00:00:09.500 - 00:00:44.310

please have order. Come on, brother. Everybody except staff members and senators. Please leave the stage weight the evaluation work on the poverty program, which we have been engaged in now for many weeks. The purpose of our visit to San Francisco is to attempt to discover what's

00:00:44.310 - 00:01:09.850

wrong with the poverty program. What's right for the poverty program. And what has members the United States Senate we can way can do, if anything, to improve the planning, programming and the operations of the many different programs which constitute the war against poverty. Sarah Murphy. No,

00:01:11.140 - 00:01:33.360

I made some notes here, and it's very difficult. Thio room them. It seems that the lighting is set up to accommodate the photographers rather than the witnesses or the senator's Mrs uh Washington. Do you feel that the that there is too much control of the program

00:01:33.370 - 00:01:51.520

from outside of the city and that if there was more control and more of the setting up of guidelines within the city, it would be helpful. Uh, Senator, can you hear me? Yes. I feel that if the guideline was set up with the people and not

00:01:51.520 - 00:02:10.260

for other people, then it would be much meaningful, I say, Uh, the most effective part of the program is education number one. Number two. I would say jobs Well, as the program has been in operation over a period last several years, what do you think is

00:02:10.840 - 00:02:25.780

been the best part of the program are the best part of the program? Have been motivation of people you know, making them know that they you know that they can stand on their own 2 ft. I feel like this is giving some dignity on pride and

00:02:25.780 - 00:02:46.740

taking people off welfare role. I feel like this have been, you know, one of the outstanding job. The people that do. They feel that the concept of welfare program of welfare has been degrading. Do they feel like it's been degraded? It's degrading, Yes. Uhh. I can

00:02:46.740 - 00:03:00.620

only speak for myself, and I would say yes. Do you think the people generally in the Hunter Point area or on welfare, do they feel that the program and the idea of welfare's is degrading and that there should be a different kind of a program? Let

00:03:00.620 - 00:03:17.600

me speak for myself. Uh, may I? I I would like to say, uh, my husband fell ill and I had to go on welfare, and I was I was a miserable person. Every time I walk in that welfare office, I felt like that. I was just

00:03:17.600 - 00:03:31.120

something that people could walk on, and I had no dignity. I had no pride. So when I got a job in the poverty program, I began to feel like I was somebody. So I would say that you know, that Isn't that the direction? Really? We should

00:03:31.120 - 00:03:58.310

all be working toward try Thio, develop a system whereby people that train people are trained and, uh, with skills on so that they can obtain job on that also has a major effect on the family unit itself. E I have only a high school education with

00:03:58.320 - 00:04:12.800

about nine months of college, and I went in this program with the high hope that I could further my education and get more training. Training has not come up to what I had expected. Maybe my expectation was too high, but I was expecting this type of

00:04:12.810 - 00:04:37.200

training training that I could move on to high jobs and better education. So I think due to this was a cutbacks and cuts of programs that community had presented, which was still there. I can't see e fine. I'll go ahead. Yeah, I'm here. Uh, so the

00:04:37.210 - 00:04:57.800

community, uh, I lost my God, I would say you're talking about your own town education. Continue, e think, due to cutbacks and program, which the community had set up night after night and worked on which we had, uh, survey the community and come up with meaningful

00:04:57.800 - 00:05:13.150

program program that people wanted. So then we submitted the programs and then the hi structure, you know, on the board which was appointees, other mayor, we got full cooperation. And also, I hate to say it, but we didn't get any help from the matter at all

00:05:13.150 - 00:05:27.480

in the part of the program. So due to this way, were short changed. So therefore I did not get the expectation of the training program as way had thought purposes. Senator County, will you please proceed? Let me ask you this. You had a you had problems

00:05:27.480 - 00:05:47.630

and violence and disorder and lawlessness here about a year ago have the conditions that brought that about. They changed over the period of the last 12 months. That definitely not their conditions, uh, that were brought about did not happen just a year ago. This has been

00:05:47.630 - 00:06:02.640

something that has been building up over the What I'm asking you is whether those conditions that brought that about brought about the disorder that occurred at that period of time, whether over a period of last year, whether there have been improvements and changes, Would you change

00:06:02.640 - 00:06:22.680

those? No. I'm sorry to say no. Could you briefly outline what? What? You What people of the area consider the major problems which brought about these disorders and what we're that still needs still needs to be action taken. The major problem that brought about this change,

00:06:22.690 - 00:06:39.530

you would have to let me, uh, you know, go back a little bit. This did not happen overnight. This is something that has been handed down from 1954 When I came to San Francisco. The young people that was in this incident were born a T that

00:06:39.540 - 00:06:57.310

along about that time, these young men have grew up in this situation. Police brutality, poor schools, poor education, kick outs. Mostly they call them dropouts. But they kick out in hunters point. If you from Hunter's point you get no chance at all. I can only court

00:06:57.310 - 00:07:10.600

My daughter wouldn't even tell that she lived in Hunters Point because although she had a B plus, But if they don't know that she came upon this point, she would not have got the chance that she did get. So the Children lie about their addresses. They

00:07:10.600 - 00:07:25.270

will not tell that they live in her this point. So this is something that has grown up in the young people on this hostility. It was, You know, it's something that didn't happen overnight. Only thing the police killing the, uh what I'd like to call it

00:07:25.280 - 00:07:42.870

slaughter, uh, young man in the back. Then this brought this thing out, which was already there. There have been efforts within the community in San Francisco, Northern California, improved conditions, so that, yes, the efforts are being made every day and night, but I don't think we're

00:07:42.870 - 00:07:59.230

getting no place. The same old pattern, Same thing. People. Uh, sure that people are trying. We're working very hard. And if something is not done way, I'm sorry to say, but it just might not be so good this summer. Senator. Are this is one of the

00:07:59.240 - 00:08:22.500

few facilities that is available seven days a week for the people, the young people community to use. We have it, Uh, what is this thing? The condition of the housing and 100 point of a housing condition. And please be quiet. We can hear the answers with

00:08:22.510 - 00:08:38.340

housing conditions and hundreds point is so poor and has been over the years that that's reason why that we have a cooperation and we are planning. We're working awful hard to try to do something about the housing problem. We have a rehabilitation of proposal into the

00:08:38.340 - 00:08:53.320

great city now and way acting for $3500 to rehab the temporary housing that we that will last for the next five or six years. And they're telling us that this is a waste of money. So when it comes to human being, it's waste of money. But

00:08:53.320 - 00:09:08.790

we can spend billions of dollars in the main to the moon. So we act in this great the action this city to give us $350,000 to rehabilitate these places for people to have a decent place to live. The housing is just that bad. Who was the

00:09:08.800 - 00:09:23.640

Who owns that Housing 100 points. Well, it was a battle other day. Really? I don't think they know who on it. Uh, a housing authorities said they on it in the city think they own. So I really couldn't answer a city or the housing authority taking

00:09:23.640 - 00:09:51.960

any steps to improve the housing. Wait, they had. The San Francisco Public Housing Authority has had $2,000,000,200 billion. I believe it was, I'm not for sure, but anyway that have driven down to 400 some $1000. Have nothing been done for hundreds point? It's a clocks Senator

00:09:51.960 - 00:10:22.600

Kennedy. Senator Murphy remembers of the press, Ladies and gentlemen 1964 With the message Passage off the Economic Opportunity Act, The president and Congress declared a nation war on poverty. That ball program cause 3.5 a bilion. But the question remains. Is the war on poverty a war?

00:10:22.610 - 00:10:50.560

A melon skim ish you go on Poverty from its beginning has been troubled with the problems Are politicians on national and local levels, the involvement off maximum visible basis off the poor and the decision making process and the problems are not enough money to do the

00:10:50.570 - 00:11:14.720

job. The poverty programs, due to its mandate of involvement the poor and determine how much fun should be spent, has drawn a scare into politicians at all levels. Off the governor, a big city mayor fear the board that poor gaining power through the recognition off the

00:11:14.720 - 00:11:35.850

importance and development of our communities. The biggest fear only comes about when politicians are not awaken to the fact that in the past they have not been responsible to the needs of an overwhelming segment off our great city of population. But what they do not realize

00:11:35.860 - 00:11:58.830

is that the poor are not necessary and arrested in voting anyone out of office, but rather the poor wanted only to reshape those establishment, such as the Welfare Department, Housing Authority, Redevelopment Agency and others. We are charged by the privilege community to deal with the problem

00:11:58.830 - 00:12:20.950

of the poor. One would think that the frightened politician would be grateful to hear firsthand from the people who do educational, social and economic circumstances have remained mute for so many years. It's Washington. Do you live in 100 point? Yes, I do, sir. How long have

00:12:20.950 - 00:12:45.020

you lived here ever since 1944. Do you have a job? Yes, I do. Due to the poverty programs I see you have a family. Yes, I do. Non Children. Thank you. E on this point wasn't seen off a so called right which brought overnight big promises

00:12:45.030 - 00:13:13.210

from so called responsible elements off the community. May I call this city? More than 2000 jobs was promised when tensions when tensions ease and pressure sub died all on Lee. 130 jobs left in this resident. Once again the paying off hungry are being felt. Our young

00:13:13.220 - 00:13:30.930

people are looking for jobs and they are not. The eyes of our young men are expressing list and how they have nothing to do and no place to go. Joblessness is but one of the many cause of poverty. However, it is the one element which is

00:13:30.940 - 00:13:48.830

the most urgent fell effort to mobilize total community resource is have failed. This is why the fellow government must plan ever part and role in providing active funds to pop carry out mental poverty programs. The poverty program in Hunters Point have only begun to do the

00:13:48.830 - 00:14:07.170

job or bring a system of self help to 51,000 person living here. We have the health screening, uh, beyond health screening program, which you did a tremendous job in this community. And if the funds are not, if this program is not refunded, this community will suffer

00:14:07.180 - 00:14:28.360

much greater laws. During the past summer, 700 eighties to person was examined. The summer youth program was 312 boys that was went through This heads this health center 252 Head start. Children was seen about the screen and through the this taken care in the health facility.

00:14:28.740 - 00:14:46.750

159. Cooperative preschool. Nice. Your Children was seen 19 youth for service was enrolled 400 other individual Children. So you can see this is just a merrily scratch of the surface. What the poverty program have done for hundreds point. Miss Washington. I'm afraid that's all the time

00:14:46.750 - 00:15:01.580

we can. A lot to you, your whole statement. Better than full in the record. They're now here for Mrs Ruth Williams. I should like to say that I don't have a type written statement. I have to say what I know within my arm thoughts and within

00:15:01.580 - 00:15:16.460

my very interested in hearing problem, Miss Williams. But you're gonna have to confine yourself because we have so many witnesses to five minutes. Let me ask you first. You live here in Hunters Point. Yes, Ideo. How long have you lived here? Seven years. Are you employed?

00:15:17.040 - 00:15:41.650

Yes, I am. Where? Beg your bond. Where? My firm know where? What is your job? Where you Oh yes. I'm employed for the Planned Parenthood world Population agents. And how many Children do you have? Six face. Proceed. Uhh! But I am going Thio. Please be quiet

00:15:42.440 - 00:16:02.130

you can bring. I am going to try to speak about the positive aspects off the poverty program within the Hunters Point area. But first, I think I should have to tell you a little bit about how I came into the anti poverty program. I was one

00:16:02.130 - 00:16:23.010

of the first community residents to sit on the citywide anti Poverty Council. I was in the fight for majority representation because I believed in majority representation for the people, for the poor people within the areas to sit on the decision making body of the poverty program

00:16:23.020 - 00:16:45.260

in San Francisco true. There has been a lot of criticism about the anti poverty program in San Francisco, and I think this criticism has been mainly because of the fact that the poor were three policymakers for the anti poverty program within this area. Uhh. But if

00:16:45.260 - 00:17:03.940

one would take time to measure the positive things that have happened and I know about them in Hunters Point because I live here, um, there would not be so critical because I know that when the entire poverty program, uh, employment first start within this area on

00:17:03.940 - 00:17:24.890

a very skimpy budget that for the first time within this area there were welfare recipients going on to gainful employment. There were people who had been cooking and scrubbing floors that were qualified to do something mawr. But because of the fact that these people had been

00:17:24.890 - 00:17:45.800

discriminated against for so long, they had nothing else to do but do this type of work and to be underpaid and under employed. So we have any number ah, welfare recipients who have gone on to be gainfully employed within the anti poverty program. My name is

00:17:45.800 - 00:18:05.190

Suzanne Cook, and I am a representative of the youth from the baby community and the hundreds point district and live here. Miss Cook? Yes, I dio, baby, you have a job? No, I don't. Are you married? No, I am not. Go right ahead. Okay, Well, last

00:18:05.190 - 00:18:28.410

year, um, the federal, um sponsored ah summer youth program for about 12,000 youth. And to this date, there has seemed to be known no type of organization started for summer work program for the youth. And in about approximately 45 days or less, um, school be out.

00:18:28.420 - 00:18:45.060

There will be thousands of youth that will be out on the streets with nothing to do And with the youth of the Hunters point community are concerned with the situation way feel that this is an emergency and that all every one of the city and the

00:18:45.060 - 00:19:01.840

state and federal government should support us and some sort of, um, Dr or try to obtain some kind of funds to raise something to help you do something during the summer. Okay. And it's called. How old are you? I'm 18. How far are you going to

00:19:01.840 - 00:19:22.930

school? Right now? I'm attending college. Where are you college? I'm attending City College of San Francisco. graduating high school. Yes, I have. Thank you. And at this point, we think, actually, please be quiet. It's very hard for us to hear with the youth the turning point

00:19:22.940 - 00:19:40.090

feel that it is very necessary that everyone who is, um concerned with the problems of the trouble that goes on during the summer with restless students that have nothing to do without your help, there will be all play and no work. And probably some trouble during

00:19:40.090 - 00:19:54.360

the summer if we don't have some kind of program to get started. Thank you very much, Miss Smith. Here now. Yes, Miss. Miss Smith, can we hear from you, please? Fresh. Will you tell us where you live when you employed? Whether you're married. How many Children?

00:19:55.140 - 00:20:16.500

Yes. My name is Audrey Smith. I'm a widow. I have three Children. I live in the Western Addition. I'm a district organizer for the Western edition. Poverty programs. Where you employed? I didn't get it for the Western edition Poverty programs. Thank you. Please proceed. One of

00:20:16.500 - 00:20:42.160

the things that I would like to uh, talk about is the need of people programs we were fighting for Max Max fees, participation and we thought we had it. The people in the communities tried to put together programs that will all turn down. True, some of

00:20:42.160 - 00:21:00.340

the agency programs have been of some help, But I think on I feel from working in the poverty program for a year and a half is a volunteer and for a year and a half is a paid employee that the concern of the residents, uh, the

00:21:00.350 - 00:21:22.730

citizens in the target area is that they don't have programs that have been put together or requested by them, are you? I would like to see more funds come in for youth programs. I'm afraid that the five minutes would not permit me to tell you what

00:21:22.740 - 00:21:42.110

should be said regarding our poverty programs. I'll point out, Mr Brooks and you and I wrote around the car for a whole hour and you tell me all about it. So I would like to make three brief points. And since I have been deluged with persons

00:21:42.120 - 00:21:56.990

who had something to say, we have young people in our job corps centers. We have young people in the neighborhood youth corps. We have persons who are working in mental health areas, and all of these are very vital to us. But what I would like to

00:21:56.990 - 00:22:18.000

say as far as the program itself one thing. Most of the grants are shut such short determination that you cannot possibly implement them. An example. The Bayview Neighborhood Community Center, founded 12 years ago by the citizens of hundreds Point and, um maintained by them for this

00:22:18.000 - 00:22:35.240

time with volunteer staff, was given a six month grant. In that length of time, they were to staff it and prepared to continue and seek other funding. This gentleman is quite impossible because it takes six months almost the wheel to staff. Then we had to battle.

00:22:35.250 - 00:22:53.610

Our program was based around guidelines out of Oyo That said, uh, that time that we had to go into some area, even though we have been doing many services for years in some area that no other social agency was administering too. So we came up with

00:22:53.620 - 00:23:15.800

a tutorial cultural enrichment program which we found upon about a week or so before continued funding came up was not, uh, apropo anymore for program. So consequently, we had to try to change our program overnight, So we switched to a multipurpose facility, which we have been

00:23:15.800 - 00:23:33.070

all the time when all we had asked for in the beginning was funds in which to enable an existing agency within a poverty community that had been working with people for 12 years. To be able to continue and get a sound basis are at least a

00:23:33.080 - 00:23:51.330

financial basis from which to operate and service the community. The other area is that the memos that came out and their interpretations on the regional and the local levels, the fact that a memo comes out of Washington and may be interpreted many different ways before it

00:23:51.340 - 00:24:15.000

reaches people. Consequently, many times what we were operating under today, we found out tomorrow was not, um, tolerated anymore are that we were in violation of some part of the act. These things, we think need, uh, certain amount of clarification. My third point would be Is

00:24:15.000 - 00:24:33.310

that from the the top administration on down. And I was fortunate enough to have been in Washington a few months ago to find that the program, which professed to involve the poor, did not involve them on the top administrative levels, and I think that certainly they

00:24:33.310 - 00:24:50.350

had a lot to offer in reviewing programs. Along with the expertise we have our Planned Parenthood way have our men's action council. We have our busy bee nursery centers, one of which you see an example on the wall. I'll close this in just one minute. Uh,

00:24:50.740 - 00:25:10.540

and we have these things which we did not start in 1964. We did not start them in 1965 But we did start them in 1948 1954 1956 when there was not money, poverty programs started here, Um, right after the war, when we were faced with being

00:25:10.550 - 00:25:26.190

the first fired after being the last hired during the hostilities of the Second World War. Let me point out that this hearing is being conducted for the benefit of the people of this area on the member of the United States Senate and not for the benefit

00:25:26.190 - 00:25:46.620

of the television people way. Can't see uh, e them now I've got some lights around the side. Now I understand the television crews have taken all the plugs, which I'm I guess we're I guess we're sort of way sort of at the mercy of the media,

00:25:46.630 - 00:26:03.810

but we just have to do the best we can. If we could get some lights around the hall, then the witnesses could see the senators, the senators, instability across the street That is closed about 60% of the time. Uh, right directly across the street. Well, because

00:26:03.810 - 00:26:21.150

they claim that they don't have staff, they won't trust us. Operated on duh. Consequently stays there. We have youngsters on this corner as we had a year ago that are building up and with school getting out is gonna be a lot worse. I have a steady

00:26:21.150 - 00:26:38.680

stream of young people daily and adults coming through our office asking for jobs, assistance and help in various best Brooks. Excuse me, but Senator Kennedy is questioning witnesses, and I have no doubt in due course you get you way are working on a tight time schedule.

00:26:38.680 - 00:26:54.240

I please ask You just let Senator Kennedy continuous questioning in orderly manner. Senator Kennedy, Do you think there's been to much of Washington or the city fathers or City Hall or the state capital coming in and telling people what's good for them? Yes, I do, because

00:26:54.240 - 00:27:09.660

it's impossible for you to give me what I need unless you hear my needs coming from me. The whole concept of community action, community action, part of a program of poverty program is aimed at trying todo deal with that kind of a problem. Has that been

00:27:09.660 - 00:27:29.810

successful? Yeah, I think the idea of community action three idea of community action programs was try to have the people themselves, that poor themselves involved in dealing with these kind of problems. Do you think that's been successful? It has been successful, but not enough. One of

00:27:29.810 - 00:27:46.670

the good things about the program in Oakland when a part of the program came along, I think he gave a new hopes for people that here was something that we're going to do something about the conditions under which people were living. Do you want hopes were

00:27:46.670 - 00:28:05.050

buildup? What? The interception of the program. It was got together, first of all, without the consultation with the poor. And I think this is one of the bad things about the program way. Understand the Constitution, any at all. It says for the people and by the

00:28:05.060 - 00:28:22.030

people. But this program has got together and the poor people are tired of people planning for them and not planning with them. We find that some of the other bad things about the program we didn't realize the fact that there were so many specialists and analysts

00:28:22.030 - 00:28:37.890

and super analysts in in our city until some money came in to do something about the poor. All of a sudden, everybody become especially, it's about the conditions of the poor. We realize the fact that nobody but nobody could be a specialist about the poor. I

00:28:37.890 - 00:28:50.220

don't care how many books you read and how many degrees you get in college, uh, reading about the poor. But unless you are poor yourself or have been poor, then you cannot be a special about the conditions of the poor. So this is one of the

00:28:50.220 - 00:29:05.990

things about but one of the good things that brought about some of the good things that brought about. And this is one that, over and beyond, everything it bought the poor people together, if nothing else. But we feel that at this particular time in Oakland, if

00:29:06.000 - 00:29:20.270

we had more money to do things with, we could do a better job with the cutback of the money that just isn't enough money available to do the things that we need. Thio be happening that need to be happening in Oakland. Mr. Williams, let me interrupt

00:29:20.270 - 00:29:31.970

you for a moment to ask you a couple of questions. I should have asked you in the beginning. How long have you lived in Oakland? 17 years. Are you married? I am. I have a wife and five boys and three girls on working for the federal

00:29:31.970 - 00:29:44.190

government for 24 years. What is your job of the federal government? I'm a truck driver. How far do you go in school? I finished high school. I have take junior high school. I've taken several courses in training and working with youngsters. Thank you very much. So

00:29:44.190 - 00:30:02.830

Well, you proceed. And private property been in Oakland ever since. There has been a Negro in Oakland way. Feel that with the this, I could call it this bureaucracy that we have in Oakland. Our city, Father, The way they run things in Oakland, and as long

00:30:02.830 - 00:30:19.120

as they run things the way they are, there's gonna always be poverty in Oakland. Now the money comes to Oakland and we feel that the poverty money would be better spent if there were more of the poor people involved in the policy making decisions on the

00:30:19.120 - 00:30:33.270

top side. When I say the top side of them about to save before you interrupting the senator was that when the program first got together in Oakland, it was got together without the poor. We had something known in Oakland. At that time, I think it was

00:30:33.270 - 00:30:50.530

known as the associating associated agencies, and we had representatives from the different departments of our city. And when this first million dollars came into Oakland, I think they formulated what was known then as the call now the Department of Human Resource of the Sea. And it

00:30:50.530 - 00:31:08.010

was trauma lated without any of the poor people sitting on that body. But after the program got together and all of the policies were made and of course, the sale was set. Then they found out they had to have the poor people involved in this, uh,

00:31:08.020 - 00:31:24.530

on this way, D C body and West Oakland happened to be the first area that happened to get this Target Error advisory committee together. And at that time, I think we first had three people two seats to setting in one alternate, but their voices was not

00:31:24.540 - 00:31:39.340

very much of a voice at that particular time. They were just sitting there to approve what had already been approved. We should say, because of the fact that they had set the policy up, how things were going to be going and whether they voted, whether the

00:31:39.340 - 00:31:52.710

34 target areas at that time, whether the 12 people were sitting there, whether they voted against it, it didn't make any difference because they were already going to do what it was going to do anyway. How are you, Mr Low? 45. Are you married? Yes. How

00:31:52.710 - 00:32:09.900

bigger? Family. Three Children. Do you have a job? No, I don't. How far do you go in school? I went to high school and tender Naval Naval ship. Better school. Are you un relief at the present time? Are you un relief? Uh, no, I'm not. How

00:32:09.900 - 00:32:23.980

do you How do you pay for groceries and your rent? Uh, it's kind of difficult question, but the way I pay it, actually, at the present time, the reason why I'm not working at this very moment is because I was injured. on the job you get,

00:32:23.990 - 00:32:42.610

you get compensation. Well, I was kind of complicated. No, I get part conversation because it has not been a decided yet by the federal government who was hearing my case downtown. So, uh, it's not fully about. Just tell us what you think is right. And what's

00:32:42.610 - 00:33:00.050

wrong about the poverty program in Oakland? Well, I feel one thing as I said that I have lived here in a long time, and these area that I have been a poor person and developed lived in the area. And the first thing that I feel the

00:33:00.060 - 00:33:24.550

probably program has done a tremendous job in bringing together for the first time poor people from the community to try to determine their destiny. And this has developed a sort of pride within the community. There are many people within the community or at the present time,

00:33:24.550 - 00:33:42.400

and I feel that the city, the city directors and so forth do not understand this and are trying to block this particular thing. This these developments are taking place in the area where the poor people feel that they have some chance to make to determine their

00:33:42.400 - 00:34:00.260

own destiny and become part of the policy making body has improved the situation. I think in the city in the city of Oakland, 100% there are many what I feel that some of the main weaknesses of the program, what I feel is one of some of

00:34:00.260 - 00:34:20.510

the main weaknesses of the program. So we can hear you now. You're doing fine before I'm Lomas Rich, and he's doing reveal that some of the main weakness of the program is that there has not been enough effort being made to help. The small industries are

00:34:20.510 - 00:34:40.310

a small business people within the community to get some of the benefits which will also help the poor people. What I mean by that is that's a small doctor's office. He would be able to maybe employed a person full time if he had a chance for

00:34:40.320 - 00:34:55.500

among the manpower commission something to get subsidies to start this person to help the race, uh, subsidize this person's work for a while, and while he was getting started, then he would be able to employ this person full time. The person will be offered the relief

00:34:55.510 - 00:35:10.690

roles or wherever there is for good. For example, there is a manpower commission the city has which asked the federal building for millions of dollars. There is not one single poor person. Even though the OTC has 51% That's on the Manpower Commission. I don't know how

00:35:10.690 - 00:35:23.840

the city, uh, justifies this yet. They make the whole approach for how we're supposed to get the money and how it will spend. Nobody has any say, you know, and, uh, they want a matter of fact, they don't want t o D c They have anything

00:35:23.840 - 00:35:38.670

to do with that? They wanna they wanna take it over, Which would be perfectly maybe. Okay, at least we had some say We have no say whatsoever on the Manpower Commission. That's one good example way have the another thing that's come along like the model city

00:35:38.670 - 00:35:54.620

is coming along. Well, this again, I think we should have mawr determination as to the question of what? You know what? The board's gonna doas faras. Thank you very much, Mr Low. All the problems that have been mentioned up to this time actually concerns the Spanish

00:35:54.620 - 00:36:13.800

speaking people. Besides one other factor besides being poor, they also have the problem of communications with the agencies and programs. Language Problem. A tous point. I think the problem is not the Spanish speaking people, but the agencies themselves. They do not speak Spanish and cannot reach

00:36:13.800 - 00:36:30.120

these people. Could you give us an estimate as to how many people live in Oakland who do not speak English? I could not say how Maney do not speak English. There is an estimated 60,000 speak Spanish in Oakland. Most of them are bilingual, though, aren't they?

00:36:30.330 - 00:36:48.450

I couldn't say I could give you a number from bilingualism or monolingual losing, but the poverty program is finally beginning to reach these people. There are several projects now in existence in Oakland. The Spanish Speaking Information Center, which is, uh, to date, has helped 3100 people.

00:36:49.330 - 00:37:07.820

Spanish speaking people. Uh, there is another project now that will has not been funded yet or the funds have not been reached yet. This is for higher education of Spanish speaking high school Children and also the Spanish speaking neighborhood organization with only two staff persons. Um,

00:37:07.830 - 00:37:27.460

this is approximately $70 but these projects are greatly understaffed for the amount of people that need the help in Oakland. One other project that has been helping the Spanish speaking in Oakland is the SPDC, which is a the Oakland Small Business Development Center. And today they

00:37:27.460 - 00:37:50.880

have granted nine loans to Spanish speaking persons and have created 68 new jobs. But this project has been phased out. Now in Oakland, One of the major concerns of the Spanish speaking people is the unemployment. You tell us why that program was phased out. Um, I

00:37:50.890 - 00:38:04.030

couldn't see why. I'd like to know why myself e was one of the persons that benefited from this program. This project. Did you inquire why it was phased out? Yes. And it, as far as I know, it went back to S B A. That it was

00:38:04.040 - 00:38:23.580

what? They're changing their policies. This is the question of making loans, huh? Yes. Thistles nationwide on I deplore it. We're going to see we can do to get it back and order again. Like I mentioned, all those 99 loans are 68 new jobs created bad, and

00:38:23.580 - 00:38:42.160

this is one of the projects is greatly helped The Spanish speaking in Oakland, presently 18% of the Spanish speaking citizens in Oakland are unemployed, I guess a lot more underemployed, aren't they? Yes, definitely. On increasing the population is not shown an increase in jobs and open

00:38:42.200 - 00:39:04.150

A major concern at this time is jobs employment. They believe they can help themselves by having fair employment. Three projects I mentioned are helping to great extent. But again, these projects are understaffed and more funds needed me. The one big problem that very few people seem

00:39:04.150 - 00:39:23.460

to realize programs, agencies is that these people have the problem in the communications in a great deal of them are non English speaking on whether it be good or bad. But this is a problem. This exists right now. The language problem. We've got a problem. Oakland

00:39:23.460 - 00:39:43.950

has an outstanding militant Spanish speaking community leadership that are ready to work with projects if the funds were available. These are only a few of the projects that are in existence now, but more funds are needed to create more projects. Proposals have been written. Proposals have

00:39:43.950 - 00:40:01.860

been submitted but not being funded. And again, this is the big problem. One of you, uh, make some comments on the whole concept of urban renewal on the question of moving people out of housing units and then building new housing units. I understand you had a

00:40:01.870 - 00:40:17.490

housing unit. The acorn. Is that housing units in the Oakland where the people have not been moved back or having there's no housing found for them? Is that correct? That is correct, Urban, and you'll in My book is, but the old fella says that they go

00:40:17.490 - 00:40:31.120

to the end of the rainbow and you find a part of gold. That's just about what it is in Oakland with Urban and you and model City. What you're saying, Mr Williams, is that there isn't any part of gold, aren't you? That's exactly what I'm saying.

00:40:31.120 - 00:40:46.460

You just keep going. And this is what that that is the way it is with the people that have been moved out of their homes are in West Oakland. If you would take a tour of West Oakland, you see the barren land now before redevelopment came

00:40:46.460 - 00:41:03.450

along, Uh, it was told to the public bother city fathers. They had them believing that industrial and everybody else was lying up, waiting to, uh, rebuild this property and put industrial down there and do all this modernistic building and what have you and today has nothing

00:41:03.460 - 00:41:17.110

been done? Now they took people's home, and these people that were moved out of their homes were old people on fixed incomes and getting maybe 2 $300 a month. Their homes were paid for. They had a house and two lots in the city. Whoever bought it

00:41:17.110 - 00:41:32.980

gave them maybe $1200 at $12,000 at the most for a house and two lots and told the house off the lot. So one lots of 25 $30,000 And as long as we owned property in West Oakland today is valued Aziz, long as you have it. But

00:41:32.980 - 00:41:43.880

as soon as they push you out and run you out, all of a sudden, that goes up. And if you have been in West Oakland yesterday you saw and maybe you looked on television yesterday afternoon, you probably so be a rapid transit, forcing the lady out

00:41:43.880 - 00:41:59.500

of her home. Uh, this is bad model cities. Another nasty thing in our book because of the fact that it has been planned without the poor. Now, with the understanding that we have a model city is that on day one of planning for model city, the

00:41:59.500 - 00:42:17.170

community must be involved. Now they say that they've contacted 500 people in West Oakland about model city, and truthful Matter is, they haven't contacted anybody. So redevelopment is bad and what we want, and what we need is a non opportunity to fix up our properties. In

00:42:17.170 - 00:42:30.770

West opened the only thing that we could get a permit for from City Hall to do about our property in West Oakland. Put roof gutters, steps, windows and doors on our homes, and they won't allow us even right now, you have insurance on your house in

00:42:30.770 - 00:42:44.730

West Oakland. Burned down. They will not the insurance company. I want to build a house back. They'd rather pay you off, running out of West open with you all agree that that's been a problem. One of the things that, uh, redevelopment does way have beautiful training.

00:42:44.730 - 00:42:57.440

Such Connick started coming through Oakland. There are highways that coming through Oakland on the people who are really are affected by is the senior citizens. There are a lot of poor people who are not able to buy another house. So in the meantime, he has to

00:42:57.450 - 00:43:09.500

try to read. Do you think the idea of rent of renovation is a zit exists on the title one? Perhaps you don't know all the details of it. But do you think that the concept of renovation, rather than carrying it down and building new housing press

00:43:09.500 - 00:43:28.610

makes more sense in some areas? E. I think renovation, actually I think, is probably one of the real answers. I think it also under the probably program and under the ideas that certain some of the places are, people don't have the mind Thio fix them up.

00:43:29.070 - 00:43:45.460

And again, I think that if certain kind of subsidies could be given for renovating these homes that way could make a very beautiful city out of out of the City of Oakland. Out of that. Do you think housing program in the past has been mostly for

00:43:45.470 - 00:44:02.450

middle income and upper income? Yes, the idea. And I also feel that they should be, you know, definitely developments along the lines of cooperative homes toe build by because when a person owns a home, or at least there maybe never own it, they think they're gonna

00:44:02.450 - 00:44:18.610

on it anyway. When they are paying for it. They think they're gonna own. At least they feel it until that time that they may own it. They'll keep it up better and so forth from the witnesses we heard this morning. A very substantial unrest, guerrilla dissatisfaction,

00:44:18.990 - 00:44:37.740

various poverty programs. A strong insistence that there should be more participation. The poor. I like to point out, however, that we deliberately hell the panels this morning to give the representatives of the poor on opportunity to present their case. Thats afternoon. We will be hearing from

00:44:37.740 - 00:44:58.980

the Mayor's of Oakland and, I hope, San Jose, San Francisco, from the other individuals in what is called sometimes the establishment, sometimes the power structure to get their views, the situation. This has to be a balanced inquiry. I wouldn't be prepared to draw any conclusions until

00:44:58.980 - 00:45:17.170

I come to the end of the day. Senator, your well, your recommendations have any effect on the total amount of appropriations for the poverty war. They a longer range things. Uh, we're riding two horses at once, and it's very difficult when we conclude our country wide

00:45:17.180 - 00:45:37.770

hearings three end of this month. We will then proceed back to Washington, where we will hold hearings on the administration's amendments to the Poverty Act for 1967 we'll have to process that bill, which includes a request for North or ization by the president of $2,000,000,006 million.

00:45:37.780 - 00:45:54.130

I point out, however, that that's only the authorization. Our subcommittee and the Labor Committee generally is a building a more favorable of the poverty program than the appropriations committees are. As you know, the appropriation was cut last year on May be again. I would not have

00:45:54.140 - 00:46:13.670

any really, uh, authoritative views as to what the result is going to be in processing that legislation. But our primary long range objective is to come out with a comprehensive report towards the end of this year on the whole poverty program, which will be broader in

00:46:13.670 - 00:46:34.910

scope on, I hope, more definitive than any action we can take in connection with the legislation on the Poverty Act amendments for 1967. I do think that San Francisco is singularly blast in its capability for providing adequate housing. That doesn't mean that the housing here on

00:46:34.910 - 00:46:52.880

the point isn't inadequate. Of course it ISS. But if you were to see some of the housing conditions in Mississippi, in New York City, on in the District of Columbia. I think you would feel that you were pretty fortunate here, even though I stress the fact

00:46:53.000 - 00:47:08.360

that obviously there's a lot of substandard housing in San Francisco Simitian as to whether or not there will be any major change recommended in the poverty war program. Well, as you know, the administration bill completely rewrites titled One entitled to the act. There are a number

00:47:08.360 - 00:47:21.820

of changes made in other titles. All this will have to be very carefully evaluated not only by the Senate subcommittee, but by the committee over in the House as well. I don't think any of us know my colleagues will speak for themselves just what the nature

00:47:21.820 - 00:47:36.500

of the legislation, if any, will come out. There is a school of thought which thinks that no poverty program can survive the new House of Representatives. I hope that's wrong. Senators from the testimony we've heard here today, they seem to want to things number one more

00:47:36.500 - 00:48:09.540

money and number two more saying how that money is going to be spent. Jobs and jobs. Sorry. Ah e what That means we just to make you believe me a copy. Just replace this is it. And he was with me and in your administration to housing

00:48:09.550 - 00:48:26.810

projects you visited in the bill more and in the Hunter sport area today. Well, as I said earlier, I thought that the first housing project that we visited was he's very fine. Yeah, so adequate, Satisfactory housing. Everybody would like to live in a better house, but

00:48:26.810 - 00:48:41.780

it was very satisfactory. Second housing development we visit. The particular apartment we visited was very nice. It was a lot of inadequate, substandard housing in the area. I think that there was a lot of that area in space that is being wasted. So I think that

00:48:41.790 - 00:48:56.390

people are concerned and rightfully concerned about the fact that with the city government over the public housing authority, owning that property and owning that housing, that improvements should be made. I think they're also rightfully concerned about what will happen when that housing is torn down, as

00:48:56.390 - 00:49:12.940

it must be. What's going to happen to them and with any any arrangements are going to be made for them is to where they could live and whether they could stay in that area. Is there any doubt in your mind i e United States prosecute war

00:49:12.940 - 00:49:30.990

in Vietnam, A successful war against poverty? E I think all of us agree. And Senator Murphy, chairman of the committee, Senator Clark and myself, we all agree that we have to meet this responsibility, that this program is well worthwhile there, perhaps aspects of the program that

00:49:31.570 - 00:49:49.200

we don't think Kara's effective as they might be. But that philosophy and the idea behind the program committing the participation of the poor of meeting our responsibilities Thio as a government in a society thio those who are less well off is essential in this country that

00:49:49.210 - 00:50:04.820

way our responsibilities in Vietnam, in Southeast Asia. But we also have our responsibilities to our own people here in the United States. And I think we all agree in that those responsibilities, they're going to be discharged. Senator Kennedy, do you believe that the, uh, Senator Kennedy,

00:50:04.830 - 00:50:17.440

Do you believe that the war on poverty is in danger of bogging down? Much of the civil rights movement is bogged down in about the past year. No, I don't think it's gonna be bogged down as I say that way. Think that there are aspects of

00:50:17.440 - 00:50:36.320

the program which could be strengthened. There are aspects of the program which is well worthwhile, and perhaps some areas which should be changed. This concludes KQED s special telecast of the hearings of the United States Senate Committee on Employment and, uh, poverty and being held in

00:50:36.320 - 00:50:51.300

San Francisco today. Tomorrow the committee will be at the Parks Job Corps center and in Stockton. They will conclude their hearings late this month and it is out of 10 or 12 hearings such as this that whatever new directions are to come in, the poverty program

00:50:51.310 - 00:50:55.690

will be defined and eventually enacted by Congress. Thank you very much and good night.