Evening star., 1949-05-21
Letters to The Star
Teamwork Required
To Solve Race Problem

Teamwork Required
To Solve Race Problem
To the Editor OF The Star
Recent developments In the so-called civil
rights battle"-particularly as they affect
the District Of Columbia and its disfran-
chised residents-make 1t imperative that
| advocates of justice and fair-play for all
rise up and defend their prerogatives as
| citizens Of the U.S.A. II they do not do so.
they may soon find themselves stripped OF
even the few remaining privileges guaran-
| teed them under the Constitution and Bill OF
| Rights.
We all know how the "civil rights issue
was used for vote-getting purposes during
the last national campaign and election.
Likewise do all those. who read as they
rum" know how the advocates of indis-
criminate legislation of this type have ut
terly failed to foist their pressure program"
upon the S1st Congress. Fortunately-from
the standpoint Of the general welfare" OF
the Nation and the particular benefit Of the
District-this Congress has definitely re-
fused to be rubber stamp" assembly.
Now that the national drive OF the anti
discrimination" and "anti-segregation"
groups has failed. 1t becomes increasingly
evident that they are concentrating their
efforts on using the District as an expert
mental guinea pig" In advancing their
cause Thus are we confronted with an
endless series Of efforts to impose upon the
hapless and helpless Washington residents
conditions which cannot be inflicted upon
the country as a whole through legislative
enactment
This situation has reached the stage Of
total absurdity in the present maneuvers Of
the Department of the Interior and National
Capital Parks officials to ride rough-shod
over the District Recreation Board, in the
matter Of regulating the operation OF Dis
trict recreational facilities. Despite the re.
buffs Of the Congress-and without any gen.
eral demand on the part Of residents IN the
District-these officials would attain their
objectives by dictatorial fiat. In other words,
since they cannot put over their "anti-dis-
elimination" program by legitimate means.
they would move in upon the District
through the back door!
Tactics Called Unwarranted.
The climax to these unwarranted tactics
has been reached with the announcement by
Irving c. Root. superintendent OF National
Capital Parks with the approval and back
ing Of Department Of the Interior big-wigs,. .
that he will move at the June meeting Of
the Recreation Board. that "all forms OF
discrimination" be removed from the public
recreational facilities operated by the board.
The "squeeze-play" threat accompanying
this ultimatum-disclosing the arbitrary and
DANGEROUS aspects Oh Tie GHkiTR pfUCccAAuks
-is revealed In the statement that. unless
segregation ends" the Department Of the
Interior may take back under its protective
wing play areas now under jurisdiction Of
the Recreation Board.
Let the writer make plain here and now
that he Is not "anti-Negro' or 'reaetionary"
in any sense Of these terms. used so con-
sistingly by the civil rights pressure groups
In their efforts to stigmatize all who oppose
their aims He fully adheres TO the principles
Of equal opportunity for all" as set forth
by the founders Of this democratic repub-
Lie. He further subscribes to the noble efforts
Of unselfsh individuals to improve the lot
OF the under privileged and less fortunate
among us. However-and this is the crux
of the situation facing Us today-he firmly
believes that all movements along these
lines must be predicated ON action "in the
general welfare"-as called for by our Con-
stitution. Thus and thus only. can we
maintain the more perfect union" 30 dear
to Us all In the US.A.
Most certainly the Negroes, and all others
regardless of race. creed or color" are en-
titled to their full rights Of life. liberty and
the pursuit Of happiness" But. by the same
token. the white residents Of this community
are equally entitled 10 consideration In this
regard.
Much announcement II found IN the words