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Burlington Commission on Human Rights, 1964-1965

1964-10-04 Burlington Hawk-Eye Article: Fourth and Washington

The HAWK-EYE
Burlington, Iowa
Sunday, October 4, 1964

24

Fourth And Washington

Rights All Right

   City councilmen agree some sort of human (or civil) rights ordinance should be passed here but they aren't sure about the one proposed last week.

By
Molly
Doolittle
[photo]

   They expect to consider it about two more weeks -- and maybe make changes -- before taking action.
   The mayor's committee on civic unity under Art Peterson told the council about the proposed ordinance last week. The ordinance would establish a human rights commission to hold hearings on rights problems and set up fair employment and labor practices prohibiting discrimination with religious, racial or ancestral overtones.

Two Negroes Now
   The city now has two Negroes on its regular staff of 250. One is in the refuse department and the other, in streets. A third works part-time under Parks Chief Harry Hatt.
   Negroes have taken Civil Service examinations for fire and police positions, but only one is reported to have passed recently (for police). He was over age, though, before a vacancy occurred.

They Don't
Mention It

   Applications for city hall positions do not require pictures, and make no mention of racial, religious or ancestral background. Councilmen said they do not consider or ask about any of these points in personal interviews.
   There are several Negroes on the Mayor's Committee -- and Mayor Max Conrad said he would "discriminate" only to the extent of putting some on the commission if the proposed ordinance were passed.

[next clipping]
Councilmen Speak

   Councilmen's views on the proposed ordinance are:
   MAYOR MAX CONRAD -- "I'm in favor of it basically-- with some technical and other changes. But I don't want to talk about the revisions until I've had a chance to talk to the other councilmen in more detail."
   OTTO PAULSEN, safety commissioner -- "I think we should pass something -- I want to treat them (minority group representatives) as I would anybody else."

   "But maybe we shouldn't pass this ordinance as written -- I wonder if we have the authority, legally, to put in a clause prohibiting discrimination (as proposed in the ordinance) in city contacts. We're checking this now.

   "It's my understanding this ordinance is more strongly worded than the state code -- but now that civil rights is a national issue, I imagine the state will strengthen theirs."

   LEONARD BROWN, streets-- "I'm in favor of the commission and the idea -- but I'm not sure about this particular ordinance until I talk it over with the rest of the council members. I feel we should be on the ball (and have an ordinance) in case we need it, though I don't look for it."

   HARRY HATT, parks -- "I think there should be some sort of rights ordinance -- do we have a choice? The federal government and state have them -- if we don't pass one, the federal government will step in and tell us what to do anyway. I'm not sure if the proposed ordinance is best or not."

   MILTON SCHOELL, finance commissioner, was at a Masonic meeting in Clinton this week, and could not be reached for comment.

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The HAWK-EYE Burlington, Iowa Sunday, October 4, 1964 24 Fourth And Washington Rights All Right City councilmen agree some sort of human (or civil) rights ordinance should be passed here but they aren't sure about the one proposed last week. By Molly Doolittle [photo] They expect to consider it about two more weeks -- and maybe make changes -- before taking action. The mayor's committee on civic unity under Art Peterson told the council about the proposed ordinance last week. The ordinance would establish a human rights commission to hold hearings on rights problems and set up fair employment and labor practices prohibiting discrimination with religious, racial or ancestral overtones. Two Negroes Now The city now has two Negroes on its regular staff of 250. One is in the refuse department and the other, in streets. A third works part-time under Parks Chief Harry Hatt. Negroes have taken Civil Service examinations for fire and police positions, but only one is reported to have passed recently (for police). He was over age, though, before a vacancy occurred. They Don't Mention It Applications for city hall positions do not require pictures, and make no mention of racial, religious or ancestral background. Councilmen said they do not consider or ask about any of these points in personal interviews. There are several Negroes on the Mayor's Committee -- and Mayor Max Conrad said he would "discriminate" only to the extent of putting some on the commission if the proposed ordinance were passed. [next clipping] Councilmen Speak Councilmen's views on the proposed ordinance are: MAYOR MAX CONRAD -- "I'm in favor of it basically-- with some technical and other changes. But I don't want to talk about the revisions until I've had a chance to talk to the other councilmen in more detail." OTTO PAULSEN, safety commissioner -- "I think we should pass something -- I want to treat them (minority group representatives) as I would anybody else." "But maybe we shouldn't pass this ordinance as written -- I wonder if we have the authority, legally, to put in a clause prohibiting discrimination (as proposed in the ordinance) in city contacts. We're checking this now. "It's my understanding this ordinance is more strongly worded than the state code -- but now that civil rights is a national issue, I imagine the state will strengthen theirs." LEONARD BROWN, streets-- "I'm in favor of the commission and the idea -- but I'm not sure about this particular ordinance until I talk it over with the rest of the council members. I feel we should be on the ball (and have an ordinance) in case we need it, though I don't look for it." HARRY HATT, parks -- "I think there should be some sort of rights ordinance -- do we have a choice? The federal government and state have them -- if we don't pass one, the federal government will step in and tell us what to do anyway. I'm not sure if the proposed ordinance is best or not." MILTON SCHOELL, finance commissioner, was at a Masonic meeting in Clinton this week, and could not be reached for comment.