The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1956-05-12
All Persons Not Included
By JULIAN c. WYCHE

1t is ronic that Detroit Mayor A bert Cobo after
many weeks of prodding finally decided TO seek the
state Republican gubernatoria nomination, as ne EN-.
phasiZed only after noting that persons OF all Walks OF
life signed petitions in his behalf
He is the same City Father who adamantly refused
to land still does wholly recognize state federal
court ruling against segregated public housing and 1t
could be added restrictive covenants
One thing that can be said for the former and vet
eran City Treasurer that he stands by his convictions
or beliefs of racial maters-unerrngy. This is unfor
innate.
Unfortunately for his biased policies hinder and
retard the dynamic city Of Detroit which ne has seemy
dedicated his abilities to help progress under an impair
a but fair system of taxation Of which he is an austere
administrator.
About five years ago. the Mayor indirectly de-
nounced indignation Of public housing projects and
through his appointed Detroit Public Housing Com
mission guided by Harry Duron. secretary-director
sought to keep them aggregated by razng blight
on the lower easside build projects earmarked for
Negroes only.
Not only was this SEP aiken despite state SUI
preme court ruling sga..s- p-c.c .olSlng segregation
but so determined 80 Nzyr 20 Keep me segregated
pattern. that he a-ez1 xh ire program in spite
of warnings about more zr5-s :o- families that were
being relocated There any other place for
them to go except % t.--a-r oyercrowd the Negro
ghettos.
When enough pressure was made through the press
and various civic and religious groups Durbn reluctant
y admitted that the city not carrying out the re-
location OF these families WtnDU NardsnpS as pro-
claimed.
The housing commission later announced that IT
was integrating public housing project but this
not due any change Of racial views Here is Why
The ratio of eligible families for public housing units
was six with Negroes in ajorty It did not stop
there--the refusal 70 bow to the law.
When the Brewster Homes public housing project
completed. thu Commission evidently thought that
this would take Of all colored eligible families. 1t
had not seemingly considered. however, that the load
for public housing would be heavy. Also it did not
apparently consider interested organizations would still
press for Indignation.
And to clinch it ALL the state supreme court order
ed about years ago for the housing commission to
inegrate all public housing projects What was the &C
ton of the Commission this mandate 1t Immediately
appealed to a district in Cincinnati for time
to ntegrate the projects.
Certainly this defiance Of the law by our City Father
--Cobo-was told indirectly by state chief justice
of having power wipe-out public housing segregation
Immediately if he so desired-mpedes racial harmony
and employment of all available skis by uphoding
q segregation-pattern
1t is ronic that Mayor Cobo would emphatically
state that he accepts the state gubernatora COP nom
nation only after learning that persons from all walks
of life have petitioned for him. From his racial views
he did not mean ALL persons.