Evening star., 1949-03-11
Negro Leaders Report
Sharp Postwar Gains
In Racial Relations
By the Associated Press

NEW YORK, Mar. l1.-Ameri-
can Negro leaders report that race
relations in this country have i'm
proved remarkably since the war.
They say that much remains to
be done; that mob violence and
discrimination are not yet dead.
But these men who fight racial
intolerance are optimistic.
Lester B. Granger, executive di-
rector of the National Urban
League. finds the improvement in
the last three years has been
greater than in any similar pc
riod since the Civil War"
THE outlook for the future is
better today than at any time
during the life of this association"
says Walter White, secretary of
the 40-year- National Associa-
ton for the Advancement of Col
'ored People.
Explanations Varied.
The explanations for this i'm
provement are varied, but both
Mr.. Granger and Mr.. White agree
that the war and professed Amer
lean war aims represented the
biggest factor.
The war" says Mr.. White, re
vealed the National schizophrenia
which enabled us to embark on a
crusade to end racism as preached
by Hitler and practiced by the
Nazi state, while at the same time
adhering to equally as vicious
practices of racial discrimination
and segregation in our own coun-
try.
". Americans who have
never hesitated to criticize other
countries for curtailing civil liber-
ties are embarrassed when foreign
powers challenge this country's
racial policy. In short, we have
not been able to 60 into the court
of world opinion with, clean
hands"
Win, lose or draw on the cur
rent civil rights fight, men like
Mr.. Granger and MI. White re-
gard President Truman'S re-elec- I
ton as monumental milestone
in race relations.
Civil Rights Stand Cited.
1t demonstrated, says Mr.. !
Granger, that it needs no longer
be considered harmful to Ma
tional candidates chance of elec-
ton for him to advocate definite
legislative action for the Negroes
citizenship rights
Just how much has racial toler- |
ance increased? There is no yard
stick for accurate statistical meas
ure. But here are some of the
signs. both big and small, both
good and bad, noted by such Or
ganizations as the Urban League
and the NAACP:
1946-As a result Of Supreme
Court decision. Negroes vote in
some Southern white" primaries
for first time in so years. !
Jackie Robinson becomes first
Negro signed to contract in Or
ganized baseball. (He began play
ing for Dodgers in 1916. Today
the Cleveland Indians, New York |
Yankees and New York Giants
also have Negroes under contracD
=. NAACP reports nine lynch
ings."
Truman Names Governor.
President Truman appoints
Judge William H. HASTE governor
of Virgin Islands. first Negro to be
so honored. California courts
order boilermakers' union to ac-
cept Negroes as members. . . :
Massachusetts, passes law outlaw
ing job discrimination. :. Booker
T. Washington becomes first Negro
elected to New York University's /
Hall of Fame. ;. Supreme Court
rules racial segregation in inter- /
state bus travel is undue burden /
on interstate commerce" District
of Columbia Court of Appeals later !
declares color segregation on rail-
roads is illegal. Golden Rule |
Foundation chooses NegreSs for
first time as American mother OF
year"
1e47-First Negro owner Off
eially enters national horse show.
=. New Jersey adopts revised con-
stitution banning segregation and
discrimination in all public facil-
tiles and services. First Negro
newspaper correspondent officially
admitted to Senate press gallery.
San Francisco gets first Negro
school principal, Pennsylvania its
first Negro judge in court OF
record.
South Carolina Plea Denied.
Federal Circuit Court Of Appeals
denies appeal by South Carolina
to reverse lower court decision CIV
ing Negroes right to vote in
white" primaries. :. "At least six
Negroes slain under conditions
Stimulating lynchings," reports
NAACP.
Antilynch bills introduced in
Congress, fail to pass. :. United
States Lawn Tennis Association
accepts first Negro member. i
NAACP says IL major Government