The Omaha guide., 1947-02-01
MEMBER NEW YORK STATE
COMMISSION

The apprehensions and fears Of
dire happenings, that were felt by
opponents of the New York State
Law against Discrimination at the
time Of its passage, have not been
fulfilled" declared the Honorable
Elmer A. Carter, a member of the
New York State Commission A
gainst Discrimination, as he adj
dressed the 10Th Annual Meeting
Of the Columbus Urban League
held on Tuesday, anuary 81, at the
Grfswold YWCA. Members Of
the Urban League, including repre-
sentatives from every conceivable
walk of life in Franklin County,
listened to the Commissioner as he
pointed out, that instead of ac-
centuating racial prejudice; in
stead of driving business out of the
state; and instead of creating fric-
ton; where none existed as had
been predicted by the opposition.
there had been voluntary compli-
ance with the law by many en-
ployers to an extent that is highly
significant. After a year and a
half of operation" the Commission
er continued, there has not been a
single case taken to court, nor has
there been m public hearing on
the matter, even though the Com
mission has the power to do either
of these things if there is discrim-
nation solely on the basis of race.
creed or color. There have been
upwards of 900 cases filed. and,
wherever probable cause has been
found, unlawful practices have
been eliminated by conferences.
cancellations and persuasion" Mr..
Carter stated that the great mass
of employers seem to want to COM
ply with the law, for such a law
permits a man, who wants to be
fair and good a chance to do the
right thing without condemnation.
He pointed out, that most employ
ees and employers came from the
streets of New York, and that they
were subject to the same cultural
conditioning; attended the same
schools; read the same literature;
and, had the same motion picture
and radio heroeS-thus, there is no
cultural shock, but only the shock
of color, which they get over when
they find that all races, creeds and
colors al have the same likes and
dislikes. In cities in the north, the
matter of Indignation of young col
ored people into the American in
dustries and commerce, can be
done without shock 80 out of 100
times, according to the Commiss-
Toner. The Commission carries on
a strong educational campaign
which has as one of its detectives,
to persuade management to keep q
man, not because he is black, but
because he is an American. He
felt that of all of the laws ever
passed since the Emancipation Pro
clamation of Abraham Lincoln, no
single bill has been passed that is
so effective an instrument in bet
tering race relations.
Attorney Robert w. Newton, u.
S. Commissioner, was reelected
Of the Board Of Directors
for 1947; Rev. N. L. Scarborough
was reelected Vice President; c. c.
Guthrie was reelected treasurer.
Othr officers elected were:
James A. Maddox, First Vice
President; Geneva Free, Third Vice
President; Velma M. Davis, Rec
ording Secretary: r. M. Appleman,
President, Emeritus.
Members of the Board of Direc-
tors elected to serve a term Of
three years were: Robert w. New
Ion. Mrs. velma Davis. ames A.
Preston, Loren r. Lunsford, DR.. J..
J. Carter, Miss Alene Boyenton,
Percy L. Lowery, Mr.. Orville c.
ones.
Music for the program was furn
ished by Miss Margaret Blaney
,-ho CONG "Dia AUmaoht nv Sch,1