New leadership expected on riot commission

Monday, April 10th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- The man who has led the Tulsa Race Riot Commission from its first meeting said Monday he intends to step down as chairman, a move enabling him "to speak up as a historian" as the panel resumes its work.

Bob Blackburn said his busy schedule as executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society prompted his decision.

He also wanted to be able to speak as a historian without the constraints of the chairmanship.

"I need the freedom to debate as a historian," he said.

The commission, which was extended last week by new legislation, likely will resume its investigation into the 1921 racial clash in a few weeks, Blackburn said. The panel has until Feb. 28, 2001, to finish its work and submit a final report.

The group has spent two years investigating the violence that occurred May 31, 1921, between blacks and whites.

Its authorization ran out earlier this year under the state's "sunset" law but not before the commission recommended payments to living survivors and descendants of those whose property was damaged in the riot.

Historians believe as many as 300 people, mostly blacks, died in the violence that destroyed the city's black business district.

Blackburn said the panel must determine the format for its final report, decide whether more data must be gathered and come to
conclusions on findings of fact.

He plans to continue to serve on the commission. A new chairman will be chosen from among commission members, he said.

Blackburn was elected executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society in July after serving nine years as deputy director.