Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-06-16
RACIAL
REPORT
by The Mayors
Committee

A SUPPLEMENTARY report
"A of the Mayors lnter-racial
Committee. hitting more forth-l
rightly and specifically at then
problems Of racial friction than
did its report issued earlier this
week. was brought to light
today.
In contrast 10 the softly
phrased generalities of the
earlier report. the new one-not
originally intended for public
release-spoke out plainly on
the hazards which must be
overcome if Detroit is 10 escape
a repetition Of the disgraceful
violence Of year ago.
On housing, for example, il
said:
THE entire problem Of hous-
ing Is confused to a point Of
being almost chaotic. No two
groups or agencies seem tn
agree on proposed action. Real
estate restrictions, restrictive
covenant protective associations,
private builders, both white and
colored, deep-rooted preJudices,
all add To the toughness Of the
problem.
"To these realistic difficulties
are added the exhOrtatiOns of
idealists who advocate full
Indignation or nothing. The
problem has become emotional
To a point where any proposal
10 build houses In any area II
instantly the center of a heated
controversy.
%"Rising above this maze of
conflict Il the indisputable fact
that the need for Negro hous-
Ing II acute"
TNHE report, presented to
L Mayor Jeffries May %, was
released today by Committee
Chairman William J Norton.
Although giving the various
Inter-rscial and intercultural
conferences credit for "enlarg-.
ing the circle OF SYMPATHETIC
understanding. the committee
warned that The public utter
ances and actions of few local
white and Negro leaders have
stiffened the attitudes OF other
groups -who,-te- say-the- least,
are anything but tolerant.
However. II added.
This committee does not
have definite evidence tn
indicate that there IL any or
yanized movement sfoot tn
manifest expression by Violent
action"
An announcement was prom
ised soon on a program designed
10 improve general department,
for which an organization IS
being set up
THE group commended the
work done by She Board OF
Education's committee on inter-
cultural and inter-racial educa-
ton, and expressed hearty
approval Of the boards pro-
gram to place qualified Negro
employees in positions Of leader
ship. II also urged that ade-
ouate facilities be provided for
the training Of Negro nurses,
and postgraduate work for
Negro doctors
Appointment Of additional
Negroes 10 the police force. and
an increase IN social studies IN
the police training curriculum
were other recommendations.
The committee added
1T IL generally recognized
that Negro leadership In Detroit
has confidence In the present
management OF the police de-
partment."
CPECIAL attention was urged
~ for problems Of the DSR.
especially on the question OF
placing uniformed leaders 81
important loading centers near
factories AT times when employ
ment shifts take place.
Trouble may we'll start among
people milling 10 get into street
cars, and which trouble could
easily spread" said the COM
mittee.
The need for additional recre-
alton department leaders vas
also stressed,
In summarizing itS findings
the committee declared that
"while government has det-
mite responsibility In the field
Of racial relations, the major
responsibility lies with the citi-
zens at large"
II proposed well conceived,
long range educational program,
not overlooking emphasis on
good citizenship.
1.-THE benefits Of these efforts
would not he realized even In a
small way until later" it added.
"But in due time they may well
get us away from periods Of
apprehension Of imminent con-
hict."
-E,rry Day 4. D-Day In Fsetories--
Factoquiz