President's Committee on Government Contracts (PCGC)

In 1953 George L-P. Weaver was designated by CIO President Walter Reuther to serve as his alternate on the President's Committee on Government Contracts (PCGC). Created by President Eisenhower (Executive Orders 10479 and 10557)) and chaired by Vice President Richard M. Nixon, the committee had primary responsibility for carrying out the federal government's nondiscrimination policy in employment under Government contracts. The committee received and reviewed complaints and petitions involving discriminatory hiring practices on the part of employers and labor unions, reported and referred complaints to the appropriate contracting agency, and monitored cases pending further review and recommendations. Lacking enforcement powers, its jurisdiction was confined to advising, recommending, and educating. Committee recommendations, however, became a factor in the enforcing body's decision to rescind subsequent contracts, or, preempt the award of contracts in the pre-negotiation stage to contractors in violation of fair employment provisions. To this end the committee undertook industry surveys and formulated systematic reviewed procedures to monitor the compliance of contractors.

Between 1953-1958 Weaver served on several subcommittees (education, research, and District of Columbia Affairs) of the PCGC before his appointment to the important Subcommittee on Review and Enforcement in 1958. His files include: executive orders; compliance guides and regulations; correspondence with committee members, industry contractors (corporations), labor union officers, legal representatives, government agencies, and civil rights leaders; agenda and minutes of committee and subcommittee meetings; case reviews; investigative reports, complaints and petitions; newsletters, booklets, and other publications. Correspondents include Jacob Seidenberg and Margaret Garrity (Executive Directors of the PCGC); Walter Reuther; Victor Reuther; and Boris Shishkin.

The bulk of the correspondence files consist of Seidenberg's correspondence and memoranda pertaining to arrangements for PCGC meetings and the transmittal of agendas, minutes, and case review material. Among the various industries and corporations included in the corporate case files are oil and chemical, atomic energy, aircraft and aerospace, automobile, and public housing projects. Prominent corporations investigated for discriminatory employment practices include: Carbide and Carbon Company; Dupont; Atlantic Steel Corporation; Hayes Aircraft; Lockheed; and the Western Electric Company.