The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1954-07-17
CHRIST-LIKE THING is INEVITABLE
BY JULIAN c. WYCHE

order.
Two weeks ago the housing commission sought 9o-day
delay from Federal Judge Arthur f. Ledere who issued
the mandate to put the court order III effect
He refused 70 grant the extension was obvious
The Mayor and Detroit Housing Commission have an
Infamous record Of blocking mixed occupancy IN public
housing projects
Judge Icderle's refusal on apparent grounds Of fail
ure 10 open ly-whc Detroit projects despite a nearly
seveno-one ratio Negro eligible families to those of
white borne when he housing commission told of
intention 10 appeal
Why an appeal to the US. Cincinnati appellate
court? The commission that it is proposed action
to determine how to put the order into effect.
Who Is Kidding whom? Just last week the Housing
Authority of Baltimore where segregation law
well a. an open practice abolished segregation in its thir
teen low-leni housing projects
While issuing the new move. the Authority let it be
known that several months would be needed before the
change policy be put in effect but steps would be
taken immediately toward eliminating the factor Of
in the selection of eligible tenants
The Obvious question is VIII would the City Of Deuoit's
housing >on would not follow a similar pattern and
immediate steps eliminate racial restrictions Surely
had inp the City Of Baltimore when il mixed Deco
pancr the heretofore all whc Edw ard JefreS Homes
The Common Council apparently thinks that all is
above-board by setting August for public hear
ing on the issue requested by State Senator Charles
c. Dggs, Jr
Senator Digs douii also figured the housing com
though order could not sway its individual
lstic policy Tor nearly five years.
This lodging Of mixed occupancy in public housing
projects done in face of a federal rule that housing
built partially with Federal aid should not be designated
tor any particular group
The commission gained immunity for nearly four years
~ refusing To open public housng-the time took the
Federal Court to hear the appeal of wentyone Negroes
who charged denial Of admission because Of their
The announcement of intention to appeal the
% be another
delay degeneration of public housing. Surely the
housing commission has had time to think the
inevitable court ruling in favor of non-segregation.
The fact that it has thought about it was made known
m Mayor Cobo during the early part of the year when he
received delegation Of leaders who sought have
hly-wnlte public projects opened to all.
The Mayor who allcgcdly holds the reins Of the
ng commission since he makes individual appointments to
refused the delegation with this infamous remark
We trying 70 solve The housing problem in friendly
fashion.
The remark now Infamous because Of the attitude
of the commission the high order certainly
led to believe that it and the Mayor do intend to let
even the courts dictate the public housing policy Of the
Motor City
The record supports this defiant housing attitude.
In February, $50. Judge Lederle, sitting before
preliminary hearing of the suit brought by the FL Ne
Eroes stated that Mayor Cobo should be told "whe,
the law is by City counsels.
III Ncp1o wants to move next door to Mayor Cobo
he cannot prevent him from doing so declared Judge
prevent him from doing in private housing there
fore Cobo can not Segregate in public housing
The dodge at that time that a segregation policy
Of the housing commission put in effect before Cobos
taking Office Judge Lcdere ashed-out that the Mayor
has effective for accomplishing any program, citing
as an example law enforcement akencd TO public hous
ing
80 matter the reason for the reluctant attitude Of cobo
and the housing commission nonsegregaed public hous
ing projects Will be forthcoming in Detroit The law has
ordered
Even if both will not do the Christ like thing, they
will have to eventually recognize the high
date and act accordingly.
Untold hundred have been made TO suffer hardships
by the arrogant attitudes of the Mayor and the Housing
Commission but Justice has definitely triumphed at long
asst in spite Of their opposition The Christlike thing is
inevitably the Right Thing
Plan Memorial For Alan Locke
NEW YORK tGlobal-A W