The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1942-01-24
Benezet Club Opens; Community Rallies To Hobby Cente
Housing Protest



the NAACP OF not helping in the
fight last summer when efforts
were made TO stop the project
The pamphlets also accused Attor-
ney Percival X. Piper and Lloyd
Cofer. president OF the Conant Gar
den Community association, OF OPP
posing the project as II would
overrun the community with Ne
groes from the South who are not
accustomed 10 conditions here"
Piper was accused OF going to
Washington with two white men TO
offer opposition TO the project
The Rev. Charles Hill. chairman,
warned those who shouted throw
him out" that this is a democratic
meeting and every one shall be
treated with courtesy
Senator Charles {. Diggs. the
first speaker. after explaining to
the audience the fight which led
up to the selection OF the property
at Nevada and Fenelon for the
erection OF the project, and the
ALLEGATION OF the home by the Gov
eminent. leyelled his verbal guns
at Baird Snyder and Charles Pal
mer. the two men directly respon-
sible for turning the project over
TO whites after 1t had been design
ated for colored occupancy by Gov
eminent officials.
Senator Digs then read the fol-
loving telegram from Snyder:
In cooperation with Coordina-
" Palmer we are making full pro-
}ision for both white and Negro
License workers in Detroit. AL
though we are opening to white
occupancy project at Nevada and
fenelor, we will have another pro-
cct for the Negro defense workers
which we are confident will meet
every need II will be built on cite
unanimously recommended by De-
troit Housing Commission. Matter
studied carefully here in conjunc-
iion with Representatives of the
Congress and Detroit Housing
Commission.
when he had finished reading
the telegram senator Digs said
Perhaps Rev. Horace A. White,
can explain TO us about the una
mously recommended hy Detroit
Detroit Housing Commission as he
attended the conference in Wash
ingion last week when the occu-
pancy was turned over TO whites
The Rev. Mr.. white. who had re-
turned from Washington early
morning, told the large
audience that the telegram refer
red TO the vote OF the Housing
last summer, and was
made in reference 10 the vote on
the cite al Dcquindre and Mound. |
He said the minutes OF the meet /
ing would prove that he was in
attendance. He also said that II
was on his motion that the project !
was named in honor Of Sojourner /
Truth. tho great Abolitionist
The Rev. Mr.. White said that
Rudolph Tenerowicz.
during the conference in washing |
.on. had Demanded that the prof.
sct be turned over 10 whites
Snyder, according TO White. later
declared that he knew this move
would provoke trouble, but stated
hat he would rather have dill
fcul'y with Negroes than with
Poles as the Negroes did not con-
siiiute serious political threat.
Dr. James j. McClendon prcis-
len; of the Detroit branch OF the
National Association for the Adj
OF Colored People, and |
Attorney Percival a. Piper. also
spoke. Mr.. Piper told OF the large
sum 81 money pooled by the whites /
10 oppose Negro occupancy OF the /
project, lie said this opposition
was led by white real estate men.
Senator stanley Novak was an
Jthor speaker.
kilograms were sent TO Mrs
Roosevelt. snyder and Palmer. A
protest was wired 10 President
Roosevelt Friday night by the com
mitiee which organized the pro-
test.
As the meeting got under way
Sunday pamphlets denouncing DR..
McClendon, White. Diggs, Lloyd
Cofer and Piper were brought
otu signed by Mack f.. Grant, and
DoSh Dean. Jr The Pamphlet said
hat when the fight for the project