DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Dorothy Schramm newspaper clippings, 1949-1955 (folder 1 of 2) | 1954-05-18 Burlington Hawkeye Gazette Article: "Public Eating House Patron Survey On Segregation Here"

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Dorothy Schramm newspaper clippings, 1949-1955 (folder 1 of 2)

1954-05-18 Burlington Hawkeye Gazette Article: "Public Eating House Patron Survey On Segregation Here"

Coincident with the Supreme Court's anti-segregation decision the results of a survey of Burlington eating house patrons were released today. The court held compulsory separate public schools for whites and Negroes were unconstitutional. 
The survey showed that 13 out of 14 white persons here answering the questionnaires do not object to colored people being served in public eating houses. The actual figures are as follows: Of 2,251 questionnaires returned, 2,103 indicated no objection while 148 indicated objection.
The survey was conducted through churches, PTA groups, service clubs, the Burlington high school and college, and the Burlington Trades & Labor Assembly.
Over the signature of mayor A. A. Drebenstedt, the following letter was mailed Tuesday to proprietors of all eating establishments in the city:
"Dear Mr. - - - ;
"In an attempt to determine the attitude of the citizens of our community with regard to discriminatory practices in restaurants my Committee on Civic Unity has distributed 10,000 folders in which it was requested that recipients indicate their feelings in the matter.
"These were distributed to church groups, labor organizations, service clubs, fraternal organizations, and even the high school and college. You, yourself, probably received a copy through one of these groups.
"We were very gratified to learn that our neighbors do not approve of discriminatory practices among our public eating establishments. In fact, 13 out of every 14 people who returned the form so indicated.
"We feel that this is a very strong indication of public opinion and that you should be interested in it. We know you will continue to operate your business according to the wishes of the public and the best religious and democratic principles."
[[Handwriting]]
BHG 5-18-54

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Coincident with the Supreme Court's anti-segregation decision the results of a survey of Burlington eating house patrons were released today. The court held compulsory separate public schools for whites and Negroes were unconstitutional. The survey showed that 13 out of 14 white persons here answering the questionnaires do not object to colored people being served in public eating houses. The actual figures are as follows: Of 2,251 questionnaires returned, 2,103 indicated no objection while 148 indicated objection. The survey was conducted through churches, PTA groups, service clubs, the Burlington high school and college, and the Burlington Trades & Labor Assembly. Over the signature of mayor A. A. Drebenstedt, the following letter was mailed Tuesday to proprietors of all eating establishments in the city: "Dear Mr. - - - ; "In an attempt to determine the attitude of the citizens of our community with regard to discriminatory practices in restaurants my Committee on Civic Unity has distributed 10,000 folders in which it was requested that recipients indicate their feelings in the matter. "These were distributed to church groups, labor organizations, service clubs, fraternal organizations, and even the high school and college. You, yourself, probably received a copy through one of these groups. "We were very gratified to learn that our neighbors do not approve of discriminatory practices among our public eating establishments. In fact, 13 out of every 14 people who returned the form so indicated. "We feel that this is a very strong indication of public opinion and that you should be interested in it. We know you will continue to operate your business according to the wishes of the public and the best religious and democratic principles." [[Handwriting]] BHG 5-18-54