Arizona sun., 1962-02-08
Federal Team
(Continued from Page One

S ed from carefully prepared |
charts from census data.
Finally, panel made up of:
Joseph Stocker of the Arizona Ed
ucator Association; Thomas Tang,
vice-mayor; William Patrick Reil-
ly. vice-president Arizona Public
Service Co.; Herbert Ely, presi-
dent Phoenix Council of Civic Unity
and Frederick S. Marquard, editor,
Arizona Republic, discussed what
they considered the problems of
Negroes in Phoenix and what they
considered the best methods for
further progress.
Wide differences were voiced
both of the seriousness of the prob
lens and ways of meeting them.
II. One attitude was that Phoenix
has made great progress by use
of the voluntary approach; 2. That
the approach by law would not
have achieved this but would have
caused great resistance to progress
g. That no laws or ordinances
should be passed guaranteeing civil
rights and no need for a Human
Relations Commission.
The opposite angle, supported
by Atty. Hayzel Daniels, Atty.
Herb Ely and Joseph Stocker, was
that all of our real and certain
progress had been made in re-
sponse to laws; that most uncer-
tain gains had resulted from the
voluntary approach which was just
as voluntary denied later in in
stances; that we should work for
both state laws and city ordinances
and we should not wait for federal
government to get US to sit down
together and discuss justice in
human relations.
Men in the leadership of three
organizations working
to improve the Negro situation in
Arizona and Phoenix have given
their opinions Of the value and ac-
complishments of the hearing of
the United States Commission on
Civil Rights.
Rev. George B. Brooks, presi-
dent of the Maricopa County
Branch of NAACP states that it
took the federal government to
get the people of Phoenix, Negroes
included, to sit down and talk about
human relations is unfortunate.
Nevertheless he says, the hear
ing held on February 8 was one of
the most outstanding and provoca-
tive events to occur during my
eight years in Phoenix.
''To me the hearing pointed up
six things: 1. That there is tre-
mendous need for communication
between leaders in government
and the Negro community; 2. That
those people in government and
the Pulliam press believe that
they know how to solve the prob
lens facing the Negro in Phoenix
which they do. not; 8. That the
Negro leadership in the area must
sit down to do some hard thinking
together and come forth in unison
with answers to the problems fac
ing us; 4. That a new voice in the
area of human concerns be pro-
jects and the voice must come
from management, labor and the
Negro community; S. That Negro
young people must be challenged
to live up to their best p0tentiality
to the end that they may be able
to make their contribution to the
further growth and development
of a fair and just and productive
Arizona; 6. That Negro skills and
talents are being grossly muSuSed
and ignored to the shame and eco
nomic loss of the entire commune
ty."
Charles Harlins, Executive Di-
rector of the Phoenix Urban
League, said of the hearing, The
Civil Rights Hearing was Signifi-
cant in that it provided for COM
MUNICATION-a process which has
been conspicuously absent in Phoe-
nix. Despite the attempt of some to
paint a rosy picture, it must have
been apparent to everyone present
that there are problems in race
relations which demand the atten-
ton and resources of the total COM
munity.''
President of Phoenix Council for
Civic Unity, Herb Ely, gave as his
opinion, IF the public is able to
become acquainted with the facts
adduced at the hearing then the
hearing can prove quite success
full and constructive. The hearing
revealed facts unknown to most
individuals in the Phoenix COM
munity, fact which revealed that
Phoenix has long way to go in
achieving better civil rights and
human relations. This is particular
ly true in the field of employment
and the field of housing.
''The dialogue had with the
United States Commission can
transform itself into even more |
constructive dialogue on a local