The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1945-06-02
CURRENT
NOTES
-- BY -
cLosTER B. CURRENT


A few yeas ago the supreme
Court Of the United states de-
tlared in the Louisville Case tha'
municipalities could rot seEre-
gate BY ordinance. The problem
Of constituting expanding Negro
populations and Keeping choice
ueighbcrhoods invlolate vas soiy-
Cd ~ the device OF The restrict
ise covenant.
Writing IN ne May issue OF
fhe NAACP Bulletin in Chicago
STATE senator c. c wimbish de-
fines covenants tnusly
A restrictive covenant l. a
contract entered Into by a
group of people in neighhor-
hood or section Of city. town
hip. or comfy. whereby the
parties 10 the contract agree
among themselves not To sell.
rent. or TO permit occupancy.
except as emplo, 20 any
person or group Of persons Of
their race. religion or national
origin. The objective Of this
contract l. 10 segregafe and
discriminate against all per-
sons except those who are sig.
natcry 10 the agreement. for
the purpose Of preventing the
sale or lease Of property 10
Jews or Negroes and sometimes
Catholics or persons of for
elgn extraction. The legal ef-
feet. Il. that such cove
nants appear. rs n warning
that all who purchase or lease
do 80 subject 10 the limitations
of the covenant. fnrfher. In
many eases where persons GOV.
enanied against have purchased
or leased snch premises In de-
fIance Of the restriction. the
courts have upheld the restric-
tive covenant or contract and
have held against such vendee
and lessee.
The restrictive covenant has
accomplished the objective sought
ly the municipal segregation
ordinances OF q few years ago
They now have the force and
eifec, Of law since they are le-
faily sanctioned This establish
90 IL the community imposed
segregation.
According 70 Or A. II. Haw-
ley OF the University OF Michi-
gan the function Of all re-
siric'ion Of this order is OBJ
viously 20 protect a COMPETE
tive advantage for me dominant
group. spaiial segregation, how
ever. contributes TO this end
more directly and effectively than
does any other type Of circum-
spec'ion
Hawley concludes that a
breakdown 81 the Isolation and a
scatter OF the group is the Is.
seniial first step 10 obviaiing the
position or inreriority. Redistri-
lu'ion of the members Of the
subirzated group TO approximate
The same pattern Of territorial
spread characterizing the domi-
nent population would reduce
the competitive threat fell In
any one area or sector OF the
economy differertiate The minori-
" so fully as 70 prevent It's ap.
pearing as a homogeneous mass
and eliminate he identity OF tho
group The group would thus
be absorbed IN the general popu.
lation :"
Hawiey's theory is what the
HAACP believes. Not only does
NAAcP oppose efforts OF pro-
periy owners 10 seerega,e. but
the Federal Government as we'll
Segregation as Willow Run pro-
duced segregated school in the
project segregation OF Negroes
in Inksier has produced a Negro
community. Nacillation and reac-
ton and last resort" PROPOSE
tons place Negroes continually
In sharp focus and causes all
OF the detrimental effects OF
segregation 10 accrue Segrega
ton is costly in public services
health. fire. police. accident pre-
,ention and nearly every other
public service you can mention
The answer: Smash the re.
strictive covenant Break the
walls of the ghettos. Neither
segregation through government
planning nor private restrictions
are the answer and should be
uurtHrH - rArf~