Minneapolis spokesman., 1963-11-07

motel. But when they arrived the
owner turned them away.
Incensed, the couple complained
to the Human Rights Commission.
After a talk with commission Of
ficials, the motel owner agreed 10
pay the Negroes $3.50 as compensa-
ton for their troubles. He also was
required to display a commission
poster stating his motel abides by
the New York law banning dis
elimination In public places.
If a New York businessman
balks, he Is summoned before a
public hearing of the commission.
If bias Is definitely established, the
rights group can order it halted
and can use local or state courts to
insure compliance.
Quiet Settlements In st. Louis
Most violations are settled quiet
ly away from any court. Business
men generally shrink from a pub
lie airing of their violations" says
w. J. Duford, an official of the st.
Louis Council on Human Relations.
The council has had to go to court
only once since the city adopted a
public accommodations ordinance
in 1861. In that instance, the Of
fender - a tavern owner who re-
fused 10 serve Negroes was
fined 500. Nearly 100 other COM
plants have been settled without
court action, according to Mr.. Du-
ford.
Some observers suggest that
businessmen often prefer public ac-
commodations legislation to vol
untary desegregation, move some
fear would cost them white trade.
Comments John de J. Pemberton,
Jr., executive director of the Amer
lean Civil Liberties Union: The
businessman who's been afraid to
stand out by desegregating on his
own can safely say to adverse pub
lie opinion, Look, I had to. It's the
law"
An amusement park operator in
one Midwestern city went so far
as to privately request that the
local rights commission bring him
before a public hearing over his
refusal to integrate a swimming
pool at the park. HE wasn't
averse to integration, but he didn't
want to leave that impression"
explains a commission official.
After the show Of resistance, the
park operator was forced" to
bow to the commissions wishes.
Courts Uphold Laws
Though Southern legislators are
attacking the Federal bin as an
unconstitutional infringement of
private property rights, state
courts have upheld public accom-
modations laws. In Kansas City,
for example, one big restaurant
owner filed test case attacking
the consttutionalty Of the city
ordinance banning discrimination,
but the Missouri Supreme Court
ruled in favor of the city. In gen
eral, state courts have taken the
view that any curtailment Of prop
erty rights resulting from public
accommodations laws Is outweigh
ed by the public good" inherent
in anti-bias legislation.
To be sure, discrimination In
public places has not been wiped
out In states and cities with public
accommodations laws. Many busi-
nessmen still resist integration, al
though they don't cite race as the
reason for not admitting Negroes.
Dick Williams, a young Negro
member Of the Congress Of Racial
Equality in Chicago, recently en-
tered South State Street burles-
que house on the heels Of two
whites In sport shirts. The whites
were seated, but Mr.. Williams was
told 1t was now evening" and he
would have TO have q tie. Funny
how night falls so suddenly, isn't
It? I thought Of getting a tie and
coming back, but I just didn't
bother" says Mr.. Williams.
New York has had trouble with
defiant BARRIERS. One In Nassau
County, a suburban area on Long
Island, wanted IS to curt Negro
boys hair; the usual rate for
youngsters was rs cents. The shop
posted a sign saying: "Kinlxy hair
cuts-$5." The Human Rights
Commission brought court action
to halt the discriminatory practice.
In Washington, DC, too. BARRIERS
are giving officials headaches. The
Commissioners Council on Human
Relations Is now considering ask
dng for the power 10 lift licenses
of barbershops that won't cooper
ate, q measure such commissions
usually aren't empowered to take.
One reason for concern: Embarras-
sing Incidents between African dip
lomats and BARRIERS who refuse to
curt ther hair.
A number Of anti-discriminahon
statutes have been on the books
since the Reconstruction era, but
some have been passed or greatly
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