Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-10-06

tanning residential segregation
The commission called up
ah executive order removing re-
housing and Government-su-
pervised home mortgage lend
ing agencies.
In the latter area the COM
mission split 4 to 2. Robert G..
Storey. vice chairman, declared
himself very much opposed"
to Government intervention,
while Commissioner Robert
Rankin agreed only partially.
The commission, whose life
recently was renewed for two
years, called particularly yes
terday for Government agen-
cies connected with housing
and the Federally supervised
mortgage loan business to elm
mate discrimination.
Proposals !.
The Civil Rights groups
Recommendations:
i. The President should is
sue an executive order and
use his good offices" in di-
recting all Federal agencies
concerned with housing and
home mortgage credit Ito
shape their policies and prac-
tees" toward equal oppor-
tunity in housing"
2. The President should di-
rect the Federal Housing Adj
ministration and Veterans Ad-
ministration on q Nationwide
basis Ito assure that builders
and developers will not diScrim-
mate on the grounds Of race,
color or creed" in the sale or
leasing of new or reacquired
housing built with FILA or VA
mortgage guarantees. These in
stitutions and the Federal Ma
tional Mortgage Association
should take appropriate steps
to assure nondiscrimination by
lending institutions" with which
the agencies deal. And the
President should designate
open occupancy housing for
FNNIA special assistance.
8. Either the President or
Congress should take appro-
pirate measures" to require all
Federally supervised mortgage
loan institutions Ito conduct
such business on q non-dis-
criminatory basis"
I. Communities receivingI
Federal urban renewal assist
aIlce must assure decent. safe
and sanitary housing for per-
sons displaced by slum clear
arlce. Relocation has been the
most significant failure of ur-
ban renewal" said the COM
mission, with Negroes suffering
the most.
5. The Urban Renewal Ad-
ministration should require
that each contract between
local authorities and private
redeveloperS contain guarantees
assuring all persons regardless
ofsrace access to reuse housing. !
6. Persons displaced by the
interstate highway program
should be assured of relocation
assistance. Unlike those moved
out by urban renewal, families
in the paths Of the highway
do not receive such help, said
the commission.
7. Federal agencies concerned
with housing and home mort
gage credit should develop
better information on the
availability of credit to nom
whites and other minorities. |
Fears Intervention Powers
In regard to the third re-
commentator, Mr.. Storey said:
Recommendations such as
this. for increasing Federal
control. assume totally power
full national Government with
intending authority to in
tervene in all private affairs
among men"
Mr.. Storey, president Of the
Southwestern Legal Founda-
ton in Dallas, agreed that sit
is not in keeping with Amer
lean principles" to deny a i
housing mortgage loan on the
basis Of race. color or creed,
but added:
1T is important to recognize |
that under democratic capital |
ism there must be a realm Of
institutional autonomy. Private
financial institutions even |
where . already regulated by
the Federal Government, are |
primarily business institutions
and not institutions for social
reform"
Mr.. Rankin, Duke University |
political science professor,
thought the third recommended
ton was wholesale" and "un-
warranted Federal control" He
would, however, he said, favor
the recommendation covering
only savings and loan institu-
tions which are members of |
the Federal Home Loan Bank
System.
Cites Extent Of Denial
Releasing the groups find
ings, Berl I. Bernhard, staff
director, sounded a theme
which recurs frequently in the
20e-page reports conclusions:
THE central findings i
(are) that all levels of the
housing and home finance in
dustries-from the builder and
lender to the real estate broker,
and often even the local hous-
ing authority-are used to &C
cehtuate this denial (of equal
housing opportunity"
The financial institutions
which are benefited in vary
ing degrees by the Federal Gov
ernment ARE a major factor