St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1961-01-06
Well Known In Mimi:
Kennedy Names
Robert c. Weaver
Housing Chief

Washington, D. C. - The big
gest and most important federal
post ever given a Negro went Dec.
81 to DR.. Robert c. Weaver, Of
New York whom PreSdent-elect
John F. Kennedy named u. S.
Housing Administrator.
DR.. Weaver a doctor of phil
osophy from Harvard University,
is the titular head of the National
Association for the Advancement
Of Colored people, being chairman
of that organizations board Of
directors DR. Weaver has an
nounced he will resign that post.
At present DIR. Weaver Is the
$22, 500 per year vice chairman Of
the New York City housing and
redevelopment authority board. He
will take a cut in salary of ap-
proximately $1,000 per year when
he takes over as boss Of the US.
housing program.
Weaver, a militant brilliant cru
sader has for years used his broad
talents on public platforms, in arti-
cles and papers in combating race
discrimination at all levels
One of Weaver's favorite themes
is that the us. to remain strong
can no longer countenance race
discrimination in any phase Of its
life.
He has been especially critical
of urban ghettoes which have by
increasing have forced many mid
die class whites to retreat to the
suburbs and the interior of the
cities to deteriorate.
AS us. Housing Administrator
he will direct the independent
Housing and Home Finance Agen-
cy which has approximately lib
employees. He will succeed Norman
Mason, Eisenhower appointee in
this job.
The Importance of Weaver's ap-
pointment cannot be over-estimat-
ed because in the northern states
race discrimination in housing is
the chief problem facing urban
Negros and other ethnic minor
tiles. The Home Finance agency
in the past has been urged to re-
fuse loans on segregated housing.
In fact many human relations
authorities point out that non-dis-
elimination in housing is the key
to ending discrimination in schools,
public facilities and the other areas
of race segregation in America.
Weaver was introduced to the
press and his appointment was an
nounced by Mr.. Kennedy at his
Palm Beach, Florida headquarters.
Reporters asked DR.. Weaver
whether he favored open occu-
pancy' and non-discrimination in
housing. He quietly said he did.
According to the Associated
Press he made that reply when
asked whether he favors a re-
quirement that to be eligible for
federal housing administration in
surance, homes should carry no re-
striction against sale to Negroes.
Weaver said he did not care to
go into detail, but went on to say
he is against any discrimination
in housing.
Another question was what
Weaver thought would be the reac-
ton of southern Democrats to his
appointment as boss of the federal
housing program. With a smile, he
called that a premature inquiry.
In announcing selection of the
New Yorker, Kennedy said the
new administration is most FORUM
ate to secure Weavers services.
Because of his known ability
and housing background Weaver's
appointment has been widely prais-
ed by prominent Negroes, liberal
whites and individuals in the fed
eral housing field.
During the Roosevelt administra-
ton DIR. Weaver was one of the
socalled Black Cabinet a group of
Negroes close to the White House.