ARMED FORCES: Local Customs Stowed

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Noting that 21 U.S. Navy shore stations in the South still follow local custom in segregating Negro and white civilian employees, Navy Secretary Anderson last week verbally requested shore station commanding officers to put an end to separate facilities. Then Anderson heard that some of his C.O.s would ignore the request until they got written orders. Anderson obliged; his aides wrote off a directive and ordered a report on progress in 60 days.

Anderson's order seemed effectively timed. At big Deep South Naval installations like the Charleston Navy Yard, it came on the heels of an announcement of general employment cutbacks—at a time when any would-be troublemakers are likely to keep quiet, to keep their jobs.