St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1959-05-29

Republican Committee; Richard
K. Fox, assistant director of the
Minnesota F'EP commission: Pro-
fessor Robert Mcclure of the Uni
versity of Minnesota Law School:
Bernard Graves, minister First
Trinity Methodist church, speak
ing for the Minnesota State Coun-
Gil of Churches; Albert Heller,
philanthropist, civic leader and
businessman; John Greenman, pres
ident st. Paul Council of Human
Relations; Anthony Sandys, secre-
tary treasurer Retail Grocery
Clerks Union Local 7S9.
Also the Rev. Mr.. Denzil Carty,
president Minnesota Council on
Civil and Human Rights and rec
tor st. Phillips Episcopal church;
Robert Patterson, general chair
man Dining Car Employees Union,
Local SIG; Kenneth P. Griswold,
attorney; Richardson B. Dixie, civic
leader, Samuel L. Scheiner, st.
Paul Jewish Community Relations
Council, and J. L. Rowland, Leslie
Lawrence Post of the American
Legion, and Rev Floyd Massey,
Jr. pastor of Pilgrim Baptist
church.
Leonard H. Carter, president of
the st. Paul NAACP led off with a
history of the st. Paul campaign
to obtain legislation to help end
the racial ghetto system which he
said was a blight on the communi-
ty.
Carter said the proponents of
fair housing had been very patti
ent since 1856 when the first
public appeal and presentation
was made to the city council. He
said NAACP was now tired of the
excuses offered by various city
officials as to why the legislation
had not been acted upon.
The young NAACP president in
a calm. reasoned presentation said
it was up to the council to halt
the practices which have devel-
oped the racial ghetto in the city,
increased the cost of housing to
Negroes and non-whites.
Negro Community Supported
Progress
Carter said the Negro community
had always supported the pro-
grams developed for the progress
of the city often at great sac
rifices as examples he cited the
bond issues, the strong building
code, which he said affected the
older dwellings in the Rondo-St.
Anthony districts more drasticaIly
than most other districts.
He said that when the slum
clearance program was initiated
causing hardship to 1876 Negro
families the NAACP and the Ne
gro community cooperated and
did not put a stumbling block in
the way of the program.
The NAACP leader pointed out
how during the initiation of the
plans for the freeway which dis
placed nearly ATS families, the
community had given full coopera-
ton to the project During the
planning, appraisals, condemna-
ton awards, the community had
also cooperated in such a way
that state highway officials praised
the district for its intelligent plan
ming and cooperation.
Carter said the Citizens Com
mittee for Open Occupancy was
organized on March q, 1856. He
said the council resolution order
ing the city attorney to draw up
an Open Occupancy Ordinance was
adopted by the city council on
August "a, 1856. The draft was
approved by the Citizens Commit
tee on February Is, 1857 and
Carter said the council was asked
to act upon it.
Grown Tired OF Delay
Carter said: I'VE patiently wait
ed while a possible judgeship ap-
pointment was under considera-
ton, We waited while the City
Council was electing a successor
to the office vacated by Mr.. Frank
Marzitelli, we waited while the
election campaigns of 1858 were
being conducted, we waited while
the bill was before the State Leg
islature.
In every instance we have
sought to cooperate. However
gentlemen, we have grown tired
of waiting, there is no longer any
justification for waiting. Is it fair
to permit the continual denial Of
basic right of citizens of st. Paul,
Minnesota
Veterans Administration official
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