Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-07-27
Lawyers Plan
Is Supported
At Hearing
BY CHARLES d. PIERCE
Star Staff Writer

ducQuhIe Was an alternative
measure drafted by Chester
Gray, corporation counsel.
These were the only two COM
plete fair-housing measures
which had been submitted by
the deadline fixed by the Dis
trict Commissioners for con-
sideration at the hearings.
General guidelines for an
anti discrimination ordinance
were offered by the Most Rev.
Patrick A. O'Boyle, Archbishop
of Washington, who called
housing discrimination "immor-
al" The archbishop spoke on
behalf Of the city's Interreli-
gious Committee on Race Rela-
tions, of which he is chairman.
The Commissioners took all
the testimony under advise
ment. They have indicated
early enactment of some type
OF fair-housing measure.
Outlines Comparison
Gerry Levenberg, chairman
OF the Housing Committee of
the Washington Planning and
Housing Association, said his
organization indorses the regu-
lation proposed by the lawyers
committee over the one sub
mitted by the corporation coun-
sci for three basic reasons:
THE coverage is broader.
What constitutes discrimi-
nation is more realistically and
appropriately defined.
Enforcement is both more
flexible and more responsive to
the Commissioners detectives.
Mr.. Levenberg said that I'M
der the corporation counsel's
proposal the only penalty for
one who refuses to sell or rent
housing to a prospective buyer
because of a racial or religious
prejudice is a criminal penalty
of a maximum $500 fine or 10
days in jail.
But" he said, "the primary
objective is not to fill the Jail,
it is to open housing accommo-
dations."
Mr.. Levbenberg said that the
provision for use Of the in
junctive power in the lawyers
committee measure is essential
If the regulation is to be effec-
tive.
a.. The very housing accom-
modationS denied on the basis
of race" he said. would not
be available unless . the en-
forcing agency is given author
Iity to preserve the status quo
by seeking a temporary re-
lstraining order prohibiting dis
position of the cofiimodation
in issue until q determination
can be made as to whether the
person seeking the accommoda-
ton has been denied it in vio-
lation of the act and Is, there
fore, entitled to receive it"
Held Unauthorized
Mr.. Gray told the Commits
sioners that Congress has not
authorized them to use the in
junctive procedure for this pur-
pose.
Mr.. Levenberg also said that
an agency charged with enforc-
ing a fair-housing regulation
should have the power to init
ate complaints as well as re-
ceive them.
Under the corporation coun-
sells measure the District would
wait for complaints about hous-
ing discrimination.
The Lawyers Committee on
Fair Housing Regulations is
composed of six local attorneys:
Joseph L. Rauh. jr.; Monroe
Freedman, Walter Lewis, Da-
vid ISbell, John Silard and
James Heller.
This committee drafted its
proposed regulation with the
cooperation and assistance of
attorneys at the United States
Civil Rights Commission and
the Department of Justice.
Ben D. Segal, education and
international affairs director
of the International Union Of
Electrical, Radio and Machine
Workers, AFL-CIO, said that
his union favors the draft pro-
posed by the lawyers commit
tee.
He said "it is interesting to
note that Imprisonment or
fine have apparently never yet
been imposed under any fair
housing law"
One witness at the hearing
who favored the measure
drafted by the corporation
counsel's office over that sub
mitted by the lawyers COM
mittee was William X. Nor
wood.
Mr.. Norwood, who said he was
representing the Chevy Chase
Citizens Association, said that
his organization believes that
at least initially, enforce
ment should be limited to con-
IChldJlOll.
He also suggested that in
order to prevent "a flight TO
the suburbs" the impact Of am
anti discrimination housin g
regulation in Washingto n
should be geared to the enact
ment of similar regulations in
the surrounding localities.
Other groups backing the
lawyers, committee proposed
regulation; in part or entirely.
we're the Greater Washington
Central Labor Council, Ameri-
cans for Democratic Action,
the District Republicans Com
mittee, the District Democratic
Central Committee, the Ma
tional Capital Area Civil Lib
critics Union. the National Cap
ital Clearing House for Neigh