Evening star., 1941-11-22
S25,860 Allotment
Speeds Recreation
Center for Soldiers
Use of Bonneker Unit
For CoIored Troops
Meets New Protests

Hugo w. Wolter, director of recre-
alton for the District Civilian De-
fense Council, plans to go forward
with development of the Gunton
Building, Ninth street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue NV, as a recreation
center for soldiers on leave, he an
nounced today following approval by
President Roosevelt yesterday of an
allotment of SIS, $3.50 for rental, main-
tenance and operation. Previously
SIG, 200 had been granted to remodel
the building and equip it.
Meanwhile plans are being held in
abeyance on the proposed develop
ment of the Banneker Recreation
Center, which is being opposed by
certain colored leaders as a recre-
alton center for colored troops.
Money still would be available for
Banneker, Mr.. Wolter explained,
under the recommendation of the
Federal Security Agency to the Fed
eral Works Agency that $1,000 be
spent in Washington during the
year for recreation centerS. Each
item must be approved specifically
by the President. he explained. after
approval by the Federal Works
Agency.
Segregation Charged.
These developments followed a
meeting yesterday afternoon of the
Co-ordinating Committee on Recre-
ational Activities for Colored Troops
of the District Civilian Council of
Defense at 1l01 M street. headquar-
tiers Of the Council of Social Agen-
cies.
The Co-ordinating Committee,
headed by Prof T. j. Anderson of
Howard University. had surveyed the
situation and selected Banneker
Field House as the place to develop
a recreation center for colored SOL
diers on leave. Protest against the
use of Banneker for this purpose
was made at the meeting yesterday
by Edgar G. Brown. president of
United Government Employees, who
has been opposing Banneker on
several grounds. He told the meet
ing that protests already had been
registered with Federal Security Ad-
ministrator Paul V. McNutt, against
use of Banneker, and that delega-
ton planned to see President Roose-
welt about the matter. The COM
munity facilities law under which
funds are being granted to Wash
ington, he insisted, provides recre-
alton buildings shall be selected on a
basis of need, and that there shall
be no discrimination as to race.
color or creed
When Chairman Anderson asked
Mr.. Brown to serve as chairman of
a committee to select a better site
than Banneker, Mr.. Brown re-
fused, saying that was the respon-
s.bility of the Co-ordinating Com
mittee and Defense Council. Mr..
Brown protests no white school
centers are being taken for soldier
recreation, and it is discrimination
to take a colored school and re-
creation center. He announced
plans for a meeting of protest
against use of Banneker to be held
at 3 pm tomorrow at Shiloh Bap- |
tist Church, Ninth and streets !
NV. The Rev. c. T. Murray will |
speak.
Favors Two Centers.
The Rev w. H. Jernagin leiter- |
ated his position, taken last week /
at hearing on the Banneker Gen.
ter, that he favors two different |
recreation centers, each 70 be open |
to soldiers of all races and to be |
operated by both white and COL |
ored personnel He objected to the
use of Banneker unless nothing
equal or better can be found
The Rev. Robert Williams. pastor |
of Asbury Methodist Church. in
quired about the status of Banneker
James w. Geater investigator of |
the Federal Security Agency, re-
ported he had surveyed several COL
ored communities recently on |
soldier recreation In Chicago. Fort |
Sill, Okla, and at Mineral Wells, |
Tex, he reported. recreation facili-
ties used by the colored population
had been made available to colored
soldiers on leave. The plans were
working harmoniously. he said. to
the benefit of the soldier and with
of the communities.
Arthur Green of the Twelfth
Street Y. NJ. c. A. staff. presented
a comprehensive report on the
activities of the Y. M. c. A. for COL
ored soldiers in nearby posts. Miss
Almira Streets told of extensive
programs organized here and used
at nearby posts, particularly Fort