Evening star., 1941-11-15
Meeting Recommend,
z Army Centers Here,
No Race Segregation
Would Accept Banneker
Only Under Protest,
CoIored Leaders Soy

CoIoEed Leaders Soy
Discussing at length facilities for
colored soldiers on leave in Washing
ton. a group Of representatives of
several colored organizations yester-
day afternoon adopted a resolution
recommending that two different
recreation centers be developed
here, to be manned by both white
and colored personnel, and that both
centers be open to all service men
regardless of race or color.
The group, meeting at 110l M
street NV, had been called together
by Hugo Wolter. director Of recrea-
ton for the District Defense Coun-
Gil.
Mr.. Wolter, after conference with
an advisory committee on recrea-
tional activities for colored troops.
previously had announced plans to
develop a building at 9Ol Pennsyl-
vania avenue for white soldiers and
Banneker field house for colored
troops. The latter had met with
objection.
Segregation Protested.
Several speakers Yesterday pro-
tested segregation. First q resolu-
ton was adopted fatty opposing
Banneker. but finally a substitute
motion by the Rev. J. H. Jernagin,
pastor Of Mount Carmel Baptist
Church, was adopted, declaring,
1--WE object to Banneker, but we will
accept it only If no equal or better
facilities are available" This was
with the understanding that both
centers be available to both white
and colored troops.
Mr.. Wolter announced he would
report the result of the meeting to
the executive group Of the Com
mittee on Welfare and Consumer
Interest of the Civilian Defense
Council, of which Robert Bondy is
chairman
James w. Geater, special recrea-
ton representative of the Federal
Security Agency, who had surveyed
the situation and reported TO the
meeting that Banneker apparently
had been acceptable, asked that
the soldier be not made the center
OF controversy over other issues
He regretted more colored leaders
had not been called in on the mat
ter earlier. He said afterward he
would report to the Federal Security
Agency on the meeting asking F. S
A. to withhold judgment on the Dis
trict of Columbia situation until
further formal action comes from
District authorities.
To Ask Federal Aid.
Mr.. Geater said he would recon-
mend that the District recreation
service still should be given consid
Grafton for an ALLEGATION Of funds
from the sl5OoOO,o0O Community
Facilities Act.
Mr.. Wolter said about S1OO. 900 still
was available for reconditioning the
Gunton Building on Pennsylvanis
avenue and for installing heat and
other facilities in the Banneker
Building. Though the time limit for
use of the fund had been passed, he
said, 1t had been extended tempo
rarily.
Mrs. Thelma Williams, president
Of Pleasant Plains Civic Association
protested on behalf of her organiza-
| ton against recently published
statSaents by Mr. Wolter and by
Prof. T. j. Anderson OF Howard Uni
versity to the effect that the Ban
neker f1eldhouse had been a rem
devious for vandals" Prof. Ander-
son, who presided and explained his
previous recommendation favorine
development of Banneker, said bows
had broken into the place and stoler
| property, but he withdrew the rem
devious phrase. Mr.. Wolter agreed
to this.
The resolution declaring center.
should be manned by personnel Of
both races, and be open to all sol.
diers was made by the Rev. Mr.
Jernagin. and supported by sew.
eral from the floor. including DR.
c. Herbert Marshall, jr.. and DR.
Howard Long, assistant superin.
tendent Of schools. 1t was passee
unanimously.
U. G. E. Against Banneker.
q. Edgar Brown. president of tn
United Government Employees, an
nounced today that his organiza
tlon, meeting in Garnett- Patterson
School last night, reiterated its op
position to the use of Banneker TO
soldiers. He insisted that the Gov
ernment had taken no white play
grounds or facilities for soldiers an,
should not take Banneker, whic]
was built for use by colored person.
Mr.. Brown said he had not bee]
notified of the meeting yesterday a
ll0l M street, which discussed tn
problem.