The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-10-23
CONSTRUCTION.
ON FOUR FILA.
UNITS STARTED.
Modern Homes To Be Of
Brick Construction
Of New Design

Last Sunday was a red-letter day
Tor the Negroes of Detroit; the occa.
sion was the beginning of actua
construction on four OF the five.
hundred FILA homes to be built BY
an all-Negro Corporation. The
Wayne County Better Homes. Inc
The Corporation. hundred thous.
and dollar corporation. was organ.
lied by its president. Senator
Charles c. Digs. who has beer
working on the idea for the pas,
two years.
Homes Of Brick
The homes will be of brick con.
struction with two bedrooms, full
basement and furnace heat.
The plans and architectural work
were done by Donald F. White
architect for the Corporation, and
an outstanding University OF Mich.
igan graduate. Numbering among
MIR. Whites outstanding architec-
tural contributions to the commu-
nifty are the Paradise Bowl and the
alterations on Bethel church. also
several government projects, He
has a reputation for being one oil
the best in his field.
The Wayne County Better Homes
Inc. has as its officers and directors
some Of the top men in their field
namely:
Richard H. Austin. auditor and
controller. He is the only Negro
certified public accountant in
Michigan. and one OF the few in
the country Mr.. Austin was highly
praised by the officials OF the Mich
igan Corporation and Securities
commission for the accounting sys-
TEN he has set up for the Cor.
poratIon.
Everett l. Watson. first vice pres
ident, is one Of Detrolts small
business benefactors. He has con-
tributed materially TO the oreanlza-
tlon and development OF as many
successful enterprises as any other
citizen Of Detroit Some Of his
sfliliations arc as follows: prcsider,
Of the Watson Insurance agency
vice president, Great Lakes Mutual
Insurance company. and treasurer
O. the Paradise Bowl. Inc.
General Counsel
Edward A. Simmons. second vice
president and general counsel. is an
attorney. He il a nominee for the
Detroit City Council. a member OF
the Illinois bar. the Michigan bar,
the Detroit Bar association. the
Wolverine Bar association. the Ma
tional Lawyers guild and a men,
Der Of the Bar OF the United States
Supreme court. Washington. D. c.
Forrest l. Young. vice president
In charge OF construction, is reg
isiered civil engineer and regis-
tered residential builder.
James l. Singleton. vice prcsi-
dent in charge Of real estate, is a
licensed real estate broker. For a
number of years he has been asso-
GATED with The Watson Realty COM
pany as real estate manager.
William B. Thompson. secretary,
Is an investigator for the Watson
Insurance agency OF Detroit. He is
a graduate Of Amherst college and
has studied law at the Detroit Col
leEe OF Law.
Fred A Allen. treasurer. is owner
and operator OF the Supreme Linen
and Laundry company OF Detroit
He is a member Of the board OF
trustees OF Parkside hospital. a
member OF the board OF manage
ment Of 81 Antoine Branch OF the
Y.MC:A.. and vice president Of the
National Negro Business league.
William l. Sheriff.. securities
sales manager. is a columnist OF the
Michigan Chronicle and a deputy
clerk af Wayne County. He Ia.
had considerable experience with
securities sales and was for many
years an executive OF the Universal
Negro improvement association.
Louis c. Blount, director. is the
secretary AMI general manager OF
the Great Lakes Mutual Insurance
company OF Detroit. Among other
distinctions, he is president OF the
Booker T. Washington Trade asso-
citation. regional vice president OF
the National Negro Business league
and former president OF the Ma
tional Negro Insurance association
Mack lvey. director, is business
man and has been successfully en-
gagged in business for almost twen-
ty-fve years.
DR.. J. w Edwards. director, is a
physician and surgeon engaged N
private practice. He is medical d.
rector for the Superior Life Insur-
snce Society OF Detroit.
Robert NJ Walker. co-ordinator
personnel and employment. is en-
ployed as representative Of the
Michigan State Highway depart
ment. He has had considerable