Secretary of Navy Reverses Order Permitting Bias, Calls It ‘wrong’

The United States Navy, responding to widespread protests, has reversed an order that the names of officers and crewmen of ships visiting New Orleans in February be made available to organizations planning segregated Mardi Gras parties. The protests developed when it was learned that the Navy had issued a memorandum describing discrimination against Jews, Italians and Negroes in New Orleans as “the way things are” and declaring that “we have to go along with it.” The reversal was disclosed in a letter from Navy Secretary Paul R. Ignatius to Rep. Jonathan B. Bingham, Bronx, Democrat, one of those who had severely criticized the original Navy memorandum.

Protests also had been made by the American Jewish Congress, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, the American Italian Committee Against Discrimination, Rep. William F. Ryan, Manhattan Democrat and the American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Labor Committee.

Secretary Ignatius wrote to Rep. Bingham: “There is no excuse for discrimination. In the past, the Navy has provided private organizations lists of officers and men who might be invited to private events. These lists were provided without regard to race or origin. The commandant of the Eighth Naval District, which includes New Orleans, has been directed to ensure that his command does not provide prospective guest lists to organizations which practice racial or national-origin discrimination in the issuance of invitations.” Four Navy ships will be in New Orleans during Mardi Gras week.

Sources said it had long been both Navy and Defense Department policy not to sanction official participation of units or individuals in segregated events. The Defense Department permits military personnel to attend segregated events as private individuals, if they so choose.

Mr. Ignatius also wrote Rep. Bingham that it was “unfortunate” that the officer who drew up the memorandum-who was not identified-had said that segregation was a fact “and we have to go along with it.” The Navy Secretary declared: “He was wrong. No Navy man has to go along with it.”

The American Jewish Congress issued a statement today saying it was “gratified” by the Secretary’s action and urging that all branches of the military service and all branches of government “take similar positive and public action, so that the shopworn excuse of compliance with local custom may no longer serve as a cover for official discrimination.” The American Jewish Committee similarly expressed satisfaction over the reversal of Navy policy.