Evening star., 1947-03-04
Star Staff Photos.
House Unit Approves
Sale Of Federal Heat
To Constitution Hall

A House Public Works Subcom-
mittee today approved a bill to let
the Government sell steam heat to
Constitution Hail despite opposition
of the Committee for Racial Democ-
racy, which criticized the policy of
the hall in barring Negro artists
from performing there.
!. Representative McGregor, Repub-
hcan, Of Ohio introduced the bill,
which would require the OAR to pay
all installation costs, estimated at
$28, ,0o0.a and all future charges for
heat which would be piped to the
hall from the Government central
heating plant. After the hearings
today he announced that his sub
committee had approved it unani-
amously. gar; ea3,T
Mrs. c. Leslie Glenn, first vice
chairman Of the racial democracy
group, told the subcommittee that
the OAR should not be granted
ANY special privilege unless they
establish clear policy of nondis-
elimination and allow Negro artists
% perform in Constitution Hail.
Spokesmen for the OAR did not
mention of the racial discrimination
charge raised by Mrs. Glenn.
. Deny Special Privilege.
Harold L. Maynard, general su-
peryisor for the OAR, and Fred E.
Hand, managing director of Consti-
tuition Hall, denied that the proposed
connection with the Government
Heating Plant would be a special
privilege.
I'VE are the black sheep Of the
neighborhood," Mr.. Maynard said.
1--WE are the only one of our neigh
bors not hooked on to the main from
the Central Heating Plant. The
Pan American Union, the Red Cross
and the Corcoran Art Gallery obtain
steam under an arrangement iden-
tical with that proposed in this bill
I'VE are a smoke nuisance now
because we burn oil. Our neighbors
have been after us to hook on to the
central heating system. This will
not cost the Government anything
We do not expect to save much on
heating costs. The main thing is we
want to keep the good neighbor
policy, especially with the Pan
American IJnionn
Mrs. Glenn. however, contended
the OAR was not in the same cate
CORY as the Red Cross, nor did it de-
serve the same consideration as
other private organizations in that
area.
Injustice Seen.
"'Tne Federal Government" Mrs.
Glenn said, rs responsible to all
citizens of the Nation and should
have as primary duty the protec-
ton of the rights OF all citizens.
In disregarding the fact that the
OAR repeatedly has refused to allow
Negro artists to engage Constitu-
ton Hall, admitting that the refusal
was not on basis of artistic ability
but solely on a basis Of race, the
Federal Government would be doing
q grave injustice to a large body
of its citizens.
"This policy of the OAR is even
more reprehensible because it is
inconsistent. Negroes may and do
60 to Constitution Hall to attend
concerts given by white artists.
There is no logic in permitting them
to enter the front door but not the
stage door,"
In opening the hearing, Mr.. Nc
Gregor said the members intend
to consider the bill strictly as
business matter and on its merits"
He added he hoped there would be
no discussion Of racial discrimina-
tion.
w. E. Reynolds, Federal commits
sioner Of public buildings. testified
similar proposal concerning Con-
stitution Hall before Congress in
1941 was dro-ped because OF the
war. He said he had no objection
TO the project. He also said the peal.
load Of steam at Constitution Hall
would not be considered a heavy
load on the central heating plant.
Replying to questions by commit
tee members, Mr.. Hand said con-
struction Of public auditorium In
the District would not affect the
business Of Constitution Hall, but
Wualld encourage more cultural
events. He added, "there are po-
IiticAl considerations that might
prevent . public auditorium from
taking away much Of the business" !"