Evening star., 1945-09-19

OF Chairman Of Race
Relations Committee
Wilbur La Roe, jr.. resigned as
chairman of the Citizens Committee
on Race Relations for reasons of
business and health, as the group
voted last night to, continue its work
into the coming year.
The Executive Committee noted
in making public its second annual
report that slow but steady progress
toward the elimination of racial
barriers and prejudices was being
made.
In submitting his resignation at
the meeting, which was held at the
Washington Federation of Churches
Building. 1851 N street NV, Mr.
La Roe expressed profound regret
that he had to take the step. He
noted that since taking over the
Craftsmanship in August, 1943, ex-
perlence has shown abundantly
the need for this committee" and
recommended that it be continued
He also recommended that a full
time paid executive be added to
carry on this important work.
Members of the Citizens Com
mittee on Race Relations voiced
their appreciation of Mr.. La Roe's
work and standing vote of thanks
was given the retiring chairman.
Scope Of Work to Be Reviewed.
The problem of selecting a success
sor to Mr.. La Roe was referred to
the Executive Committee, which will
make its recommendation at the
next meeting of the full group. The
Executive Committee will also take
up the problems of a possible new
name for the organization and of a
revision IN the scope of the organi-
zation's activities.
Commentator of The Evening
Stars fair and factual reporting of
race relations in the city was voted
by the group.
There is abundant evidence"
said the report, "of a lessening of
discrimination against Negroes dur
ing the past few years. People of
different races have been thrown
together as war workers, and they
have learned to work together. Day
fby day contact has produced an
understanding which did not previ-
ously exist. Some stores, restaurants
and dining cars from which Negroes
were barred before the war are now
open to them, but in many of the
more prominent stores and restau-
rants a policy of excluding Negroes
is followed.
There is general recognition that
there can be no real union of the
nations In an atmosphere of race
hatred. 1t requires more than blue
prints and charters to create under
standing. We now face the question
whether the progress made during
days OF war can be carried forward
into the days of peace"
While the committee-of which
Wilbur La Roe, jr., is chairman; the
Rev. DR.. Frederick E. Reissig. vice
chairman, and Ruth B. Allen, secre-
tary-treaSurer-was encouraged by
the progress made, it commented on
number of situations in the COM
munity still involving discrimination
and inequality.
Charge Of Discrimina ton.
One of the most fragrant and in
defensible determinations against
Negroes in the Nations Capital" :" the
report said, "is the refusal Of the
Capital Transit Co. to employ Negro
platform men on its buses and
streetcars. One of the prominent
factors in the situation is the atti-
tude Of the AFL Union, which has
violently opposed hiring Negro plat
form men. The position OF the com
pany in this matter, also, is am
biguous. The company has not
manifested a vigorous interest in
ending the discrimination and has
inclined toward the negative posi-
ton that to remove the discrimina-
tion would cause trouble"
The committee, pointed out that
the Presidents Fair Employment
Practices Committee had held hear
ings on this problem.
Meanwhile 1t added. "the pub
lie has suffered from a serious lack
of transportation facilities. Work
ers are kept waiting at bus stops
for long periods as buses and street.
cars pass which are loaded to capa-
city. At the end of the day war
workers have found it well-nigh i'm
possible to get home within a rea-
sonable time, although many buses
are lying idle in the yards for lack
of drivers"
The committee also pointed to
the anomalous situation" growing
out of the conflicting policies of the
Federal and District Governments
regarding segregation in recrea-
tional facilities.
1T Is the definite policy Of the
Federal Government" the commit
tee explained, Ito avoid segregation
in the recreational facilities in the
District which are under its juris-
diction, while it is the definite policy
OF the local Board of Recreation to
require such segregation. The issue
is so sharply drawn that the Fed
eral Government has considered
withdrawing from the jurisdiction
Of the local board certain Federal
facilities for which the board has
been permitted to exercise jurisdic-
ton. Both sides cannot be right:
both cannot be in harmony with the
trend of the times. Which of these
two policies shall govern the Ma