Arizona tribune. [volume], March 17, 1961, Page P.2, Image 2

About Arizona tribune. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1958-197?

Image provided by: Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records; Phoenix, AZ

                
ARIZONA TRIBUNE, FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1961,
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Ar (Tribune
ALii <_iJL
PICTORIAL WEEKLY
VOL. 3, NO. 33
EDWARD BANKS, Publi»ha» and Editor
ELOISE BANKS, A»*is,an» Editor
FRED BANKS. Staff Photographer
]
Established July 10, I9SB Published every Thursday in Phoama,
An lon a, 2137 East Broadway, BR 6 2 301
i
Sub scnption Rates
ft yr. SI 50 1 yr. |2 SO 2 yrs. $3 50 j
| f
1 ’all that is needed to remedy the evils of
OUR TIMES IS TO DO JUSTICE AND GIVE FREEDOM."
1
High and Dry
No person needs to be a housing authority ;
to ascertain the degree of terrible living con- ,
ditions that exist in the City of Phoenix. No 1
one needs to read the various reports to tell
that many blighted areas are in our midst. A <
casual drive through the center of town and \
within a six mile radius will show anyone 1
what slums are. [
This week , the housing code was withdrawn f
the urban renewal department was abolished
and the city was left high and dry with one of
the worst problems to face our citizens.
Phoenix celebrated its 80th birthday sever
al weeks ago. It is a comparatively new city
but it has some of the worst places for human
habitation that can be seen in many older cit
ies. It has mushroomed quickly in so many di
rections without planning or purpose. This has
caused sub-standard homes to be included with
in city limits.
The sunny, warm weather has made it pos
sible for people to erect lean-to like places
easily. Lack of a rigid county housing code has
enabled slums to be spawned outside of the
city and when annexation came-these sub
standard places were added.
Regardless of the manner our city ob
tains relief from the greatest shame of our
city —there is a definite need--a definite
must for better housing for those people
who inhabit the slums.
Historically , minority groups suffer great
er in the substandard living areas because
their lower incomes keep them in these homes
long after the majority groups have moved out. i
Industrialization of the surrounding land for
ces the blight to move in and stay. Most of
these homes are not owned by the occupants
and the owners are concerned only with the
amount of rent brought in weekly or monthly
from his property.
Unfortunately, the urban renewal depart
ment failed to publicize its program fully
to the people who could have been helped.
It failed to disperse its aims to the com
munity and there were few attempts by its
members lo relate its activities to a large
part of the populous. While the urban renewal
department slept, one group led by Aubrey
Moore, canvassed the city and obtained 10,000
signatures that disfavored the housing program.
Now the city council and the mayor have dis
banded the official municipal department and
unless someone comes along soon —Phoenix
as an up and coming city will certainly be
high and dry. Slums are everybody’s business
--where the mansions grow or the tumble
weeds blow.
P.2
SOUNDS
ELOISE BANKS
We waited a short time for
Ed’s old school friend; soon the
Barfield brothers arrived. Social
amenities were short and the few
handshakes were quickly made.
Stanley and Walter Barfield had
grown up from early school
days with my spouse. They had
roamed the commons together
and hunted on the moors. Walter
had broken his arm recently but
this didn’t stop his welcome or
activity.
They drove us to Stanley’s beau
tiful home which was located on
the spot called Hawthorn Lane.
This spot was the old hunting
and romping ground of the Banks
and Barfield brothers. En route
to Stanley’s home, I was shown
the site of their schools and
other places of friendly feuds or
funtimes.
Stanley and his wife had out
done themselves. They had an
elegant buffet party. We were
quite surprised because Ed didn’t
know that Stanley had notified
about ten of their close school
chums. When we entered the
front door, shouts of “How have
you been,” and “Well there’s
Teddy” rang out.
Making my way to the glowing
fine, I joined the chatter and in
a few minutes everyone knew my
name and I knew the close bunch
that my husband had often men
tioned. We discussed politics,
economics, entertainment and
most of all why Ed chose to live
in the USA. Two of his friends
had made business trips to Amer
ica. One had been to Florida,
, and he didn’t like the brassy
glamour of Miami. The other one
had been to Chicago, but he was
so impressed with central heat
ing that he had it installed in
his home when he returned to
England.
The next day, Ed presented
greetings from the Mayor of
Phoenix, Mr. Sam Mardian to the
Lord Mayor, Alderman Harry
Stanley of Coventry, Warwick
shire, England. A surprising co
incidence was discovered when
we met the town clerk, Mr.
Charles Barratt. He had visited
Phoenix during a visit to the
States and he remembered for
mer city manager, Mr. Ray Wil
son.
Further coincidences were
found when the men spoke of
their home cities. They had been
born in Huddersfield in the north
county of Yorkshire.
Coventry Council House was old
and full of relics. We studied
the stained glass windows. I was
amused to find that the name of
the first Lord Mayor in 1348
bore the same name as one of
our neighbors, John Ward.
His excellency, Mr. Stanley
donned his gold collar and we
were served sherry and later tea.
He told us about the Phoenix
bird that had been placed on the
leveling stone in 1944, when the
gigantic rebuilding program of
Coventry was begun. Eighty per
cent of the city had been damaged
during the Nazi bombings and
many historic places had been
destroyed.
We were photographed and in
terviewed by two reporters from
the daily newspaper, who had
been waiting for an hour or so
'• while we talked. Then, the Lord
Mayor summoned his limousine
and took us on a tour of the city
We visited the police station
and there Ed renewed his ac
quaintance with the head con
stable or chief, Mr. Ted Pen
dleton. Mr. Pendleton had been
a bobby on the beat when my
husband was a boy there in the
city. He recalled some child
hood stories and the head con-
SIGHTS
COn't, P. 5
sights Views,Previews & Reviews
« EDWARD BANKS
MENNEN SHOULD STICK TO SOAP
Americans are familiar with Mennen Shave Creams and other
products. We have heard the nickname of the ex-governor of Mich
igan, Mennen Williams better known as “Soapy.” We have known
that Mennen and Michigan were almost inseparable for about
twelve years. But, whoever dreamed that Mennen would be turned
loose on the African continent as an Assistant Secretary of State
under the new frontiers administration of President John F. Ken
nedy?
The former governor can hardly feel qualified for this new and
demanding position. His contact with Africans or their problems
could not have been improved during his years as the head exe
cutive of Michigan.
Isn’t this going a bit too far with providing places for one’s
supporters? Couldn’t he have been stationed in this country? Or
perhaps even JFK and his mentors wanted “Soapy” away where
his suds would be less noticeable?
It is interesting to note that he wasn't made an assistant secretary
of state in Asia or Europe. As he spends his time meandering through
Africa, I wonder how the Oxford trained Africans who may meet
him feel about this wandering Williams?
WINNERS NAMED BY NCCJ
The National Conference of Christians and Jews announced the
names of 28 award winners at the New York City Brotherhood Week
dinner held at the Hotel Roosevelt.
National chairman, Bob Hope addressed the group. Leonard Bern
stein was the local chairman. Awards were presented to top winners
by Duke Ellington, Sam Levenson, Cornelia O. Skinner, Shelly Win
ters and Frederick O’Neal.
National winners for outstanding contributions in 1960 and their
categories are: Cartoons—The New York Journal American, “How
To Move Mountains” by Burrus Jenkins; Newspaper articles—The
Providence Evening Bulletin—report on the Lippitt Hill Redevelop
ment Project by George Popkin and James Rhea which shows the
Negroes’ problems when trying to locate new homes; Magazines
Look Magazine—for its regular inclusion of articles centered on
improving human relations.
Books—nonfiction—An American Dialogue by Robert M. Brown
and Gustave Weigel, S.J.-which presents steps toward improving
relations between Catholics and Protestants.
Books—Fiction—“Peaceable Lane” by Keith Wheeler which shows
the problems faced by a Negro moving into an all-white neighborhood.
Radio programs, Station WBZ of Boston—presentation of an hour
long broadcast of “Anne Frank: The Memory and the Meaning”, as
a part of its “Sounds of Democracy” series.
Radio Programs —Station WNEW of New York—its News Closeup
broadcast “Open Letter to Governor Rockefeller” focused attention
to the Metcalf Baker Fair Housing Bill.
Motion pictures—theatrical: “Conspiracy of Hearts” by Para
mount which shows ways of overcoming religious divisions of sects.
Motion pictures—nontheatrical, “Hand in Hand”, British made
and released by Columbia Pictures, which shows how to overcome
false concepts of race hate.
Television programs—Columbia Broadcasting System for
“Strangers in the City” a live documentary on the Puerto Ricans
in New York.
Television programs—American Broadcasting Company—“ Cast
the First Stone,” a study of prejudice and discrimination in other
sections outside the South.
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