Evening star., 1949-10-23


relations struggle have turned mo
or settle issues.
But disputes, tensions, pressl
tinue to crowd over one another.
Emotion and agitation often
have taken the place of study and
calm discussion of complicated
conditions and long standing COM
munity patterns. Disorders occa-
sionally have plagued temporary
expedients or attempted COM
promises. Solutions still lag be-
hind the number and diversity of
problems.
Touches Many Activities
Whereas the matter once con-
Sted mainly of general hopes or
set opposition to practically any
proposed change, it now touches
almost every sort of activity in
the District. Real estate, play
grounds, schools, hospitals, thea
ters, Police and Fire Departments,
social surveys and commission re-
ports and a host of other fields
figure in the constantly develop
ing picture.
Its magnitude, moreover, chal-
lenges and .engages thoughtful
efforts of larger numbers of white
and colored citizens concerned
with promoting public welfare and
safeguarding the rights and con-
tentment of all who live here.
A survey of gains and losses
by proponents and opponents
of racial discrimination cannot
straighten the tangled condition
in Washington. Nor will it answer
the old question whether time
should be counted on to end
avowed inequalities.
A factual roundup of develop
ments since the end of the war.
and particularly during the last
two years, indicates progress and
may help to point the way ahead.
Court Decision Helped
Literally, a landmark was the
Supreme Court decision of May,
1913, that Federal and State
courts cannot constitutionally en-
force property covenants that re-
strict sale or occupancy of dwell
ings to white people. Negro lead
ers hailed this as a major victory
1t also was regarded as a prime
example of orderly reliance on
legal process.
Covenant advocates noted that
the 60 opinion did not outlaw
restrictive property agreements as
such. Many citizens associations
adopted or discussed other pro-
grams to discourage sales, leases
or rentals to Negroes in white
neighborhoods.
These devices included so-called
conservation, word of honor,
block block and provisional
option agreements. One group
started campaign to raise funds
to buy back any of it's neighbor-
hood properties sold to Negroes.
Another put up $4,000 to pre-
vent possible sale of a house to
Negroes and later sold it to a
white family.
Real estate men report there
has been no great change in the
property ownership situation thus
far along racial lines and no
rush by Negroes to acquire homes
in white areas or in so-called
fringe localities.
Some Terrorist Action
There have been some displays
of terrorism. In one instance a
fiery cross was found burning in
the yard of Negro family in a
white neighborhood. The expert
ence of Otis Won Blasingame also
attracted public notice when, un-
der similar circumstances, his
house was stoned and fires started
mysteriously in his yard.
Resort to judicial action proved
effective in ending racial segre-
cation at National Airport eating
places. following considerable agi-
tation. The Civil Aeronautics Ad-
ministration ordered the ban lifted
last year. Operators of the res
taurants felt they were caught in
a judicial muddle and refused to
serve Negroes who made "test"
appearances at tables. Validity of
the CAA ruling finally was upheld
by the Federal District Court in
Alexandria.
More intricate issues involving
the Districts segregated public
school system and the refusal of
a theater to admit Negroes seem
headed for the courts.
The National Theater became
a motion picture house last year
rather than bow to the Actors
Equity order that it's members
refuse to play there unless Negroes
were admitted.
Several Halls Opened
Owners of the theater did not
see why their establishment
should be run contrary to "com-
munity pattern" The change
over left Washington without a
legitimate theater but intensified
moves for biracial theaters. It
also called attention to several
places where Negroes and whites
together can see Give drama" or
f1rst-run pictures.
The Washington Arts Center
Association has been trying to
lease the old Belasco Theater for
legitimate plays. The Dupont
Theater at Dupont Circle sells
tickets to all who wish to see it's
movie programs. The Catholic
University Theater admits Negroes
as we'll as whites. Lisner Audi
torium at George Washington
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