The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1939-09-16


black. have demonstrated their ap-
proval of the Junior Intelligence
Bureau program. Last spring. when
the schedule OF games was prepar-
ed. the directors OF the league
found themselves with more than
three hundred applications Of
teams TO enter competition. which
they were compelled to turn down.
on account OF inadequate facilities.
They were able 10 accommodate 254
teams in a schedule OF games
throughout Wayne County. This
number included Il colored teams
and JIG teams that have colored
members.
Negro youth from various parts
OF Wayne County have been eager
participants in this program From
Highland Park. Hamtramck East
Side. West Detroit. and North End.
teams were entered into competitio"
for the league championship. In the
season of 1898, this coveted hon
or was won by colored team, the
Wolves. with headquarters at
Grand Boulevard and McGraw.
Rev. Peck 4 Director
Prosecutor Duncan McCrea. found
er OF the ]. I. p. program. appoint
ed the Rev William H. Peck to
the directorate in the early life OF
the league. 1t began operation four
years ago. II was Mr.. McCrea's
plan TO combat the rapid rise Of
Juvenile delinquency through this
organization. This alarming social
condition was reflected In crime
statistics all over the country.
The recreation and character
building program. as embodied in
the j. l. p. program. was Prosecu-
tor McCrea's answer to this con-
dition. Heinrich Pickert police
commissioner OF Detroit. is the de-
putty commissioner OF the organiza-
fion. Harry Colburn is executive
director, and Mr.. McCrea, the
founder. These two serve as chief
commissioners l.. f. Colburn. exc
cutive secretary OF the league, in
speaking OF the policies OF the ].
!. b. organization declared IL 10 be
open TO all. without regard to race.
creed or color. and that this policy
has been steadfastly adhered 10
during the four years OF its exis-
tcnce.
On the whole this has been true.
as applied to the Negro contestants.
Yet. there are evidence OF bad de-
cisions by umpires. that seem pur-
poseful 10 many OF the boys. TO take
games away from them The col
ored boys would like TO see some
OF their own in positions as UNI
pires. They believe there are some
colored men who are capable OF
giving fair decisions uninnuenced
by their racial identity with some
OF the players.
Bad Decisions Cause Defeat
The Niagaras. who had won every
game played in the ] l. p. league,
up to the last game in the semi
finals. blamed their defeat upon n
bad decision. This team was man
aged by an adult leader Willie
Williams. who took n deep interest
in the boys and made, every sacri-
flee to make the J y program
successful
The citizens OF this community
formed an organization to back mp
the work and give it wider appli-
cation among the youth OF the
community This team believes that
II would have won The champion
ship. but for bad decision on tie
Northwestern playing field
The local committee are now so
organized as to prevent another
recurrence OF defeat based upon
such a decision rs occurred in the
case OF the Niagara team.
Four Teams In Semi Finals
There were four teams in the
semi-fnals this year. including the
Niagaras. OF Highland Park the
Flames. of Sherrard school, Cam
eran street; the Foxes, OF Bar
stow school. Clinton. and the
Buckeyes. OF ST. Michael school,
McGraw and Boulevard. These four
teams were successful competitors
until the last week Of the league
play in the J. |. b. soft ball circuit
The success OF tho colored teams
in athletic competition aud the
number gr teams taking part. have
earned the backing of large num-
bers of public spirited citizens.
to aid and encourage colorcd
youth. because Of the merit Of the
| program.
The adult leader gives all Of his
lime and much OF lts own money
10 carry out the league program.
Others have form, ! themselves into
bodies 10 back M ie work of these
adult leaders. Thi program reach
as all the boys between thirteen