Evening star., 1945-10-01
Letters to The Star
One Of Its Members Defends
Recreation Boards Policy
To the Editor Of The Star;


Race Relations, Inc. This report has
received lengthy reviews In the news
papers and I presume the report is
being widely distributed. As chairman
of the Committee on Bylaws, Rules
and Regulations Of the Board Of Recrea-
ton, I ask the use of your columns to
comment upon this report.
On page of the report under the
title "In the Field of Recreation" are
several statements that show a lack Of
understanding Of, or investigation to
ascertain, the facts, consequently the
report gives false presentation of the
facts
Board has performed an excellent public
service in improving and extending
District parks and Fairgrounds but
unfortunately 1t has adpoted as a
section OF its by-laws policy OF i'm
posing segregation on its facilities. In
June 1t (the Board adopted as a sec
ton of its bylaws by vote of to .
a motion restricting whites to the use
of parks in Regions AT in the District
and restricting Negroes to the use of
those in Regions G-K."
Continuation of Established Practice,
This statement gives the impression
that the board made some change in
past policy. No change whatsoever was
made or is contemplated The separate
operation of units in the Recreation
Plan has always been in effect. wish
to emphasize this: No changes have
been made. The National Capitol Park
and Planning Commission is charged
by Congress with the duty of develop
ing "a comprehensive plan" for recrea-
ton. The units in this plan are
designated by the commission as white
or colored and the Recreation Board
SO operates them, and always has. Each
region has a major center and num-
ber of minor centers. Regulations gov
erning these units do not necessarily
cover park areas In the same locality.
Some units are parts of parks and some
may involve an entire small park, but
the regulations only govern the actual
area comprising the unit. A great num-
o.
The statement in the report clearly
indicates lack of understanding as to
what comprises region.
The report states: CAS- to use of tennis
courts designated for use of Negroes
at Rose Park by white citizens) ut is
an unnecessary hardship for white
residents of Georgetown when they
want to play set of tennis to have
to take bus to distant courts instead
of using the courts conveniently To-
Gated"
The white citizens of Georgetown
have tennis courts available for use at
Montrose Park at Thirtieth and r
streets NV. just six blocks away, and
at Georgetown Playground, at Thirty.
fourth and Volta place, seven blocks
away. The courts at Rose Park were
built as result of representation to
the board that tennis courts in that
section were badly needed for use by
Negroes. Otherwise these courts would
not have been built. Use by white
citizens was permitted by Negro en-
ployes of the board without the knowl-
edge of the superintendent of recreation
or the board. The board cannot
permit an employe to decide such ques-
tions. II the Negroes of the area do
not need these courts of the other play
areas at Rose Park they can be con-
verted to white use.
The report mentions THE Citizens
Committee Against Segregation in Rec
reation." Practically without exception
the statements made by this COM
mittee before the Board of Recreation
at the August 14th meeting emphasized
the point that the board was extending
policy of segregation to all recreation
areas. This is wholly untrue and again
reiterate, the board has made no change
in policy.
Wants the Publics Reaction.
The report mentions the amendment
to the regulations offered by Mrs.
Hunter, Negro member of the board.
While difficult of Interpretation as to
Just what it proposes, according to my
understanding of Mrs. Hunters expla-
nation it seeks to abolish segregation on
any unit. 1t certainly wipes out all
vestige of the past manner of operation.
Here for the first time change Is
proposed.
This proposed change by Mrs. Hun
ter's amendment is important to all of
the people of Washington. AS men,
ber of the Recreation Board I would
like to have some concrete evidence as
to what percentage of all the people
Of Washington want to abolish the
system of separate recreational facili-
ties for white and colored citizens of
the District. This means that white
and colored children are to use the
same Fairgrounds and white and coll
ored citizens shall participate in pro-
grams at community centers in school
buildings.
The board is aware that there are
inter racial activities. As board mem
ber it is my opinion that the number
of white citizens participating in mixed
recreation in the District is small as
compared to the total white population.
I am open to conviction that the con-
trary is true.
In adopting a set of bylaws, rules
and regulations the board was only
proceeding in an orderly manner to
complete its organization. The board
operated for three years under the
same policy of separate playground
and community centers for white and
colored citizens without objection by
any member of the board and it was
only when the board was ready, after
long study, to adopt the section which