Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1959-05-29

Negro families Wefs hFinE ~ lSD
nclvhborhoods IN Sc Paul which
were formerly all-white
Leon II sauii, retired engin-
Ger with ofncea al s22 First Fed
crai Bldg and contractor repre-
scented the ~. Paul Rental Prop
erty Owners association sanit
said that an open Occupancy or
dlnance would be class iegisia-
tion and cause The apartment hoase
owners 70 loss thousands Of dol
lars lie said the eolored people
had equal rights already but that
the "open Occupancy" would be
special rights Mr. sauIt said
that n the council passed such
legislation d, would cause ssvsrs
financial ioaa 70 property owners
81 the city.
william Dunn. attorney and leg.
isiatiys representative OF the 81
Paul Board u Realtors told the
council the state legiaiatur. had
rejected an open Occupancy"
measure after ~ months u study
by a legislative interim commits
sion fis also said the interim com
r,i~e4aa would not recommend
passage ~ such a measure after
hearing pleas and opposition Ca
thn measure THE interim com
mission actually split five to five
on the proposed measure
Dunn said there had been no
proof given that Negroes had any
difficulty buying homes anywhere
In the city. He said Realtors had
Offered 10 cooperate with tho ~
Paul Urban League and that the
league had not furnished tho board
with single Incident wherein
Negroes were having any difti.
Guilty purchasing property IN any
section o. 81 Paul
Dunn eald The problem II there
had been one must have been i'm
{ proving because the state high,
way dspartm ant which had
charge ~ clearing the land for the
frneway through the Rondo a.
Anthony ARIA had not replied 20
insiatcnt requests OF hts a. 10 tho
need for help by any families dis
possessed Tor housing
Dunn also said tina, a proposed
housing committee which Mayor
doe piiisn announced he VIA.
forming never got off the
ground. and WAS abandoned. he
thought because there WINS no
need for a.
Dunn also aaid he had sold
property 20 Negroes IN several
parts ~ The city
lie created quitv a stir 81 qpiet
nefriment when IA attempting q
ahow he was not prciudirod h.
related how ~ even rrpreacnte,
q Negro woman on a fuanslaughtel
oharEe t'Fpr money" enc ~ IN
spectators whispered audihly a.
. ripple Of laughter and smllet
went through the spectator see
ton pf the city council
Tho Board o. Realtors tcpreaen
iativc repeated his charge that tn
beard had received NO assistance
from the 81 paul Urban League
t't'hc league reptiles 20 Mr. Dunn
charge In another column In thi
rsiitionj
Shirley Rshnwan executive sec
rotary ~ the Minnesota HON
owners Inc which abe says has
membership OF 5000 members wit
1000 81 them in st Paul sal
her organization was neither 70
Indignation or segregation
she aatd she thought those VIII
favored "opsn Occupancy wer
/ trying TO push thinga too fast .
Mrs Rshnwail also said "w
On not believe In lcgtslating sithe
morals er human relations II
every Americans right o. BIZ,
~ lease wherever he choose. tus
as u IL every Americans RICH
90 sell rent or lease his propcrt
10 whemeyer he choosea-
The city council requested Corr
GRAFTON counsel Louis = shcaha
Go make a statement on The or,iir
anee Mr. aheahan did so but point
ed cut that he had only seen IN
drafted ordinance two days hrfot
the hearing iIo said u would Lab
AZ least month 10 give props
opinion on a.
Ns sheahan was asked 60 stud
the measure and bring IN Ia. cplf
iea hy June 90 The city leg
officer said he may visit the cltis
which have such ordinances
" aSsss, him In formulating his :,
= port,
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= Lawrence Jones, Resident