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New York Commission Studies Fraternal. Orders Practicing Discrimination

December 15, 1959
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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A number of national fraternal orders whose regulations "appear to contain discriminatory clauses" are under study by the Commission on Intergroup Relations, Dr. Alfred J. Marrow, chairman, disclosed yesterday. The organizations were not named.

Mr. Marrow said that while the commission had no power to force changes in the set up of national groups, it could expect "responsible citizens" in New York to protest discrimination or resign from the orders.

Announcement of the study was made in the commission’s report on the West Side Tennis Club, accused by Dr. Ralph J. Bunche, UN undersecretary, of barring Jews and Negroes. Mr. Marrow said he welcomed the club’s disclaimer of bias but was "impressed" that it had no Negro members and that its officers could not name any members of the Jewish faith, although they had told under oath that there were Jewish members in the club.

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