Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall will meet in Washington, D. C., May 24 with representatives of several major electronics companies to explore ways of expanding industrial job opportunities for American Indians.
Mr. Udall said the meeting is the first step in an all-out drive to spur large-scale commercial activity in Indian areas.
Warren W. Frebel, Vice President and Director of Purchasing for the Magnavox Company, will serve as chairman of the meeting.
The electronics companies which have indicated they will be represented at the meeting include: American Broadcasting Company, Cinch Manufacturing Company, CTS Corporation, Litton Industries, Inc., P. R. Mallory Company, Radio Corporation of America, Sylvania Electronics Company, The Magnavox Company, Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge, Warwick-Sears, and Westinghouse Electric Corp.
Discussions will focus on (1) location of potential sites for electronics plants; (2) availability of Indian workers; (3) BIA financed on-the-job training programs; and (4) special problems such as the impact of industry on life in a semi-rural Indian community.
The May 24 meeting is part of Secretary Udall's plan to draw upon the advice and experience of American business in solving economic problems of reservation Indians.
Industries in the electronics field have been gravitating toward Indian areas recently in the search for expansion sites. Spokesmen for companies already employing Indians report that they respond quickly to training and have a natural dexterity that makes them excellent electronics workers.
