Arizona sun., 1948-04-02
Urban League Head
Addresses Forum
(From The Arizona Times }

Lack OF SuITlClenC operating IunQ!
sorely handicaps public social agen
cies and threatens breakdown of the
private agency program through
overlooking, declared j. Westbrool
Mcpherson, executive secretary o.
the Phoenix Urban League, las
night in Catholic Forum address
on local social problems.
"The legislature must be i'm.
pressed with the necessity of pro-
viding more adequate welfare
funds" the speaker said, warning
that Phoenix falls behind in meet
ing intensified social maladjust-
mentS.
Citing the accelerated growth Of
Phoenix population, quadruplec
since 1900 and probably doubling
again by 1860. Mcpherson asserted
that undoubtedly, social problems
have likewise multiplied and inten-
sified and continue to do so.
He spoke in the eighth of the IS
week series on Phoenix Today and
Tomorrow" addressing fairly
large audience in st. Mary's Social
Hall.
Shows Inadequacy.
The inadequacy of the public
social agencies is reflected, for ex-
ample, in 1916 when $8,OOO,OOO was
conservatively needed and only $6,-
100000 spent on welfare, he said
The private agency in the com
which Mcpherson describ-
ed as the pioneering, proving
ground organization in social prob
lems," should lead the way with
the active support of the people "to
impress the legislature" with this
urgent need for adequate welfare
funds.
Inadequate social service on the
part of financially handicapped
government agencies forces upon
private agencies welfare demands
the responsibility of the
public agency.
"But the private agency is not a
or complete coverage
agency in social SERVICE" the
speaker explained. "The fundamen-
tai approach of public social pro-
is social insurance,
while the private agency concerns
itself with emergency, temporary
and general assistance, with foster
home and institutional care, with
the pioneering of new technique
and new controls"
Turning to social conditions on
the South Side, Mcpherson de-
clared "it is sheer folly to believe
that a community can neglect the
needs of a sizeable proportion of
its people without paying the
price,"
Seeing the community as total
whole, he warned that "you can
not segregate or relegate evils
which manifest themselves south
Of the tracks :. an unhealthy city
for one is unhealthy for ALL"
"Slum conditions are among the
most miseragle" in the nation. Nc
Pherson commented, adding that
over $4,000 Negroes here have no
services in important areas of So
cial needs.
He noted as special problems for
Negroes the complete lack of day
nurseries for children of working
mothers, no provision for unwed
Negro mothers and lack of institu-
tional care for Negro children.
recommended that ser
vices of public and private social
agencies be extended the Negro
n his needs. He urged that quail
fed Negroes should be hired and
throughout public and
private social services.
Several times the remarks drew
heavy applause, particularly when
ne questioned the fact that "the
only agencies who discriminate
against the Negro are Community
Chest-supported agencies" He add
I'd that neither public nor nom
Chest-affiliated private agencies
against Negroes.
"What we need Gin Phoenix) is
service extended to all, adequate
services and increase in the quail
ty of social service" Mcpherson
old the forum audience. can in
;ormed public, under the leadership
If social agencies, will bring this
about by impressing these needs on
he legislature"
The Rev. Killian Pryor, o. F. M,
the general discussion
which followed McPherson's talk.
Thomas S. Shiya, permanent
chairman of the Catholic Forum,
that the spring series
IN "PhoeniX Today and Tomor-
'ow" opens April 1 with an address
IN public health by DR.. ]. P. Ward,
head of the State Department of
Health.