Evening star., 1941-11-02
banneker Center
May Be Used for
Co|ored Soldiers
But Tentative Plans Sti
Protest Against Tokine
Playground Facilities

Tentative plans TO use the Banne-
ker Recreation Center as a club
house and dormitory for colored
soldiers on leave were included last
night in a program to establish COL
ored recreation facilities ,here on
lines parallel with those for white
soldiers.
Hugh Wolter. executive director
of the District Defense Recreation
Service. said the program is being
planned with a view to utilize avail
able agencies as emergency accom-
modations for colored troops
The Banneker center, he said. is
not used by youngsters during the
winter because the swimming pool
is closed for the season and the
field house is unheated He said
the Federal Works Agency is draw
ing plans to remodel the fields house
, to include heating. showers. and to
equip two large recreation rooms.
one as a clubroom and the other
as lodging quarters capable Of hand
ling so to 100 men a night at cost
of so cents each.
Use of Center Assailed.
Use of the Bannaker center In
this manner was assalled by Edgar
G. Brown president of the United
Government Employees. on the
ground that there is no authority
for using District playground facili-
ties for such purpose.
Mr. Brown said resolution passed
at recent meeting OF the U. G.. E.
protested against alleged discrimi-
nation and demanded that under
the community facilities law,
through which appropriations are
being used for a new recreation CEN
ter at the Gunter Building. 90l
Pennsylvania avenue for white SOL
diers. it would be mandatory to
provide facilities "on the basis OF
need
Mr.. Brown said no funds were
available now for accommodating
colored soldiers. and that unless
equal facilities We're provided in an
other building, his organization
would insist that colored soldiers
be permitted also to use the Penn
| sylvania avenue center.
The Rock Greek Civic Association
has sent letter to District officials.
Mr.. Brown announced. protesting
| against use of the Banneker Center,
and insisting that it was needed by
colored children. and by the colored
civilian population. The letter, Mr..
Brown said, was signed by DR.. Her.
bert c. Marshall, president of the
D. c. branch of the National Asso-
citation for Advancement of Colored
People
New Committee Set In.
Mr.. WOlter announced tnat
several days ago committee had
been set up called the Co
ordinating Committee for Activities
OF Colored Troops" to provide for a
program and activities to utilize
available agencies in the city in
| the defense program for the advan-
tage of colored soldiers .on leave.
Facilities for overnight lodging
for colored soldiers are already
available, Mr.. Wolter explained at
the Anacostia Leave Area in Ana
costa Park. and for white soldiers
at the Arlington Leave Area, in
Arlington County, near the Potomac
River.
Although estimating there are
about IS, 400 white soldiers in nearby
military posts. and about 4,600
colored soldiers, his Office, Mr.
Wolter said. is planning to spend
the same money for operating the
facilities for colored soldiers as for
white soldiers.
The reinodeled Banneker center
will remain for use of the colored
civilian population after the emer-
gency is over, Mr.. Wolter explained
but the Gunton Building will not be
continued as recreation center
| for whites.