Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1961-07-08
State Town 49,.
Continued from Page One)

StructlOn era.
As the new generation points
out, however, too many of its
fathers used the Reconstruction
as an excuse for maintaining
status quo that held the South
back.
Now, though, Aberdeen is fight
ing back. Under aggressive lead
ership from Mayor George w.
Howell, Jr., the city has worked
out a plan to double the population
by 1880, bring new industries to
this community on the banks of
the Tombigbee River, and provide
the finest education and recrea-
tional facilities for its youth
white and Negro.
All of this is being pushed for
ward despite another serious prob
lem which this community, like all
other SoSuthern small towns, face
that of race relations.
School desegregation seems inev-
liable. Some of the towns think
ers quietly contemplate what will
nave to be done. They don't like
to speak out openly. 1t is not wise.
Tco many personal relationships
might be involved. Businesses
could fail if the wrong interpreted
ton were placed on what might
otherwise be fairly moderate re-
marks.
There seems no doubt that de-
segregation is still long way off
here. But changes are taking place.
Some persons now speak in terms
of Is to 20 years. "Never!" used
to be the only comment.
Population Ratios
Population ratios emphasize
what the white leaders Of Aber-
deem see as the problem Ne
groes make up more than 40
per cent of the population here.
Local leaders recognize that the
quality of the education provided
them in the past has been much in
ferior.
The town is moving to ssmedy
this. The city has built a new
school for the Negro children. 1t
is, of course, segregated, but it is
modern in construction and IA
cilities. Negro teachers here, as
in most Southern communities, lack
many of the qualifications of their
white colleagues. But they are
we'll paid. They are slowly over
coming their deficiencies.
AS the city develops it's educa-
tional and recreational facilities,
it is giving the Negroes of the
community at least an equal share
of the funds being voted by the
Board of Aldermen. For example,
of a recent $500 appropriation
voted to the Park Commission, $780,
600 was set aside for the Negroes
to use.
A special all-Negro committee
was asked to decide what use would
be made of the funds. It voted
for a swimming pool in Newbur-
CHER Park. The park site, Incl
dentally, was given to the town
many years ago with the proviso
that if it ever was used for any
purpose other than a Negro park,
the title would revert to the estate
that donated it.
Skills Promoted
Special attention will be given
in the future to developing skills
among young Negroes who are
/ moving into town as mechanical
ton and cattle raising take over
the cotton lands. Monroe County,
IF which this is the county sea,
is having big movement OF Negro
families into town, especially the
cotton areas in the western section.
Preliminary discussions are un-
der way aimed at seeking an indus
Try to employ only Negroes. It also
is anticipated that some Of the new
Industry showing an interest in Alb
,rdeen may have upgraded jobs for
NEGROES.
/ Working with Mayor Howell in
developing these plans is an ag-
yressive Chamber Of Commerce, q
FAR cry from the days when the
chamber was q little more than
semi-private luncheon club.
4 The executive secretary Is Sam
white. He Is q one Of q trium-
yirate-providing the force which
is giving the community q new d.
rection. Mayor Howell Is another.
The third Is q newcomer to Aber-
deem. J. Emerson Jones, publisher
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