The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-06-24
Inter Racial Group
Studying Situation
Need of Greater Social Activities Appreciated Hous=
ing Remains No. | Problem; National Events

Increased demands by Water
bury's rapidly growing population
for social contacts and activities,
educational events and general
wholesome recreation have present.
ed the directors of the Pearl Street
Neighborhood House with several
interesting problems. To meet the
demand it is expected that special
morning, afternoon and evening
classes for youths and adults will be
arranged. 1t has also been suggest
ed that an experienced director sup
ervise a coordinated program of
community interest.
Official cognizances of the in
creasing social responsibilities of
the community and the seriousness
of the housing situation, current
national events, some encouraging,
some discouraging, was taken at
meeting recently of the Inter-Ra-
cial Committee of the Pearl Street
Neighborhood House. Problems
growing out of the war were dis
cussed to some length. Rev. Dr.
John G. Walker, presided.
Mrs. Leila T. Alexander briefly
summarized the national situation
as reflected in strikes in various
sections of the country-some with
racial origin, the encouraging &C
ton Of labor and management in
those situations, and the recent de-
cision of the War Labor Board
which abolishes the classification
colored laborer and white laborer
and reclassifies both as laborers
with the same rate of pay for all
in that classification without dis
elimination on account of color Re-
garding race riots in Los Angeles,
Detroit, and Texas, quotation was
made from Brothers Under The
Skim by Carey McWilliams calling
attention to the failure of bi-ra-
cial education, and the need to
adopt National policy of the prin-
ciple that there should be no dis
elimination against an individual
because of race. creed, color, or
country of National origin Will
liam C. Hastie. former assistant to
the secretary of war, was quoted as
saying "only United States action
can protect Negroes in the Army,
and the voice of the President must
be heard on this matter of racial
strife which is so seriously effecting
the war effort
A letter was read from the Con-
necticut Conference on Social and
Labor Legislation, New Haven, re-
questing support of an Open Let
ter addressed to our Connecticut
Senators urging that they do all
they can for the passage of the
Anti-Poll Tax Bill. The Committee
voted to sign as individuals and as
committee.
Attention was called to the local
situation involving the Bishop
street area where people congre-
gate in large numbers. 1t was point
ed out by DR.. James M. Lee that
many of the people are faced with
the problem of not having places to
go during leisure time due to the
fac that the homes are overcroWd-
ed and the majority of the new
corners have a "hot-bed', but no
room except for sleeping. The Com
mittee passed resolution to the
effect that the Executive Commit
tee Of Pearl Street Neighborhood
House be asked to make study of
present conditions caused by the in
f1ux of war workers into the Negro
community, and that program be
adapted to meet such needs during
the summer months.
Mrs. Alexander called attention to