January 25, 1960 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Session 588, Minutes January 25, 1960 stated that this may be considered. Page 4 Councilman Tandler, the Council representative on the City Plan Commission~ suggested that a copy of Bill Mo. 5800 be transmitted to Mr. Harold S. Cook, Chairman of the City Plan Commission~ prior to the meeting of the City Plan Cormuission on Wednesday, January 27tL. PUBLIC HEARING (CONTIi,]UED) - DEFINING AND PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATORY PF3~CTICES IN PLACES OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION AND CREATING A COMMISSIO?] ON HIR~i.~ RELATIONS: Hayor I~ufman announced that a continued public hearing with reference to Bill Ho. 5788 (Defining and Prohibiting Discriminatory Practices in Places of Public Accor~nodation and Creating a Commission on Human Relations) is now open (time: 8:03 o'clock P.M.). The Mayor stated that this is the third evening that the Council has considered this matter due to the fact that a number of people were turned away at previous meetings because of the large attendance, l~ayor Kauf~an requested that in the interest of saving time, members of the public refrain from applauding until the public hearing is concluded. Mr. Harold C. Ackert, 7460 C~herst Avenue, asked to be recognized, which request was granted. Mr. Ackert stated that he is appearing tonight on behalf of the Board of Directors of the University City Chamber of Com- merce. After careful deliberation, Mr. Ackert said, it was recently sug- gested that in substitution for the present proposed bill, either of de- feating or carrying that bill, that a Commission should be formed -- a Commission that would be an advisory commission to this Council on the same principle as the Park Board, City Plan Commission and other Boards. Mr. Ackert said the Commission could serve this purpose: it could take this out of the realm of emotion, which it is largely in at the present time; it could make a complete study of the matter and could make its reports available to the Council; it could also attempt in a voluntary way to specifically examine into any particular complaint that might be brought up and advise the Council on it. He said this could be done in an area not involved by penal penalties at the time. ~{r. Ackert said they have not prepared a bill, but if the Council feels at all inclined to consider the matter they would like to have time to pre- sent a proposed bill. Councilman Tandler said that without taking a position at this moment, he would be interested in seeing a rough draft of a bill as proposed by 1,ir. Ackert if the Chamber of Commerce membership is inclined to present such a bill to the Council. ~r. Ackert stated he could assure the Council a rough draft could be prepared by next Monday night. Councilman Baris inquired of ~. Ackert whether there was any specific poll made of Bill No. 5788, whereupon Mr. Ackert replied negatively. Mrs. Henry Ochs, 6606 Chamberlain Avenue, was the next speaker to be recog- nized. Mrs. Ochs spoke against Bill No. 5788 and urged the Council to vote it down. Mrs. Norman Friedman, 1428 Partridge Avenue, upon being recognized, read a prepared statement in behalf of the St. Louis Branch of the Women's Inter- national League for Peace and Freedom, supporting Bill No. 5788. Dr. Robert Weinhaus, 809 Berick Drive, asked to be recognized, which request