The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-01-31
LET'S KEEP THE
RECORD STRAIGHT


In June, the federal government
asked the Detroit Housing COM
mission TO act as its agent for the
construction OF 700 defense dwell
ings, These units were to be for
defense workers. The Detroit Hous-
ing commission at that time brought
in a site known as the Modern and
Dequindre site, which the housing
commission unanimously accepted
for 200 dwelling units for Negro
occupancy as directed by the fed
eral government. The federal agent
came out and decided that the
Negro project should be at Fenelon
and Nevada.
At this time there arose a great
deal Of opposition from many
sources. Also at that time, |, Horace
White, the Negro on the commission
brought in the idea that the pro-
ject should be placed at West Eight
Mile Road, which raised a lot of
opposition from large real estate
holdings in the city OF Detroit. The
result was that the idea was
dropped by the commission without
any formal action. Then the COM
mission scceded to the Fenelon
and Nevada site. The commission
had nothing 10 do with the selec-
ton of sites, but was simply acting
as an agent for the federal govern
ment.
A large protest citizens committee
was formed under the leadership
OF one Joe Buffa. who is a real
estate operator and builder He was
definitely against Negro occupancy
Of the project because he said that
the property value would imme-
diately go down and that the FILA
would not make more loans 10 home
owners in that section.
1t must be borne in mind that
is site where the Sojourner Truth
foject was built was zoned for
Favy manufacturing by the city
|ning board At this time the
pykin Congressional committee
as scheduled 10 come from Wash
gton TO listen to protests about
e Sojourner Truth Homes. That
mmittee came. The protests were
any against Negro occupancy. The
bykin committee is made up of
utherners who could not see truth
ID logic of Negrses living in a
hite neighborhood.
DR. Rudolph Tenerowicz was OPP
'sed from the beginning TO the
oject being placed at Fenelon and
Pvada. He got with members Of
committee and made a deal with
EN- around the $500. 100000 de-
nSe housing appropriation TO
ange it from Negro 10 white In
meantime, however. We re-
wed an order from Washington
Eing that we should proceed with
gro occupancy. The man who
ued that order is named Clark
rman. He was fired for issuing
order and within three hours
ter the order was issued. we re-
bved another order saying do
put Negroes in the project This
der was from a man named Baird
yder. who is Federal Works
mnistrator.
Before this however. ! had made
trip 10 Washington to try TO
nvince Congressman Tenerowicz
at his efforts to have the project
|anged were undemocratic and
otivated by downright race pref
lice and unwillingness to see the
beds Of the Negro people in his
strict At that time he lied and
mined and hawed to a disgusting
stent. He said he was not against
e project when l had definite
formation from the Defense Co.
fdination office that he was push
e it.
A few weeks after that was
hlled to Washington with Mr..
dgecomb, present secretary OF the
ousing commission 10 discuss the
hange. I put up as big a protest
gainst any change as ! could put