Evening star., 1947-01-05


schools, used exclusively for white
children.
There is a white playground ad-
joining Homeopathic Hospital within
several blocks of q number of coll
ored schools. There is no white
public school near there. There is
considerable white settlement in
that vicinity and two Catholic
schools near there, Gonzaga High
and Notre Dame. There is prob
ably decreasing white settlement in
that vicinity of several blocks in
area. They are served by this white
playground which is the only one
in an area bounded by Pennsylvania
avenue on the south, railroad tracks
on the east, Florida avenue on the
north and Twelfth street on the
west. In that same area there are
six colored Fairgrounds. A part of
the children who live in the vicinity
of First street and New York ave-
nue. NV, attend Gonzaga, Notre
Dame and st. Martins, and the
balance of the children walk long
distances to a white school.
The report is in error in that 1t
attributes to the various conditions
of which it complains segregation
as the cause of such maladjustment.
It does not differentiate between
discrimination and segregation. The
allegations which run through this
report that the unsatisfactory con-
ditions which may exist in portions
of the city as to health. school privi-
leges, housing facilities, employment
conditions, recreation, welfare, civic
and community relations. ETC., are a
result of segregation, we are con-
vinced is an unfounded conclusion.
No Discrimination Found.
We have not been able to discover
any discrimination which is listed or
assumed in this report. We are also
unable to determine that segregation
contributed in the slightest degree to
some of the conditions listed. and is
only remote incident in the Others
1t has no more to do with the condi-
tions of which it complains than has
the segregation of the educated from
the uninformed, or the rich from
the poor. Nor has it any more to
do with some Of the things cited,
than the fact that certain persons
are absent from certain portions of
the city as compared with other
places.
So, as we conclude that the premise
Is wrong, then we must conclude
that the action was motivated either
by mistaken analysis Of the condi-
tions in Washington, or the report is
the result of prejudice, at least in
some particulars.
1t would seem from the press re-
ports that announced its completion
and release, that there was a tend
ency on the part of some members
of the committee to place it before
the public in an improper light, If
not a deliberate intention to mis-
lead. 1t has been stated to men,
bers of our committee that there
were a large number of the commit
tee absent when the report was
finally acted upon, and that these
absent members were advised of the
action of the committee and given
two weeks to dissent, or failing so to
do were listed as favoring the report.
The highly controversial terms of
the report would have tendency
to cause members who disagreed to
remain silent, when such silence did
not voice consent. This might or
might not be true, but certainly in
considering such a highly contro-
versial subject as this, silence should
not have been considered as for or
against the report. That fact alone
certainly required further considera-
ton, either by the members of this
Racial Relation Committee or the
constitution of another committee
that was wiling and able to speak
it's desires.
whether it was intended or not,
the impression was created through
out the city that this is a report Of
the Council of Social Agencies. AS
a matter of fact, it is not, but the
council is responsible for it as the
action of one of its constituted
bodies which it has permitted to
make a public report at great ex-
pense, involving thousands of dol
lars. However, the report has not
been acted upon by the council to
the present time.
Not a Representative Body.
Again as to the report itself: 1t
was produced under the guidance
of the Council of Social Agencies,
which is by no means body repre-
senting the people of Washington.
Those who are responsible for TINS
report of the Racial Relations Com
imittee are not named by any one
representing the people of Wash
iington, or any considerable segment
thereof. 1t cannot assume to be a
determination of the people of
Washington, because it is in no
sense a representative body under
any method of selection.
The Council of Social Agencies is
located at 1101 M street NV, which
ID C1lc llSdu4udi tCio VI tllC SOul-
munity Chest. The activities of the
two organizations are somewhat
closely interlaced, at least SO far as
the casual observer can ascertain.
The employees at this place advised
different members of our committee
that the two organizations are one
and the same, or as one of them
put it, ''It is two different names
for the same organization" OF
course, we know that this is not
substantially correct, but the out
ward appearances would lead to
such a conclusion. We were further
advised by representatives of the
council in personal interview, that
it was called upon by the Commu-
nifty Chest to advise the Community
Chest as to ALLEGATION of funds, etc.
1t was also stated that this survey
was requested for the purpose of
At sx,sx f,,, Ir i