Evening journal., 1920-01-01
SEEK LEGAL Way
TOOUST negroes
City Council Calls on City
Solicitor in Neighbor-
hood Dispute
WHITE RESIDENTS
THREATEN LAWSUIT

City Solicitor Huxley has been called
upon by City Council to find out II
there is any law under which Asbury
C. Sterling, a Negro letter carrier and
his family, can be ousted from the
house at No. 1916 Tsinall street, a white
district
At a meeting OF Council, sitting as
committee OF the whole last night.
delegation OF residents OF the block
Of Tainall street, between Twelfth aud
Thirteenth. made complaint against the
further residence OF The negro family.
The councllmen individually expressed
sympathy with the cOmplainants. but
doubted tslcir ability as a Body 10 take
any action. They then, by formal vote,
called the city solicitor 20 advise them
as TO their power or lack Of IT,
The delegation was headed by w. O..
Merrick and consisted Of Mrs. F. F Rey-
nolds. jeremiah Sullivan and Mrs. ]. A.
DOnOhOe Mr.. Merrick said he wishes
70 understood neither he nor the other
neighbors had any bad feeling AGAINST
Sterling and his family because they
We're cciOrcd.
This is not a case Of racial preju-
dice" said he. but one purely none
tary. As q result OF the moving into
our ne'ghborhood OF the Sierlings our
own homes have lost value. Until the
Stcrlings moved in. we could have sold
our properties easily at good flures;
now I doubt II we could dispose OF
them az almost sny valuation 20 q
white purchasers and would have TO
sacrifice Them TO colored ones
Mrs Reynolds explained the house in
question had been purchased by Dr
Henry p Garrett. through his attorney,
John r. rirghurst. She sad the value
OF the property had been put at only
$500 but she understood Dr. Garrett
had paid $3.50 for it.
Councilman John A. Hopkins Of the
sixth Ward himself a Negro. defended
The Slcrl'ngs on the ground that
hundred cotred families had been put
out Of their homes and onto the street
because there was nowhere for them e.,
20. end such was the case with the
family complained or I'VE are. all
Americans ne exclaimed. "and must
gradually break down some Of the pref
udices which have existed against my
race"
Mr. Aierrick disclsimed any racial
feeling. but insisted the Sterlings could
have cot a house elsewhere. He then
nut ihls question to Councilman Hop
kins: "ll you owned a house on the
Boulevard would you feel &c would lose
value should another colored man move.
next door?"
Hopkins reiterated 1--WE are all Amerl-
cans and must yield some Of our
preiudices," but did not answer the
question.
Councilman Mearns said City Solicitor
Huxley already had told him he doubt
ed II Council or the city could do any
thing legally TO compel the Slerlmgs
90 move. At this Jer miah Sullivan. Of
the protesting delegation, declared he
had gone TO DR.. Garrett and offered to
buy the house from him at an advance
price. get a home for the Strings
equally good and pay all the expenses
Of moving the Sterling household goods.
"Dr. Garrett refused to have anything
90 do with me-" said Sullivan. 1T was
evident the tenant was determined TO
stay in the Tatnall street house. We
have found an even better home for
him TO move into, but he won't do IT,"
President Won told the del cation he
was glad they had called on Council and
that Council was ever ready to listen to
any grievances or complaints Of citizens,
but he could not see in the present case
how it could do anything whatever be-
cause 10 had no power.
Mir. Sullivan then oN1ounced that II
Council could not find a way to Oust
he Sterlings. he intended suing DR..
Jarrett for damages because Of the de-
preciation in property values caused by
permitting a Negro family to move into
lS neighborhood. The delegation sup
ported him in this threat and declared