Evening star., 1947-10-07
The Covenants Issue
Spokesman for Both Sides Explain Their Positions in
Seeking Court Ruling on Issue
By Robert K. Walsh
(Second of t1Do articles.

(Second OF t1Do arttcles.)
One of the most encouraging signs in
potentially explosive controversy over restric-
tive covenants here is that both sides show an
eagerness to keep the issue on a legal plane
They discuss 1t principally as question which
in the final analysis must be left to court
determination.
A reporter who talked with numerous repre-
sentatives of white and Negro citizens organi-
cations as well as attorneys in the pending
cases was impressed by their reliance in gen.
eral, on strictly legal arguments for or against
covenants.
There were sharp differences of opinion and
spokesmen on both sides were unusually out
spoken. But by and large opponents of
covenants urged broader public understand
ing OF fundamental principles they believe are
involved in the matter, while advocates of
covenants, calling attention to their own eco
nomic position, claimed ample legal and eco
nomic support for their stand.
Arguments for Covenants.
Comments by more than 40 of the SO white
citizens associations and regional councils
indicated with few exceptions, the following
general aims and activities:
l. Efforts, whether by formal covenant or
"gentlemen's agreement" to ban sale OF
residential property to Negroes are a matter
of economic necessity to save real estate
values in which property owners have =
direct stake.
q Covenants have solid legal support" both
from numerous decisions in many States and
Federal courts and because they constitute
proper and legal contracts which merit court
protection.
g. There is growing agitation" against cove
nants This was attributed not to feeling
by q majority OF colored people but largely to
an inspired campaign"
4. Interest in covenant making has increased
in areas where "encroachment' has occurred
or Is threatened.
s. Citizens associations show greater tend
ency to band together in putting up stronger
front and giving mutual aid not only in canvass
ing neighborhoods for covenant signers but In
raising funds, where necessary, to support
court actions
6. Spokesman claim the majority of District
residents whether or not they belong to citizens
associations, favor covenants
T. There were charges that colored people
occasionally try to buy into white neighbor-
hoods, not to live there but to threaten" to
do so unless white persons reclaim them at
exorbitant prices.
8. There were reports, discounted by Negro
organizations, that Negro property owners in
one or two neighborhoods have covenants
against selling or renting houses to white per-
sons.
Citizens Association Views.
Henry Giigan an attorney associated with
the North Capitol Citizens Association is prin-
cipal spokesman in defense of the covenants
being challenged in the Supreme Court He
not only declared covenants are legal, proper
and economically desirable, but that they also
are in the best interests of colored people. He
said the great majority" Of Negroes are not
pushing the fight against covenants and are
happier living together"
Speaking for the Federation of Citizens
Associations of which he is president, Clifford
H. Newell said:
Generally speaking, most citizens associa
tions favor covenants or other arrangements Of
that kind. Some associations are necessarily
more active than Others 1t is the general atti-
tude of people all over the city and not only
in associations that Negroes should not live