Evening star., 1947-01-08
Letters to The Star
Readers Discuss Racial Report
Of Citizens Federation

AS chairman of the Committee for
Racial Democracy in the Nations Cap
ital, I wish to take exception to the
report OF the special committee of the
Federation of Citizens Associations re-
pudiating the survey made by the
Council of Social Agencies.
/. According to newspaper reports,
President Newell says that the Fedora
ton is not antagoniStic to the Negro
people. I'VE all know many District
Negroes of high character" he is quoted
as saying Are these the ones his Fed
Grafton. at the same meeting on Satur-
day night recommended be barred from
first-class citizenship by continuing the
present plan of separation? At this
same meeting the Federation urged the
maintenance of restrictive covenants
against Negroes. Would President
Newell and his committee be willing
to make an exception and allow these
Negroes of high character" to pur-
chase homes in their neighborhood?
Or must they be confined to the slum
areas and abandoned white residential
districts as they now are?
Again, since we all know of these
Negroes of high character" what OBJ
lection can the Federation have to
dropping the color bar at places of pub
lie accommodation, such as the National
Theater, Lsner Auditorium, ETC., and
allowing these people to have the bene-
fit of culture and entertainment? Why
cannot one of these Negroes sit beside
Mr.. Newell in a public place?
We assume that Mr.. Newell will admit
that the Federation of Civic Associ-
ations (Negro) is composed of these
persons of high character" BY what
process of reasoning can he arrive at
the conclusion that we should continue
to maintain two Federations, both os-
tensibly working for civic improve
ment? Why not take these Negro
neighborhood organizations into his
Federation, and all of us work together?
2. The Federation is quoted as saying
that the survey is 'in error as to dis
elimination between white and colored
people and white and colored communi-
ties in Washington" and that changes
mately right prevails" If no discrimi-
nation exists as to recreational areas
for the races, if there Is no discrimi-
nation in the school system (such as
the fact that all OF the Negro schools
combined do not have an athletic field
equal to the most poorly equipped one
for any one of the white high schools;
f,1ef nFo
to white students that are not even
contemplated in the Negro schools, and
that the equipment in Negro schools
is INFERIOR, then I challenge the Fed
Grafton to make this trial"
8. Finally, the Federation says that
the survey was based upon informa-
ton supplied by "pinkS," is indorsed by
professional pinks" and follows the
blueprint of the party line" This is
the familiar Red" scare of those who
would maintain the status quo of racial
bias and bigotry. AMI a member Of
at least five organizations which sup
port the survey and I know of no
party influence" exerted upon us to
gain Endorsements. But if this be a
part of the party blueprint" and the
so-called party" ever gain appreciable
influence among Negroes, who must
bear the blame? Can we honestly coll
denim Negro for following line
which at least pretends TO recognize
his inherent rights to decsnt equal
ity among men as against de
mocracy" which blatantly declares that
mo change shall be made in the pres
ent separation program?
LEON A. RANSOM.
To the Editor Of The Star:
Please let me take your time to thank
you for printing, and to the committee
for making, the report of the Federation
of Citizens Associations condemning
the so-called Council of Social Agencies
Racial Relations Committee.
The report of the Federation, duly
constituted body of long standing, is
masterful arraignment, rendered in
mastery manner. And SO let us hope
that it is the happy ending to a lot Of
cheap claptrap. L. P. w.
To the Editor of The Star:
have just read the text of the report
by special committee of the Federation
of Citizens Associations on the recent
survey of the Racial Relations Commit
tee OF the Council of Social Agencies.
My reaction is one of grief and sadness
that such an anti-Christian report
should be published by citizens group.
The report is anti Christian because
it denies the essential dogma of Chris
tianity-the fatherhood of God and
the motherhood of man. The great
commandment of the Gospel is that we
should love God and love our neighbor.
How strange love it is that favors
separation of the races as the most
logical relationship at the present
time" JOHN J. O'CONNOR.
To the Editor o. The Star:
1t is not at all inconceivable that
community that could produce such
report as was made by the Federation
of Citizens Associations in regard to the
race problem here could not also make
poor disillusioned Negroes excellent bait
for the very group the Federation con-
demns-the Reds.
If we were as democratic as we pre-
tend to be, Reds could find no roots
here. VILLA c. RANSOM.
To the Editor ofThe Star:
If through some magic transforma-
tion I could convert myself into a
Bilbo-Hitler parsonage, I should surely
be inspired to commend the Federation
of Citizens Associations report on the