Atlanta Daily World

Dr. Escous B. Goode, Keynote Speaker At Housing Confab

By ALICIA J. SHERROD

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—(SNS)—

Dr. Escous B. Goode, member Mayor's Advisory Committee on Housing, Mobile, Ala., director of Gulf-Federal Savings and Loan Association and a candidate for the Board of Education of Mobile County, was the keynote speaker at the Housing and Urban Renewal Clinic, which was held at the L. R. Hall Auditorium at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 26.

Dr. Goode stated that the population of Alabama in 1900 was over one million people. By 1950 it had increased to over three million people.

The growth of the south is 1 1/3 times that of Alabama, and the growth of the United States is 1 1/2 times that of Alabama.

Although the state is predominately rural the urban population has increased from 11 9/10 per cent in the 1900 to 40 9/10 per cent in 1950. Technically, urban life in Alabama was compared with both the south and the nation.

He added, "the population of Alabama is concentrated in Birmingham, Mobile and Montgomery."

The cities to watch in urban growth are: Gadsden, Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Birmingham, Dothan, Decatur, Bessemer, Florence, Pritchard, Mobile, Montgomery and Huntsville."

Consequently, in these Alabama cities none of the agencies that have served the urban section will be effective in meeting the needs of these people as urban renewal requires a progressive program he said.

He also added, "Federal Housing was created for people in the middle income bracket; Public Housing was created for people in the low income bracket."

In the 2 P.M. session of the Housing and Urban Renewal Clinic, Douglas Chaffin, director of Personnel, Housing and Home Finance Agency, Washington, D.C. spoke on "Challenging New Opportunities in the Urban Affairs Field."

He stated that what "we need is more trained people. What we are facing is more expansion and we need more trained people for the jobs on all levels. Training is an asset. Young people with training can get their feet on the ladder, and by that they can go up. Opportunities for trained people in all fields are now open," he said.

In Washington the urban renewal started in 1952. 500 cities are now participants in the Urban Renewal.

He added, "young people if you are interested, get your degree because there are opportunities in this field. But you must prepare for it. The future belongs to those who prepare for it."

Don B. Frye, Chief of Recruitment and Placement Housing and Home Finance Agency, Washington, D.C., spoke on "Opportunities for Federal Employment."

Mr. Frye said preparation is the "key to success in any field of employment. Prepare for the jobs of tomorrow so that when you get the job you can hold it. Don't prepare students for fields that are rapidly declining."

Prepare them for interviews so that they will know what intelligent questions to ask, how to talk and dress. Pave the way for others, so when you get the job it won't be hard for the ones behind you.

He also added, "prepare them for government exams and if you don't pass the first time you take the exam, try again and write for information about it."