St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1947-02-14

The report said:
The Mayors Council on I
meeting one year ago today.
At the close of its first year, it is |.
still working to assure to all our
citizens the opportunity for full
and equal participation in the af-
fairs Of this community.
Once more, on Lincoln's birthday,
it dedicates itself to the strength
ening Of those constructive social
forces which create unity and I'M
derstanding among all peoples, re-
gardless Of their race or creed or
color.
Self Survey
As one means TO this end, the
Mayors Council is currently spon-
soring a community self-survey.
We are happy to report that Min
neapolis today is in the mood for
determination. II is earnestly
studying its own group prejudices,
and thoroughly exploring those
areas Of inter-group tension and
discrimination which initiate
against a healthy civic body.
Foundation Of Fact
The Mayors Council Is grateful
for the unselfsh labors Of those
nearly 500 volunteer workers who
are today taking part in this self
survey. It deeply appreciates the
support which has come from ev-
cry side-from business and from
labor, from the churches, schools
and professions. II Is confident
that on the foundation Of fact now
being established there can be built
a sounder structure Of human re-
lationships in Minneapolis. It
seeks the continued cooperation Of
the public in this community under
taking and asks the peoples pa
thence while a careful and objec-
tive program Of fact-hnding and
self-study is being brought to its
completion. Out Of this program
we feel certain that there will come
enlightened policies which are bene-
fetal TO the whole community.
Much Progress
In the year just closed, the
Mayors Council can report much
progress in the field Of human re-
lations. There has been a steadily
growing public interest in the city's
inter-group problems, and q no.
tieeable leavening Of public con-
science. Time and again, the
Mayors Council has found its way
made easier by the enthusiastic
cooperation of citizens who share
with it a common goal and purpose.
These citizens come from all walks
Of life and from every economic
stratum. Together they have given
a strong impulse to the work which
we have undertaken.
During the past year, the
Mayors Council has necessarily
devoted much Of its time TO or
ganization and to planning. But
over that period, it feels that II
has been an effective and progress
sive force in Minneapolis. In ad-
dition to launching its self-survey,
for example, it has:
. Sponsored a training program
in race relations for police officers.
. Helped prepare the way for
the recent enactment Of a fair
employment practice ordinance
by the Minneapolis city council.
. Met with representatives Of
many organizations and TO work
out more effective guarantee Of
those rights which are conferred
upon the individual by the Mime
sofa civil rights law.
Taken the initiative in n
movement to pledge all political
candidates TO refrain from ap-
peals which would introduce
racial, religious or other group
prejudices into the campaign.
. Actively and constructively in
terested itself in the case Of Jon
Matuso, an honorably discharged
Nisei veteran who was barred from
the New Oak Hull subdivision.
Sought SOunder Democratic
Pattern
In these and many other ways
the Mayors Council has sought TO
establish a sounder and more
democratic pattern of human re-
lations in Minneapolis, and to make
possible a wider sharing Of those
rights and freedoms which are
clearly intended, under the Ameri-
can system, TO be the heritage OF
everyone.
On Lincoln's birthday, at the be-
ginning Of its second year, the
Mayors Council repledges itself
to the ideal Of a society freed from
the bonds Of its undemOcratic
denials and prejudices and exist
ing under a government which is
"of the people, for the people" in
fact as well as name.
Members Of the Mayors Council
are; Rev. Reuben X. Youngdahl,
pastor Of Mt olivet Lutheran
church, who Is chairman; Theodore
B. Brameld, University Of Mime
sofa, vice-chAirman; Bradley Mori-
son, Minneapolis Daily Times, sec
Rotary; Emmett J. o'Brien, Lee NJ.
Boyle Co., treasurer; Wilfred c.