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

the inSiStence of the NAACP.
mittee for Open Occupancy, a
inally initiated the campaign fol
legislation against the widespread
discrimination against non-white
minOrities in the rental, sale anC
purchase of housing in st. Paul.
This was the second hearing or
the issue, the first being held or
August 27, 1858. At that time the
city council instructed the corpora.
ton counsel, then Marshall Hurley
to draw up an ordinance. It was
drawn up but lay on the table
without disposition by the council
Speakers for the proposed ordin-
ance charged that the long delay
of the council in resolving the mat
ter had not improved the bad
housing situation for minority
groups, and demanded that the
council pass the ordinance.
Some opponents claimed there
was no need for the ordinance, and
others who admitted there was
some discrimination but said such
an ordinance was not needed and
would work hardship on property
owners especially operators of
apartment houses.
The term open Occupancy"
Is used by those pushing for
passage of legislation designed
to meet the situation developed
by discrimination based on color,
race or creed i'm the housing
market. In the northern cities
such discrimination has deveI-
Oped racial and religious ghettOes
with attendant exploration some
times race and religious segre-
cation.
Its supporters say open Occu
pancy" would materially alter thu
pattern OF discrimination in thu
rental or sale of housing from
which Negroes, Mexicans, Indians
and sometimes Jews suffer.
The cities of New York, Pitts.
burgh and Cleveland have recently
enacted such legislation. Several
state legislatures have passed
open occupancy laws, the latest
being Colorado.
The ordinance which has been
drafted in st. Paul and has lain
dormant on the council table for
months in addition to outlawing
discrimination in the housing field,
it would set up a commission to
administer the ordinance and seek
compliance with its terms, through
consultation, negotiation.
The law also includes clauses
providing for penalties up to 500
fines or 80 days in Jail.
There has been some suggestion
that if such an ordinance is ap-
proved by the city council, the
present FTEP commission would be
given the task of enforcement,
thereby eliminating the need and
cost of another commission.
Pray For Success
A part of the crowd came to
the meeting from a prayer meet
ing sponsored by the st. Paul
NAACP at st. James AME church
which preceded the council ses-
sion. A loaded bus of persons, men,
bers of the NAACP and others
went to the city hall from the
church.
There were many others gath
cred at the city hall in advance.
1t was standing room only for
most of the four hours of the
hearings. Over $50 persons were
present.
For Measure
Citizens representing a cross
section of st. Paul's citizens and
community life spoke for the
measure.
Against 1t
A representative of the Home
Builders association, the st. Paul
Board of Realtors and the rental
property owners association were
the chief opponents heard against
the measure.
Speaking in behalf of the or
dinance was former state senator
Elmer Andersen, president Of the
H. B. Fuller Co., who is being
mentioned as the next Republican
candidate for governor; George
Holland, assistant manager of the
Veterans Administration at Fort
Smelling; George Calvin, regional
governor of the United Latin
American Citizens; Francis Wat
kins, president of the University
of Minnesota American Indian
Student Council; James A. Leadon,
president of the Catholic Inter
racial Council of the Twin Cities;
Frank Widerski of the st. Paul
Trades and Labor Assembly; Max
inc Jasmin, executive secretary of
the Fourth District DFL; George
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