The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1938-06-04
Criticism Exploded Against
Detroit Housing Commission

ciated Win the FeueTal tOustn
Project. To Governor Frank Mul
ply in protest OF the Detroit hou'
in condition II reads as follow:
Whether We like Ia lace il or
net. the fact remains that the
United states l. the most
backward country In the civil
lized world in pro, iding decent
housing ior our people. We
have piled up an appalling num-
her of Sums: We are today
confronted by one ri the gra,-
81 housing shortages In our
history. The wise projection Of
n sound housing program OF.
ier unlimited po>s Ibilitie>. In
qulckening the rate and widen
ing the scope OF general eco
homie recovery. Contra>ted
With relief. public housing i
better for business. cheaper
ior the taxpayer. and Infinitely
more rehablliating 10 those
who need help.
4 recent survey conducted
hy the National Negro Assoc
ciation revealed that 42.OO0 out
of IOOirm Negroes died from
tuberculosis In the large ur-
ban areas oi northern cities.
The Detroit Health Depart
ment. in "A recent tuberculin
prevention campaign found
that this dreadful plague was
twenty times higher in the
>lDm districts than other parts
oi the city.
The so .0OO.OO0 earmarked
for >lum clearance and low
cost housing in Detroit was the
signal for our newly created
housing commission composed
of bankers and realtors 10 be-
gln employing mercenary tao
ties AT The expense OF thous-
sands oi needy citizen, who
would greatly benefit through
this rehabiIitatlng program.
Act number ; of the late
Housing tct specifically relates
10 the elimination by demolition
of all nniit. in>anitary dwell
lhe units. Vet number :. and
one 81 the utmost Importance.
relates 10 the character of the
Projects which may be aided.
ne Act j designed IL serve
only those who are all-housed
and undcrpri,ileged. The local
housing agency must demon
>trate that there i need ior the
project in the community and
ne rents In the project will
he low enough 10 meet that
need.
Two oi the sites the Com
mission plan 10 submit 10 the
niied States Housing author.
ny are In districts where they
are not wanted and carry re-
>frictions. and two are small
additions to the projects now
near completion. Can II be
sheer Ignorance OF the inter-
probation OF the law or can Il
be for sell gain! which OF the
Two mottyates this action taken
by the Commission! This clear.
ly shows the inconsistency OF
the Board.
s25.0OO.OO0 to be appropri.
afed for sIum clearance and
approximately SsOO.OOO 10 be
spent 10 rehabilitate $50 Of
The l3l.000 Negroes which hous.
Ing effects In Detroit II the 10.
cal housing commissions idea
OF a fair and equitable dlstribu-
fi"n OF this rchabllItating pro-
gram.
With crime, juvenile deIin-
quency and mortality fate rang
Ing from five to twenty times
higher than that OF other parts
OF the city and stories on hu-
man relations have revealed the
suffering and misery Of thou
sands Of underprlyIleged. Both
white and colored citizens will
be denied the privilege Of n
decent clean home II these re.
dictionary forces are TO he re-
faIned In office.
Therefore, knowing you 10
ne a person who appreciates hu-
man value, I am desperately
appealing to you TO aid me In
this fight 10 protect and SAFE
guard the economic and social
INTEREST OF the Negro.
Settling up the State Housing
Commission will eliminate this
condition.
Before man and God this
great infringement and lnjus-
tlce and partial treatment OF
social inequality by the local
housing authorities Will for
ever remain n blot on the prln-
cIpIes OF American democra-
cIes.
Thanking you, I remain