The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-01-15
RACIAL EQUALITY
GROUP OPPOSES
DRASTIC ACTION

On December /, ls43, Corpora
ton Counsel Paul E. Krause issued
Sl-day eviction notices TO six Ne
gro families living at Alexandrine
and Sixth street. The housing COM
mittee Of the Committee of Racial
Equality has become concerned
with this case, because court ac-
ton Is imminent, and the city has
not provided any housing facilities
for the six families. Three of the
family's' head are members of the
United Automobile Workers Union,
CIO. and two are recipients of aid
from the Bureau Of Aid TO Deepen
dent Children.
The six families live in a two
story frame building which is
part OF the property bought by the
city TO build the Jeffrie's Housing
Project in the post war period. The
area in which this building is To-
Gated is bounded by Garfield on the
North. Gibson on the West, Haynes
on the South and Hamilton on the
East.
Stun Conditions
All the property in this area typi-
fes slum conditions and the build
ing in which the six families live
is especially bad. II is a health
hazard as we'll as fire trap. Plaster
falls frequently from the walls and
ceilings. leaving the laths exposed.
Several Of the toilets are beyond
repair and unusable. II is in two
room apartments Of this nature that
large families are forced TO live
because of the housing shortage.
Mrs. Walter Berman, one OF the
tenants, told the interviewer from
the Committee on Racial Equality
housing committee that they. as all
OF the rest, were told 10 apply for
housing at the War Housing Com
mission. 305 w. Fort street She
was informed upon completing the
detail QUESTIONABLE that she would
be notified by mail of housing in
which they could move. January l,
arrived and no notice had been re-
ceived by any Of the six families.
On January 3. Mack X. \Herley.
head Of the Detroit Housing Com
mission War Housing Center. was
contacted by the Core investigator
and questioned as 10 what plans
were being made 10 provide hous-
Ing for these six families as court
action was imminent and FIVE of
these families had absolutely no
place TO move TO. The sixth family.
a man and his wife, were faced
with the problem OF storing their
furniture and finding a room, IL
that was possible. Mr.. Herley then
asked what was the nationality OF
the tenants and upon being in
formed that. they were Negroes he
stated. I'VE. don't have any hous-
ing for Negroes at this date" Upon
would be done for these people MIR.
Herley stated that the judge usually
was lenient and perhaps would de-
Ter The evictions until the commit
sion had housing for these tenants.
At the present time Mr.. and Mrs.
Walter Berman, with seven chill
dren: Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Junior
with ave children, one being III;
Mrs Bessie Perry, whose two chill
dren are at home while she Is still
In the hospital after being sent
there December Is; Mrs. Eliza Bal
lard. with three children and
granddaughter; and Mr. and Mrs.
Bert Daniel with Mrs. Daniel con-
fined 10 her apartment because of
q scalded leg. comprise the 80 per-
sons who face eviction when no one
should be without shelter.
CORE. ACTICE
The Housing Committee OF the
Committee OF Racial Equality is
determined that people such as
these shall not be cvicted until, the
City OF Detroit provides a decent
place for these persons 10 move
into.
The citizens OF Detroit are the
owners Of this md similar property
from which these families are being
evicted. and are Therefore reSpon-
sible for whatever conditions exist
and for whatever action is taken
by their representatives in the city
government. The Committee of
Racial Equality does/not believe
that the citizens OF Detroit condone
the policy being pursued by the
Detroit Corporation Counsel and
the War Housing Commission in
this instance but rather feels that
being informed OF what is being
done in their lame will register
their indignation with the War
Housing Commission and at the
Corporation Counsels Office.
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