Crystal Room
»
Benson Hotel
FRIDAY . • . 12:10 P. M.
PORTLAND, O REGON -
Vol. 26, No . 12 -
JULY 20. 1945
In this issue: THE NEGRO IN PORTLAND
• A report by the co mmittee on Race Relatlons authorized under t h e
Section o n Social Welfare,
Chairman: J, C. PLANKINTON
This report will be formally prese nte d to the membership, d iscussed from the
floor, and octed upon Friday, July 27.
INDEX TO REPORT
Page
GENERAL BACKGROUND._____......................52
Fundamentals_____ ..........................................52
Racial Superiorities and Inferiorities..............52
Race Prejudice____......................................52
The Negro in America._...................................53
Economic O pportunities____.........................53
Southern Farmers (illus.) ___..............................53
Policy- Attitude National Unions_..............53
White Collar Opportunities_ _....................54
C itizenship Rights_..........................................54
Education___......................................................54
Segregation........................................................54
Negro Achievements. ____............................54
National Organizations____.............................54
Negro in the U.S.A. (illus.)_....
...........55
U.S. RACE PROGRESS_·-······-·
Hope for Future Progress___..
.............54
.......56
FACTS ABOUT PORTLAND.............................56
Negro Population in the Portland Area._.......56
Distribution of Negro Population ______..........57
Economic Opportunities__________ .......................57
Labor Unions in Portland-Vancouver Area .... 58
Federal Agencies________.................................59
Percentage of Negroes in Local War Plants....60
Multnomah County___.......................................60
City of Portland______ ........................... _ ......... 60
Civil Service EmploymenL .............................6 1
Page
Housing and Living FacilitieL.......................62
Negro Housing ______......................................62
Attitudes of Real Estate lnterests____ ............62
Restaurants.---····· ...........................................62
Hotels..................................................................63
lnsutance and Credit Ratings__.......................63
Life lnsurance._....... :.........................................63
General, Fire, and Auto lnsurance................63
Retail Stores: Credits and Merchandizing
Policies_......................................................63
Health and Recreation......................................64
Medical Care for Negroes__............................64
Social Agencies and Recreational
Opportunities ----··········· ..........................64
Education and Religion ___ .______......................65
Educational Facilities........................................65
School Enrollmenl __ - ·· ..................................66
Negro Teachers ____..... ......
........................66
Religious Opportunities..
.............. 67
Racial Tensions................................................67
Portland Police_____ .. . ................... ...............67
Negro Arrests____
...........................68
Local Newspapers.....-············· ..
...............68
Legislation..
............................................68
America's Opportunity_______......................... 68
CONCLUSIONS...................................... ............68
RECOMMENDATIONS___..............................69
The Committee._________............................69
MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY
,
56
CITY CLUB OF PORTLAND
survey the:e
po ,asd
The Kcuser Coc:::;i=1
percen cl
the employer and 3.Bo/0 preferred not to work luture, but to the present force which will be
with Negroes.
brought back in. groups al 200 \or a three-day
Original introduction of Negro workers into course, un\il al\ have \aken the classes.
ln Boston, a required course was begun in
a company should be carefully planned. Supervisors sh ould be given lull instructions. It is January, 1945 entitled "The Police and Minority
Groups."
It is based on a series of lour lectures
suggested that a start be made by the employ ment of a neat, efficient, allraclive, well-qualified by Dr. Gordon W. Allport, head of Harvard's
psychology department, and has for its purpose
Negro girl in the employment office. Some firms
h ave used the technique of employing Negro the elimination of intergroup tension .
women as receptionists, indicating that executives Hope for future Progress
are willing to do wh at is being asked of other
I! the white population shows a reasonable
workers. From a carefully planned beginning, lhe
introduction of Negro workers into various de- amount of gcod will, there are solid grounds for
believing that a solution o\ the Negro-white probpartments throughout \he company is desirable.
lem can be reached. Negroes are interesled lirsl
Athletic activities oiler one means of main- of all in equality ot jobs and pay, and second in
taining good employee relationships. Such
their rights as American citizens. In view of the
activities should integrate, not segregate Negroes fact that the Negro places greatest store on those
and whites . Company bands and orchestras in
righls which the southern white says he conwhich Negroes often excel, are offered as another siders least important, it would seem that some
means of developing good relations.
basis of understanding could be achieved once
New York State has many firms employing the white man recognizes the need tor iL
GROWTH OF PC
Date
Jan. 30, 1943
June 30, 1943
Jan. 30, 1944
June 30, 1944...~
Nov. l, 1944_
May l, 1945
Distribution of
The map rep
of the distribution
of Portland, ind.i
in sixty of sixtytricts in Portland.
Holladay, Norlh
Avenue and the
large majority of
be said to consti
Negro families.
This ooncen\r
about by an
terests gov
only, in a~
Holladay, . .
the river. A.so
downtown Port!
shops and yar
centers of N
Negroes, a few of which are mentioned herein:
Winchester Repeating Arms Company employs
1,350 Negroes, many of whom are employed as
supervisors and tally clerks; New York Subway
System employs Negroes in all capacities;
G ruman Aircraft Company has a Negro inspeclor.
The A. S . Campbell Company has been able to
upgrade many of its Negro employes within two
years' time. Th e G leason Works in Rochester,
doing work requiring highly skilled workers,
employs a colored foreman . Steel and brass
rolling mills and foundaries , in general, employ
Negroes in all capacities without limitation.
Gibbs and Cox has employed eight colored men
as engineers or draftsmen. Eastman Kodak Company and Be1l Te1ephone Laboratories have em p loyed colored persons as research chemists in
FACTS ABOUT PORTLAND
The job of fact finding was divided among the
len members of the committee. The results of
this research are reported under th e several
headings as follows:
Negro Population in Portland Area
Reginald Johnson estimated 8,000 in-migrant
Negro laborers in this area, which translated into
population would approximate 20,000 persons.
The Kaiser Company, Inc., conducted a survey
in Vanport City to determine the state from which
each Negro family came, the results of which
are arranged according to rank of state in the
following tabulation:
technical and semi-tech nical operations. Western
NUMBER OF NEGRO FAMILIES FROM
DIFFERENT STATES
Texas_.................... 242
Minnesota ..............
6
Detroit, Boston, and Cincinnati have enUtah _______ __ ______ ___ _ 6
deavored lo train policemen in how to deal with Arkansas................ 231
No. Carolina ________ _ 5
Oklahoma_............ 129
minority g roups. C incinnati h as established a race
relations detail in the police department. One of Missouri. ____________ JOB
Pennsylvania____ _
5
the aides is a Negro. whose duHes include Louisiana__________ 104
West Virginia ______ _ 5
hand ling incidents involving individuals of dif- Alabama____ _ !03
Montana________ _ 4
ferent racial groups. Among the duties assigned,
Illinois.................... 101
Idaho ................... .
3
the newly created detail in Cincinnati is to
Wisconsin __ ___ _______ _ 3
determine tension areas, causes of tension, and Mississippi________ 70
make recommendations for their elimination; to
California_____ 62
So. Carolina ......... .
2
act as advisers to the police chief, safety director,
New York______ 47
Virginia_ ..............
2
and city manager; to advise patrolmen assigned
Florida
_
_________
_
_
_____
,
l
to certain areas who are nol adapted to handling Washington____ 45
Nevada
________
_
_
40
Kentucky.
__________
_
race problems; to set up specia l records on inter1
group relations; make special studies of race Dist. of Columbia_ 35
Maryland________ __ _
problems as they affect the police department
Colorado_.............. 20
Massachusetts___ __
and communicate such information to police
Oregon._________ 19
New Jersey ........... .
personnel.
18 No. Kakota ____ _
In Chicago, use has been made of a pamphlet Kansas_,_ ____ __
So. Dakota ____ ____ _
prepared by the American Council on Race Tennessee.............. 17
Relations for the purpose of helping remove Iowa_ .................. 15
Wyoming _______ __
prejudice which police may have toward racial
Arizona._______ ___ 13
Connecticut ___ _ _
0
g roups.
Nebraska________ __ ____ _ 13 Delaware._......... .
0
Detroit has establish ed a six-hour study course
New Hampshire ....
0
in its police training school curriculum: two G eorgia________ __ ___ 11
Maine
________________
_
9
hours on "Contributions of Minority Groups to New Mexico..........
0
the Community and Nation; two hours on "Why Indiana_ ......
Rhode Island_ ___ _ 0
8
People Act Like They Do;" and two hours on Mich igan____ ________
Vermont. ____ _____ _ 0
7
" Housing Problems in a large Industrial City ."
Ohio ________________
7
Studies are conducted by college professors.
TotaL ____ ___ l,525
Since July, 1944 each new class of policemen
hQs ta'Ken this course. l t is planned not only to
Average number of individual Negroes per
give this training to police employed in \he family in Vanport is 3,41. At the time of this
Electric has used Negroes as clerks, testers, and
draftsmen.
·\
'
Spot check of
shows Portland
dents live in si
city d i:
three
dots denote co1
dwellings. Whi
Negro-owne d
\
\
CITY CLUB OF PORTLAND
57
During the years of the existence of this Negro
community there have been established in it
eighteen places of business and amusement,
among which is found one physician's and one
dentist's office, two fraternal buildings, several
clubs and restaurants.
survey there were 5,200 Negroes living in Vanport, as of May 1, 1945 the count was 6,317.
The Kaiser Company, Inc., found in excess of fifty
percent of Negroes planned to stay in Porlland.
GROWTH OF POPULATION-VANPORT CITY
Date
White Negro
Total
Jan. 30, 1943___,. 4,840
1,176
6,016
June 30, 1943........ 22,932
2,156 25,088
Jan. 30, 1944______ 28, 160
2,159 31 ,093
June 30, 1944........ 23,232
3,818 27,082
Nov. 1, 1944_ _ 26,656
5,808 32,622
May 1, 1945_ _ 24,525
6,317 30,842
The other principal concentrations of Neqro
population are in the Woodlawn, Alberta, and
Waverly Heights districts. In these areas permanently employed Negroes live in well-kept
md1v1dual family dwellings.
. As indicated in other parts of this report, there
is a large block of Negro families living in
Guilds Lake and Vanport temporary war housing
proiects. There are a few Negroes living in a
housing project in Linnton, also in Fairview
Homes. In Guilds Lake, Vanport, and Fairview
housing projects, Negro houses are segregated
from other residences. The committee, in attempting to learn the reasons for adoption of this
policy, were buf!eted back and forth between
the Fede,al Housing Authority and other real
estate interests. The nearest to an answer received was the theory expressed that in constructing war housing, the pattern set by the
community was followed.
Disrrlbvtion of Negro Population
The map reproduced herein gives a spot check
of the distribution of Negro residents in the City
of Portland, indicating that Negro families live
in sixty of sixty-three (U. S. Census Bureau) districts in Portland. The district bounded by N.E.
Holladay, North and N.E. Russell, N.E. Union
Avenue and the Willamette River, containing a
large majority of Negro residents in the city may
be said to constitute an area of concentration of
Negro families.
This concentration has largely been brought
about by an unwritten code of real estate interests governing the sale of property to Negroes
only, in a part of this area bounded by N.E.
Holladay, N. Russell, N. Williams Avenue and
the river. Also, because of its close proximity to
downtown Portland, Union Station; the railroad
shops and yards making easy transportation to
centers of Negro employment.
Economic Opportunities
Organized Labor
Local Policies
While the above expressed policies of A. F. of
L. and C . I. 0. leave no room for doubt as to the
position of these two labor bodies in opposing
discrimination against the Negro, it must be
DISTRIBUTION OF NEGRO POPULATION IN PORTLAND
•
$'
r ••
•• 3 •
•
j
.
... ...
NE
"'-:• , ••
t ,.,.....,,
:
0
.
' Spot
shows
dents
three
che ck of distribution
Portland Negro resilive in sixty of sixtycity districts. Black
dots d e note concentration of
•
•di\~
..
...
..
.SW
lo<IT.TASOR •e
•
•Ila• Rl~~MOHD:
dwellings. While dais show
Negro-owned businesses.
*.
SE
MT S:COTT
WOODSTOCK,
..
SELLWOOD
LENT5
58
CITY CLUB OF PORTLAND
recognized that putting them into practice by the
affiliated unions is not necessarily assured. The
national organizations are composed of National
or International unions through which local
unions of the various crafts and industries are
affiliated with one or the other. Each of the
National or International Unions representing
certain crafts or industries have voluntarily
affiliated with either of the two· main labor
movements and while by affiliation they are
generally expected to carry out the policies of the
principa body, nonetheless the autonomous determination by each of a policy such as the
instant one is reserved. With regard to the discrimination issue, a number have let it remain a
moot question with no stand taken either for or
against, while only four International Umons shll
have contained in their constitutions or rituals
provisions that exclude the Negro from membership. During recent years the leaders of both
A. F. of L. and C. I. 0. have been instrumental in
securing the compliance by several National or
International Unions of the non-discrimination
policy in reply to specific complaints by the
F.E.P.C. or by o thers.
While the voluntary composition of the A. F. of
L. and the C. I. 0. permits quite a latitude in the
particular policies of their International Union
a.ffiliates, the International Unions quite definitely
set the pattern of operation as to policy for the
local unions. Where, for instance, an International Constitution permits no discrimination, it
is generally carried out by the local union and
likewise in the case of a provision barring Negroes
or setting up an "auxiliary organization." It is,
however, evident that the particular position of
an International Union in enforcing a position on
a local Union one way or the other, is largely
conditioned by the attitude of the members of the
local union, and the community in which the
problem arises.
labor Unions in the Portloncl-Vancouver Area
The race issue is often the most obvious aspect
of an economic realignment of. forces. There is
considerable reason to believe that much of the
local resentment of the Negro is a part of a
general suspicion of the "newcomers," of the
"shipyard workers" prevalent here; this suspicion in turn is fear of the establishment here of
a large working-class element permanently, and
the social and political realignments consequent
to this.
It is acknowledged by those within the ranks
of labor, that discrimination against the Negro is
practiced by a minority number of the unions in
this area. In some cases, Negroes are denied
membership in the union and also the right to
work within the union's jurisdiction. Only two of
the unions openly make this denial and claim
their position is governed by the provisions of
their International Constitution which sets up
the barrier. The balance effect the denial by
statements that "no work is available" or sufficient
qualifications for the work are not met by the
Negro applicant.
A number of unions while denying membership into the union, permit the Negro to work
under the jurisdiction of the umon.. several
unions grant "work permits" and give the
clearances to the union without payment of
any fees to the union. The Boilermakers, under
the jurisdiction of which most of the Negroes
working in the shipyards are employed .h as set
up an auxiliary local in accordance with pro-
visions of its international constitution and ,,11
Negroes working under the union's jurisdiction
are segregated into the auxiliary.
"The Boilermakers and Shipbuilders, which
has 65 per cent of the AFL shipyard workers
under its jurisdiction, has altered its rules. The
exclusionist clause remains in its ritual, but its
1937 convention authorized the union executive
council to establish Negro auxiliary locals. Members of Negro auxiliaries pay the same dues. as do
white members, but in every other conceivable
manner they are discriminated against. Negro
auxiliaries are established by fiat of the executive
council, and may be peremptorily disestablished
by it; they can only be organized where a ~hite
local exists, and they are under the superv1s1on
of the nearest while local. Negroes can transfer
only to other auxiliaries; they have no voice in
union conventions or other union policy making
bodies; Negro auxiliaries are not permitted a
business agent, but must depend upon the business agent of the supervising white local for jobs;
they are not permitted a grievance committee,
and are allowed only inadequate and ineffective
representation on the supervising white local's
committee; they receive only one-hall as much
in death and disability benefits as do white
members, and Negroes are not eligible to participate in the union's voluntary insurance plans;
only Negro auxiliary members may be fined for
"intoxication or creating a disturbance" in a
union meeting; whereas whites between the ages
of 16 and 70 are eligible to membership, only
Negroes between the ages of 16 and 60 inay join
the auxiliary; and worst of all: Negroes may not
be employed as apprentices, and no Negro may
be promoted to a higher classification unless he
receives first, the approval of his auxiliary local,
second, the approval of the supervising white
local, and third. the approval of the international
union president! It is surely a serious question
whether an auxiliary with such by-laws constitutes
an improvement over complete exclusion."*
This policy is borne out in the Portland chapter
of the Boilermakers Union Local No. 72 and in
so far as can be learned no meetings of this
auxiliary have ever been held.
In considering the discrimination that does
exist, the international and local constitutions of
the unions might forbid discriminatory tactics in
admitting members but nevertheless the attitude
of the union members themselves on the issue
of admitting Negroes has been the determining
factor. We have knowledge of two exceptions
where the union's constitutional barriers have
dictated the policy. The issue in several cases has
been decided by a vote of a regular meeting of
the union or by action of the membership on the
job in refusing to work with Negroes. For instance, the Portland C. I. 0 . Longshoremen's
Union operating under its international's policy of
non-discrimination referred Negroes to work in
that craft only to have the members on the job
refuse to work with them. A general work
stoppage on the waterfront was. only averted by
removing the Negroes from the Job. The A. F. of
L. Laundry Worker's Union experienced the
same attitude on the part of the membership when
Negroes were put to work in a Portland laundry.
Opposition from employers to the hiring of
Negroes has a considerable bearing on the fact
that Negroes do not hold membership in more
trade unions in this area. Too often people have
Herbert R. Northrup, "Orga.nized Lalx>r and the Negro,"
page 213.
accepted the fact
in specific ind
agreements es e
lion is exercised
with the exceprt
above where uni
rights" conlrac.s
membership nor
affiliation. By far
Negro having ava
employment is thl
refusing to place h!
fair to slate that tl
instances has beer
adverse attitude o
who patronize h ~
actions by the e
shoremen' s and
tioned above have
lion that the N
payroll. Likewise
public in refusin
waitress, or to tr
respect have dete
ance to not discr
Your comrnitteE
progress will be r
crimination again;
ment until the E
public, each take
lion o bring·
Evidences are
progress during
number of unions
Negro is fewer e
that they have sho
lacking in other ex
Negroes hold m
number of unions
has taken actioni
ship by the unio~
and decency of U
discrimination by
help. The inlluenc
other spheres of c
opinion of the indi
ber. The leadershiJ
mode of thought-a
from such organiz;
federal Agencies
The policy of
respect to the e
forth in Executive
President on May
goes into some de!
policy of the gove:
the following give
policy:
" ... As Preside
Commander in C
do hereby reaffi
States that there
the employment
dus!ries or in go
creed, color, or
hereby declare t
ployers, includino
ments and agenc
tions, in furtherar
Order, to elimin<
to hire, tenure, le
men!, or union II
creed, color, or n
The Civil Servic
62
CITY CLUB OF PORTLAND
Housing and living Facilities
Negro Housing
In general, houses owned or rented by Negroes
are old. This results from the practice of restricting sale of houses to Negroes lo older districts of
the city from which other races have moved out.
No new housing is available to the Negro buyer
unless it is located in the segregated or concentration . area. ~nd values in this area are high,
thus d1scouragmg· building. No mortgage firms
~ere _found to be interested in soliciting or
fmancmg loans to Negroes for building.
There are a very few apartments in the city
available to Negroes. Such as are offered for rent
to Negroes are small two to four-room apartments
owned by Negroes. A few are houses which have
been converted into apartments.
Representatives of the Apartment House
Owners' Association said they had no policy
prohibiting renting to Negroes, claimed they had
received no applications from Negroes for rent
of apartments, agreed that Negro occupants
would not be welcomed unless in a segregated
project.
One private apartment house owner stated
that the tenants of his apartments are chosen on
the basis of character and reputation in the community regardless of race, color or creed.
The !~cal Housing Authority reports 271 Negro
fam1hes registered as desiring housing as of
May l, 1945.
As indicated in section on Negro population, a
large portion of the Negroes now living in this
area are housed in the several war housing
pro_iects_ in structures of a very temporary nature,
which'. 11 permitted to be used as Negro housing
following the war, would soon deteriorate into
very undesirable slum areas.
Aniturle of Rea/ /Es- /n,.rests
(90) days after the introduction into a neighbor·
hood of the character of property, use, occupancy, or ownership of property, member of
the race or nationality, or individuals, to which
objection is made. The Board of Directors shall
have power to make all needful rules and
regulations, not inconsistent herewith, to effectuate the object of this Section.
The real estate men interviewed expressed a
willingness to adopt a policy of unrestricted sale
of property to Negroes as soon as the public
would permit it being carried out. These men
also expressed the feeling that the Negroes who
do buy homes are making an earnest effort to
improve their property, take pride in ownership,
and that the improvements made had advanced
the value of property in the segregated districts.
Still, the argument of depreciation of property
value with introduction of Negro ownership is
advanced to justify continuation of a policy of
segregation. It is probable that depreciation of
property values results from while owners lower·
ing the price of their property as Negroes come
into their neighborhood.
It is difficult to account for the presence of a
few Negroes in sixty of the sixty-three districts
shown on the Portland map in light of existing
policies of real estate men, excepting as they may
be there because of either of the following
reasons: Negro ownership in the particular dis·
Irie! before that district was built up, or due to
Negroes buying direct from owner without a
realtor •entering into the deal.
Most transactions of this type occur in areas
where few Negroes reside. It is felt that present
policies of realtors in handling sale of real
property to Negroes will tend to increase direct
sales by owners. In no instance of direct sale has
there been evidence of "spite selling." Usually
the sale has involved an owner who disapproved
the restricted sales policy.
Interviews with representatives of the Portland
Re~lty Board and prominent realtors disclose the Restaurants
existence of a policy of restricted sale of property
There appears lo be no established policy
to Negroes. Such restriction confines the sale by
any member of the Realty Board to Negroes to among restaurants of Portland governing service
the s~egated area, described in the Negro to Negroes. The adoption of such a policy has
population section of this report, with limited been discussed by the Restaurant Owners Assa·
sale m Woodlawn, Alberta, and Waverly Heights ciation, which is made up of the larger downtown
areas. This pohcy being more fully set forth in eatmg places but no official action has been
the Portland Realty Board's Code of Ethics
taken. _The as~ociation did, however, oppose the
Part. III, Article 34, and By-Laws Article m'
ClVl_l Rights Bill introduced at the last legislative
Sechons 3 and 5 quoted as follows:
'
session.
Part III. Article 34- CODE OF ETH!CS.-A
According lo the representatives of the
Rea~tor ~hould never be instrumental in intro- Restaurant Owners Association, service to
ducing mto a neighborhood a character of Negroes is up to each individual owner. Howproperty or occupancy, members of any race or ever, the attitude of the majority is that Negroes
n".'honahty, or any individuals whose presence will not be served. Very few specifically ask
will clearly be detrimental to property values Negroes to leave or otherwise draw public attention to this policy, but such instances have
in that neighbcrhood.
Article III. Section 4 - BY-LAWS.-Duty of occurred.
Cafeterias generally do not discriminate
Members to the Public: It shall be an unethical
practice for any member to be instrumental in against Negroes, as they find it rather difficult
to
enforce
such a policy with their type of service.
introducing into a neighborhood a character of
property or use, occupancy or ownership of Several restaurants and some hotels do serve
property, or any individuals whose presence Negroes when accompanied by whiles-and will
will clearly be detrimental to property values take care of Negroes when specifically asked to
in that neighborhood. No instruction from any do so by white customers. A few will serve
client or customer, except such as shall be Negroes when unaccompanied by whites.
Many small lunchrooms and restaurants, para'pplicable to changes of zone under the Zoning
Ordinance of the City of Portland, shall relieve ticularly in sections of Portland frequented by
the member from his responsibility strictly to working men, display signs ·reading "White
observe this Article. Complaints for violations Trade Only." Visiting race relations authorities
of this Article shall not be considered unless have pointed out that Portland is the only city on
filed with Portland Realty Board within ninety the coast where such signs are displayed.
The fact is that it is si
Negro to find a place I<
at home. But it is also in
the few eating places wl
against Negroes seem to
customers than those b
It is impossible to gi'li
of policies of all Port!
making a oomplete s
the scope of the commi
Hotels
Downtown Portland he
ally to refuse to accept
say their policy is, an
"screen" all guests, r
servations and to re
regardless of race or
in Negroes being ooru
white desirable.
Exceptions are made
are generally accepted
Insurance and Credi
Life Insurance
To ascertain the po
insurance companies ~
Negro lives, your comm
to ten of Iha major con
conducted personal ·n
leading life underwn
The companies exp
as follows:
(a) Unwilling to insu
(b) Willing to consic
if they are excep
risks, but even th
rateup in premi
It was observed tha
featuring group insur
accept Negro lives so le
of their risk is spread
company operating in
environs actively soliciJ
of the companies emp
those companies that a:
consider a Negro appli<
policy to reduce the a
pay no commission s~
written. Under the ·
active solicitation of N
community and those
havin~ insurance pla
exceedingly difficult to
at reasonable ra es.
One unquestionable fa
of
the
major
oom
Mortality tables indica
long-lived as the wlu:e
far more susceptib e :o
As a consequence,
an exceptionally good
the major companies fee
mortality schedules to ao
volume. A s a general 1
sidered lo be substand
It should be recogniz<
are a number of very fi1
in the South and East the
Negro business. Only or
Golden State Mutual Life
Los Angeles, California,
Coast and that company
business in Oregon.
CITY CLUB OF PORTLAND
63
General, Fire, and Auto lmurance
So far as could be learned, no discrimination
exists with respect to Negroes placing general
and fire insurance. Though the companies do not
actively solicit Negro business, they are willing
to place coverage al standard rates assuming the
risk to be standard. It should be recognized,
however, that as a general rule the physical
properties owned or operated by Negroes are m
many cases less desirable physical risks than
the scope of the committee's activities.
those owned by the general run of white
Hotels
Americans, but this is not limited to Negroes as a
Downtown Portland hotels may be said gener- class, as the same is generally true of some
ally to refuse to accept Negroes as guests. They foreign nationalities such as Orientals and some
say their policy is, and always has been, to of the Southern European nationalities.
"screen" all guests, regardless of advance reThe situation in connection with the writing
servations and to reject all "undesirables" of casualty insurance coverage for Negroes is
regardless of race or color. Usually this results somewhat different, and il can be said lhal there
in Negroes being considered undesirable and is some general discrimination against them in
white desirable.
this field merely because of a general prejudice
Exceptions are made for Negro celebrities, who against the colored race. In the event of legal
are generally accepted as guests.
disputes brought lo trial before a while jury, it is
generally considered that the while man rather
Insurance and Credit Rating
than the Negro would be given the benefit of a
Life Insurance
reasonable doubt. Consequently, the insurer of
To ascertain the policies of the major life the Negro feels that they will be at considerable
insurance companies with respect to insuring disadvantage in settling claims in court which
Negro lives, your committee addressed inquiries makes the classification undesirable.
to ten of the major companies, and in addition,
The State of Oregon has adopted the Financial
conducted personal interviews with some o! the Responsibility Law which makes it necessary for
leading life underwriters In the City of Portland.
The fact is that it is somewhat difficult for the
Negro to find a place to eat in Portland except
at home. But it is also interesting to observe that
the few eating places which do not discriminate
against Negroes seem to have as many or more
customers than those barring colored trade.
It is impossible to give a complete tabulation
of policies of all Portland restaurants without
making a complete survey, which was beyond
The companies expressed their general policies
any persons involved in an automobile accident
to file evidence of financial responsibility with
as follows:
the designated stale authorities. The Oregon re(a) Unwilling lo insure Negro lives; and
quirement is a bond, or acceptable security, for
(b) Willing to consider Negro applicants only the amount of $11,000.00 or an automobile
if they are exceptional physical and moral liability insurance policy with limits of $5,000
and $10,000 for bodily injury and $1,000 for
· risks, but even then, only on the basis of a
property damage. With respect to this type of
rateup in premium.
It was observed that some of the companies automobile insurance, the Negro is unquestion·
featuring group insurance plans are willing lo ably discriminated against.
accept Negro lives so long as the preponderance
The standard automobile and liability insurof their risk is spread over white lives. No life ance companies neither solicit nor invite Negro
company operating in the City of Portland and applicants. As a consequence, Negroes desiring
environs actively solicits Negro insurance. None to place coverage must apply to the Oregon
of the companies employs Negro agents, and Casualty Association for assignment of the risk
those companies that are so much as willing to to one of the standard companies. The Oregon
consider a Negro applicant sometimes make it a
Casualty Association will then assign the Negro
policy to reduce the agent's commission or to
risk to a company, but the rate at which the
pay no commission sh ould the insurance be policy will be written is substantially greater
written. Under the circumslances, there is no than the rate applicable to a like class of white
active solicitation of Negro life insurance in this risk. At the present time, the rates in part are
community and those applicants desirous of based on whether the applicant holds an "A,"
having insurance placed on their lives find it "B" or "C" gas ration coupon book, the rates for
exceedingly difficult to secure adequate coverage the "C" book holder being higher than for the
at reasonable rates.
"A" driver. Regardless of the gas classification
One unquestionable fact justifies the reluctance of the Negro applicant. when the risk is assigned
of the major companies to insure Negroes. by the Oregon Casualty Association, the Negro
Mortality tables indicate that Negroes are not as applicant's premium is based on a "C" book and
long-lived as the white race and that they are in addition, he must pay a 15% premium over
far more susceptible to communicable diseases. the standard rates. This increased rate applies to
As a consequence, unless the Negro applicant is all applicants who secured coverage through the
an exceptionally good physical and moral risk assigned risk plan and not just to Negroes, but
the major companies feel that it would upset their there is apparently no factual reason for forcing
mortality schedules to accept Negro lives in any Negroes to place coverage through the assigned
volume. As a general rule, _N egroes are con- risk plan other than the prejudice existing
sidered to be substandard risks.
against Negroes and the possibility of an adverse
It should be recognized, however, that there decision in the event of litigation.
are a number of very fine companies operating
in the South and East that are organized to write Retail Slores-Merchondislng-Credit Policies
Negro business. Only one Negro company, the
Representatives of retail stores, the President
Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company of of Retail Trade Bureau, and Negro patrons interLos Angeles, California, operates on the Pacific viewed gave testimony that no discrimination
Coast and that company is not authorized to do against Negro customers was practiced by the
retail concerns of Portland.
business in Oregon.
graduating class was a Negro boy. The only
incident involving racial friction at the Eliot
school was projected from the outside and con·
cerned the refusal of white parents to allow
Negroes to serve on the Eliot PTA council.
However, at the insistence of school authorities,
Negroes were permitted on the council and at
present two Negro parents are serving on that
PTA body.
local Supponing Organizations
There are established in Portland several organizations with programs having to do with
certain phases of racial relations among which
are local chapters or branches of the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored
People; the Urban League; Race Relations Department, Portland Council of Churches; and the
National Conference of Christians and Jews.
While each of these groups has a constructive
program jn a limited field, there is need for
coordination and overall direction of these several
efforts. It is felt that this could be accomplished
through the establishment of a .city-wide committee made up of recognized civic leaders.
Churches-Religious Opponunit19>
The announced policy of churches of all faiths
and denominations in Portland permits Negro
.... ..........t.l~-
Th.o .-o
cappoo.ro
to
bo
1."'l.o
of the United States to establish a Race Relations
Commission and a department to deal with racial
relations.
In the city there are four Negro churches, two
of which are Methodist, one Baptist and one
Episcopal.
In Vanport City, Guilds Lake and East Vanport
(war emergency housing areas) there are conducted both integrated and segregated services.
These are held in school auditoriums and recreational halls under auspices of the United Church
Ministry.
Racial Tensions
Portland Police
Portland Police Department racial discrimination problems are less vexing now than it is
anticipated they may become during the period
following the war. While Negroes who want to
work can obtain jobs, there is less tendency for
them to commit acts that would bring them into
conflict with the police.
Chief of Police H. M. Niles has stated before
the committee that, to his knowledge, no racial
discrimination is practiced by members of the
force. He also stated that local policemen are
instructed against practicing discrimination.
Chief Niles said it was his impression that
Noqroes v.rere responsible for ruoi·o crllnco and
V.'1"1.i{orni.ly
misdemeanors of all types than white residents
established policy among Portland churches concern~n51
Negro
membership.
The
question o(
of Portland. This impression was shared by other
rece1vmg a Negro into church membership is
most likely to run into opposition from members
of governing boards. It is significant to note that
the German Baptist, First Unitarian, First Congregational, Christian Science, and Nazarene
Churches are about the only Protestant Churches
in Portland having Negro members. The Roman
Catholic Churches have a few Negro members as
does the Apostolic Faith Church.
The Portland Council of Chur~hes has taken
a forward step in becoming the first local council
members of the police force who were questioned.
The sample study of arrests summarized from
Portland police record of arrests, taking a sample
of one day of each month during the period from
January, 1940 to June 1944, inclusive, shows the
percentage of Negroes to total arrests. Some of
these data have little significance; for instance,
the low percentage of Negro arrests for traffic
violations results from a comparatively small
Negro automobile ownership rather than fewer
violations.
REASONS FOR ARREST: PORTLAND, January, 1940 to June, 1944
VANPORT, 6 Months, 1944
Location
Number of Arrests
Negro
White
Portland_____
VanporL_________
48
139
Both__······--·-----
187
2,768
Portland___..
9
6
3,387
26
Vanport__________
Both_______________
15
1,969
799
---
Total
Percent
Negro
2.017
938
2.37
14.81
2,955
3,396
32
6.32
.26
18.71
3,413
3,428
.43
Portland____,_
Vanport__ ___ ,___
18
0
203
0
221
0
8.14
Portland___ ,_
VanporL_________
6
10
111
71
117
81
5.12
12.34
16
182
198
8.08
Portland____
Vanporl_ ________
26
59
697
156
723
215
3.59
27-44
Both_ _____________
85
853
938
9.06
Both_______________
Reason for Arrest
Drunkeness.
Traffic Violations.
Vagrancy.
0
Larceny.
All other, conduct, hold cases,
after hours, gambling, morals, assault and battery, etc.
67
CITY CLUB OF PORTLAND
graduating class was a Negro boy. The only
incident involving racial friction at the Eliot
school was projected from the outside and concerned the refusal of white parents to allow
Negroes to serve on the Eliot PTA council.
However, at the insistence of school authorities,
Negroes were permitted on the council and at
present two Negro parents are serving on that
PTA body.
of the United States to establish a Race Relations
Commission and a department to deal with racial
relations.
In the city there are four Negro churches, two
of which are Methodist, one Baptist and one
Episcopal.
In Vanport City, Guilds Lake and East Vanport
Local Supporting Organizations
tional halls under auspices of the United Church
There are established in Portland several organizations with programs having to do with
certain phases of racial relations among which
are local chapters or branches of the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored
People; the Urban League; Race Relations Department, Portland Council of Churches; and the
National Conference of Christians and Jews.
While each of these groups has a constructive
program jn a limited field, there is need for
coordination and overall direction of these several
efforts. It is felt that this could be accomplished
through the establishment of a .city-wide committee made up of recognized civic leaders.
Cliurches-Re/ig/ous Opportunlt1ea
The announced policy of churches of all faiths
and denominations in Portland permits Negro
worship. There appears lo be no uniformly
established policy among Portland churches concerning Negro membership. The question of
receiving a Negro into church membership is
most likely to run into opposition from members
of governing boards. It is significant to note that
the German Baptist, First Unitarian, First Congregational, Christian Science, and Nazarene
Churches are about the only Protestant Churches
in Portland having Negro members. The Roman
Catholic Churches have a few Negro members as
does the Apostolic Faith Church . .
The Portland Council of Churches has taken
a forward step in becoming the first local council
(war emergency housing areas) there are ?On·
ducted both integrated and segregated serv10es.
These are held in school auditoriums and recreaMinistry.
Racial Tensions
Portland Po/ice
Portland Police Department racial discrimina·
lion problems are less vexing now than it is
anticipated they may become during the period
following the war. While Negroes who want to
work can obtain jobs, there is less tendency for
them to commit acts that would bring them into
conflict with the police.
Chief of Police H. M. Niles has stated before
the committee that, to his knowledge, no racial
discrimination is practiced by members of the
force. He also stated that local policemen are
instructed against practicing discrimination.
Chief Niles said it was his impression that
Negroes were responsible for more crimes and
misdemeanors of all types than white residents
of Portland. This impression was shared by other
members of the police force who were questioned.
The sample study of arrests summarized from
Portland police record of arrests, taking a sample
of one day of each month during the period from
January, 1940 to June 1944, inclusive, shows the
percentage of Negroes to total arrests. Some of
these data have little significance; for instance,
the low percentage of Negro arrests for traffic
violations results from a comparatively small
Negro automobile ownership rather than fewer
violations.
REASONS FOR ARREST: PORTLAND, January, 1940 to June, 1944
VANPORT, 6 Months, 1944
Location
Number of Arrests
Negro
White
Portland__._
Vanport__ ·---·---
48
139
1,969
799
Total
2,017
938
Percent
Negro
Reason for Arrest
2.37
14.81
Drunkeness.
Both_··········--··
187
2,768
Portland__._
VanporL.. ........
9
6
3,387
26
3,396
32
. 26
18.71
Both_·········-···-
15
3,413
3,428
.43
Portland___ ..
Vanport__·-·····-
18
0
203
0
221
0
8.14
Portland___ ..
Vanport__··-····-
6
10
Ill
71
117
5.12
81
12.34
Both____ ········-·-
16
182
198
8.08
Portland__._
Vanport__. _______
26
S9
697
156
723
215
3.59
27.44
Both__ _____ ·---·-·-
85
8S3
938
9.06
2,955
6.32
Traffic Violations .
Vagrancy.
0
Larceny.
All other, conduct, hold cases,
after hours, gambling, morals, assault and battery, etc.
CITY CLUB OF PORTLAND
68
NUMBER O F ARRESTS
Negro White
Year
1940...................... 15 1,493
1941 _.................... 24 1,181
1942_.................... 25 1,497
28 1,355
1943
817
1944...................... 15
Total
1,508
1.205
1,522
1,383
832
Percent
Negro
0.99
1.99
1.64
2.02
1.80
Total Portland ...... 107
Total VanporL ___ 214
6,343
1,076
6,450
1,290
1.66
16.58
*Total both_________ 321
7,419
7,740
4.14
It Is estimated that U1e popula tion of Vanport City Is
17.1%Negro.
No systematic tests have ever been taken to
determine the attitudes of local police with
respect to Negroes. Several of them, when
questioned, admitted discriminatory feelings
against Negroes. However, overt and re.corded
instances of discrimination were not obtained.
Data were secured from E. C . Halley, Acting
Warden of Oregon State Penitentiary, showing
comparison of Negro and white committments
from Multnomah County from July 1, 1944, to
June 14, 1945, as follows: Negroes 7, white 46,
or 13.2 o/o Negro. For the state, same period.,
Negroes 20, white 353, or 5.4% Negro.
There are no Negroes employed as policemen
in Portland, though a few Negro special police
of the veterans guard and patrol are used in
Negro districts. Chief Niles stated Negroes are
eligible for police duty on the same basis as
whiles, and may take civil service examinations
for police force positions.
Chief of Police Niles showed a lack of enthusiasm at the committee's suggestion of conducting courses in racial tolerance and understanding for Portland police. This committee
suggests that consideration be given to the
inauguration of such courses for the training of
local police, based upon the knowledge that
education of the type mentioned has been tried
by other city police departments with success,
also upon experiences of and statements made
by other city officials which have been obtained
in p art from "Headlines" magazine April, 1945,
issue.
Local Newspapers
The two large circulation daily newspapers in
Portland are fair and unbiased in news and
editorial columns with respect to Negroes. One
paper designates colored individuals as " Negro"
following the name in news stories, the reason
being that such designation is desired by Negroes
when the person written about is outstanding in
his accomplishments, and therefore Negroes who
are involved in arrests should also be designated
as such. The other paper does not distinguish in
most of its news stories between Negro and white.
Neither of the large daily newspapers employ
Negroes in any capacity nor do they have personnel especially qualified and trained in racial
relations problems.
There are two small-circulation Negro weeklies
that have limited influence, The Peoples' Observer, and The Portland Inquirer.
Legislation
The Oregon State Senate on February 7, 1945,
defeated by a vole of 24 to 6, a bill which would
have made it a misdemeanor for operators of
restaurants, hotels, hospitals and other business
institutions serving the public to refuse service
to members of racial or religious minorities. By
prearrangement among the senators, there was
almost no debate.
The bill, introduced by Senators Thomas R.
Mahoney, Lew Wallace and Coe A. McKenna._all
of Portland, was virtually identical to that which
passed the senate in 1939, but failed in the house.
It stated, simply:
" Any person who shall deny to any other
person because of race, creed or color_ the
full enjoyment of any of the accommodahons,
advantages, facilities or privileges of any
public place or public resort, accommodation, assemblage or amusemen,t: shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
The civil rights bill was docmed from the
moment of its introduction. Horseplay developed
around it. Most senators thought that its passage
would be futile, because hotel and restaurant
operators would find some excuse other than
race, creed or color on which to base refusal
of services to Negroes or Japanese-Americans.
Nevertheless, the senators recognized the gravity
of the situation by their silence on the Hoer.
5.
7
America's Opportunity
The entire nation takes pride in the spirit and
accomplishment of our armed forces. Comparable to the miracle of American war production is the high courage with which our beys
meet and defeat the enemy. This display of
courage has not been confined to any one branch
of the armed forces, nor has it been limited to
white or Negro trocps.
The treatment of the Negro is the greatest
barrier to America's moral leadership in the
world today. It has been tremendously publicized by Japan and Soviet Russia. For its international prestige, power and future security,
America must demonstrate to the world that its
Negroes can be made p art of its democracy. In
a way, then, the Negro problem is not only
America's greatest failure but also its greate st
opportunity.
CONCLUSIONS
l. We believe that a large percentage of the
Negro in-migrant workers will remain in
Portland, forming a permanent population of
approximately ten thousand which must be
harmoniously integrated into community life.
2. We find general agreement that unemployment faces Portland workers in the near
future. Efforts are being made to create employment, but it is generally admitted by both
management and labor that the Negro worker
will be the last to be employed. We believe
widespread unemployment among Negroes
can be foreseen unless a fair and realistic
stand is taken by Portland's employers and
union groups toward the minority worker.
3. We find the discrimination against Negroes
practiced in restaurants, hotels, resorts, hospitals, apartments and in the writing of certain
types of insurance. Such discrimination is, in
our opinion, unsound, undemoc ratic, and
3. !ha! lhese rnmn:i!lees
the respoosibility c:i
iocs in eqration d "1.!
tior: m c the life d
ordinating mto an effec::iYe
program the activities ci
ganized interracial lxxl.Jes.
4. Tnat these committees shall
municipal, county and stat
work out a program for ha
cidents, and plan and execu
preventive law enforcement wl
bute to the eradication of unr
5. That these committees coope
lished businesses and their trao
to seek the removal of racial
69
CITY CLUB OF PORTLAND
serves to increase public prejudice. We further
believe that such discrimination cause tensions
which are very likely to become explosive, if
not remedied.
4. We find segregation and compression of
Negroes into' restricted living areas being
forced by Portland realtors and the Portland
Housing Au thority. We believe such segregation to be d angerous by creating a whole
tension area, and further is the beginning of a
slum area which can become extremely costly
to our entire community.
5. We find a tendency on the part of our city
authorities to minimize the present racial situa·on. We find no preparation for positive
har.dling of racial disturbances should they
occur and no program of study of causes of
tensions and preventive law enforcement.
6. We find social, religious, educational and
recreational opportunities for Negroes to be
more satisfactory. However, in these areas of
human relationships which are based on the
inherent worth and dignity of the individual,
we see no reason for any inequalities whatsoever. We commend the institutions which
have encouraged Negro participation, and
urge the extension of this practice.
7. We find that organizations such as the Porta::d cranch of the Urban League, the NAACP,
the Ferland Council of Churches, and the
Cotmci ci. Social Agencies, and other groups,
a..-e active y a work: in the community to assist
• :he handling of interracial problems. We
commend their efforts to date and urge enlargement of their activities and support in
their efforts to promote interracial understanding and good will.
8. Fl.Il.1'...'.y we b:ha. many of the causes
• soc:ia! m:rest w ·ch ead to in!erracial strife
anc!
eoce a:L<t in Pc ar.a oday. We beeYe !hat acir.e social disturbances and outCre.ah are hle y in this community unless
p:Etive and umnediate action is taken to
aver_ ch a calamity.
. T= a sta~--de ca:::mittee on Negro-white
=:io= be ";>?Oin!ed by the Governor of the
.e : Oreg= a::d. closely integrated into
e ~ ·es ci a .:x:al canm.i ee on eqroe re:atials o oe appoi:::ed by the 1''.ayor
cl Pcr.:ax.
ese ccmm;r::.ees
~-iterc-_.
means necessary lo perform these functions
on behalf of all the citizens of the commun!ty.
8 . That the City Club endorse the policy of non'·
discrimination embodied in the lair emplo;··
men! practices established by Presidential
Executive Order No. 9346 and urge the
adoption of federal legislation perpetuatfog
the same.
9. That the city administration be urged to in ·
augurate courses of police training designed
to inculate in the city's police force tolerance
and understanding of problems involving
racial tensions. Also, ii is recommended that
an effort be made to place qualified Negroes
on the Portland police force.
Respectfully submitted,
C. Girard Davidson
Rev. Leslie D.V. Dunton
Irving Enna
Rabbi Irving Hausman
Howard Kessler
Harry A. D. Smith
Dr. DeNorval Unthank
James C . Wallace
J. R. Wilson
J. C. Plankinton, Chairman
Appro._.ed July 2, 1945, for transmission to the Boa.rd of
Governors by F . F. Janney, Chairman of Section on Social
Wellare.
Accepted by the Board of Governors and ordered printed
and submitted to the membership of the City Club for con·
aideration dild action July 2, 1945.
Source Material
RECOMMENDATIONS
-
segregation, and other inequalities which are
underlying causes of tension and unrest.
6. That these committees work with employers
and labor groups toward the elimination o! mequitable discrimination against qualified
Negro workers.
7. That these committees be provided with the
be in.erraciai and
··al in charaC'.er, and shall include
cn-:,c.tc-~=s
0: ~onstrated ability, in,egrity
--:gh:ness m the area of race re ations.
&
3. The .!:ese ~:::ees sha:l be charged with
e respon..cfuil:ty of worhnq for the han:nona.l e.em=ts of our popula.
:oe:s tr. <>gratior.. of
m: ir.to ilie I.:.:e of our community, and coordinating mto an effective working community
program the activities of all presently organized interracial bodies.
Bulletin No. 85.-"The Races of Mankind." Public Affairs Committee No. 30.
Rockefeller Plaza, New York, N.Y.
Bulletin No. 95.-"The Negro In America."
Public Affairs Committee No. 30.
Rock:efeller Plaza, New York, N.Y.
Digest of Myrdal's "An American Dilema."
The Columbus Council for Democracy.
Room 7-9 East Long Street, Columbus, Ohio.
Bulletin.- "How
Management
can
Integrate
... egroes in War Industr1es." - Comrnittee on
Discrimination in Employment of New York
State War Council.
Social Action Magazine, January 15, 1941. Published by Council for Social Action of the
Congregational Christian Churches, 289
Fourth Avenue, New York 10, N.Y.
4. Tnat these committees shall cooperate with
municipal, county and state authorities to
work out a program for handling racial incidents, and plan and execute a program of
preventive law enforcement which will contribute to the eradication of unrest.
Address- "The Young Men's Christian Association of Tomorrow." - By Dr. Channing H.
Tobias, Senior Secretary for Service to Colored
Men and Boys Y.M.C.A., New York City, N.Y.
5 . That these committees cooperate with extablished businesses and their trade organizations
to seek the removal of racial discrimination.
Article-Reprint from Religion in Lile, 1944
issue.- " Negro Thinking Today" -by Dr.
Channing H. Tobias, Senior Secretary for
MAY 8 1957