Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1948-06-25
New Jersey Town Reports
Findings on Civil Rights
Audit; Lists Assets, Liabilities

American communities people
are talking about the Mont
clair Audit. For this small
New Jersey town has set an
example for others in the
touchy civil rights field One sec
ton in Boston already Is engaged
in a similar audit, and cities west
TO Chicago, south TO Richmond,
and north to Windsor, Ont, are
talking IL up.
II all began last fall when the
Presidents Committee on Civil
Rights stated that the American
ideal still awaits complete realiE-
alton" meaning that minorities
sometimes were treated as sec
ond class citizens. Montclair took
those words 10 heart.
Like many another American
town. MoHtciaiT ipop. 5000 has
good intentions and some bad
traditions. The geographical
bounds are neatly delineated on 4
map c'Compliments Of Montclair
Trust Company showing its
contiguity TO other towns in
Northern New Jersey. And Mont
clair also has bold dividing lines
that cannot be found on any map:
color and racial lines that separ-
ate the minorities from the major
ity. Along Bloomfield Avenue, the
main street, a five-and-ten mana
ger says. "Montclair? A good
town essentially, better than
most"
Montclair'S decision 10 analyze
itself supported its reputation as
one Of the most alert communities
In the East.
They called their effort the
Montclair Audit--a trial balance
Of the towns credits and debts
in the civil-rightS ledger. The
Audit would show whether Ne
groes were denied the right TO
buy q house in the better" part
Of town, IL "gentlcmen's agree
ments" existed.
Now, arter months Of work,
they finally have the story OF
how the town adds up. A few
weeks ago the final Audit report
was deposited In the Montclsir
Public Library. Copies are In the
hands Of the town fathers for
study and action. The Audit has
been roundly approved. For this
was more than an accumulation
Of facts; behind the raw figures
was an adventure in community
action for the benefit Of minorities
still seeking equality.
From the start the Montclair
Audit was q joint undertaking.
Leo Nejelski. q New York man.
agement counsel and general
chairman Of the MOntclair Forum,
initiated the idea. The local chap
ter Of the American Veterans
Committee led by Curtis Cam
paigne, Jr.. Spearheaded the Audit
with q confidential investigation
OF the status Of Negro doctors In
Montclair and their relationship
or lack Of ito the three hos
pitfalls. Both sponsoring orRaniZa-
tons were joined by the Mont
clair Intergroup Council, the local
branch Of the National A&socia-
ton for the Advancement Of Col
tural Group Of the New Jersey
ored People, and the Intercul-
State Teachers College. No at
tempt was made at the outset 70
involve any groups holding lib
srsl opinions
Nobody who didn't participate
felt offended at being left Out"
said ave leader Campaigne, who
acted a. coordinator for the Audit.
Fact-hnders on six sub-com-
mittess went into the field. The
subcommittee studying public IA
cilities made an experimental
visit 10 eight fairly expensive
restaurants. taking along mixed
groups Of white and Negro STU
dents After briefine. drivers Of
delivery trucks engaged In unob-
truSive conversation with Gus
TONERS about their feelings On
MIXED neighb0rhoods: that helped
the houSing subcommittee decide
~s<tAss J: =Ss economies o. pref
Udices that caused restricted COW
enants.
Some Opposition did arise
though Il never Was fully organ
tged A. various stages Audit
Investigator beard such obtec-
tons %: People are TOO indiRer-
ent- and why not Lee sissping
dog liss" Criticism came from
real estaas people Who fslt tant
-prupsrty values would % down"
Il Segregation ended And ne big