Atlanta Daily World

Complicated Matters In Cleveland Government Housing Project

CLEVELAND — (ANP) — During last spring an investigation was made regarding a proposal to bar Negro tenants from the Cedar-Central Federal housing project. Indications following this investigation were not convincing enough to guarantee that the proposal would not be attempted, although officials assured inquirers that no such practices had been or would be attempted.

Satisfied with this statement, effective methods proposed to block the attempt were withdrawn. In the meantime under-cover and un-accusable methods were initiated to discourage Negro applicants.

The property on which the Cedar Central project is constructed was formerly a neighborhood of colored homes. Or at least houses occupied by Negroes. The removal of Negroes from these scores of dwellings added to the housing perplexity. Families were crowded into small and undesirable lodgings.

The congested Negro section looked with hopeful relief to the completion of this mammoth housing unit. We can not say definitely that the completion of the project has been purposely delayed, but indications are that this is highly probable.

Approximately 15 blocks farther into the Negro district the Outhwaite Housing project is also being constructed. Both would hardly solve the housing problems among Negroes. But citizens could look forward to considerable relief if access to both were to be given to Negroes. The Outhwaite project starting many months behind the construction of the Cedar-Central, is being rushed into completion, which also adds to the relief from anxiety and necessity.

Inspection reveals that there is a decided difference in the materials used in the construction of the projects. A definite attempt is being made to encourage Negro applicants for the projects (especially those who have registered for the Cedar-Central) to apply for occupancy in the Outhwaite. Many who have sent in application for the Cedar-Central have been sent blank application for the Outhwaite. Authorities took precaution not to officially reject the Cedar-Central application sent in by Negroes, but to encourage, by the above method, application for the Outhwaite.

To further this scheme, places where applications for the Outhwaite can be posted or signed have been designated throughout the Negro section, one not very far from the Cedar-Central. Gordon Simpson, a familiar and well known Cleveland Negro, is placed in charge of this project, while a white man is placed in charge of the Cedar Central.

Hundreds of Negroes are under the impression that there will be Negro tenants in the Cedar-Central project when it is completed. But with the completion of the project only a short time off, no Negro applicants have been notified of being accepted.

Looking into the depths of the situations we see a peculiar piece of maneuvering federal housing authorities knew than an open refusal to Negro applicants would arouse the fight and ire of the citizens and organizations, who had good chances to block their plans. Their method of keeping them out was instituted so as to keep the Negroes thinking 'there would be no bar until the project was completed and occupants selected. By this time the Outhwaite project would be near enough completion to accept applications for it.