The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1938-03-05

George Isabel Defends The
Mayors Housing Commission

In reply to recent criticisms, re-
iatiye to the failure of Mayof
Richard W. Reading to place 2
colored representative on the De
troit Housing Commission, while
appointing members alleged TO he
prejudiced against members OF the
race. George Isabell. well-known
local real estate dealer. writes the
following letter to wit
"Criiislcing Mayor Readings
Housing Commission is like,
~strainlng at a gnat, and swallow
Ing camel Besides. criticism -
often given because Of the lack OF
knowledge and Understandings No
oen who kows very much a0out
Real Estate could criticise the pre-
set Detroit Housing Commission.
Better Prepared
"In the first place, all of us will
agree that the members Of the pre-.
sent Housing Commission ar. be-
ter prepared, better qualified al
have had more experience thin any
group since it's inception. The
Commission showed it's superior
qualities by its fine selection OF a
secretary and director The new
director is highly educated. well
qualified and well experienced in
the field Of property management.
This is quite contrast with the
former director. who had no expert
ence at all in this field The other
commissions just SIMPLIFY engaged
Lawyers to perform surgical oper-
atoms The present members OF
the Housing Commission present
the highest qualifications of any
ever appointed. Colored people
complain because Negro was not
appointed To the Commission. There
We're similar complaints by the
Poles. one OF the largest voting
blocks in the County; and the Jews.
who have most OF the money In
other words no Poles or Jews were
appointed on the Commission. May
l. point out that in most every
other slums clearance project in
the United States. Negro Real Es-
tate men and Lawyers were en-
ployeG. No Negroes were employed
IN Detroit by the former director
II personally know that several
well qualified Negroes made appli-
cation. James l.. Ross. Julius
Johnson. c. w White and have
had MS much experience in the
Real Estate field. in this particular
district as any white man II 10
troit. The white firms very o..cn
consul; wifh Negro firms on ,a-i.
Gus problems relating to Negro
buildings. J. Harmon, of the
Michigan Corporation & Securities
Commission. advised s. c. Had
ley on the management OF build
ings occupied by colored tenants
owned by the Detroit Trust Com
pany ] said this. 20 show that the
only reason Negro Real Estate
men and Attorneys were not used
was because of prejudice. WHY
didn't the colored newspapers com
plain about the former director not
employing colored attorneys and
real estate men? Directors In other
large cities used Negro attorneys
and Real Estate men. Mayor Couz-
ems praised this type of service
and demanded that II continue
Why didn't colored newspapers
criticise Mayor Couzcns when he
upheld those who did not emplov
Negroes at all In the project? | un-
derstand some Negroes were taken
from the relief rolls and employed
by the former director. This was
no credit to Negro Lawyers and
| Real Estate Men.
Refers To Past
maintain that any commits.
| sion appointed by the Mayor would
be more favorable to Negroes than
those in the past The Housing
commissions In the past have been
very unfavorable. and ignored and
insulted Negro Lawyers ard Real
Estate men. have faith and con-
fidence, and know that we have a
commission which will be fair 70
all regardless OF race, creed or COL
or. a LOT Of the criticism might he
advanced. because few bic "T
ans In Detroit will not be able
10 advise on matters relatlr., n
Inc Negro. have no criticism. I'm,
me highest Of respect and praise
Ior the new commission. rhrsa
who criticise commission can ha
assured that the present Comets.
sion and Mayor will he very favor
able to nualined and experience !
I Negroes
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