The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-02-20
FPHA NOT TO
IN|T|ATE'M|XED'.|
DWELLING S
Republicans Accused Of
Playing For
Negro Vote

WASHINGTON, D. CLAMP
Dragging out OF the skeleton closet
en- issue long settled, a virtual ul-
tlmatum has been issued from the
state OF Alabama against possibility
that housing agencies of the fed
eral government are ito show TO
the world and TO teach everybody
the object lesson that two races
could live together amicably under
the same roof" in the words OF
Congressman Joe Starnes wko is
refghting the Civil War in the
midst OF World War II.
Under barrage of questions by
Representatives Starnes and Cliff
ton A. Woodrum. Virginia. chair
man; John A. Blandford. admins
traitor OF the National Housing
sgency and Herbert Emmerich, the
commissioner OF the Federal Pub
lie Housing authority. promised the
house appropriations sub-commit-
tee. during the recent hearings on
the Independent Offices Appropria-
tons bill, that the housing agen-
c!es OF the federal government
would not initiate mixed" housing
projects anywhere in the United
States.
Want To Make Michigan Like
Alabama
Although four representatives
from northern states were men,
bers OF the Subcommittee, not
single. congressman is recorded in
the hearings report as having OBJ
jected 10 the line OF questioning d.
recied a, Blsndtord ard Emmerich
while they attempted 20 justify the
functions OF their racial relations
Offices. BY their silent scquies.
cencc, northern members OF the ap.
p.opra;.ons committee concurred
In TIE ;nS.stence OF Joe S;srnes
tina; the RACIAL patterns OF his Ala
bams mus, be imposed upon such
states as New York. Illinois. M.chi-
gan and California
The silence OF the northernerS
continued while the poll tax state
repreSen .a,.ve cas.iga;ed the FEPC
ard the War Manpower commission
as leg slstve hybr.ds" as he as
sailed Their policy on Negro en-
ploymcnt which makes the provi-
SION OF housing for Negroes neces-
ssry.
Political leaders kere anticipate
that this capi.ulaiion 10 the segre-
cation demands OF the southern bloc
may ALLEVIATE from the sdminisua-
ton b!ocs OF Negro voters in
northern states like Illinois. Ohio.
Michigan. Indiana. Pennsylvania.
New York and California.
In any close pres dental election,
as indicated by the most recent
Gallup pol. the Negro vote in
these states WI DC more con;ro!l-
Ing than the so!.d south. Repub.i-
can leadership appears 10 be out
Genors,.ng the Democratic admin
Istraton BY playing bali" with the
southern bloc through Silent &C
qd.cSrcnce IN the expectation that
they Will win back ne Negro vote,
TINS development was h .hl gh;-
ed ;his week in the controversy
IN the house over William PIckens
wheA- northern Republicans and
southern Democrats combined in
preliminary vote 10 Gus. PlckcnS
from TIC treasury department pay
roll because OF alleged Commun.s-
TIC activities On the follow ing day
when Plckens' race vas made an
issue, minority leader Martin took
the floor 10 pom; out 10 the Re-
publican brothers tha: we do not
want them 20 set the impression
that VIC are discriminating against
an American because OF his color"
Playing For Negro Vote
The Republicans then reversed
their vote IN order 20 give Plckens
and others accused a hearing be-
Sd fore the house committee on ap.
Preparations. Congressman Cole.
man of the southern bloc charged
the Republicans were deserving
their coalition and declared. Some
body Is playing for the Negro
vote
Mr. Biandfords (NHA admins
tra;or) implied commitment TO seq
rcgated housing is revealed in the
following questions and answers:
Mr.. Starnes: What is the neces-
sity for this? Racial Relations
Office
Mr.. Blandford: I have continued
thau JUNCTION because we found it
useful.
There Is considerable correspond
ence; there are delegations; there
sre special community situations
arising and this racial-rclatons staff
with its special knowledge OF the
problems OF Negroes is definitely
helpful.
Mr.. Woodruff: DO they cooper
ate or do ;kcy agta,c?
Mr.. BLandford; Mr. Woodruff. !
think II could be clearly demon
strated that they have definitely
cooperated and helped in a lot OF
situations.
MI. StdlneS IL tnlS UNIV uo!HS h'c
same work that the comparable
unit was doing in USHA in agi-
tating the use OF the same housing
project by both races?
Mr.. Blandford: This unit is not
doing that.
Mr.. S,arncs: I have in mind two
instances with respect 10 housing
situations involving great deal OF
trouble. One of them was at Dc
troIt wtich led to an open fight;
and one was down in Birmingham
where a housing project was set up