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NEW ORDINANCES SOUGHT TO KILL SLUMS Registration Nears 14,000; Deadline Ist Almost twice as many Negroes are qualified to vote in the coming May 2 Democratic primaries than were qualified last year. An intense registration drive be gun here three months ago has paid off big dividends and many of the most staid political candidates are eyeing the Negro voting power. Latest' tabulations on Thursday disclosed a figure near 14,000, a big improvement over the 7,666 quali fied voters last year. Os 105.195 registered voters for the 1944 general election, 6,73 S were Ne groes. On last Dec. 31 the county roll of 18*.943 voters listed 8,586 Negroes. That had jumped by March 22 to an overall roll of 206,961 with 13,087 °f them Negroes. The Tampa Tribune this Aeek cited an Interesting fact as to the potential voting strength of the Ne gro in Florida. "The CIO figures show by the last 1945 census that there are 342,412 (more than that now) Negroes of voting age in Florida, more than half the 576,066 total vote cast In the second for governor two Truck Overturns: 2 Killed, 12 Injured Two men were killed and 12 oth ers injured Tuesday when a dump truck in which they were riding overturned after going out of con trol on U.S. No. 1 near Princeton. The accident occurred about 6 p.m. The two men killed were identi fied as Leon Reed, 37, and Zed Law rence, no age given, both of Home stead. The five most seriously injured, and hospitalized, are Roosevelt Swain, 43. of Florida City; Robert Lee Smith, 23; John Starks, 36; Ed die Robinson, 20, and W. D. Bryant 21, all of Homestead. Bodies were strewn along the road after the truck overturned trying to pass another light truck during the peak of the traffic rush on the busy narrow highway. The lighter truck started to make a turn and in attempting to avoid a collision, the heavier truck went out of control and spun over one and one-half times, tossing occu pants in all directions from its open body. Three of the five who were hos pitalized were In critical condition years ago,” .says the Tribune. "Os these, only 85,180 or 24 per cent had been registered, leaving 76 per cent of Florida’s Negroes as orospects in the current registration drive." STOVE EXPLODES; BABY DIES One-year-old Violetta Durden was burned to death Thursday when an oil stove exploded in the kitchen of her parents’ dilapidated frame house at 3078 NW 45th st. Two other near by houses were also burned. Her broken-hearted 11-year-old sis ter, Theola, told a sad story of how she tried to get into the housto to remove the infant but was driven back by the smoke and flames. The dead baby is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Durden. The wife, Florence, was visiting neigh bors at the time of the explosion. in the Dade county hospital at Ken dall. The others were treated and released. All the workers were from Home stead and Florida City, and were em Ployed by the Atlantic Construction Co. The truck’s driver, Walter Young 32, of Homestead, and several other occupants were treated at the hos pital for minor Injuries and releas ed. The highway patrol said no charges had been filed. CHAMP HAS BRUISED HEART MUSCLE NEW YOFK Veterans of the fight game wondered Ttteday If Ex sard Charles, the NBA heavyweight champion, ever will be permitted to boa again in New York state be cause of his bruised heart muscle. They were alarmed because IJk wm * n flfc |T ■' mi I* V Hvbp jfflj I I BN* I r I ■ p| *r ■ Sr I I P I 1 |r L |R f~' Uflj I I sHH 111 I 1 1 I | ™ I I I a VOL. XXV, NO. 30 PRICE TEN CENTS Supreme Court Upholds Golf Discrimination Policy ■ - *■•? ipfy' r. ; ’<■' - iij X- y ' awroiM:.'^w , Tv*' > 'JBm LINTON BERRIEN Head of the Music Department of Dorsey High School, will conduct the Easter pageant at the Young m Charles had been forced to withdraw twice from his scheduled title de fense again Freddie Beshore. One man quite convinced that Charles may be through was Felix Bocchicchio, manager of Jersey Joe Walcott. He notified the NBA Tues day that Walcott will claim Charles’ title If the injury forced the champion to retire. Register Today!! MIAMI, FLORIDA, SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1950 The Times Are Changed And We Are Changed With Them V.; N fIL , \ - - L. LEO JENKINS Director of the 100-voice Mt. Zion choir, is preparing special Easter music for rendition at the Sunrise Service. Mr. Jenkins won high local acclaim when he directed the Mt. Zion Singers in a Dinner Key audi torium concert early this year. Business Men’s Club Easter Sunrise Service at Virginia Beach. Igps- Dorothy Newton, Dorsey Engtfeh department head, will assist Mr. Berrien. CRAFTSMEN PROMISED HELP DY LOCAL ONIONS At a special meeting called Tues day at the Youth Center by the La bor Relations Committee of the Ne gro Service Council, headed by Kiev. Edward T. Oraham, representative* of unions affiliated wt|h the Miami Building Trades Council pledged Tuesday to seek charters for locals of Negro craftsmen in this area or to help find jobs for Qualified Ne groes in their trades. This was the third of a feriei of ACTION BY HIGHER COURT SOUGHT Miami’s local golf association is busy laying the ground work for a trip to a higher court of juetice af ter hearing the State Supreme Court’s decision on the golf case. The Florida high court' upheld a Dade County Circuit Court decis ion in Tallahassee last Friday by Judging that Miami is not discrimi nating against Negro golfers when it permits them to play on the mui cipal course only one day a week. "Courts are powerless to eradicate social instincts or to abolish distinc tions based on physical differences.” the court said in an opinion by Jus tice Roy Chapman. "The attempt to do so only ac centuates existing difficulties." The suit was brought by Joseph Rice, on constitutional grounds. He contended it is his right to use the course at Miami Springs whenever it is open to the general public. Under an administrative ruling by Manager H. H. Arnold, the course talks resulting from complaints that \ "gentleman’s agreement" to let lobs in Negro areas go to qualified Negro workmen was being violated. Several persons pleaded for a chance to organize under American Federation of Labor unions, and) others warned that unless organized labor recognized the needs of Negro workmen. It would be defeating Ks own ends. W. C. Johnson manager of the EIGHTEEN PAGES is open to Negroes each Monday. Attorneys G. E. Graves and John D. Johnson, who have followed the case since its embryonic stages, argued the case in the high court. "Total revenues arising from the small number of Negro players us ing the course and paying the green fees when standing alone are lnsuf ficient to pay the actual operating and maintenance cost of the links” Justice Chapman wrote. City Attorney J. W. Watson, Jr., and Assistant John D. Marsh had argued that the highest number of Negroes playing on any day during a one-week test was 52. This was be fore the Monday only rule was in voked. The court said the city is willing to give Negroes more playing days if the number using the course in creases to warrant it. “It cannot be overlooked that per sons of the same tastes and desires, whether White or Black, usually as sociate together to enjoy themselves to the best advantage.” Justice Chapman said. "People generally move in circles In which they are likely to be suited or matched. “lectricians union and member of the District Welfare Board, said \FL unions were well aware of the need to raise economic standards in Florida. Some union leaders asked for lists of qualified Negro workers in their fields who will be referred to Jobs in the Negro areas. With most of the complalntps fall ing into the painting trade, in which the majority of Negro craftsmen are TOUGH. MEASURES UP FORV&TE APRIL 5 ™ X,- - A new city that Is sure to draw loud protests from property owners, could literally wipe oui slums forever in Miami if passed April 5. The commission in a special meet ing on Tuesday considered the or dinance that would give the city sweeping power in ridding Miami of slum houses. At the same time the city plann ing board outlined a proposed rede velopment program with ‘teeth’ in it to be heard at a public meeting April 10. The provisions on the proposals are tough on slum property land lords and already that group has be gun to holler. The condemnation ordinance pro vides for condemnation of buildings that do not meet these standards: Each house must have an inside toilet, bath, water, two entrances, electricity, outside windows in each room, sewage disposal meeting city requirements. Condemnation is authorized for de terioration. The number of occupants of a house can’t exceed one and one half a room. A formula on sleeping quarters provides that no more than four persons may sleep in one room; six In two bedrooms: eight in three; 10 in four; 12 in five. There must be 40 square feet of sleeping area a parson. If any of these provisions isn't met. the city may condemn the prop erty. giving the owner 30 to 60 days ARMY AND AIR FORCE OPEN ENLISTMENTS "The U. S. Army and U. 8. Air Force Recruiting Service in Miami is continually looking for the best qualified applicants for these two services,” states Major Harold Hill man, South Florida Recruiting offi cer. "Young men between the ages of 18 and 35 (17 with their parents' consent) can carve out a career for engaged, John E. Burllnger, busi ness agent, said he would take the question of a local for Negroes to the floor of the International con vention In Detroit next September. Among those present at the meet ing were: John J. I Amin, Teamaters, local 390; George L. Mitchell, Carpenters; Louis Klelnburg, Sheet Metal Work* era: Fred P- Fenno, Roofer .67; W. C. Johnson, Elec. TTnlon 39; P. W. i te make repairs or raze the building. M board of appeal is set up if the wants to protest. t If the owner dosn’t make repairs ©r rase the building, the city is au thorized to tear the building down. The aonlng ordinance is equally strong In setting up standards fcr replacing such condemned stmc tnsa As outlined by Frank F. Steams, planning director, it would: Ban residential buildings in indus trial areas. Provide for both front and rear entrances. Not allow buildings to cover more than 40 per cent of a lot area. Require strict observance of set back rules, with 12H feet required between the back of a building and the rear lot line. Require that setbacks for residen tial buildings In business zones con form to residential setback stand ards. (Many residences built In bus iness zones now are built to the property line.) Increase the number of square foot lot' area for each housekeeping unit from 300 to 600 feet. (On a lot of 6.000 square feet, only 10 units could be built, instead of 20 as now.! Prohibtt using sub-standard houses adjoining a lot in determning the minimum front yard for new bul’d ings, and require a setback of at least 10 feet. (Although 20 feet is the normal residential setback, if ah adjoining building Is closer to the property line, present practice per mits a common line, so that the new building can be built ns close to the property edge ns the old buildlng.l Provide for working out plana to widen and open new street. hemselves that offers them retire nent In 20 to 30 years, a chance to earn a really worthwhile trade, and >ther educational opportunities plus a chance for world wide travel and adventure.” “I might add,” Major Hillman continued “that the pay rates in the Army and Air Force are now higher than they have ever been since the services were organized.” Rcause the educational and physi cal standards have recently been raised to insure that the service* (continued on page 4) Palmateer, Sheet Metal Workers LU 223; James E. Costello, Lathers Lo cal 345; John E. Burllnger and Ell Lazare, Painters LU 365; John A. Koehler, Olazer LU 688; John J. Ruckard. Plumbers LU 519; Paul T. Dixon, United Assn LU 519; Ren C. Williams, Central Labor Union; Arthur L. Miller; Sylvester Gun, Charles Green, William, John Adams, Carpenters; Fr. Theodore Continued on page 4