The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1940-12-14
CENAToR DIGGs this week gave

y a supreme demonstration OF the
power in the punch carried by a
statesman notiyated by the desire
10 serve the public and sharpened
by long experience in public affairs.
Senator Digs knows how 10 pre-
pare his case in order TO challenge
the public attention and where TO
strike in order TO secure greatest
results from the blow. The work OF
Senator Diggs and Senator Novak
In challenging the maladministra-
ton OF the present county head OF
the Welfare department was so
we'll done that II hit the front
pages OF the metropolitan daily
papers and aroused editorial COM
ment as we'll.
can't remember any such con
structive criticism in regard 10
the conduct OF governmental de-
partment In which Negro was one
~ the principal movers that recciv-
ed such wholehearied cooperation.
Senator Novak and senator Diggs
had the goods on the welfare ad-
ministraior. Mr.. Harris. the man
from Kentucky whom former may
or Couzens moved into one OF the
largest and most important posi-
tons in the City government. And
later the Mayor tried 20 move bin
out hut could not because the TO-
sition was protected nv the civil
service act That the two senator's
had the goods on Mr.. Harris was
at'ested 10 by the fact from some
facts disclosing wrong conduct
have already been admitted nv
subordinate welfare officials. These
officials admit the paying Of wages
out 81 state welfare appropriations
under the existing laws. 10 the Are
men whom Harris wanted 70 keep
on the payroll this was illegal and
wrong.
In an Interview with Senator
Digs ! learned that the reason
they refused further cooperation
with the committee appointed by
the welfare commission was be-
cause he and Senator Novak were
denied membership on the com
miitee OF Investigation. They in
sisted on being on the committee
IN order 10 force a complete inves-
tigation and checkup OF the acfivi-
ties OF the welfare department
They wanted 10 insure a success
ful revelation Of All the bad condi.
tons they knew 10 exist there and
70 prevent whiiewash OF their
efforts to ret this done
Senator Digs and Senator Novak
have had so many complaints OF
the conduct Of the welfare depart
ment that they determined TO do
something about II. II the welfare
department wishes 10 escape
senatorial Investigation when the
legislature convenes I'm January.
full and effective investigation
must be made hv ihe city and
county authorities and the maiad-
minisiraiion ~ the welfare DEPART
ment corrected.
No Instance could better express
the value 81 effective leadership
These conditions anec, class ~
people who do not know how N
protect themselves from the neg
lect oircnmvention. brutality. and
determination 81 public officials
who take advantage Of humble cit
liens Leadership like Senators
Digs and Novak's Is invaluable 10
these people Chalk IN another
feather in the cap OF Senator Digs
for public service. II is an limos
ing record underlying the fight for
better conditions for women in in
dnstrv: better housing condifions
for the Negro IN Wayne County
stronger Civil Rights Law on the
statute books: senatorial lnvesti.
cation Of conditions among Ne
groes; cooperation for constructive
support ~ the Negro In the field az
answering his own needs with tho
help Of the FILA authorities and
many other accomplishments IN
getting jobs and abolishinr dis
elimination and now the Welfare
investigation. This is an enviable
record OF public service.
THE UNANIMOUS movement in
backing up Attorney Rledsoe for
me position Of Commissioner Of
labor gathers force. Last week.