The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-02-22

. in the Michigan Senate 10 the race.
This service has been more impor-
iant and significant that Is general
" realized. II Is due partially 10
his seniority and partially 10 his
intelligence and craftsmanship In
serving Michigan and The Negro
This fact forcefully established The
fact that person who has estab-
lished that he is an apt political
student OF good legislative ability
so as To make good senator OF the
state. becomes an invaluable pub
lie official 10 The state and the race.
This accommodating seniority adds
TO his inuence and power by giving
him important assignments OF
| charmenships on important COM
mittees. These chairmanships on
important committees mean big
voice in tho Shaping Of the leeisla-
ton affecting the institutions Of
the state concerned Now when a
race representative stands at the
doorway through which finance
flows into the many state agencies,
YOU can soc the Importance Of these
important state committees In the
two branches Of tho state legislative
machinery.
II viii be a good thing TO remem-
her when election time comes
around again for our state leeis-
lature for you will be able TO recall
how by re-clecting men who proved
good legislators. you give added
power TO them to serve the race
The Miller High school appropria-
iion has shown how Senator Digs
has used his power 10 force con
cessions for racial Justice. and
these results in spite ~ the fact
in spite Of The fact that he serves
with minority party in the STATE
legislature
WHEN SENATOR DlGGS first he
/
" gan his service IN the state can.
ilal as Senator Of the Third dis
I frict. he served with party that
then hni a slight majority in both
legisla Q branches OF the state
government During that torn
Governor Prank Murphy served as
chief executive % tho state and
Senator Digcs secured positive ler
islation for tho hencht and proioc-
ton OF the race snch AZ THE Digs
Civil Rights Rillr imposing heavier
penalties and giving the victim a
certain sum as damages I'm such
cases. There was other legislation
OF benefit 10 Tho state and tho Ne
gro sponsored hy Senator Dires
but the significant technique used
10 force Elosc hospital 70 employ
Negroes escaped general attention.
When senator Diggs was chairman
of the committee ON state instifu-
tons during bis first torn OF Of
fee. there came 10 him. legislation
involving EloiSc hospital At that
time there was not colorod en-
ployee in that institution. Senator
Diecs demanded of the commit 90
from The institution seeking hene-
MS that they EMPLOY some colored
help in that state. supported insti.
tuition before The legislation was
allowed 10 leave his committee. Tho
lobby committee promptly got IN
touch with The governing forces If
the institution and some Negroes
were PROMPTLY employed. TODAY
this Institution has over rs Negro
EMPLOYEES. The opposition 10 the
employment Of The Negro was not
broken down until tho senator used
his power as member o. the SEN
ale comniiie 10 force the Issue.
THUS DIGGs began. In his FIRST
term as senator his method ~
forcing Negro employment nv
means Of his power as chairman
OF particular committee. This he-
comes more important as the soma.
tor seniority grows because no
serves on more important commit
Ices. In The senators second form
az result Of membership an an
important committee. prevented
legislation from passing that would
nave stopped the Negro In his
search for hotter housing. The Real
Estate hoard Of Detroit sought 70
ee' through tho legislature ,ou-
inc law that contained features ,ha,
would have empowered block ma
lor''ies by certain proposed action
10 Wriie covenants ATTACHING IN All
property In that block. which moan,
mat such a covenant barring Negro
residents would have been m.de
legal by legislative enactmor,
MS program OF the Detroit Real
rs'a'e board was effectively chcck.
ed and blasted hy the promnt sc,io,
ot Senator Dlrss. who aroused mo
Negro Republicans 10 action all
over me state and such coming
Jaw Jaw was killed In the Michigan
Senate s""
IN mis-. Senator Diees, ,b,ra
!" ONCE. he Is chairman OF the Fl. |
,, committee The appropri,. |
non winch The various departments
OF The state receive come ,hro,'.,
this committee.
A.. =" 'ehl Barbara. I'll come 10
'ne point--lers get married.
Barbara didn't answer