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Burlington Mayors Committee on Civic Unity clippings and correspondence, 1955

1955-09-30 Burlington Hawkeye-Gazette Editorial: "Gratifying Experience"

BHG 9-30-55

Editorial ....

Gratifying Experience
The report of the Mayor's Commission on Civic Unity, made public this week, was revealing, gratifying and encouraging.
This committee is one named to study racial problems particularly between the Negro and the white citizen. One of its functions was to endeavor, insofar as possible, to enlist the co-operation of eating establishments in particular and any other types of business to eliminate racial discrimination if it existed.
Forty-six establishments so co-operated, according to John Klein, the commission's chairman. However, he pointed out that some of them "had been carrying out a policy of no discrimination for years".
Klein added, "But it did demonstrate to some skeptics that such democratic practices as serving all and all alike do not create the problems they fear. We mailed a request to all participants asking that they report any problems arising during this period. It seems there were none. Not one, at least, as been brought to us in spite of some expressed fears before the trial period started.
"Some thought they would lose white customers or that their business in general would suffer. Others expected a sudden, larger influx of new colored customers. Still others feared trouble between white and colored patrons. None of this transpired."
All this is most fortunate . . . it can only be hoped that the policies will continue and be broadened as time and experience bring increased interest and co-operation. 
Such a program is completely antipodal to the deep South on which the hot light of public attention and shame has been focused in recent weeks during the trial of and following the acquittal of two white men who admitted they had kidnaped a Negro boy for what was only a natural youthful prank. The youngster's naked body was later found in a bayou but a jury of white men failed to convict the admitted kidnapers of the slaying.
The report of the Burlington commission, incidentally, merely confirms a statement made in this column several years ago and which was challenged sharply at the time by some who were most active in promoting better racial conditions. We said at the time that Burlington, very fortunately, had never had any serious Negro problem . . . that the Negro population had always been small and largely a law-abiding and orderly one. We expressed the fear then that perfectly well intentioned overtures for better racial conditions might easily go astray and cause irritation not previously experienced here. It is very easy sometimes to provoke a placid brook into a roaring stream.

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BHG 9-30-55 Editorial .... Gratifying Experience The report of the Mayor's Commission on Civic Unity, made public this week, was revealing, gratifying and encouraging. This committee is one named to study racial problems particularly between the Negro and the white citizen. One of its functions was to endeavor, insofar as possible, to enlist the co-operation of eating establishments in particular and any other types of business to eliminate racial discrimination if it existed. Forty-six establishments so co-operated, according to John Klein, the commission's chairman. However, he pointed out that some of them "had been carrying out a policy of no discrimination for years". Klein added, "But it did demonstrate to some skeptics that such democratic practices as serving all and all alike do not create the problems they fear. We mailed a request to all participants asking that they report any problems arising during this period. It seems there were none. Not one, at least, as been brought to us in spite of some expressed fears before the trial period started. "Some thought they would lose white customers or that their business in general would suffer. Others expected a sudden, larger influx of new colored customers. Still others feared trouble between white and colored patrons. None of this transpired." All this is most fortunate . . . it can only be hoped that the policies will continue and be broadened as time and experience bring increased interest and co-operation. Such a program is completely antipodal to the deep South on which the hot light of public attention and shame has been focused in recent weeks during the trial of and following the acquittal of two white men who admitted they had kidnaped a Negro boy for what was only a natural youthful prank. The youngster's naked body was later found in a bayou but a jury of white men failed to convict the admitted kidnapers of the slaying. The report of the Burlington commission, incidentally, merely confirms a statement made in this column several years ago and which was challenged sharply at the time by some who were most active in promoting better racial conditions. We said at the time that Burlington, very fortunately, had never had any serious Negro problem . . . that the Negro population had always been small and largely a law-abiding and orderly one. We expressed the fear then that perfectly well intentioned overtures for better racial conditions might easily go astray and cause irritation not previously experienced here. It is very easy sometimes to provoke a placid brook into a roaring stream.