Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-11-23

not take poll to see If a majority OF
white Washingtonians are in favor Of
segregation on public conveyances at
this time? feel certain, based upon
careful observation, that majority
would be in favor Of segregation as it
Is practiced in the South.
Then why practice democracy In pub
lie transportation, where there are many
undesirables of both groups, and restrict
1t in places where more well-trained,
intelligent individuals OF both groups
are likely to attend? No, Mr.. Editor,
1t just does not make sense.
ALFRED F. NIXON.
Other Issues In Background.
To the Editor OF The Star:
Though the fight now on for so-called
"racial justice" centers about recent &C.
currences at the Lisner Auditorium,
Continental Hall, and the National
Theater, something more basic is at
stake. This is whether full racial equality
Is possible and desirable.
The issue whether members of the
Negro race be permitted to take their
proper place on both sides of the cur
tain is but smoke screen to hide from
the public their real objective. In due
time, following victory in the, current
struggle, will come demands that sep
aration of whites and blacks in our
public schools, Fairgrounds, churches,
hospitals, in our residential areas and
throughout the social fabric be ended.
After all of such bars definitely had
been removed, then the fight will be
shifted to State laws barring niscegena-
ton. s. SALOMAN.
Rights and Power" of Majorities.
To the Editor of The Star:
You had thoughtful editorial on the
race question in Washington. I doubt
If democracy means that any majority
has right, as distinguished from
power, to limit the rights of any mi
nority, whether based on religion, ma
tionality, race or color. I doubt If
liberal Federal court In an honest in
depreciation of the Federal Constitu-
ton can uphold perpetual covenant,
or even limited-term covenant, which
prohibits the sale or gift or rent of a
piece of property in this District to any
citizen of the United States because of
his color. After all. citizenship associa-
tions have no authority and represent
only small, self-seeking minority of
residents of the area; yet, they enforce
through intimidation these obsolete,
un-American customs of the poll-tax
States in a Capital of q democratic
country.
DR. FRANCIS X MCCARTHY.
Looks TO other Barrier.
To the Editor Of The Star:
You are to be congratulated upon the
Race Discrimination Issue" editorial.
This is the only sensible editorial
have read on the issue involved here.
AS you stated, there is no doubt but
that these agitators would not be con-
tent with breaking down the barriers
to the theaters but would be encouraged
to. and would press for the right to
admission to any and all places they
might desire.
ands of people both in Washington and
outside are very grateful to you for
being honest and outspoken lib.
Favors Poll to Find Out.
To the Editor of The Star:
Your recent editorial on race dis
elimination in Washington theaters
does not seem to be very we'll thought
out and unworthy of the civic leader
ship which is to be expected Of The
Star.
If, as you say, the policy of unre-
stricted admittance at the Lisner Audi
forum and the National Theater would
have met with public acceptance with
out much controversy, how can you
logically state a few paragraphs later
that local sentiment does not support
elimination of restrictive practices? The
onus OF responsibility in the matter falls
squarely upon Mr. Plohn and Mr.. de
Angels, the managers of the two the
aters, who instead of following public
opinion, which is moving swiftly and
surely toward the abolition of race re-
strictions, are for some unfathomable
purposes of their own making out case
where none exists.
In choosing to boycott Washington
theaters the dramatists and actors in
New York have had in mind clear pur-
pose. What happens in Washington,
the Capital of the United States, is of
considerably more Importance nationally
and internationally than what might
take place in such other borderline
cities as Louisville or Kansas City.
If the editors of The Evening Star be-
lieve that the majority of theater-
goers in Washington Is not yet ready to
accept Negroes among the audience and
that such a poll should be made, why
does it not take the initiative to under
take one? JAMES H. WHITE.
Tolerance Of Intolerance.
To the Editor of The Star:
Your editorial entitled Race Dis
elimination ISSUE" is to be commended
in its tolerance, not only Of principles,
but Of intolerance. Tolerance of in
tolerance is something which we who
call ourselves liberals most often forget
Yet If we are always tolerant we find
ourselves astride the fence with neither
foot on the ground. t
Perhaps the Dramatists' Guild, which
has confined It's antisegregation activ-
tiles to Washington, is inconsistent. on
the other hand, maybe its members feel
as I do. that as the Capital Of the
worlds largest democracy, Washington
should be the first to be democratic.
Democracy does mean that the will of