Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1949-02-25
Honor Comes To Cities

pVouoE comes 10 Cries
Award 10 the Twin Cities ~ Mnnea polls and ~ Pau Of the
first community citation for outstanding strides improving
relations and Of mnores for
mally sunday over q nationwide radio network
The award presented by the National Conference Of Chris
ans and Jews by Nelson Rockefeller national chairman Of the
1919 observance ~ brotherhood Week honor well
served
No two communities In United States are more rsrrv
inf for the attempt that has been made 10 extend 10 their 40
called minority groups full equality opportunity No two
communities have mustered much support from all classes
among the majority group ~ attain the reputation for which
Here the labor unions the small business people industry
the PTA the wonens groups including such groups the
League Of Women Voters the College Wonrn club the
churches the and the radio have joined together in
search for eommon ground which to extend full equality
al OF the cities people regardless Of creed color nation
nj origin.
Possibly the outstanding circumstance. which brought the
award Minnesota the SeSuvey sponsored by Mime
apolh Mayors Council Human Relations The Itself
set In 1913 by the arsecuR social minded Mayor I
bert H. Humphrey who Il Minnesota junior a. senator
The councils survey project explored the racial
attitudes and practices Of the cys people which ncgaed
toymen by mnorcs 81 equality Ia employment education
health housing and public Accommodations What they found
recorded coordnaed aud correlated by Fisk nverstys
pATtment Of research and sociology.
The survey ened the direction service Of many o the
cys leading people aud revealed what members mnortes
already knew that prejudice and religious was pre-
vhent In MInneaposas II prevalent in al other American
elites, In varying degrees
Other factors In the national recognition received BY our
towns came from the other activities Of the Mayors Council
which together with other groups notably the labor unions
spearhraded the enactment by the Minneapolis city council of
city FEPC ordinance the first 81 s kind In the nation
Overlooked somew hat IN the publicity concerning the award
the valuable work Of the Joint Committee Employment
opportunity which cooperating closely with the industrial
Rotary Of the Minneapolis Urban League opened up employment
TO Negroes In retail stores In jobs formerly hcm
Similar progress In this job also made in st Paul
BY the industrial department Of the 81 Paul Urban League
When retailers in each Of the cities became the large
public support for indignation Of Negro women into the sales
force they became extremely cooperative.
The Minnesota Jewish Council has been most active and
alert force In combating all kinds Of religious and racial bias
and has backed most handsomely the efforts the Minneapolis
Mayors Council and other similar agencies
The Governors nierraeial Commission nauguTaed BY
Edward Thyn, while
has had It's work strengthened carried on under Governor
Luther Youngdah Its books and pamphlets relations
In Minnesota excellent facua material which are
envy Of other states
Another Of the chief tho dramatic battle against
bias In Minneapolis IT Paul aud the entire has been
Governor ioungdah himself lie has hammered away In hun
dred Of speeches Of the need extend practice good hu
relations The Importance Of having governor who
the courage 20 advocate state FEPC law aud Indignation Of
Negro Americans into the National Guard
In Minnesota
Former Mayor John Mc DonOush helped give impetus to
the human rights IN 81 Paul by helping
Paul Council on Human Relations,
The award 10 the Twin Cities particularly gratifying 10
this newspaper Tor has watched aud participated the growth
81 and religious understanding Ia these communities
knows the number Of white citizens all CLASSES who
have braycd the Of unhnknR associates up
the right and justice for all people,
knows the labor unions who have aud
ed for justice TO Negroes Jews Nse and any other
cuted group within the communities II has watched
business firms who have joined the crusade for right II
has watched the daily press take almost cruang roles
matter Of human rights
All these sens have been encouraging to this medium which
the rather lonesome and few do goocrS Of Is
years who worked hard the community
the religious racial bias which spewcd
into the two communities, almost unehAllenRed.
There sl much work to be dene in 81 Paul aud Mime
Apoa The brotherhood Week. award should strengthen
resolve Of Of citizens make the Twin Cities Of
nesotA and the entire OF the Upper Midwest
hb and example for real brotherhood in the wide wide world