Daly, Victor

Victor Reginald Daly was born in New York City and educated in public schools there. He was a member of the Class of 1919 at Cornell University, attending Cornell from 1915 to 1917. In 1917, he joined the U.S. Army and trained at Fort Des Moines, along with 639 other African-American men. He was appointed a 1st Lieutenant in the 367th Infantry Regiment, and was decorated with the Croix de Guerre for his service in France. In 1919, he married Adelaide Helen Cook (Cornell University Class of 1918). They had two daughters, Millicent and Peggy. He worked for the Urban League in New York after his discharge from the Army and came to Washington, DC in the 1920s to serve as business manager of The Journal of Negro History. In 1932, he published a novel, Not Only War: A Story of Two Great Conflicts. In 1934, he became an interviewer for the U.S. Employment Service in D.C. When he retired in 1966, he was Deputy Director in charge of the Manpower Development Program, which had begun in 1962 under his leadership. Over the years he worked tirelessly to persuade downtown retail stores to hire African-Americans in sales and clerical positions. He was instrumental in the 1950s in helping the Capitol Transit Co. and the union to agree to hire African-American bus drivers and street car operators. In 1956, he received the Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor conferred by the U.S. Dept. of Labor for his efforts in eliminating discrimination in hiring practices.

From the description of Victor R. Daly papers, ca.1890-1940. (Cornell University Library). WorldCat record id: 64691563

Victor R. Daly was a founding member of the American Bridge Association (ABA), a black membership organization, and an official with the United States Employment Service (USES), Department of Labor, for the District of Columbia. In the 1920's and early 1930's he wrote the novel "Not Only War" and several short stories, developing the theme of the African-American war experience. Daly joined the Department of Labor in 1934 in Washington, D. C. and used his position with the USES to help create job opportunities for blacks in a variety of previously segregated occupations. He retired from government employ in 1967.

In 1932 Daly was one of thirty-six founding members of the American Bridge Association, organized by blacks because of race prejudice and exclusion from membership and competition in the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). Despite attempts by Daly and others to break the color line, the refusal of membership in the ACBL continued for decades. By creating their own organization, African Americans were able to compete in national tournaments.

Daly served as Eastern vice president of the ABA from 1941 until 1943, and was its national president from 1949 until 1964. During this period he devoted most of his energy to improving relations with and breaking down racial barriers within the ACBL. One of Daly's accomplishments was the acceptance of the ABA by the American Hotel Association to stage its two annual national tournaments. New York's Waldorf-Astoria was the first of the major hotels to accept black guests. Following this lead, other professional black organizations that hold annual conventions in various parts of the country were able to find accommodation in some of the country's top hotels. Daly died in 1986.

From the description of Victor Daly papers, 1941-1986. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 174574125

Victor R. Daly was a founding member of the American Bridge Association (ABA), a black membership organization, and an official with the United States Employment Service (USES), Department of Labor, for the District of Columbia. In the 1920's and early 1930's he wrote the novel "Not Only War" and several short stories, developing the theme of the African-American war experience. Daly joined the Department of Labor in 1934 in Washington, D. C. and used his position with the USES to help create job opportunities for blacks in a variety of previously segregated occupations. He retired from government employ in 1967.

In 1932 Daly was one of thirty-six founding members of the American Bridge Association, organized by blacks because of race prejudice and exclusion from membership and competition in the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). Despite attempts by Daly and others to break the color line, the refusal of membership in the ACBL continued for decades. By creating their own organization, African Americans were able to compete in national tournaments.

Daly served as Eastern vice president of the ABA from 1941 until 1943, and was its national president from 1949 until 1964. During this period he devoted most of his energy to improving relations with and breaking down racial barriers within the ACBL. One of Daly's accomplishments was the acceptance of the ABA by the American Hotel Association to stage its two annual national tournaments. New York's Waldorf-Astoria was the first of the major hotels to accept black guests. Following this lead, other professional black organizations that hold annual conventions in various parts of the country were able to find accommodation in some of the country's top hotels. Daly died in 1986.

From the guide to the Victor Daly papers, 1941-1986, (The New York Public Library. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division.)