Evening star., 1947-01-05
Text of Federation Report on Racial Survey

SAk VI j O0Cf
FolIo,oing is the tert OF the re-
port by special committee of
the Federation of Citizens Asso-
Citations assigned to study the
recent surrey of the Racial Re-
lations Committee OF the Council
! OF Social Agencies:
Your committee has made care
tful study Of this report and the
circumstances attending its prepa-
ration and has endeavored to as
certain what was the moving factor
that caused a survey of this kind
to be taken at this time. We have
not gone into personalities, as we
do not feel that such information
would serve any useful purpose. We
have sought such public informa-
ton as we felt would be of value
to the federation, and have sought
to supplement it with such special
information as would assist in a
proper evaluation of this subject.
This federation has always endeav-
ored to serve the best interests of
the people of Washington, and be-
cause it is the best cross-section of
its citizenry, is admirably equipped
for such service.
First, we have undertaken to de-
termine the reason for this present
survey, and then we have under
taken to analyze the conclusion
reached by the committee whose
report we are considering. ~
The Racial Relations Committee
of the Council of Social Agencies
is one of eight committees organ
ized to determine what funds would
be needed in the charitable field Of
postwar operations in Washington
Representatives of the Council of
Social Agencies advise us that their
organization was requested by the
Community Chest to make survey
and analysis of the postwar needs
of this city. This was thought nee
essary by reason of the fact that the
effort following the war would not
have the war impetus to assist in
reaching any goal that might be
fixed. There was feeling that
some war agencies which were dis
continued might have absorbed con-
siderable funds, and that the pub
lie noting their absence might not
properly appraise the need, and
thus the effort suffer from misun-
derstanding.
Organization of Committees.
We are informed by representa-
tives of the Council of Social Agen-
cies that certain citizen of Wash
ington was asked 10 submit a list
of 1000 names of people of Wash
ington to the council, as possible
members of various committees.
The council then caused letters to
be written to these people asking
them If they would be interested in
helping in survey of this character
and requesting that they designate
the portion of the work which they
would be willing to undertake.
From these responses, the personnel
of the various committees were
chosen.
Thus the various committees en-
gagged in this survey were in effect
self-nominated for the particular
job they sought. They were, in
many instances, and naturally SO,
persons with a decided prejudice on
the subject which they chose. This
was in no sense representative
group of people, and this comment is
without reference to their qualifica-
ton or lack of qualification. They
were chosen by no responsible or
ganiZation, but from list prepared
by one individual, to whom detters
we're written, and choices were made
from the answers to these commune
cations.
This fact. is further, attested by
the nature of the report itself, as
compared with the job it was de-
signed to do; namely to determine
what funds were needed in postwar
charity campaigns. and what agen-
cies should participate therein. Ger
throws no light on this requirement.
It is discussion of social relations
between the white and the Negro
race, with criticisms and suggestions
as to the abolition of segregation in
Washington.
What that has to do with the
questions at hand, we have not been
able to determine. Even as the sub
ject was handled, it amounts only
to the opinion of self-nominated
group stated in such a way as to
cause antagonism between the
groups involved. We know nothing
more about the charitable needs of
postwar Washington than we did
before the report was prepared. 1t
Is simply condemnation of segre-
cation as the foundation of a great
many fancied and imaginary ills
that are alleged to exist here, fol-
lowed by their suggestion as to the
abolition Of segregation as the cause
Of certain imaginary conditions, but
not one word as to what charity
funds are needed in postwar Wash
ington.
On Merits of Report.
Now as to the merits of the re-
port itself. That there are preju-
dices here as in other communities
no sane person would deny. That
such prejudices are shared by peo-
Pile in all walks of life and by the
personnel of both the white and
colored races is also a self-evident
truth. Whatever the basis of such
conditions and however we may
differ from the convictions of the
various groups involved, yet we must
recognize that the condition does
exist, and our first problem is to
contribute to conditions that will
alleviate this feeling as time goes on.
The report is in error as to dis
elimination between white and COL
ored people and white and colored
communities in Washington. The
colored have as good schools and as
many of them on per capita basis
as the white people It is true there
are many schools inadequate in size,
equipment and in bad repair. But