St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-04-21

other such places in the city of st.
Paul?
John Maurer on Equal Rights
II for one believe equal rights
for all of US, but we have to step
out and teach lots of people that
we are all equal: that colored and
white are one and break that feel
ing down not only in bars, but in
every place. I believe start on top
and go down."-Mr. Maurer.
"The Equal Rights law should be
enforced."-Mr. Strong.
81 am positively for the enforce
ment of the Equal Rights law i'm
partially."-Mr. Pearce.
81 believe this law should be en-
forced. If we are to have good
government all laws, including the
Equal Rights law, must be en-
forced" Mr.. Rosen.
at is my sworn duty to enforce
all of the laws, including of course
the Equal Rights law."-Mr. Bar
fuss.
81 am in favor of the enforcement
of any law, including the law giving
equal rights to all people in restau-
rants, taverns, hotels, and other
places in the City of st. Paul.
Mr.. McDonough.
"Well, on this Equal Rights law,
this is free country for every
one, creed, color or race; as Lincoln
freed it for everyone. That is
my policy, also. >. Your people
have just as much rights in hotel,
tavern and other such places in the
city of st. Paul as any one else."-
Mr.. Willard.
Fourth Question
4. 1t is a known fact that many
firms in the city of st. Paul dis
criminate in their employment poll
cies by direct refusal to hire Negro
men and women, by token employ
ment; by hiring only in mental or
segregated classifications, contrary
to the Executive Order No. 9546
issued by the President. What is
your attitude toward the city ad-
ministration using the powers of it's
office-such as awarding of con-
tracts, franchises, licenses, as well
as its police and legislative power
to force the elimination of these
discriminatory practices?
II believe colored people should
be employed wherever employment
is needed Mr.. Maurer.
without reference to an attor-
ney do not know whether the city
could exercise its powers in rela-
lions to contracts, licenses, etc., to
enforce the Presidents Executive
Order No. 9546. Assuming, how
ever, that this could be legally done,
there remains the question of
whether such action would bring US
nearer % a solution of the long
standing problem of racial discrim-
nation or whether it would bring
about an undesired and harmful re-
action. Too, there is the question
of whether such employers as you
cite would not find some way of
avoiding compliance."-Mr. Strong.
"The people of st. Paul well
know that I am unalterably op-
posed to all discrimination. How
ever, when contracts are awarded
by the city government, they must
be awarded in accordance with the
City Charter and State laws. The
only matter that we can take into
consideration in awarding contracts
is who is the lowest bidder as well
as the responsible bidder. Until the
Legislature authorizes us to take
into consideration matters of dis
elimination in employment, we will
not be in a position to consider it
as qualification or disqualification
for the awarding of contracts &C.
cording to the opinions by the At
torney General Of Minnesota and
the Corporation Counsel of the city
of st. Paul. AS councilman, we are
bound by these opinions" - Mr..
Rosen.
"During my service in your City
Council I always considered a citi-
zen best qualified for service or
contract regardless Of race, creed
or color and certainly am for the
administration of Legislative as well
as police powers to eliminate any
a nd all discrimination" Mr.. |
Pearce.
"My attitude on the employment
of colored people is well known by |
you. Colored police and firemen
whose names appear on Civil Ser
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