Evening star., 1947-11-23
Truman Urged 10 Name
Committee on Civil
Rights in Capital

Rights in Capital
{ President Truman was urged yes
ferday by the Committee for Racial
Democracy in the Nations Capital
to appoint Immediately committee
OF prominent Washington citizens
to implement the recommendations
of the recent report of the Presi-
dents Committee on Civil Rights.
The group further asked that
funds be placed at the disposal of
the citizens committee and that it
be armed with responsibility of work.
ing with government and citizens
groups to carry out proposals made
by the Presidents committee In
relation to Washington.
More than score of Washington
organizations concerned with race
relations in the District were repre-
sented by individuals, either as dele
gates or observers, at yesterdays
meeting held in the YMCA branch
at 1916 Twelfth street NV.
Civic Federation Scored.
Chairman Leon A. Ransom read a
message from Representative Klein,
Democrat of New York, who leveled
criticism at the Federation of Citi-
zens Association.
In a great modern city of a mil
lion inhabitants deprived of all local
suffrage and of the right of self
government, the citizens associations
could and should function as fully
representatives and democratic tools
for leading and focusing public
opinion on civic problems" Mr. Klein
wrote. Il think you will agree with
me that In Washington the Fedora
tion of Citizens Associa tions is not
fulfilling that role"
Mr.. Klein asserted that the fed
GRAFTON has equally encouraged the
perpetuation of a complex system
of both major and minor discrim-
nations in public administration, in
expenditure. of public funds, in
maintenance of public safety, in
education. health and recreation,
even in the right to buy and hold
property and in almost every phase
of the daily business of living"
Program is Outlined"
The group recommended to rep
resentatives that they have their
organizations consider the following,
among large number of proposals:
That Congress take early action
on the t-Ellender- Wagner long
range housing bill and that Chair
man Wolcott of the House Banking
and Currency Committee start hear
ings on the measure.
Urge the District Board of Educa-
tion to promote a student program
of lnter-racial relations.
Add their names to the brief to
be filed by the National Association
for the Advancement of Colored
People before the Supreme Court on
the question of restrictive con-
venants
Call on the Land Redevelopment
Agency to consider the welfare of
minority groups that might be dis
placed by any long-range resettle-
ment program in the District.
Urge increased employment of
Negroes in chain stores and other
business Establishments and that
Negro women be allowed to attend
the Gallinger Hospital nurses school.
Civic Theater Proposed.
Mrs. j. Borden Hartman, repre-
senting the Washington Art Center
Association, asked delegates to sup
port its program for creation of a
Washington civic theater for all
races. She reported that the group
had urged the President to release
the old Belasco Theater for this
purpose, but that so far there had
been no action.
Mrs. Hartman observed that
there was shameful discriminate ton
practiced in the arts" in Wash
ington.
Among the groups represented at
yesterdays meeting, according to the
committee, were American Civil Lib
critics Union, Council of United
Negro Labor Leaders, Committee
Against Segration in Recreation,
Interchurch Fellowship of the Uni
tartan Church, Washington Council
of Church Women, B'nai Birth,
Americans for Democratic Action,
Socialist Party, League for Indus
trial Democracy, Interracial Work
shop, Washington Ethical Society,
American Jewish Congress, Potomac
Cooperative Federation, Local 27 Of
American Federation Of Teachers,
Catholic Interracial Council, Amer
lean Veterans Committee, National
Association for Advancement of
Colored People, Oldest Inhabitants,
Inc, Washington League Of Women
Shoppers, Womens International
League for Peace and Freedom,
Jewish Community Council, Ma
tional Industrial Justice Association.
National Association Of Colored
Women, Institute on Race Relations,
Workers Defense League, Physicians
Forum and East Hills Civic Asso-
citation.
The group announced plans lead
ing to an eventual change in name
and broadening Of activities to take
In problems Of Nisei, Japanese born
In United States territory.
Keneipp 10 Ask Suspension