The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-10-09
URBAN LEAGUE
SUBMITS POST
War PROGRAM
BY ERNEST e. JOHNSON

league with its Victory Through
Unity" theme. was one Of the more
successful and effective in league
history, was registered here last
week among the 200 delegates as
they wound up their program Sun
day with a huge and colorful sFour
Freedoms rally" at Orchestra hall.
No. In Resolution
Contrary to custom. the result
was not a set OF resolutions. but
rather a 15-point program Of spe-
cific recommendations directed TO
the executive heads OF the cities and
states throughout the country.
The recommendation were COM
piled by a committee OF league
branch officials headed by John T.
Clark, executive secretary. Urban
League OF ST. Louis, the high-points
Of which are.
/. We urge that governors OF
states and mayors Of cities take i'm
mediate steps to promote interracial
cooperation by clearing away bar
riers that now stand in the way
OF mutual understanding and re-
spect between the races.
Take Advantage
2. We urge these government
heads and their interracial commit
tees 10 take advantage OF the pres
emit period OF intense mobility-ot
people, occupations and attitudes.
3. All possible effort must be de-
voted to promote effective intesra-
ton OF Negroes into the new COM
munities in which they are NOV.
ing.
4. Municipal leadership must be
alert against the growth OF new
Negro slum districts.
). We charge industrial manage
ment with the duty OF assisting in
the indignation and protection OF
these new Negro workers who have
come into war centers in response
to the call OF the nation. avoiding
paternalism. but maintaining an ef-
fective concern for the housing.
health. police protection. and rec
reation OF its workers.
g. The spread OF racial segrega-
ton must be vigorously opposed by
responsible community leadership.
Ii is the pattern OF living which the
southern enlightened leadership has
found 10 be socially harmful and
practically unavoidable. Northern
citizens must not thoughtlessly
adopt way OF life which has al
ready worked unquestionable harm
to both whites and Negroes in our
southern states.
Negro Leadership
7. Negro leadership must take the
lead in developing a higher type
OF social education among the men,
bers of their race.
8. Social agencies are called upon
10 re.examine their present pro-
grams in the light OF their original
philosophy and detectives. They
must recognize their responsibility
FOR serving all people without dis
elimination because OF race.
@ Police departments in cities
throughout the country have an OPP
portunlty and duty 10 rcorganlze
their policies and practices in &C
cordance with the requirements II
democratic government Not only
the attitudes OF individual police
officers, but the policies OF whole
departments must DC re-cxamincd
and improved in the Light OF tense
situations Of the present
10 Programs for consumer edu-
cation and protection must be de-
vcloped among the Negro populs-
ton.
IL Medical and health services
to the Negro population must be
strengthened now as wartime
health need OF Negroes and also as
a protection against the further de-
terioration OF these services dur
ing the postwar period. There is a
danger that the policies OF racial
segregation and discrimination
which are. unfortunately. part OF
the army's and navy's medical poll
cies Will be reflected in increased
racial discrimination in hospitals
and other public health services as
present army and navy officers re-
turn to civilian medical practice.
IL Industrial management. or
sanizcd labor. and government
share common responS .bllity for
protecting Negro workers against
undue hardship in the release OF
workers from their present war
time Jobs. Without waiting for the
end OF the war, leadership in each
OF these fields should begin I'M
mediately and in cooperation with
Negro leaders. to discuss questions
OF lob seniority, transfer OF work
crs in plant conversion. retaining
Of workers for peace-time Jobs and
elimination OF the remaining re-
strictions against Negro member
ship in trade unions. 1t is desirable
that reforms along these lines be
accomplished with minimum or
legislation. but where industrial and
labor leadership proves obdurate
against assumption OF proper social
responsibilities, legislative leaders
should begin now 10 frame effective
legislation designed 10 protect the
rights OF all of the people 10 all
employment opportunities.
II. A watchful eye must be kept
on the public services and social
gains already achieved as part OF
pur wartime planning il the United
States Employment services should
be returned TO the states.
Is. Provisions for war housing z,
health and child care made posi-
BILE under the Lanham act must be
carried over by proper legislation
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