Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1952-10-17
Take A Bow ST. Louis Park


apois suburb which could have easily developed into dis
graceful Cicero type mess was apparently settled Sunday when
the landlord agreed allow the Woodfn Lewis family TO re-
main in the home months originally promised them
The landlord Mrs Elaine Emrctson, who had rented the
Lewis family her months had been presumed into
nutng eviction proceedings because the Lewis family
Negro Sunday told the family that they could retain the home
for the six month period
The situation was resolved by the action and cooperation
many Louis Park residents ST. Louis Park pastors
the daily press the landlord the tenants the suburb mayor and
the Minneapolis Urban League.
The cooperation of these groups backed by
Of various other human relations groups crysaed public in
dgnntion such point that the bgory inherent in such
situation did not dare publicly raise its head
The facts the reported elsewhere in this paper
but more briefly they these
Minneapolis Honeywell officials phoned this newspaper
few days ago and reported that employee Woodfn
Lewis a research analyst who happened 10 be American
Of Negro descent had rented house for his wife and chill
iren who were to in the city from New York that
day The landlord due pressure from neghbors mile
away objected the presence of Negro family Mr. Lewis
did to his family into such situation.
This newspaper suggested 1t would cooperate
obtain Mr. Lewis other housing until it he wanted
to that he had legal right to remain in the house
he had rented In good faith
II pointed out that Minneapolis. Honeywell in
position because Of It's standing and value to the community
protect the rights of employee To live In house he had
rented especially since the only objecon him and his
family that they Americans of Negro descent The
paper suggested that the services of the Minneapolis Urban
League should be secured To counsel Mr.. Lewis.
This procedure was followed and the bcwidered and
shocked Mr. LOWS given friendly counsel and advice
which finally led fair aud decent solution to his family
problem which had actually developed into community
blem
when Thursday mornings Minneapolis daily paper the
TRIBUNE printed restrained statement Of the facts in the
case there Widespread Indignation yes revuon the
spectacle of fine young American family being denied hou
ing simply because of and color prejudice II
freShng that large part of that indignation originated
in St Louis Park
Very the landlord who had been presumed
and abused by bgOs for renting her property Negro fam
y receiving letters asking her change her plan
institutng eviction proceedings,
This oupouring Of the best in human dcccncy per
defense of the Lewis family reached crcsccno
the appearance Of editorial in the Minneapolis Morning
TRIBUNE which did hclahour the misguided persons
did not the Lewis family in ST Louis Park hut did
forth the moral implications of the and put To the
conscience of the people of the vicinity.
by this time pastors of the leading Protestant
churches in ST Louis Park had taken definite stand
half Of the family pointing hopefully that they did
slider that the sentiment the family living the
represented either the majority mind of the people
Of ST. Louis Park whole the people in the immc
late neghbohood The pastors urged that snce
he easel involves basic religious principles urge residents
of ST. Louis Park and members of respective
dScernment and Christian charity passing judgement
the matter"
This action by leaders the organized church Sgn
and helpful in resolving the situation There Syna
gogue involved since there is in St Louis Park The
Catholic church represented The Jewish Bnai
organization in that cooperaed in the effort protect the
Lewis family s right to live in the district.
One s. Ious Park business nan Melvin Coopc opcrator
Of hardware store matter of principle and without
gesion from anybody Immediately when the revealed
began circulate petition in favor of the family
We repeat all of these factors here because this
paper proud of the in which the people of this
arose TO protect the basic human rights of family who
strangers community who needed help and
in the worst way they face face with Of the
situations which exhibits nation at its worst.
The credtable participation by hundreds Of persons whom
this does know and the rAng OF the forces
good ream position that nowhere in this broad land Of
ours "a there such fine people found in Minnesota ST.
Louis Park take salutel