Evening star., 1948-05-04
Covenant Ruling Reaction Runs
From Silence to JubiIotion

The Supreme Courts ruling that
restrictive covenants are not en-
forCeable in the courts has drawn
a reaction of tight Tipped silence or
sharp criticism from the procoven-
ant forces, while those who fought
the property restrictions are hail
ing the decision as a victory for
democracv."
From the citizens associations.
many Of which have. fought con-
slStently to maintain covenants,
came the aiority of the adverse
comments.
Harry N Stull, past president Of
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tons, told a meeting of the Stanton
Park Citizens Association he was
inclined to think that special
meeting of the federation will be
called about this thing"
Attorneys Jubilant.
From the attorneys who carried
the covenant cases to the Supreme
Court and won. as well as from
Negro groups and SpokeSmen for or
Eanizatlons which entered the cases
as friends of the court" the reac-
tion was one of gratitude and
iubilation.
Several of the antiCovenant
spokesmen regarded the decision as
a potent weapon against COM
muniSm. Others saw the ruling as
practical application Of President
Truman's civil rights program.
Inevitably the decision was dis
cuSSed at some of the citizens
association meetings last night, with
varying degrees Of aCrimony.
To Follow Word Of Honor"
At the National Gateway Citizens
Association Norman NJ. Murray.
president of the Greater Woodbridge
Land Covenants Association, said
his group will follow word of
honor covenant plan as soon as
possible
This area Is strictly white and
I think we can keep it white" he
said.
Gilbert c. Vincent. president of
the National Gateway group, de-
scribed Mr. Murrays remarks as
"Conciliatory" and declared:
+ feel that the white race today
IS the victim of partisan politics.
I'm confident. however. that we'll
find WAYS and means to throw it
hack into the Supreme Court and
There will once again be white
supremacy"
After the Dupont Circle Citizens
Association meeting. Harral Null
likcn, first vice president. COM
mented. It's a shame that citizens
cannot band together to protect
their property"
Calls Ruling Ridiculous.
At the Forest Hills Citizens As
sOCiatl0n meeting. George T. Bow
man, the president, called the de-
ClslOn ridiculous and announced
he plans to call his executive com
mittee together to appoint a special
committee to look into the matter.
Mrs. Leslie p Wright, acting sec
ret7rY Of the group. expressed the
opinion that little can be done now"
and that INSCRIPTIONS real estate
dealers will still benefit"
Although the regularly scheduled
meeting of the Bellevue Citizens As
sOclation was not held. members Of
the group who assembled at the
meeting place criticized the decision.
Glenn Day, the associations treas
urer, said he could not speak for
the group but he felt personally
that, If q ma aiOrltv Of the citizens
in a given area voted By democratic
processes to place restrictions on
It's use. the courts should back them
up."
Victory for Democracy.
HaliIng the decision as a victory
for genuine democracy" the Rev
A Powell Davies, pastor Of All Souls
Unitarian Church, predicted the de-
ClSlon will increase the confidence
Of all decent Americans in the Su-
preme Court Moreover. there is
now one less American hypocracv
for the Communists to shoot at
The Unitarian Church was one OF
the groups which entered the case
as a friend of the court"
Robert Nathan. consulting econo-
mist and member of the nationa.
planning and national administra-
tive groups Pf the American Vet