The Ohio Daily Express

Peace in Chicago's Park Manor Area, Police Protection Remains

CHICAGO Aug. 9 (ANP) Peace reigned in the heretofore troubled Park Manor area this week, but protection for the Negro family is still being maintained, the Chicago Mayor's Commission on Human Relations announced.

Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Johnson, whose home was attacked by white hoodlums and neighbors when they moved into the former restricted covenant area, are safe, and have been the victims of no further uprisings.

Despite the apparent peace in the neighborhood, Thomas H. Wright, executive secretary of the commission, warned that certain radical elements still could cause trouble if allowed to gain sway. He warned "Action and propaganda by extremists in this situation are a continuing danger.

Meetings of people from the Park Manor community are being held in which the police are being condemned for protecting the Johnson home. The people want the police to leave so they can continue their un-American lawless and dangerous attacks on the property and persons of the Johnsons.

"Other extremists are distributing leaflets and holding meetings condemning the police for lack of action." These groups are fabricating stories designed only to inflame and keep the disturbance going.

"The action of both of these groups is a threat to the security of the Johnsons and the city as a whole and the commission calls upon all responsible individuals and groups to refuse to give aid and encouragement to their activities."

Some 25 persons have been arrested in this case and will come to trial immediately, Wright said. Most of these are charged with violating the city's anti-riot ordinance passed last year after the Fernwood riots here.

The law declares such action a "clear and present danger to the security of the city and punishable by law."

Speaking of the police accomplishments in this disturbance Augustine J. Bowe, chairman of the commission, said:

"Since last Wednesday night the whole action of the police has reached the level of efficiency of which the citizens of Chicago can be proud."

Throughout the case the commission has worked with a group of 50 local civic groups through the Chicago Council against racial and religious discrimination.

Among these groups are the NAACP, the Chicago Urban league, the Church Federation of Greater Chicago, the American Brotherhood, the Catholic Interracial council, and others.