YDs Question Claim of Bias At Trailways

The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) has failed to prove its charge that Trailways Bus Company of New England "refuses to hire Negroes in responsible jobs," according to a four-age report issued Tuesday by the Harvard Young Democrats.

Although no Negroes are employed at Trailways as baggage clerks, ticket agents, or bus drivers, the report says no qualified Negroes have yet applied for these positions." Therefore, it concedes, "It is unfair at this time to condemn Trailways as discriminatory."

However, "Trailways has been exceedingly uncooperative and evasive in regard CORE's charges," the report declares. To buttress this contention it notes at J.W. Powell, New England regional Manager of Trailways, refused to comment on the CORE allegations. The company also refused to send a representative to speak on the controversy at young Democrats' meeting.

Marvin E. Walsh, president of New England Trailways, has strongly denied a CORE claim. In turn, he charges at the group wants Trailways to lower its standards "solely for the purpose of employing Negroes."

Thus far we have not had a Negro apply who could quality as a bus driver," Walsh continued.

"An Outright Lie"

James Bishop, chairman of CORE's picketing committee, called the Walsh large "an outright lie."

CORE has been picketing Trailways Park Square Terminal for the last six months. Bishop admits, though, that the demonstrations "have not appreciably hurt Trailways business."

Prepared by Harry F. Greene '64, President of the Young Democrats, the president examines CORE's statement that a Negro porter, who had been employed by Trailways for 20 days, took a test for advancement and was fired the next day.

Everett Parker, manager of the Boston terminal, told Greene that the man had a 30-day trial period and was dismissed because he was "entirely unsatisfactory."

The report also notes that the man tried to file a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.