Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 3

jSJqepQDB in B.eiii0ion RELIGIOUS LEADERS PROTEST Monday, December 16, 1963 THE SECOND FRONT PAGE Page 3, Section A Aae Rights Board Weakening Assailed reasurer Asks Funds rp Dun ras Si fn 4m IP i.iM.miM.i.u.uwM.My' gr 1 I a- i. 1l i I mils 5 i. sS The kids love the fire engine at Cobo Hall Engine 585: Old Pro Itches To Answer One More Bell BT HI LEY H. WARD Free Press Reli9ion Writer Michigan religious leaders Sunday took a slap at the "watered-down" action of the Michigan Senate last week setting up the Civil Rights Commission. Three major religious groups said the bill putting the new group into effect Jan.

1 actually weakens the commission and strips it of its full powers. THE OBJECTIONS were cited in a joint statement by Francis J. Coomes, executive director, Michigan Catholic Conference; Sol I. Littman, regional director, Anti-Defamation League, and Harold McKinney, director of general operations, Michigan Council of Churches. "The Michigan Senate passed a bill, which, if constitutional, would drastically weaken the effectiveness of the Civil Rights Commission in its work of producing equality and justice, and racial harmony," the statement said.

The religious leaders objected to changes in the measure that keeps the newly created Commission under the thumb of the Legislature instead of self-operating. The bill brings the Commission under the State Administrative Practices Law, which gives the Legislature the power of veto over the rules of the Commission. THE BILL also denies the Commission the right to set up local committees to work out problems of alleged discrimination, it was pointed out. "The Constitutional Convention, the Governor, and the Attorney General," the statement said, "all agree that the Michigan Civil Rights Commission is self -executing. "The newly created Michigan Civil Rights Commission is the instrument forged out of the new Constitution that promises to extend equality of opportunity.

"It has been the promise of this Commission which has kept Michigan relatively free from racial turbulence and tensions prevalent in other states." ATTORNEY GENERAL Frank Kelley ruled recently that the Commission would have wide authority to assure equal rights in education, public facilities, employment and housing, and that the Legislature could not restrict the power of the Commission in these areas. Sunday's statement was issued to help forestall action by the State House of Representatives similar to the Senate's restrictions. There is some question whether the bill, if approved by the House, would be upheld by the State Supreme Court, which must review the powers of the Commission. "It is our hope that the Michigan House of Representatives will do everything possible to restore these powers and duties which the people of Michigan granted this Commission through the new Constitution," the interfaith statement said. The religious leaders also asked that the Commission "be given adequate appropriation in which to carry out its work." Free Press Photos by JIMAAY TAFOYA THEY'RE DANCING the Italian "Chu-Cu-Bello" Judy Karm, front, Kathy Williams, Brian Gantz.

Pennies for Poor Children Give to UN Fund Debby Belding, 6, found a penny at recess at the Northwood School, Royal Oak. BY VAN G. SALTER Free Press Staff Writer A fire engine and a good club fighter have a few things in common. Both respond to bells, and the sparring sessions and routine runs that consume their daily runs that consume sionally interrupted by a sudden challenge that requires maneuverability and technique. Hosts of Admirers Pass By Bier of Dinah Washington BY VAX G.

SALTER Free Press Staff Writer A small sign in white plastic letters on a red board said: "Mrs. Dinah Washington Lane." Another sign above it read: "Mrs. Freda Williams." Delinquents Owe County $6.5 Million Could Collect Half, Funk Tells Board BY DON SCIIRAM Free Press Staff Writer Wayne County Treasurer Louis H. Funk will ask the Board of Auditors Monday for authorization to send out bills for $6,500,000 in delinquent taxes. A billing could bring in collections of perhaps half the overdue amount within three months, Funk indicated.

The County not only needs the money, but the additional reminder might prevent a future sale of the tax delinquent property, Funk said. The auditors get in on the act because Funk will need extra help to send out the bills. The treas urer will confer Funk Monday with Auditor Jacob S. Sumeracki and Auditing and Accounting Director Stanley Molenda, seeking $25,000 for the extra help. FUNK SPENT $6,000 for temporary employes to send out delinquent billings on 1961 taxes.

The effort brought in collections of $1,446,440, which included fees to the County of more than $56,000. "Sometimes the original bill is lost or delivered to someone not responsible for the taxes, Funk said. "In such cases, the owner may not even know he owes back taxes, and the fees and interest pile up on him." Billing for delinquent taxes is not required by law, and up to 1963, had never before been undertaken by the treasurer's office. Delinquent bills were fur nished only on request of the taxpayer, usually when he came in to settle up. There were no reminders.

Funk will also inform Auditor Sumeracki that current collections of 1963 County taxes are already more than $1,500,000 ahead of last year. THE IMPROVED collections were due to earlier billings sent out this year by Funk. He has received a total of $0,220,891 on 129,707 billings, out of a total of 475,000. Detroit taxpayers pay their County taxes directly to Funk; other Wayne County residents pay them to their city, village, or township treasurers and Funk handles only the delinquent accounts. Burglars Fail; Safe Found Safe It was "close but no lettuce" for burglars who had their eyes on the contents of the safe of the Federal Credit Union, 22601 Plymouth.

A youngster found the safe Sunday night in an alley behind the office of the credit union. It was undamaged. Police said it had been dragged across the office and out a back door. Albert Grissom, 35, of Plym outh, manager of the credit union, said the safe contained $8,000. Police helped Grissom carry the safe back inside.

Portion of 1-196 Now Open to Holland Traffic HOLLAND The portion of new 1-196 which connects with the US-31 bypass in the southern part of the city will be open to traffic Monday. Motorists leaving Holland traveling' on Michigan Ave. will enter the freeway at the intersection of US-31 bypass three miles south of downtown. The freeway continues Four Men Beat Up Rookie Cop Take Gun, Wallet; All Are Seized BY HARRY GOLDEN', JR. Free Press Staff Writer A rookie Detroit policeman was beaten and kicked unmercifully early Sunday when he stopped the car of four Redford Township men who were driving on the sidewalk.

Two of the men were arrested 15 minutes later because Patrolman Stephen Walters, 25, though dazed and bleeding from head cuts, managed to get the license number of their car. The other two men were arrested later Sunday. WALTERS, a policeman for three months, left duty at the Schaefer Station in civilian clothes and stopped to visit with his fiance before starting home. The ex-Marine corporal was driving to his home at 9996 Mettetal where he lives with his parents. On Plymouth west of Burt he noticed a car going down the sidewalk, stopped, and waved it down.

Walters said he told the driver of the car that he was too drunk to drive and identified himself as a policeman with his badge. He said the four men jumped from their car, knocked him down, beat him about the head with their fists and kicked him. The four, he said, took his pistol, his badge No. 3322 and his wallet containing $1. He managed to get the license number of the car from where he was lying in the street.

A nearby resident reported the beating and a scout car took Walters to Mt. Carmel ...1 UA said he was in jTT "good" condi- tion with head and face cuts, one eye completely clo and an injured left hand. Walters POLICE, with the radioed description and license number, stopped a car containing two men at Spinoza and Tireman and arrested Martin J. Heenan, 22, of 16232 Ryland, Redford Township, and David N. Welty.

22, of 25138 Keeler, Redford Township. The pair implicated two other Redford Township men: David Norwood, 21, of 26036 Fordson and Danny Fleegar, 21, of 25514 Ivanhoe. The two fled the car after the assault and were arrested later, police said. Detective Lt. les Kantzler, of the Northwest Station, said the four admitted the assault but insisted they didn't realize that Walters was a police officer.

Heenan, the driver of the car, admitted firing Walter's gun three times in the air after tak ing it and then throwing it into the street. Walter badge was found on the ice on the Rouge River. His gun is still missing. THE FOUR MEN were charged with assault with intent to rob. Maximum penalty on that charge is a 15-year prison term.

Walters, recalled that one of the four suggested shooting him during the beating. "I'm still game," said Walters who wanted to be a policeman ever since he was in grade school. "It's part of the deal," he said from his hospital bed. "The way they were driving they might have killed somebody There may have been many hurt instead of just one. Boy, 14, Killed By Automobile PORT HURON Douglas Hull, 14, of North was killed Saturday night when struck by a car on North River Road, in Port Huron.

Douglas was walking along the road side with a companion, Richard Morrison, 15. The driver of the car, Patrick Kennedy, 26, of Port Huron, told authorities that he failed to see the yuoths until the accident occured. He was not held. She gave it to Jesus Sunday. Debby earned another penny helping at home.

She gave that penny, too. She gave the pennies because it was fun and "because people need them." She was one of 300 children in a United Nations Christmas program Sunday afternoon at the First Congregational Church, Royal Oak. DEBBY AND the other first graders were "Nigerians." Others represented Hebrew, Latin American, Italian, Polish, and other nationalities and sang and danced Christmas songs from around the world. Each child brought pennies saved in pint United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund boxes since Hallowe'en. They marched down front with the boxes.

They sang "Hail, United Nations" to the tune of "Onward, Christian Soldiers." Mrs. Walter W. Porter, a Royal Oak music teacher and organizer of the program, believes the church Christmas program should not just be some children in bathrobes and sheets imitating the first Christmas 2,000 years ago. She believes emphasizing the UN combines both the peace and sharing idea in Christmas. THE CHILDREN sometimes put little messages with their pint-sized banks of pennies.

"I hope this will help somebody," said one. This was a prayer more profound than any offered by an adult, said the pastor, the Rev. Dr. Allan Jenkins. "Gary Willoughby, II, turned in the coins he had saved for a model car.

"I gave up what I was saving so poor people can live as well as we and so if they are sick they can get help." Each child's penny buys a glass of milk for a needy youngster, and a nickel, a penicillin shot. There's a ladder truck over at Cobo Hall that is providing children attending the Christmas Carnival with excitement as they climb into the tillerman's seat or clang the bells or slam the gearshift lever into high for a straightaway run. It is a Seagrave, bears the Detroit Fire Department identification number of 585, and has a pump valve that Dinah Washington and Dick told me last week that jthi was the haDmest thev had ever been in their LAN DID not play Sunday in Chicago. While he was not there, the thoughts of the Lions were probably with him. On both sides of the mantel in the parlor were larger, pyramid shaped arrangements of white mums and reds.

They came from his teammates. Funeral home officials believe Mrs. Lane's funeral might be larger than for Cynthia Scott, who was shot by a policeman, and Randolph Wallace, a busi ness leader in the Negro com munity. sut mere were not many people in to see Mrs. Williams even though she was a past worthy leader of the Secret Orders of Eastern Star.

She had loyal friends, though, and they said Mrs. Williams had a "noble bearing." Her funeral will be simple. Mrs. Lane's funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in St.

Luke Baptist Church, Chicago. The crowds will be large. Sammy Davis, Jr. is expected to be among the mourners. The two women came to the parlor on Dexter by different routes.

One followed the conventional path in an ordinary, everyday life. The other, in 26 years, went from a small Chicago church choir to the lucrative lights of Las Vegas. But Sunday night, in a room thick with the odor of flowers, the paths of Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Lane merged in the strong and lasting union of silence.

was last checked in "154." There is no other identification. It3 past is up to your THE MEN out at the Fire Dept. repair garage can give you a few clues. No. 585 was purchased by Detroit on July 9, 1935, and probably moved through various stations during its career, showing its maneuverability and technique.

But like the club fighter, it began to grow tired after about 15 years. The speed and reflexes were slipping. Old 585 was put on call, and moved around to fill in when other aerials were being repaired. And then, like the old slugger at the end of the line, 585 became something of a trainer, where it really took a pounding. When their years are up, the club fighters go different ways.

You can find some in the doorways over on Howard. The bartender in your neighborhood tavern might be one. A few have gone on to make big money. The old fire engines go different ways too. Those not outdated by science can last for years and years around ihe stations, as hangers-on, performing minor tasks.

The small towns and villages in Iowa and Vermont are always shopping around the cities for a good engine they can take back to the sticks, where the volunteers will spend hours polishing and fixing and restoring life. But some fire engines are sold for junk. THIS IS a common fate for ladder trucks. Their aerial extension reach up to 75 or 80 feet, and in most Iowa and Vermont villages, only the church steeples are that tall. No.

585 has been languishing at the garage for more than a year now. Will it go to Vermont, and enjoy a comfortable retirement, or to the junkyard, for the prolonged death of the doorway derelict? That's up to your imagination, too. When the prosperous ex-club fighter confidently strolls through a plush Vegas hotel lobby, and the desk clerk hits the bell to signal a boy, the old pro automatically tightens up. Maybe, in the vast midnight blackness of Cobo Hall, a sudden bell might provoke the same reaction in 585. Silly, you say? Perhaps.

But Christmas is the time for romantics, and particularly those who can see a polished and shined 5S5 protecting some placid Vermont hamlet deep in the Green Mountains. College Board Names Leader Special to the Free Press BENTON HARBOR Attor ney Robert Small of Benton Harbor was elected chairman of the new Berrien County Community College board at the group's first meeting. His job will be to lead the board in establishing the two- year school, authorized last week in a countywide special election. Mrs. Lane, 37, a singer, and Mrs.

Williams, around 80, a housewife, rested in caskets at opposite ends of the large parlor in the Thompson Funeral Home, 7643 Dexter. Mrs. Williams was a tall, frail woman who suffered in her final years from Parkinson's Disease. Mrs. Lane was dressed in a bright yellow chiffon dress.

She died at a time when she was most alive. Before the funeral home opened its doors Sunday afternoon, more than 700 persons came by and asked to see Mrs. Lane, whom they con3'der the greatest blues singer sines the legendary Bessie Smith. They began to return around visitors performers in their stage clothes, fans in furs and cotton, brash teen-agers with transistor radios stretched frnm thp frnnt nnrrh tn thpl parlor. THE PROPRIETORS of the home expect the crowd to continue through Sunday night until 11 a.m.

Monday when Mrs. Lane will be moved to the New Bethel Baptist Church, Ldnwood and Philadelphia. A memorial service will be held there at 1 p.m. by the Rev. C.

L. Franklin, pastor of the church, and a friend of Mrs. Lane. Several show business personalities will offer brief eulogies. Mrs1.

Williams will be removed to the Bethel of Apostolic Faith Church Monday morning. She was born in Mississippi and came to Detroit in 1940. She died Thursday of complications resulting from a fall. Mrs. Lane died early Saturday morning at her home, 4003 Buena Vista.

A bottle of orange and blue pills was found near her bed. Friends believe she died from an accidental overdose of a medicine prescribed for a nervous condition. Her husband, Richard (Night Train) Lane, defensive back for the Detroit Lions, and her friends, are convinced the fatal dose was accidental. "She had no reason to take her life," said Leo A. Green, a friend of the couple and special assistant to Gov.

Romney on minority group relations. "She WORDS FROM THE PULPIT Advent's Meaning Is Theme Advent means the coming of Christ, and He comes in three ways, said the Rev. Father Robert J. Schlaff, of St. Martha's Roman Catholic Parish, Dearborn, in his Sunday sermon.

The first advent of Christ is His Incarnation, His birth in a manger 2,000 years ago, Father Schlaff said. The second advent of Christ will be His trill a coming in power and Father Schlaff glory at the end of the world, he said. "Lastly, we have Christ's coming by grace. Between Christ's Incarnation and His triumphant coming at the end of the world, all the members of His Mystical Body may possess Christ and His Divine Life through a worthy reception of the Sacraments. "The best birthday gift to Christ is to receive Him frequently and worthily in this holy season of Advent." i ft Ifr 1 ALMOST Jingle Bells, Debby Belding, 6, accompanies twins Kathy and Libby Osgood, 11, in African melody..