Evening star., 1946-12-17
Letters to The Star
Readers Continue Discussion
OF Social Survey Report

Readers Continue Discussion
Of Social Survey Report
70 the Editor Of The Star:
The District-wide social survey on
racial relations sponsored by the Coun-
Gil Of Social Agencies should be required
reading for all Washingtonians.
The report was the result Of long
survey by q group Of well-qualified ex-
perts with unquestionable standing in.
the community. It is hoped that WASH
ingtonians will do more than just read
this report, but will work actively
toward its implementation. It is time
for residents Of the Nations Capital to
grow up, to accept their responsibilities
as citizens in democracy.
Citizens sincerely interested in elm
mating racial tensions" in the District
Of Columbia now have definite chal-
lenge. Race hate, prejudice, discrimina-
tion and segregation are the causes Of,
rather than the solutions to, racial
tensions" The solution is the abolition
OF discrimination In any and all forms,
along the lines suggested in the report.
We trust that the report Of the sur
vey will be adopted by the Council Of
Social Agencies without delay, since its
authenticity cannot be doubted. The
Community Chest has done great
service by financing this civic project.
The mere fact that some citizens do
not like the findings Of the survey does
not mitigate its worth. The truth always
hurts some of us.
It is realized that until the citizens
of Washington are allowed to elect
their own officials and representatives
they will have an uphill hight against
arbitrary government with little regard
for the needs OF all OF the people. The
report Is merely one more argument
for applying the American principle Of
self-government to the Capital OF the
Nation.
The Washington Committee Of the
Southern Conference for Human We'll
fare, membership organization dedi-
Gated to improving the social, economic
and cultural conditions Of all the people
Of the District Of Columbia. enthusi-
astically. applauds the report and
pledges to do all in its power during
the coming year ito make the recon-
mendations Of the survey reality In
the Nations Capital.
JOHN r. ANDERSON,
Treasurer, washington Committee,
Southern Conference for Human
welfare.
To the Editor Of The Star:
With the tragic memories OF Hitler
ism still fresh in our minds most OF US
will agree that all forms of minority dis
elimination and persecution are wrong
and un-American. Surely declaration
Of principles by policy-making body
such as the Council Of Social Agencies
Is neither an impropriety nor . thing
inimical to the public good or welfare.
IL the diversion Of community funds to
finance the survey ID the issue, then
legally 1t could be resolved by the many
who approve the councils recommends
tions ear-marking their respective con-
tributions for that purpose. If the juris-
diction Of the council to make such
controversial recommendations Is the
issue, then It must be observed that
declarations Of principle expressive OF
the basic tenets OF Christianity and
American democracy should be above
the injunction of prejudice and ex-
pediency.
THOMAS E. MATTINGLY, M. D.
To the Editor Of The Star:
I am sick and tired Of listening to the
weasel words of those people who try
to prove that segregation is compatible
with American principles. That argu-
ment that race troubles" would result
from lack Of segregation is the silliest
yet. So far all the so-called "race trou-
bles" have been the direct result OF seq
regation.
The excellent Social Survey Report of
the Council of Social Agencies never
would have created such stir If we
were better balanced mentally and If
our values hadn't been so distorted by
the most insidious kind Of propaganda.
DAVID LACHENBRUCH.
To the Editor Of The Star:
That the Community Chest contrib
uted to the support Of agencies that deal
with fha fiyf,,rA u0lI1tior of g1Icf proh~