our common war effort by the Government of Mexico in permitting its Nationals to come to the United States to engage in such vital work. If the Mexican Government accedes to the request for additional workers, the War Manpower Commission assures that it will continue its efforts to provide for the well-being of these workers in accordance with the agreement between the United States and the Government of Mexico. These additional workers which we are requesting will provide manpower which is so necessary if the tracks and equipment of the railroads are to be maintained in order that matériel and personnel may be transported speedily and safely according to the exigencies of war.

Sincerely yours,

Paul V. McNutt

59. A copy of this letter was handed by Mr. McNutt to Mr. George S. Messersmith, Ambassador to Mexico, January 27, 1944. Mr. Messersmith was temporarily in the Department for consultation.
60. For text of agreement signed at Mexico City April 29, 1943, see Department of State Executive Agreement Series No. 376, or 57 Stat (pt. 2) 1353. For correspondence concerning this agreement, see Foreign Relations, 1943, vol. vi, pp. 538–550 passim.