Evening star., 1945-08-12


Recreation System unless non-seg'
regation is practiced, also was deal1
with as another phase Of the COM
plex controversy.
One of the most ardent propo-
nents of a unified recreation setur
is DR.. E. B. Henderson, chairman OF
the CCASR and director Of physical
education for many years in District
colored schools. Rounding out AZ
years of antisegregation activity at
the age of 81, DR.. Henderson believes
in the gradual evolution of his tenets
and not in forcing the issue toe
quickly, especially in personal con-
tact games"
Trend Against Barriers.
1.-The trend in the world is toward
a breakdown in artificial barriers
of color and toward worth OF in
dividuals rather than whole groups, y
he said.
II believe recreation is one of the
best ways to develop true American
ism in democracy. Children have
no innate prejudices. but these
prejudices are deliberately taught
by older people who have at heart
other motives.
II think young people can play
tennis and other sports without in
terferring with social and purely
private and personal relationships. u
Recalls Past Incident.
DR.. Henderson recalled the time
many years ago when, as supervisor
in charge of the colored Cardoza
Fairgrounds, he permitted "seven
or eight white children in the neigh
borhood to play there every day"
The white superintendent OF
physical education told me he
wanted this stopped" DR.. Hender-
son said, but I said I would quit
first. The white children continued
to play there"
Tn the old days white and COL
ored boys played on the Monument
Grounds without friction. Several
years ago the white Ohrbachs bas-
ketball team played the colored
Collegians at Banneker Recreation
Center. Last year Eastern High
School entered a team of five boys
in the cross-country race for COL
ored schools at the Langston
course"
Mixed Dancing Cited.
Mixed dancing as possibility
under non-segregated recreation
program was raised by a Recreation
Board member who said the depart
ment includes dancing at Commu-
nifty Centers as one of it's many ac-
tivities.
There have been instances of
mixed dances before at commercial
dance halls" DR.. Henderson COM
mented. Il believe the people should
be allowed to do the things they
want to-"
The different races have danced
together at the Washington Labor
Canteen, 1912 Eighteenth street
NV, without the slightest disturb
ance, said Robert Sherman, presi-
dent of the Washington Industrial
Union Council.
Our organization of 10000 men,
bers has promoted joint recreation
activities since 1887 with growing
participation" he said. White and
colored alike enjoy picnics, races
softball. volley ball, bicycling and
tennis.
Wants Act Rescinded.
"Our legal staff sees no compul-
sion for the Recreation Boards pol
icy. We want to see the Segregation
Act rescinded and things returned to
the old order"
Miss E. Pauline Myers, admins
trative assistant to DR.. William H
Jernigan, director of the Washing
ton Bureau of the National Frater-
nal Council of Negro Churches, said
the council was opposed to segre-
gated recreation centers in that it is
step in the wrong direction.
"Inter-racial recreation and sports
affords the finest opportunity fol
the development of mutual under.
standing and appreciation, she said
Joe Louis has been fine exponent
of this. Increased opportunity TO,
inter-group play will serve to break
down many barriers as well as feal