The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1950-03-18

lOtn century AucPtucoS
The NAAcP appearance with support of other or
CARNATIONS before the Detroit Housing Commission last
Thursday the right step in attempting 10 breakdown
the segregated public housing program OF our FAR CITY,
It's policy as done in l943 because only three OF its
fyemember board present appears that the de-
and fairminded citizens Of Detroit have been aroused
the point that the Commission VIII nave 10 reluerdte s
policy or change it.
We feel that the housing board will not change its
present segregated pattern pressure is essed by
the NAACP and its supporters. Spokesman for the local
branch of the organization state positively that legal ac-
ton will be taken if the housing body does not alter its
present policy.
On the other hand Negroes Of the City Of Detroit,
are asking themselves the following questions Has Geo.
Isabel. newly appointed member to the housing
body agreed 70 play the role Of an Uncle Tom on the
Housing Commission Although his IsabelD non-se-
gregaed position publicly subsantated in accepting
the appointment. Will he submit 10 jim Crow without
opening his mouth behalf Of Negroes viii Mr. Isa-
bell be browbeaten into accepting second class citi-
zenship because 'the mayor appointed him.
These questions. cannot answer bat action over
period Of time will allow each 10 be answered in he
With due respee. for Mr. Isabelrs background
ability especially the housing field he should be Civ
en- an opportunity to prove himself worthy, of the APP
pointment insofar betterment Of housing il af
feets thousands Of Negroes in Detroit We believe that
George Isabel, will surprise the fervent doubt
ing Thomases", and stand up and be counted as Ne
who places the welfare of the race above person
al achievement
is high time that Negroes step up standup and be
counted the credit list rather than the debit list for
the sacrifice few patry dollars cheap prestige or
official friendship
Let US look at the situation effectively and under
standngly. far a human prejudices will allow.
Until recently. the Rev Mr. Brady. ousted commits
sion member has recessary been complacent in re-
CARDS 70 his duties Negro member the cornisson
neither has he drawn he headlines because Of his efforts
toward securing better np4sng facilities for Negroes
However, the Federal Government issued
eecutive order demanding that future Public Housing
Projects be open all Federal monies would
be withheld. the young minister assumed militant
stand Along with other member of the commission,
he demanded that the letter of the directive be
red out to the NTH degree.
Ostensbly the Federal Housing program conflicts
with Mayor CohoS announced plan for alleviatng
housing situation Ia Detroit hundred times the
mayor has state ia uncertain terms that he prefers
new housing Federal money. the mayor safe, will only
be used after private capital has exhausted is remend
Gus resources.
This phase q. the mavors program has drawn fire
from the thosands ~ on ncome families for whom The
Public Housing program granted money by he legs
lators of the Congress
One of the nations leading housing consutants,
who differed with the proposed program, Stood before
the Common Council of the City of Detroit and enum-
Grated sound why such program could not ae
viae the acute conditions of Detrot's Sums
On the slrface. and from actions Of the mayor and
various assistant appears that al q the c
zens are not being considered ID the eopnent Of
housing II appears tha* fhe present administration with
the aid ard abetrg ot ire 3dced Housing Commission
has set sail On most un-Democra'ic course
Housing experts have pointed osf that in every city
In the nation inclld ~ Detroit private builders will build
homes tsaf "ll no. nearlt approXnae the low income
the time they have stated rereatedg that public
housing famed rs The gDttrlner' nl the needs
of the low income farnllies
NeHetheles, ;he present administration. experienced
as ne mayor toasts that 4 Is. displaying Eighteenth
Century nertness ia progressive Twentieth Century