The Omaha guide., 1941-11-01

SHARPLY WORDED PROTEST
ADDRESSED AGAINST "INEX
CUSABLE" DELAY IN HOUS
ING NEGRO WORKERS
New York, N. Y, October 49,
The National Urban League adj
dressed a sharply worded protest
to John M. Camody, Federal
Works Administrator, against Gin
excusable delay" in providing de-
tense housing accommodations for
Negro workers. Lester B. Gran
ger, Assistant Executive Secret
airy of the League, stated in a let
ter addressed to the Washington
official that Gin many communit-
les, it ppears that housing for Ne
groes is deliberately withheld
while facilities r being provided
for white workers with the utmost
speed" "These facts, if true"
the Urban League executive decl-
AIRED, present and intolerable sit
uation in view of the proven need
for housing Of Negro workers and
the ALLEGATION of funds for that
purpose by the Federal Govern
ment.' Granger charged that
plans for a project in Buffalo, n.
York, which were approved near
ly three months ago have been
sabotaged by a ring Of local polit-
icians reflecting the sentiment ex-
pressed in mass meetings held in
Polish neighborhoods adjacent II
the sites chosen for a Negro de-
tense housing project Congress
man Better and Mayor Holling
were specifically named as among
those who have conspired to blocl
action. Characterizing these ac,
ivities as "local politics on a ward
heller level Granger urged hat
the Federal Works Administrator
refuse to be Influenced by PROVING
ial intolerance" He commended
the Federal Works Agency for a
hithertofore fair play policy N
dealing with American citizens Of
all racial groups, but warned that
"retreat from an established posi-
ton because of political intrigue
and racial prejudice worthy Of Hit
ler's Germany" would really con-
stitute sabotage if a vital defense
program.
At the offices of the National
Urban League, officials pointed
out that in the usual defense nous
ing project, actual construction is
begun within thirty to forty days
after initial olans have been APP
proved. In the case eff the Buf-
falo project for Negro workers, no
progress can be reported after
neorly three m,nt1s negotiation ,
although the Fe iaral Works Ag-
Grey has had ample authority for
h*ving begun construction many
weeks ago. Reference was made
t. the refusl of United States Sen
a;or Mead to take a public stand
i'll this matter. Negro citizens in
Buffalo, in fact, charge that Mead
h IS 7ctually u-c! his influence Sc
c..o:ly in suppo t CT Better nd Hol-
Iii ?
i was pointed ont, also, tina:
tn, buffalo sir 'ation is only a re-
f:ec!ion Of simila. CONDITIONS that
nave developed i'll other parts CT
the country. In Oerf it, Michigan,
iOta priests have whipped M Their
LITE cingregatio s to a storm of
protest against the housing Of
Negro workers in any suitable site.
In many of these cases, the sites
chosen by the Federal Government
have actually been on vacant land
far removed from neighborhoods
where opposing petitioners reside.
There is no doubt, declared Lea
que officials, "that secret influ-
enccs are being exerted against
Housing Negro workers who have
obtained jobs in national defense.
1t is the second line of battle est
ablished by those who wish to bar
Negro citizens from making their
proper contribution to the cause Of
National defense. In a number IF
cases, it appears that the oppos-