The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-04-14
URBAN LEAGUE
IN VANGUARD
FOR SOLUTION
BY CHARLES J. WARTMAN

BY CHARLES J. WARTMAN
FLlNT.-A perfect example OF
what the circulation of rumors do
to build up a bad situation has
existed in Flint for the last three
weeks.
II all started when a Young
white boy was stabbed by a
young Negro boy In q fracas at
the Lowell school three weeks
ago. Since that time. in the
words Of Charles Eason, director
Of the Flint Urban League,
There have been no incidents
since the Lowell stabbing. the
difficulties last week at Emer-
son were more rumor than
fact"
EASON EXPLAINED that the
Urban League had been working
with the situation since its begin
ming and that his organization.
with the help Of the Mott Founda-
ton. had undertaken 10 set up
program for the boys OF the two
schools 10 foster inter-racal rec
reation and to attempt TO counter
act basic prejudices based on fear
and ignorance.
Eason said further that the first
meeting at the Emerson school TO
air the difficulties between the
two groups came after TWO boys.
one white and one colored. had
fought
After the fight was over"
Eason said. 1.-The boys made up
but rumors began to circulate
among the white boys that the
Negroes had weapons and vice
versa"
ACCORDING TO Eason. a meet
ing was called OF all white boys
In the school but they insisted
that the Negro boys be repre-
scented As the result OF this meet
ing. il was agreed 10 set up an
inter-racial council 70 handle the
difficulties among the boys
Il believe that much Of the
difficulty Is coming from out
side Correspondents. etc." Eason
said.
Frank Marley. director OF Me
Mott Foundation, told the Chron!-
Gle that il was his opinion tina,
Flint was over the hump IN the
present difficulties. However"
Manley SAID. ~ am pretty positive
that outState forces are keepins
this situation going. One-,hlrd OF
the white groups IN Flint have
come in the last year. most OF the
difficulty is coming from them
MANLEY SAID THAT while
he was pretty certain that the
present situation has been pretty
well settled, ne felt that, NJ;
very much had been done 20
work on the fear and prejudice
which vas az the base 81 tie SIT
nation.
Our program" he continued.
lis for the purpose Of working
on this basic fear We plan tn
do this by having the boys in
clubs together. on the same ath-
. letic teams and th- like. so that
they will get Ia know each 9TH
Eer Nhetter and will be able 10
diSpel those lives and dislikss
which come because they do not
know each other"
Manley SAID further that be-
cause the ryrorS had spread INTO
the vayloU plants. certain work
ers, white and colored. had come
- him with IDEAS for In'csrsted
courts and councils FOR the boys
MANLEY AND EASON arc
now processing a nun Der Of APP
p,cationS for the position o. per
sonnet director FOR The nov rec
rcatlon program which has been
Planned THIS program VII be
directed from an n;er-rac.al ccn-
ter and VIII include summing
baseball and other sports. with
mixed teams
The Mot, Foundation. which
Mr. Manley represents supple
mentS the funds Of the school
board. conducts classes ~ adui,
education. and runs summer
camps for boys and girls
Manley sad 'Irthef nat he
felt that the pattern ~ race re,a-
lWllS W - luNRi tNlt .l .slIt, ne
cause the upper 20 per cent e TIC
population is cooperative and =
willing 20 do something 20 aid the
overall situation
JAMES T. BYARS. chez n,
Flint police, in an interview with
Charlie, Lowry. Flint representa- +
tive Of the Nichi-7n Chronicle. .
said that he fc'' that Flint was
fortunate IN avcrt!n- serious mis-
hapS
Sad Chic, Py3rs, The city
manager. the msvo- and myself.
are interested and alert and look
al the situation from hath sides
REGARDLESS Of races or color A.
this time the situation : fairly
we'll IN hand the situation around
the schools has no. amounted 20
much. but on tho other hand sucn
things can nc built w by INC old
e. people as well The Older poo
PIE should assist m COOLING OF the
situation instead " building INC
hre-bccauS neither side wins
SHOW LINCOLN L. ART
JEFFERSON CITY. Mo Dur
l.. -. IL. ~