Box 7, Folder 8, Document 43

Dublin Core

Title

Box 7, Folder 8, Document 43

Text Item Type Metadata

Text

(2)

make a strong plea for job opportunities for all Americans through

a combination of private and public programs.

We thought you would

be interested in comparing the President's statement with the goal
contained in the Urban Coalition's Statement of Principles adopted

at the Emergency Convocation:
The President

There are some half million
unemployed, hard-core unemployed,
in our principal cities. We just
have to go and find jobs for them.
I am going to call in the business-
men of America and say one of two
things have to happen: You have to
help me go out and find jobs for
these people, or we are going to
have to find jobs in the Govern-
ment for them and offer every one
of them a job. I think that is one
thing that could be done. I think
that will have to be done, as ex-
pensive as it is.



Coalition Goal

Government and business
must accept responsibility to
provide all Americans with
opportunity to earn an adequate
income. Private industry must
greatly accelerate its efforts
to recruit, train, and hire the
hard-core unemployed. When the
private sector is unable to pro-
vide employment to those who are
both able and willing to work,
then in a free society the
government must of necessity
assume the responsibility and act
as the employer of last resort or
must assure adequate income for
those who are unable to work.

The press interpreted the President's statement as an important new

policy position on the government's responsibility.

At a press con-

ference the following day, Rep. Carl D. Perkins (Ky.), chairman of the
House Education and Labor Committee said he would support whatever
bill in the field of employment the President sends to Congress next

year.
said,

Providing jobs for those who can't find private employment, he
"is the proper role for government".

EDUCATIONAL DISPARITIES

Despite bad weather that closed the Detroit airport for several hours

on December 18,

seven members of the Educational Disparities Task
Force were able to get together for a scheduled meeting.

They held

a spirited discussion of the problems which exist in this area and
began concentration on those which they felt the Coalition could

effectively combat.

The Task Force will meet again at 2:30 p.m. on

January 8 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington.

LOCAL COALITIONS

Encouragement and assistance in the formation of local urban coali-

tions continues to receive high priority.

During December Washington
(3)

D. C., Boston, Baltimore, Plainfield, N. J., Stanford and Bridgeport,
Connecticut announced plans for local coalitions.

Washington Mayor Walter E. Washington said in a public announcement
that citizens have called for the organization of a local coalition
"in terms of urgency" generated by the August Emergency Convocation.
He emphasized that the local effort must have the support and parti-
cipation of the Virginia and Maryland suburbs.

The next regional mobilization conference will be held in New York
City on January 12 -- at New York University's Loeb Center.

EQUAL HOUSING

Plans are in progress for a National Action Session on Equal Housing
Opportunities to be held in Chicago at the Conrad Hilton Hotel on
January 18. The Task Force has concentrated on the completion of
program development papers.

COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC SUPPORT

Two well-illustrated publications are in the works and will soon be
mailed to those interested in the work of the Coalition. The first
is a report, including the texts of major addresses, on the Mobiliza-
tion Conference held in Chicago on October 17. The second will be

a similar publication reporting on the Private Employment Conference
held in Atlanta on December 13.

HOUSING, RECONSTRUCTION AND INVESTMENT

Progress continued on the major working paper being prepared by the
Task Force as a guide for the Coalition in the development of a
long-range program.

STEERING COMMITTEE

Unavoidable scheduling problems for several of the principals on the
Steering Committee resulted in a postponement of the meeting scheduled
for December 18 in Detroit to January 8 in Washington, D. C. The
meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Mayflower Hotel.

Comments

Document Viewer