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Burlington Commission on Human Rights, 1964-1965

Iowa Law Review, "State Civil Rights Statute: Some Proposals" Page 1071

1964]   STATE CIVIL RIGHTS STATUTES   1071

visory Committee to the United States Civil Rights Commission recently  noted, "In certain fields . . . and with only a handful of exceptions, discrimination [against Negroes] in employment has gone on virtually unchanged for decades."12 In 1961 the United Sates Civil Rights Commission concluded that the depressed economic status of American Negroes is the product of several factors. Significant among these are "discrimination by employers," "discrimination against Negroes by labor organizations," and "discrimination against Negroes in apprenticeship training programs,"13
   Much the same story can be told in other areas of our life. Take housing for example. In 1937 President Roosevelt decried the fact that "one third of the nation is . . . ill housed."14 By 1960, housing conditions in the United States had vastly improved--but not equally for all groups. Fifty-seven per cent of all nonwhite-occupied dwellings in this country were classified int he 1960 census as "dilapidated," "deteriorating," or "lacking some or all plumbing facilities"-- and hence substandard. In the same year only twenty-five per cent of white-occupied housing units were classified in this condition. Similarly, while forty-five per cent of all nonwhite dwellings were "deteriorating" or "dilapidated" only sixteen per cent of white dwellings were in the same state.15
   The United States Civil Rights commission has concluded on the basis of its investigations that "housing . . . seems to be one commodity in the American market that is not freely available on equal terms to everyone who can afford to pay."16 This is due to the fact that "much of the housing market remains closed . . . to millions of Americans because of their race . . . and partly in consequence millions are confined to substandard housing,"17 or are unable to live in the geographic area of their choice. It has been estimated that regard-
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12 UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS REPORT 233 (1963); see generally id. at 73-92.
13 UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS REPORT, EMPLOYMENT 153 (1961).
14 LOTT, THE INAUGURAL ADDRESSES OF THE AMERICAN PRESIDENTS 239 (1961).
15 U.S. Census of Housing, 1960, vol. 1, State and Small Areas, United States Summary,  Final Report HC(1)-1, figure 17 at xxvii; U.S. Bureau of the census Release CB 61-19, March 23, 1961; U.S. Bureau of the Census Release CB 61-13, March 13, 1961.
16 4 UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS REPORT, HOUSING 145 (1961). Virtually every study of the subject reveals that the chief victim of discrimination in housing is the Negro. Nevertheless, there is also substantial evidence of discrimination in some parts of the country against Puerto Ricans, Mexican-Americans, Orientals, Indians, and Jews. MCENTIRE, RESIDENCE AND RACE 68-71 (1960); Report of the United States Commission on Civil Rights 633, 380-81, 545, 548 (1959); U.S. COMM'N ON RACE AND HOUSING, WHERE SHALL I LIVE? 1-2 (1958).
17 1 UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS REPORT, VOTING 6 (1961).

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1964] STATE CIVIL RIGHTS STATUTES 1071 visory Committee to the United States Civil Rights Commission recently noted, "In certain fields . . . and with only a handful of exceptions, discrimination [against Negroes] in employment has gone on virtually unchanged for decades."12 In 1961 the United Sates Civil Rights Commission concluded that the depressed economic status of American Negroes is the product of several factors. Significant among these are "discrimination by employers," "discrimination against Negroes by labor organizations," and "discrimination against Negroes in apprenticeship training programs,"13 Much the same story can be told in other areas of our life. Take housing for example. In 1937 President Roosevelt decried the fact that "one third of the nation is . . . ill housed."14 By 1960, housing conditions in the United States had vastly improved--but not equally for all groups. Fifty-seven per cent of all nonwhite-occupied dwellings in this country were classified int he 1960 census as "dilapidated," "deteriorating," or "lacking some or all plumbing facilities"-- and hence substandard. In the same year only twenty-five per cent of white-occupied housing units were classified in this condition. Similarly, while forty-five per cent of all nonwhite dwellings were "deteriorating" or "dilapidated" only sixteen per cent of white dwellings were in the same state.15 The United States Civil Rights commission has concluded on the basis of its investigations that "housing . . . seems to be one commodity in the American market that is not freely available on equal terms to everyone who can afford to pay."16 This is due to the fact that "much of the housing market remains closed . . . to millions of Americans because of their race . . . and partly in consequence millions are confined to substandard housing,"17 or are unable to live in the geographic area of their choice. It has been estimated that regard- _________________________ 12 UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS REPORT 233 (1963); see generally id. at 73-92. 13 UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS REPORT, EMPLOYMENT 153 (1961). 14 LOTT, THE INAUGURAL ADDRESSES OF THE AMERICAN PRESIDENTS 239 (1961). 15 U.S. Census of Housing, 1960, vol. 1, State and Small Areas, United States Summary, Final Report HC(1)-1, figure 17 at xxvii; U.S. Bureau of the census Release CB 61-19, March 23, 1961; U.S. Bureau of the Census Release CB 61-13, March 13, 1961. 16 4 UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS REPORT, HOUSING 145 (1961). Virtually every study of the subject reveals that the chief victim of discrimination in housing is the Negro. Nevertheless, there is also substantial evidence of discrimination in some parts of the country against Puerto Ricans, Mexican-Americans, Orientals, Indians, and Jews. MCENTIRE, RESIDENCE AND RACE 68-71 (1960); Report of the United States Commission on Civil Rights 633, 380-81, 545, 548 (1959); U.S. COMM'N ON RACE AND HOUSING, WHERE SHALL I LIVE? 1-2 (1958). 17 1 UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS REPORT, VOTING 6 (1961).