The Detroit tribune., 1963-05-11
EDITORIAL
BY Lee Ivory

According to information available to the United States
Commission Civil Rights Fiscal Year 1862 the Federal
government received from all in the State of Misss
sppl S270 million. During the same period il is renort
ed payments from the Federal overnment to the State
coountieS municipalities and individuals exceeded $3.50
Mlion Tor grant in aid programs United States Corps
OF Engineers construction contracts military prime con-
tracts and direct military and civilian payros EXAMPLES
OF additional Federal programs benefttnp Mssssinni
include Area Redevelopmen loans and grants Small
Business loans Accelerated Public Works projects and
Federal Aviation Agency grants
Massive assistance to the economy of Mississippi has
continued past the time when the State placed itself in
direct defiance of the Constitution and Federal court or
ders For example the National Aeronautcs and Space
Agency proceeding with plans to build $4OO million
moon rocket engine test center in Pearl River and Han
cock Counties. Mississippi
Taking into account the need to comply with statll-
tory requirements which limit the discretion of the Exec
tive Branch and further recognizing that the location of
large Federal installations must reflect national needs
II Is elt IL some quarters that there Overding
tuona obligation to make certain that Federal funds are
expended in manner which will benefit all citizens with
out distinction The Federal Aviation Agency failed to
recognize such obligation when granted ST. 10000
the construction OF jet airport to Jackson Miss
spp without questioning the arports plan to build sep
arae dining and restroom facilities
Since October 1862 the open and fagrant violation
of constitutional guarantees in Mississippi precpated
serious conflict which several occasions reached
the point of crisis The Negroes in the north already
treading dangerous ground have become increasingly
alarmed at this defiance of the Constitution Each
week brings fresh evidence of the danger of complete
breakdown of law and order
Negroes in Mississippi have been shot set upon by
vicious dogs beaten and otherwise errorized simply be-
cause they sought to use the baota right granted to
them under the provisions of the united States Const
tuition Since October students have been fired upon
off the road ministers have been assaulted and their
homes have been bombed. Even children at the brink
OF starvation have been deprived of assistance by the
very caous and discriminatory acts of Mississippi Of
ficals administering Federal funds
While we cOgnizant of the strong and vigorous
action in assuring that vioaors Of Federal are pros
ecuted and that court orders must be enforced main
tain their validity, view with jaundiced eve the re-
ports that deals being made in the Justice Depart
ment OF the United States
Despite the diligent and aggressive handling of each
has arisen the Negroes of the northern states
must necessarily be concerned that the pattern of unaw
iui activity shows no signs of abating. Moreover nine
years after the Supreme Court unanimously decided that
segregation In public elementary and secondary schools
violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution
Mississippi has taken step to comply with the law of
the land
The United States Commission on Civil Rights since
its inception has been deeply concerned with develop
men in the State of Mississippi It's hearing scheduled for
October 1862 in that State first postponed a the re-
quest of the Attorney General of the United States Rob-
ert F. Kennedy and finally cancelled On March 26 the
Attorney General after referring to the Governor Bar
nett case, stated that
While this case is pending. continue TO
hold the view that public hearing In Miss
issippi by the Civil Rights Commission would
not be appropriate. In The meantime, hope
that the work Of the Commission staff can
continue in the past the question Of
the operation of Federal programs In Miss
issippi elsewhere.
Since October the Commission has received more
than 100 complaints from Mississippi alleging denias
of Constitutional rights Investigation of these complaints
confirm the conclusion that prompt and firm action is
required
Only further perhaps aggressive, steps by the Fed
era Government arrest the subversion of the United
States Constitution in the State of Mississippi
We heartened by the forceful action taken by
the President in deployng troops necessary to
compliance with the DEGREES in the University of