Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1959-01-16
Council Of Clubs
Hears Seheiner
On Housing Bill
By staff Corre.pondent

~ Stau correspondent
Monday evening AZ Maxfleh
school 81. Paul before a dis.
agpointingiy small. bat enthusias-
nc audience, Samuel schclner ex-
ecgtiye director Of the Jewish
Council mmunity Relations
warned that tbs Negro communl
" must wake up and make Itself
heard. IL IL expects an Open oc-
eupancy bin from the present Mn
nssota state Legislature
The informal discussion of this
Important question was sponsored
b. the civic committee ~ the
THin city Council Of Clubs. Of
which willard Jones Is chairman
Noting the small turnout on
hand Mr. schslner declared III
this were rally sponsored by
the opposition Of this legislation
the audience would be packed 10
The rafters The opposition is
strong, organized and well sup
ported financially They are even
claiming that we. as supporters Of
the btll. are professional do good
era who do not represent the will
q the Negro people. because OF an
apparent apathy"
Constitutionaliiy A Question
n was agreed by the speaker
that the question of constitution
atty would be one ~ the prime
Instruments Of the opposition.
even as II was 80 effective in de-
feating attempts 10 establish an
Open Occupancy ordinance in Min
nsapolis
Several judicial rulings were
cited involving similar ordinances
which were upheld Perhaps the
most significant % these was the
Jan 10. 1858 ruling Of the NY.
state Supreme Court which up.
held that states housing anti,
discrimination law Included in the
opinion was this statement. IN
a conflict between private prop
erty and power of the state 20
regulate rs use and enjoyment in
the interest Of the public welfare.
the powers Of the state IA sup
RENE
As for Minnesota. the constitu-
tionality question cannot be solved
until the Law is first enacted.
Education
Mr. Scheiner agreed that along
with the bin tremendous com
munity education program must be
put into play He was critical Of
the churches and religious groups
for not taking the lead In this
direction
As an example he cited the
work ~ the Detroit Presbyterian
General Assembly in drawing up a
strong viewpoint resolution for
complete Christian compliance and
promotion OF "Opcn Occupancy"
in housing Religions u all faiths
should follow this lead. he stated
Organized labor was Landed for rs
role In this program AFL-CIo re-
Gently sponsored an all day human
relations institute ciinic IN Mpls
The Law
The open Occupancy or Fair
Housing Bil that IL being intro.
dnccd AZ tho state Legislature
makes e unlawful 20 discriminate
because of race creed or color in
publicly assisted property or
housing Accommodations The en-
forccmcnt or teeth provision %
the bin are essentially the same
as those provided in the state
FFrc bill Tho law also provides
for complaints 10 he brought 20
the Commission against non-p,ih-
liciy assisted housing but limits
enforcement 20 conference. con
citation and persuasion
Mr. schsinrr stated that though
the bin may tdi short OF what
some might have hoped FOR, X
passed Il IL certain 20 be a giant
step toward equal housing oppor-
tunity Tor everybody, rs well as
being as good 81 a bin ~ any
state In the union has enacted
The Twin city Council pledged
It, complete support toward effec-
tuating The passage Of tho iegia-
istion Included among these e.
forts Is communicates pro-
icct 10 raise funds for "a support