Atlanta Daily World

A Secretary For Urban Affairs

The refusal of the House Rules Committee by a vote of nine to six to approve President Kennedy's proposal for establishment of new Federal Department of Urban Affairs and Housing has touched off a very lively issue.

We believe this will be a lively issue which will run throughout this administration unless it is passed. Judging from comment by the President after this negative committee action, the question will be sent directly to the Congress in the form of a government reorganization bill. Also his comment indicates it will be made a partisan issue since the President pointed out the fact that the five Republicans of the committee voted against it. But the mentioning of this fact will raise the question of the number of Democrats who voted for it. There are ten Democrats and five Republicans on the committee.

There should not be anything political nor controversial about such a department. But reality being what it is, we predict much talk before such a proposal becomes law.

In the first place, the proposition, if enacted, would place the first Negro in the cabinet. The Secretary of this department would be Dr. Robert C. Weaver, who is at present Federal Housing Administrator and a man who is eminently qualified for the proposed cabinet post. And the fact that Dr. Weaver is a Negro will perhaps alienate from the measure some Southern support, unfortunately.

Then, there is the question of politics. Apparently the Republican policy makers will not help too much because they want to use the issue to help get back in power.

Nevertheless, the Democrats have a great majority as a party in both houses of Congress and they will get the full credit if the issue passes. But, on the other hand, if it is not passed they will have to share the blame for such a failure.

An important issue which is of great concern, especially to us, has been raised and it will be most interesting to see what happens from here on out.