811F.411/3–2354
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Panama (Chapin)
eyes only
Dear Selden: When I was in Caracas, a considerable amount of interest was aroused by statements by Senora Remon that the United States was practicing racial discrimination in the Canal Zone. The implication was that this was something more than a question of “equal pay for equal work” which is being discussed up here.
Would it be possible for someone in the Embassy, without letting it be known, quietly to gather for transmittal on a strictly confidential basis what the facts are in this respect.
I might say that there is interest in this in the highest quarters.
If it cannot be done on a strictly confidential basis, just let me know and I will approach the matter otherwise. Possibly you already know enough about the situation yourself so that you could at least give me a preliminary fill-in.
Sincerely yours,