The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1946-08-21

PORTLAND URBAN LEAGUE PLEADS
FOR IMPROVED RACE RELATIONS


Mayor of Portland, by The Urban
League of Portland, asking that
the city government take immedi-
ate steps to inaugurate a construc-
tive program to aid this city achi-
ewing Civic Unity.
The Honorable Earl Riley, Mayor
city OF Portland
My dear Mayor Riley:
The recent lynching, rioting. and
manifestations of mob violence at
various points throughout the
country, remind US sharply OF
the definite need for immediate
planning and action to improve
race relations in our own city.
1t is a we'll know fact that
minority citizens are Disseminated
against in all areas of human en-
deavor in Portland.
In view of the growing wave
OF atrocities perpetuated against
members of minority groups else
where in the United States, and
with the knowledge that injustices
and the denial of American op-
portunity, which precipitate such
behavior exist in Portland, we
urge YOU as Mayor of the City,
10 use all OF the power OF your
office to bring to a halt all I'M
democratic practices in Portland.
Among positive steps which can
be taken with dignity and dis
patch are:
l. The Inauguration of complet-
ely democratic employment
practices throughout City Gov
eminent. This could be accom-
plished by insisting on merit
hiring in ali branchs of City
Government, and by inserting a
non-discriminatng hiring clause
in all contracts let by the City
to private firms. This is simply
request that all citizens have
the opportunity to share equally
in work, which is resultant of
the expenditure of tax money
(everybody's money.
3 The beginning of an in-sery-
ice-training program for police
officers. with emphasis on race
relations. Such courses have
been extremely helpful in other
cities with problems similar to
Portland's. Several manuals for
such instruction are available.
Competent instructors, at a mod
est fee, are available to aug
ment the teaching of City of
ficials and local resources per-
sons.
8. The appointment and the Or
ganization of a city-wide civic
unity committee, which is truly
representative of all segments
of the community. Such com
mittees are now funCtioning in
most large America cities. Both
neighboring cities of San Fran
cisco and Seattle have found
them extremely useful in pam
ming for interracial progress and
harmony.
We ask your attention to the
obious truth, that the time to
prepare to meet unfortunate hap
penings is prior to the occurrence;
the best method to prevent such
occurrences, is to remove the I'M
DERIVING causes. The above sug-
gested program, recognizes both
the concept of prevention and the
concept of preparation.
The Urban League of Portland,
and its 1042 members stand ready
to assist in the promotion of such
a program. Further, we have had
the assurance of many civic, socl-
al. religious. fraternal and veteran
organizations that they, too, will
offer solid backing and assistance
in promoting this or any similar
program.
We ask your careful consider
alton of this request, For, we
feel. that failure to remand you
of this important community need
would constitute dereliction of our
duty.
Respectfully,
Isl DeNorval Unthank, MD. Pr.
(s) Edwin c. Berry, Elk. Sec.y