same time
lesser but noticeable progress was reported in Titles II and III
cases. In the first off-base inventory some 145 installations in
twenty states had reported widespread discrimination in nearby
restaurants, hotels, bars, bowling alleys, and other Title II
businesses; forty installations in nine states reported similar
discrimination in libraries, city parks, and stadiums (Title III
categories). Each succeeding inventory reported impressive reductions
in these figures.

[Footnote 23-41: Memo, Timpane (Staff Asst) for
Shulman, DASD (CP, IR, & CR), 11 Feb 65, sub:
Service Reports on Equal Rights Activities, ASD (M)
291.2.]

Defense Department officials observed that the amount of progress
depended considerably on the size of the base, its proximity to the
local community, and the relationship between the commander and local
leaders. Progress was most notable at large bases near towns. The
influence of the Civil Rights Act on cases involving servicemen was
also readily apparent. But above all, these officials pointed to the
personal efforts of the local commander as the vital factor. Many
commanders were able to use the off-base inventory itself as a weapon
to fight discrimination, especially when the philosophy of "if (p. 593)
everybody else desegregates I will" was so prevalent. Nor could the
effect of commanders' achievements be measured merely in terms of
hotels and restaurants open to black servicemen. The knowledge that
his commander was fighting for his rights in the community gave a
tremendous boost to the black serviceman's morale. It followed that
when a commander successfully forced a change in the practices of a
business establishment, even one only rarely frequented by servicemen,
he stirred a new pride and self-respect in his men.[23-42]

[Footnote 23-42: For discussion of command initiatives
and black morale, see Memo, DASD (CR) for Under SA
et al., 25 May 64, sub: Off-Base Equal Opportunity
Inventories; Fitt, "Remarks Before Civilian Aides
Conference of the Secretary of the Army," 6 Mar 64;
Memo, DASD (CR) for Burke Marshall, Dept of
Justice, 20 Mar 64, sub: The Civil Rights of Negro
Servicemen. Copies of all in CMH.]

_The Limits of Voluntary Compliance_

If the