St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-05-21

on the "open" market. Hereto
purchased by Negroes and OF
strict Jim Crow ghetto pattern.
With a few notable except
projects even above the Mason
Dixon line are operated on a seq
regated basis.
The Sumner project in Mime
apolis was run on Jim Crow
plan for years and it was only af-
ter a bitter struggle a few years
ago the project adopted an inte-
grated policy.
Housing for Negroes has always
been in a dead heat with employ
ment as the number one problem
confronting the group and it has
only been within the past few
years that the human relations
and social agencies began to shift
their programs from employment
to housing.
Being Watched Over Nation
In many respects, the Tilsen
development, located in south Min
neapolis between 10th st. and 47th
st. on Third, Clinton. Fourth and
Fifth avenues So, is a pilot pro-
ject and is being watched with
keen interest by the FILA, the
housing division of the Veterans
administration and real estate
boards and agencies.
Some housing experts have
predicted that IL the Tilsen de-
velopment Is successful, builders
In other cities will undoubtedly
follow Minneapolis and open pri-
vate housing developments to
Negroes on an integrated basis.
It has only been recently that
the National Real Estate Board
has began to show any real con-
Germ about the Negro market.
The supreme court decision, out
having restrictive covenants has
been a great help in the housing
situation because prior to the de-
cision Negroes and other minori-
ties could be prevented legally
from occupying property that had
covenants which denied non
whites occupancy in covenanted
property except as servants.
However in most communities
the decision didn't change the at
titudes or practices of real estate
companies of not selling or rent
ing to Negroes and other minori-
ties outside of prescribed areas
that they 1.-THE real estate firms)
set aside for them.
AS a matter of fact, most real
estate boards have in their code
of ethics for members that IL is
not proper for them tossell or rent
a home to a person who does not
conform to the racial or religious
pattern of the existing neighbor-
hood.
The FILA and the veterans
housing section, both government
agencies also have been very re-
luctant to go contrary to the prac-
tees and policies of the local real
estate boards.
In the current AFRO AMERI-
CAN newspaper, Jimmy Hicks,
columnist and writer, is exposing
the Jim Crow practices Of the
FILA and the Levitt Corp, reputed
to be the nations largest home
builder. Levitt has Systematically
excluded Negroes from all its de-
velopments on the eastern sea-
board.
The findings of a housing
study made by the Mill City
Urban League In 1853 showed
that in Minneapolis between
1916 and 1852, 9,56s single and
two family dwellings were built
and no more than 20 Negro fam
lilies have gained access TO such
property as purchasers"
From 1910 to 1850 the Negro
population in Minneapolis in
creased 90 per cent compared TO
the city's overall increase OF six
per cent the study revealed
Survey Showed
The survey went on to state:
Negro families cannot buy or
rent property under the same con-
ditions as white families: that this
condition places Negro home seek
ers in an exploitable economic and
social position and that care
fully designed program Of de-
Capitalization seems in order I'M
less Minneapolis wants TO invite
condition comparable to some
other less fortunate cities IN this
regard"
Prior 10 the Tilsen development,
a few private housing projects
were planned. but failed 20 get
community support and endorse