Evening star., 1947-10-24
The Courts and the Covenants

To the Editor of The Star:
The last paragraph in The Stars editorial.
"The Courts and the Covenants" printed Octo-
ber 81, does not necessarily indicate The Stars
attitude on racial covenants.
Racial covenants are in the law Of the Dis
trict because the courts have read into the law
by their decisions that which never has been
given legal sanction by congressional enact
ment.
Since World War l. these racial covenants
have become widespread throughout the coun-
try due to our courts of justice. through legal
artiice or evading them in our Federal city
which sets the pattern for the 4s States.
Unless this practice is checked by courts or
Congress, 1t will become so general that such
Offensive epithets as fascist" and 'undem-
ocratic" to which The Star has taken exception
will dwindle to rather mild and commonplace
expressions when truthfully and politically ap-
piled to the workings of our boasted democracy.
Our courts of justice were established to dis
pense and administer justice. If contract or
covenant Is racial, 1t is the duty of the court
to void It, AUGUSTUS LEE
To the Editor OF The Star:
Regarding your editorial "The Courts and
the Covenants what Is more cheap and
offensive" than to call communistic and dupes
the colored Americans who try to obtain the
privileges of first-class citizenship, or to buy
and reside upon any property its owners choose
to sell them?
quite agree with you that this case and
others should be above the level of name
calling; but you fail to direct your displeasure
at the initial source of such conduct namely,
few officials and members of the Federation
of Citizens Associations. R.HC.
To the Editor Of The Star:
In your editorial, THE Courts and the Cove
nants," you referred to statement made by
Leon A. Ransom as being cheap and offensive"
because 1t parroted such epithets as "undemo-
cratic" "fascistic,' etc. because they related to
practices with which he did not agree.
Now you know how many of us feel when
every time some one does some act which tends
to promote the general welfare of all men
regardless of race, creed or color, that act is
quickly labeled as communistic on the sole
ground that it does not conform in every detail
to the personal brand of Americanism practiced
by others. To us such tactics are no less
cheap and offensive"
And in this connection allow me to point
out that in recent case the Court of Appeals
for the State of New York held that such
unwarranted and false use of the term Com
munist" was libelous in its nature.
W. AUSTIN WILLIAMSON.
To the Editor of The Star:
wish particularly to commend your fair and
unbiased attitude in the discussion of racial
issues now f1aring in the Capital City Of this
great Nation. At this moment these issues are
of extreme Importance. Every thinking citizen
should realize that the eyes of the world are
scrutinizng very closely our democratic prac-
tices.
There is also vicious system of government
which is using every devilish device conceived
by the mind of modern man to enslave all Of
the peoples of the world and particularly OF this
great Nation of ours. At this crucial time the
LOYALTY of all American citizens will depend
largely upon the attitude of this community.
the legislative action of our Congress, and the
| decisions of our Supreme Court In abolishing
once and for all time racial segregation, exclu-
| sion and discrimination that is unjust and
| detrimental Certainly our Capital City should
lead the way for other States and cities. The
| attitude you have adopted should be beacon
to enlighten and awaken those who are Sleep
| ing a terrible slumber.s SCOTT MAYO.
Gambling in tGrain-A Correction
| To the Editor Of The STAR
It is not my purpose to prolong the discus
| sion with the editor on the subject Of grain
| gambling However, a serious mistake occurs
| three times in the printing OF the first half OF
my letter Of October 81. assume that the
mistake was typographical, yet 1t Is, neverthe-
less, very serious mistake which goes to the
heart Of the whole subject Of futures trad
ing" correction Is urgently required
IL