Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-09-09

AO1 4dl &c lOdIlS OH new houses
in preferred locations, made to
borrowers of above average in
come, results in a vicious circle
which precludes Negroes from
operating favorably or effec-
lively in the housing market"
it continues.
Lenders scrutinize applica-
lions more carefully, reluctant
to lend to Negroes for buy
ing in white areas, it says.
When Negroes are able to
effect a home loan, too fire.
quently the terms are less ia
vorable-Smaller loans, higher
interest rates, shorter repay
ment periods, lower appraisals,
lower loan-to-value ratios, and
so FORTH" says the study.
The report takes a slap at
Federal participation in the
home financing program as it
affects minority groups. FILA
and VA guaranteed loans are
no insurance against segrega-
ton, it says.
The report cited surveys of
so banks in Maryland, which
answered a QUESTIONABLE sent
to a total of los, in reaching
its conclusions.
Baltimore came in for con-
siderable criticism in its real
estate dealings, but the re-
port recognized four "areas of
progress" in the city-ranging
from admission of Negro
homebuyers to neighborhood
improvement associations. to
citizen pressure on the local
housing authority to enter into
contracts with non-discrimina-
tory builders.
Four Recommendations
The report makes four rec
concentrations, which Harry A.
Cole, Baltimore lawyer and
chairman of the advisory COM
mission, said apply Statewide.
They are:
/. The Federal Government
should become more actively
involved, educationally and
otherwise, in programs de-
signed to change the diScrimi-
natory practices of realtors,
lending institutions and other
related organizations, especially
in regard to open occupancy
housing, new housing for
minority groups, and housing
in racially changing neighbour
hoods"
2. A review should be made
of relocation procedures for
persons displaced by public &C
ton seeking guarantees to
assure them of housing oppor-
tunities within the area from
which they have been dis
placed or in other sections of
the community"
3. Contracts involving public
funds should guarantee use of
facilities by all persons regard-
less of race, creed. color or
national origin.
4. Development of new meth
DDS for more effective use of
the loan provisions of the 1854
Federal Housing Act.
In its short summation on
education, the committee gen.
orally gave a passing grade"
/ to public institutions Of higher
learning.
Enrolment Cited
Using enrolment figures for
the years 1854 to 1859, the
committee pointed out that "it
appears that there are a few
more nonwhite students en-
rolled in formerly all-white in
situations each year."
In vocational training, the
report said, sit would seem
there is little relation between
training and employment for
Negroes in the skilled trades"
Baltimore and Montgomery
County schools are the only
ones investigated that offer
distributive education (simul-
taneous school and job train
ing vocation) to Negro pupils.
In these schools, the problem
of placement is difficult" said
the report. In both areas, it
added. discrimination and
prejudice are evident"
Others on the committee be-
side Mr.. Cole are: Mrs. Robert
w. King of Bethesda, vice
chairman; Patrick Zembower
of Glen Burnie, secretary;
Charles L. Downey of Will
Transport, Lewis M. Hess of
Salisbury, George D. Hubbard
of Baltimore and DR.. John T.
Williams of Princess Anne.
Easier Purchases
The Virginia report deals
only with the effect of urban
renewal programs on the
rights of affected homeowners.
, The report cites the cases of
IL families who were displaced
and then purchased homes, and
who - after four years - have
still been unable to secure deeds
to their properties.
/ With their status changed, it
says. they are not freeholders,
and consequently lost their
right to vote in local freehold
ers' referenda."
These instances indie a e
that sufficient safeguard S
against this abuse have not
been provided by the Federal
authorities when commitments
and subsequent advance of
funds were made" it adds.
Chairman of the Virginia Ad-
visory Commission is J. May
nard Magruder, former member
of the House of Delegates. Other
members are Mrs. Frances Rog-