The San Francisco Examiner from San Francisco, California • 7

7 Tuev, Nov. 25z 1975 5 How Oakland's system defeats Macks 'v Others say that when such leadership begins to develop, the most promising blacks are appointed to high city positions and taken out of competitive, advocate roles. Most Examples Include Harold Davis, director of the I Housing Authority; John Williams, Redevelopment pori )Ol)b Director; Hap Smith, director, Department of i' 7 'Wilson will get black, liberal white vote' Recreation; Dr. Ruth Love Holloway, superintendent of schools, and Tom Berkley, Port commissioner. i 3 held by whites from outside' Pit -Oct JOHN GEORGE Even if blacks gain elected power, observers fear they will have little control over important matters such as finances.

The profitable Oakland port operation will play a big part in the city's future. "Blacks will not h3ve any control over the port, even though they may control the city. More importantly, they will have no control over who gets the jobs," says attorney George. The Port Authority functions under a commission appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council. Port Commission, operations, property and airport leases generate $17 million annually and employ 69,000 workers.

Blacks are also concerned, George says, because 70 per cent of the port jobs are filled by whites who live outside Oakland. How soon are blacks expected to have a greater role in the politics of Oakland? Most sources agree that Superior Court Judge Lionel Wilson stands a good chance of becoming Oakland's first black mayor next year. He appeals to the broadest cross-section of Oakland voters. "Wilson will carry the black and liberal white vote, even some blacks close to the mayor will be supportive," says one source. JUDGE LIONEL WILSON a There is talk that if councilmen George Vukasin and Coto both run, Wilson's chances are slim, but that Wilson can win against either Vukasin or-Coto individually.

Observers say Congressman Ron Dellums, George and others will be factors. They see George as a Wilson supporter "With impact in the Democratic mainstream as well as the progressive left. The degree of interest Dellums shows, they say, will depend on whether or not he can spin off his power and popularity to' another candidate. The influence of other community activists is still a question mark. Will they actively support a black candidate, or use appointed positions to claim neutrality? Knowledgeable political sources say that black political power in Oakland may be on the horizon but only if a fragmented community aligns itself strongly behind one man who can do the job.

that the wealthy have political control. "It costs $30,000 to $100,000 to win a city-wide election, but if they had district elections, a candidate could win with $5,000," James said. A Committee 'to' 'Change Oakland's Aims With Victor James is trying to get 30,000 signatures for a ballot initiative to eliminate city-wide elections. "It will help to decrease crime, increase jobs, and create better housing. By giving people a stake in their communities, you increase their self interest," James says.

"If blacks have more of a stake in their futures, they tend to be concerned with building rather than destroying. If James is successful and the initiative passes (three previous attempts have failed), there are still major problems. Many observers agree that the city has lacked any charismatic black leadership. W'io's H7jo anoi Day Mea blacks? mo wields the power, and why? In this second of a four part series, the Examiner looks at Oakland, where no one black person has been able to put it all together, politically. Future articles deal with black politics In San Francisco and with black business in the Day Area.

By Hob Hayes Some 44 per cent of Oakland's population is black, but It has been virtually Impossible for a black to win a city-wide election there. ft Why? Some say the city lacks effective black leadership. Others say Oakland's conservative voters have failed to support black candidates. And some question the electoral process, claiming it discrimi- nates against blacks and the poor. Alameda County elected a black, William B.

Rumord to the state legislature in 1948. But Oakland, its principal city, has remained a bastion of conservatism. Joshua Rose, who was appointed to a seat in 1908, is the only black to ever serve on the City Council. The 68-year old retired YMCA executive has consistently been reelected. But he is considered by some blacks as too conservative.

They contend he does not represent the city's large black population. Many blame a white backlash. Meanwhile, Chinese, Japanese, and Latinos, who represent less 1 than 10 per cent of the city's population, have representatives on the council (Raymond Eng. Frank Ogawa, and Joe Coto). In 1931 Oakland started requiring that candi-dates live in the district they yet they are voted on city-wide.

Many black leaders believe the system should be changed because they say it prevents blacks from getting elected even though they win in their areas. "You might win in the 3rd District, but 25,000 votes from the Oakland Hills can defeat you," says attorney John George. Victor James, East Bay political science professor and politician, feels that blacks have to make major adjustments. "There is a political reality in this city that we blacks must face. White and black Democrats will vote for a white Democrat, but whites will not vote for a black Democrat." "Blacks cannot depend on others to get elected.

The blackwhite liberal coalitions have not been politically productive for blacks. We tend to fall in love as soon as we get in political and social beds with whites, while whites will fall in bed with blacks, but not in love," James says. Oakland Democrats (98,087) outnumber Republicans almost three to one, but the figures are misleading, according to George. "This is basically a conservative, Democratic vote," he "That's why the issue is not merely the failure of blacks to get elected as much as it is the failure of liberal Democrats to get elected." Minority politicians are often discouraged by the high, cost of city-wide elections, and say that such electoral systems were originally planned to insure Substance, style and irreverent commentary -the by-line of Wells Twombly is recognized nationwide as a standard of excellence in sports writing. Read him daily in The Examiner ry ft P'r: it '--'i Va' V.

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