Evening star., 1945-08-15

Director OF the department o1
social welfare 'in the Washington
Federation of Churches, Mr.. McPeek
said he would like to see the board
and department expand. but coulo
not understand the policy of en-.
forced segregation.
Labor Leaders Testify.
With the foreword that he spoke
for 10000 workers In the District
organized in the United Fedora
Workers of America (CIO), Henry
Beitscher held the recreation board
primarily responsible for the lack
of adequate recreation programs fol
Federal workers =" and partly re.
sponsible for the heavy Govern.
ment turnover. which so seriously
hampered efficient wartime oper-
ationS
1T is ironic, indeed. in city sci
aside as the seat Of the United
States Government, that a public
board should have policy directly
contrary to the established policy Of
United States Government agencies
1t is even more ironic that these
Government agencies should be
obliged to curtail their desperately
needed employe recreation pro-
grams"
Miss Betty Hays, chairman OF
the Washington Labor Canteen
(CIO), said the canteen had DEM
onstrated by its actions that non
segregated recreation is feasible~and
desired "by large number of serv-
icemen."
Robert Sherman, president of the
Washington Industrial Union Coun-
Gil (CIO), said "the entire procedure
used by the board is contrary to
normal practices and could only
occur in a city such as Washington
where citizens are deprived of the
franchise.
Hits Lack of Franchise.
"The citizen members of the
board should be, and, I believe, are
aware Of the fact that District resi-.
dents do not enjoy the norma
democratic rights of other American
citizens with regard to electing and
influencing their Government OH.
cials," Mr.. Sherman said.
He said he was aware that some
members of the board had played
important parts in seeking the vote
for the District.
Appearing for the Northwest Citi-
zens' Association, Lillian Evant
said it was significant that in thu
Nations Capital 1t was impossible
to have mixed singing in tn,
shadow of the monument tha
stands for democracy"
Group Worker" Speaks.
Ruth S. Ralph, a group worker
representing the United ONCE ano
Professional Workers of Americs
(CIO), said that "all people deserve
to be judged as individuals"
1T is very difficult to bring the
white children from their democratic
street play into segregated atmos.
phere of school, settlement house
or playground, and then tell them
their Negro friends are still thei,
equals-still deserving Of their re.
spect and admiration" she said.
The Rev. j. F. Whitfield, pastor
of the Twelfth Street Christian
Church, said, Our recreation sys-
tenn should be one in which all
members of the population are given
the freedom of participation on the
basis Of choice. No good performer
should be denied the benefits OF
enjoying these public facilities be-
cause of race"
Austin L. Fickling, president ol
the Brookland Civic Association, said
the board was without lawful au.
thoriJy" to adopt a policy of segre.
cation. He said II Congress hao
intended. in creating the board, that
it should adopt a policy of segre.
cation, 1T could easily have SC
stated"
Statements Submitted.
At the invitation of Chairman
Wender. several persons who were
to speak for the present form o,
recreation administration submitted
their statements to the board ir
written form.
Gordon M. Atherholt, president oi
the Macarthur Boulevard Citizens
Association and also representing
the Northwest Council of Citizens
Associations, was one who spoke
vigorously for segregation.
He said he was raised in Phila
delphia and was proud of his recore
OF having done much to help i'm.
prove the working conditions O
Negroes, but that it was his con.
sidered opinion that the free mix.
ing of the races in recreation woule
never work.
AS spokesman for the Federation
of Citizens Associations, the Pet.
worth Citizens Association and tn,
North Washington Recreation Coun.
ell. Mr.. Henry told the board Nv.
must recognize fundamentals"
Calls Issue simple"
"The main issue is quite simple
Shall the customary rule prevail
or be abolished? That is the uues.
tion before the board. The many
side issues advanced by the protest.
ing groups are complex and deep.
rooted. The very presentation ot
those side issues here today out.
lines the sharply drawn difference.
between peoples which necessitat.
the taking of a practical rather thar
a theoretical point of view in thi.
matter"
He said ways and means had beer
taken to avoid strife and confiic'
between different people making
up the human race from the be.
ginning of humanity.
Much progress toward elimina
ton Of this strife and conflict ha.
been made, but the time has moi
yet come to do away with those
things which contribute to har.
monious relations between person.
living in close contact with ons
another" he said.
Cites Family as Example.
"Our immediate family life is (
fair example. The happiest familie.
live in the most harmonious at.
mosphere where the most complet,
segregation exists. Males and fe,
ma 1eS are sepreCated Axccnt wl,cy