A program for the effective administration of the Wicks-Roman Law, which places on the State Commission Against Discrimination the responsibility for enforcing New York State Laws against discrimination in places of public accommodation, was suggested to the Commission today by the American Jewish Congress.
In a memorandum submitted to State Commission chairman Edward W. Edwards, the Congress’ Commission on Law and Social Action urged that the State Commission, which becomes responsible for implementing the anti-discriminatory legislation today, take the following steps to secure effective enforcement:
1. Promulgation, after public hearings, of a series of clear regulations setting forth State Commission policy on such matters as a definition of what constitutes discrimination, specifying conditions for exemption of private clubs and religious institutions, defining discriminatory advertisements, etc.
2. Launching of a state-wide program to educate both the resort industry and the public as to their rights and duties under the law, employing all media of communication and requiring resort operators to display the law prominently in their establishments.
3. Making a “determined effort” to obtain widespread industry cooperation, through the setting up of industry committees to work with the Commission. The belief that “most resort, hotel and restaurant owners are not prejudiced and would gladly comply with the requirements of the law if they were assured that it would be uniformly administered and that their problems and suggestions would receive fair consideration” was expressed in the memorandum.
4. Conducting a continuing check on newspaper advertisements of resorts and restaurants. The memorandum pointed out that under New York State law, newspapers have the right to refuse advertisements which facilitate discrimination, and declared that the Wicks-Roman Law imposes on newspapers the legal duty to reject such advertisements, since their publication would constitute abetting discrimination prohibited by law.
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