The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1937-04-23
YOUTH COUNCIL
DISAPPROVES
OHIO'S NEW
CIVIL RIGHTS
BILL

COLUMBUS, 0hio-Among the
very first bills introduced into the
Ohio Cen. Assembly were two iden-
tieal bills to amend Sc ton 12940,
General Code Of Ohio to make speei.
fic the meaning and scope Of the
Ohio Civil Rights Statute. Last week
the House of Representatives, BY
amendment, removed from the bill
the most potent clause, thereby max
ing the bill weaker and even moro
Ineffective than before.
For many years Onions had boas-
ted Of their Civil Bishts Law, sup
posedly guarantying to all the citi-
zens Of this great state equal rights
and privileges and fair trial at
the bar of justice. Last December
this grand Illusion was shattered
when the Supreme Court Of Ohio. in
effect, said that privately owned Oh
operated businesses could refuse ser
vice to Negroes if they cared to do
50. This decision was handed down
Y the Supreme Court in the Case of
Sissle VS.. Harvey when it disallowed
motion for an Order Requiring the
Court of Appeals of Cuyahoga
County to certify its record to the
Supreme Court Of Ohio. Put blunt
", the question here decided was
this, May tradesman offer to sell
TO all the world and then when 4 Ne
gro offers to buy, insult and humili-
ate the Negro by refusing 10 deal
with him or her on account Of color !?
A. a, Andres Of Canton. Ohio.
president of the Ohio State N. A.
A. c. P, in his annual address at
the Youngstown Conference, urged
that the organization prepare and
submit to the Legislature an alright
bill. Preparation Of the bill was be-
gun by the Legal Redress Committee
of the Ohio State Conference of
Branches under the guidance of Al
torney William Z Mcknight. Of To
ledo. II tho meantime. Attorney
Norman 4. McGhce and Attorney
Chester K. Gillespie, on a committee
Of the Cleveland Branch, made few
changes ~ the present statute and
asked members Of the Cleveland Dele
cation TO introduce the bill in the
House Of representatives and Senate,
simultaneously
Though it was not at all forceful
the Ohio Conference Of Branches
gave approval to the bill and pro-
ceeded in an effort to effect its pas
sage-feeling this would consolidate
the forces behind the bill. Last
week we were hafpy to know that
vote would be taken in the House;
however, without notice to, or con.
sultation with representatives Of the
NAACP the bill was amended tc
strike out Owned or operated pub
licly or privately, and passed in th
form. Mr.. McGhee has said that he
and Chester X. Gillispie, for the
Cleveland Branch in Conference with
representatives to the General AS
sembly from Cleveland, instructed
the passage of Senate Bill No. 81
with the amendment to strike on
Owned or operated publicly or pri
vately'.
Now we ehave very meriocore bill
The force Of striking out the mos
potent words gives the courts very
tangible opportunity Of supporting |
contention that the bill was not i'll
tended to include private business
This intent is shown by the Legisla
ture's over act and it is upon this
very point that sissleVs. Harvey
Case was decided In its present
form you can readily sec why i
passed with such little opposition
108 Yes and 2 no.
We, the Youth Council Of the
columbus NAACP voice out appro
val Of a more effective and specific
Civil Rights Bill, such as advocated
BY both Ohio State NAACP and tht
X
National Office.
(signedl
Youth Council of the Columbus Ma
sAcP.