St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-10-01

The Minneapolis city Council,
unthinkingly or unwittingly. put
itself on record last Friday as be-
Ing in favor of race and religious
discrimination in the matter Of the
sale and conveyance OF business
and Industrial tax paycr-developed
property and against such dis
elimination In the matter OF hous-
ing units.
The councils position Is ambig-
uious because II brands az sinful
the action Of discriminating
housing developer and approves
discrimination when committed by
an industrial developer.
The Council was placed In this
position because A. G. Godward,
housing and redeveiopment direct
or limited TO the Council at public
hearings Thursday ON the Glen
wood redeveiopment program that
II would be difficult TO get buyers
for Industrial property II such
buyers and the mortgage concerns
were restricted by non-discrimina-
tory clauses from discriminating
against some Americans.
Actually the city council did no.
thing binding on the housing au-
thority 10 prevent race or religious
discrimination in any area OF the
program, whether housing or In
dustriai. because II refused 10 or
der the authority to place the non
discriminatory clauses In the plans
which were 10 be submitted TO
washington housing authorities
for approval. The council simply
passed a resolution urging the To-
cal housing authority to admins
trativeiy ban discrimination In
the housing redcveiopment.
Six aldermen withstood great
pressure to vote TO return the
authority their program with in
struction to rcwork the wording
of tho plan 10 that conveyance
and deeds would have non-discrim-
instory clauses 10 protect Ne
groes. Jews and other minorities
who are the usual victims OF dis
elimination by real estate develop.
ers OF both housing and industrial
districts, This was the position
urged by the Mayors Council or
Human relations and 80 Other
Minneapolis groups who were re-
presented by speakers,
The aldermen who voted TO or
der the authority to take a stand
against discrimination which
would have force and validity ir
the courts were:
Alderman Glen Wallace who
authored the resolution and Alder,
men Frank wolinski George Mar,
tens. George Johnson. Earl John
son and Eugene Stokowskl Cii,
xens should remember these
names.
The aldermen who voted against
having the matter 60 back to the
authority TO strengthen the plan
so II would protect the rights OF
minorities were;
Aldermen Robert Short, II. =
Christensen. Romeo Riley. Frank
Mouiton, Jack Jorgenson and
Jerry Egsn. The latter fought al
attempts TO send the matter bach
because he contended that the re
submission would delay the rede
veiopment for possibly months.
The human relations groups
made good case for resubmittinI
the matter 10 the local authori,,
at Thursdays public hearing. 8. A
Stoite. chairman OF the authorit,
said Il rebuttai. the authority hat
a proven record Of non-discrimina
ton and that by resolution II ha,
a stated policy prohibiting race o.
religious discrimination. That thil
Is so. is a credit 10 the housing
authority but the fact remsini
that there Is doubt whether IN,
authority resolution stating a pol
icy OF on-discrimination woul,
stand up In any court especial,
as II applies 70 property deed
snw conveyances.
We have a right 10 believe. be
cause Of past performance, that a
long as the present Minneapolis
housing authority serves and al
reefs the program OF the staff
every administrative effort pos