Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1951-06-09
NEW YORK MAYOR
POINTS THE WAY

New York, N. Y.-Mayor Vim
cent lmpeiliteri, who was brought
to America in arms of his parents.
Knows the meaning of the term.
Land of Opportunity" Most i'm
portant, the New York mayor has
demonstrated that he also knows
how to give opportunity when it
is deserving.
Since becoming chief executive
OF the first city of the land, Mayor
/ lmpelliteria has been notable in
his appointments of qualified pub
lic servants of color. can't call
the full roll, but as | pause here
IN Gotham top priority interest
is being displayed in the mayors
three most recent appointees.
Just now the mayor mas brought
.nto top spots of his administra-
ton three fine representatives of
II race that has not always known
the real meaning of opportunity,
even here in the headquarters city
of democracy. Moving up the
steps of N. Y. ofticialdom, by or
der of His Honor-the Mayor,
we're a lady and two men.
To Mrs. Ruth Whitehead Whaley
went the post of secretary of the
Board of Estimates, which IS the
city's equal to a legislative upper
house or senate. Clarence Wilson
was elevated to the position of
magistrate of New York, thereby
becoming the ninth Negro current
ly serving as judges and magis-
trates on the rock called Man
haitian.
The highest position ever held
by Negro in the New York pab-
lie school system was taken in the
triple-action when John B. King,
who was moved from a Brooklyn
principalship to the post of as
sistant superintendent of schools.
There are a few Negro superin-
tendents and number of Negroes
who serve as assistant superin-
tendentS.
But from the standpoint of sal
airy and Importance of position,
Mr.. King becomes the top Negro
public school official in the coun-
try. The job pays $13,500 and Mr..
nlng will be responsible for the
administration of more than thirty
schools, with a teaching personnel
of 500 and 10000 students. The
vast majority of the nations
school districts have fewer schools,
| (more) teachers and students.
/ The record will probably show
that Mrs. Whaley with her new
assignment is the highest paid
woman of her race holding a pub
lie post-city, state or federal.
The position pays $4,000 a year.
Formerly Mrs. Whaley was a dep
uty commissioner of Housing and
Buildings during the administra-
ton of Mayor William O'Dwyer.
Later she served as director of
the staff and community relations
in the Department of Welfare, a
post which carried a salary of ST.
500. She is the first Negro of
her sex to have engaged in active
law practice in the state of New
York. A Fordham law school
graduate, the appointee was a
classmate of Mayor Impellitteri
To be sure, these important APP
pointments by New York's mayor,
as well as those that have gone
before, are political in a sense
that is real. Negroes supported
the mayor in This successful cam
paign and naturally deserve to
share the political plum = with
people like Ruth Whitehead Wha-
ley, Fred Weaver and others to get
the Negro vote out, they mayor
could have long stay.
With the record that he has so
ieil SCI, IL WOOiu appeal IUdG nS
would be good for New York. Vim
cent Impelliteri has set an ex-
ample that other big city chief
executives might follow with good
results. Chicago, Detroit, Los An
geles, San Francisco, Philadelphia
and others might take note. New
York City stands first in its ap-
pointment of qualified Negroes to
city posts.
Mayor Impelliteri took the road
that led to the number one city
post in the world in steps that
were sure to afford him the oppor
tunity to serve. He well knows
the meaning of the term, 'Land
of Opportunity" This corner is
proud to pay tribute to him-a
man it has never seen.
He now gives back to America
that which it gave him-oppor-
tunity.