St. Paul recorder., 1958-02-14

hoNah OL n mural ucEfhuAAlDN OlA
Of which neither the self govern
ment which makes a democracy,
nor the self-discipline which makes
man, can ever grow.
We have come to realize that
the economic costs OF discrimina-
ton In housing are very high
both 10 the victim and to the com
munity. The cost 10 the victim
is direct and is, in effect, a charge
related-not 10 the property which
he is acquiring but to himself as
a human being.
The cost 10 the community Is
indirect. Part Of II results from
the misplacement Of the purchas-
ing power Of the victims Of dis
elimination. Money which they
might have spent for food. cloth
ing, and do-it-yourself projects has
been aphoned off into increased
and unwarTanted housing costs.
Part Of the communities econ
omic loss is a consequence Of it's
loss Of tax revenues as a result
Of forcing minority group mem
bers 10 live in cheaper housing
than their means necessitate ---
cheaper in tax valuation although
by no means cheaper in It's cost
10 them.
Finally the community Is re-
quired 20 support police and social
welfare services for the segregated
areas at a cost which is disprop-
ortionately high.
Govt. Could Increase Minority
Oppression
We know that the pressure on
minority group members seeking |
adequate housing for their fam
ilies Ia greatly increased by the
urban redevelopment and renewal
programs and tho projected high
way developments instituted by
various agencies Of our govern.
ment.
In addition to the GIenwood pro.
ject now underway. another is con-
templated In the area across the
river from the University In the
general area Of Seven Corners"
When we add TO this. the difficult
ties created by the proposed free
way route in Minneapolis and the
Rondo-st. Anthony freeway route
In st. Paul: II becomes quite clear
that in the absence OF adequate,
and timely correctional
the urban redevelop-
ment programs of which we are
all justly proud could become the
OF increasing minority
4
We acknowledge that the obliga-
tion OF a government 10 provide
adequate relief to persons who are
removed from their homes by an
exercise OF the power OF that gov I
eminent 10 provide for the general
welfare is imperative, Persons who
are given monetary compensation
based ON an appraisal Of their
who are not then free
to compete on an equal basis in an
open market TO replace the dwell {
Ing which they have lost, have not
been justly compensated for the
they have made to
the public veal.
just Laws Educate
We have faced the question of
the relationship OF education and
legislation In our approach to our 7
social problems and we are aware
that In dealing with acts OF dis
we are dealing rather
WIN A'lANANA NAldiA WIN aAAlAhhtH
and prejudicos. We know that Il
Is precisely by means OF just laws
that we educate ourselves in our
obligations OF citizenship.
Finally we have admitted to our
selves the central fact that seq
regation Is wrong not because its
economic consequences are bad;
we recognize that segregation
would still be wrong II It showed
"A net economic profit not because
we must practice what we preach
In order to lead the free world into
the battle for the minds and loyal
ties OF all mankind. for we know
Il would still be wrong n they
but because we reCog-
nize that freedom is indivisible.
We really do believe that all
men are created equal and that
they are endowed by their Creator
with certain inalienable rights
And we know that so long as one
Of us is oppressed by all OF us
none Of us Is free. for the source
Of our freedom is dead