Evening star., 1950-03-31
D. {. Pool Issue
Bounces Back
To Chapman
House Group Implies
Shift of Control to
Recreation Board

pOEl1S SW l1l111ll1lS PoO1o 3lS4C :" IL
be operated this summer headed
right back to Interior Secretary
Chapman today.
A House District subcommittee
yesterday limited it might seek leg
islation to transfer the pools from
the Interior Department to the
District Recreation Board, if the
Federal agency does not make the
shift itself.
Harry S. Wender, Recreation
Board chairman, said his board is
seeking a conference with Mr.
Chapman. Mr.. Chapman has
been out of town but is expected
back in his Office today.
Witnesses Still Waiting.
Irving C. Root, superintendent
of the Interiors National Capita.
Parks Office and its representative
on the Recreation Board, said he
has requested Mr. Chapman's ad-
ministrative assistant to set up the
conference as soon as possible.
The Interior Department al
ready has announced the pools
will be open on a bi-racial basis
When this was mentioned to SUBJ
committee members by Mr.. Roof
yesterday. the hearing was ad-
jourred, although some dozer
other witnesses still were waiting
to be heard.
The subcommittee. headed by
Representative Abernethy. Demo.
crat. of Mississippi, scheduled al
executive session for 10 am
Wednesday for further considera.
ton.
The hearing was called to study
a bill introduced by Representa-.
tive Mcmillan, Democrat, of South
Carolina. This bill would transfer
all Fairgrounds, swimming pool,
and park lands in the District tC
the Commissioners.
Aimed at Ending Dispute.
Mr.. Mcmillan said he, too, woulc
see Mr.. Chapman personally abou
arranging an immediate confer.
ence.
Mr.. Mcmillan explained his bill
is intended merely to get the poo
situation settled before summer
and to try to end once and for al
the controversy over who control.
recreational areas in the city.
The pools in question are Ia.
koma, East Potomac, Anacostia
Mckinley, Francis and Banneker
Although the nonsegregatior
policy has been in effect for sew.
eral years, Francis and Bannekel
were the only two used by col
ored swimmers until last year.
Anacostia was closed after
racial disorders broke out, while
most white swimmers stopped US
ing Mckinley when colored youths
began using the pool.
Warns of Trouble.
Mr.. Wender warned subcommit.
tee members trouble will occur
again. if the pools are opened or
a biracial basis.
He said the Recreation Board.
offer of last summer to operate
Mckinley as an inter-racial poo
still stands. Under Recreation
Board control Francis and Ban
neker would remain colored anc
the others white.
Mr.. Root was subjected to al
intensive questioning by subcom
mittee members on Interior De
partment policy in racial matters
The Interior Department polio,
is consistent. he stated. 1T fol
lows nonsegregation in all re-
spects."
Mr.. Abernethy asked:
do you practice it at the swim
ming pools?"
II don't swim at the pools," Mr.
Root answered.
Suppose you did want II
swim?"
Il don't see how my persona
feelings have anything to do will
it. The Interior has a policy. w
do our best to follow it."
Keeps 1t Impersonal.
"Who practices it?" Mr.. Aber
nethy asked. Let the record shov
that those who make the polio,
are practicing what they preach.
But, Mr.. Root named no names
saying he thought that polio,
must be considered on an imper
sonal basis.
Representative Smith, Demo
crat, of Virginia. then took VI
the questioning and asked MI
Root:
Let's be practical. What ar
you going to do about the pools
Let us have more riots"
Under the policy of the Presi
dent and of the Interior Depart
ment, there is no other course t,
pursue but to give protection t.
the people who go to the swim
ming pools" Mr.. Root answered
Mr.. Abernethy then pointed ou
the pool problem has caused tn
Interior Department much troubl
and asked Mr.. Root If he woul
like to "get that hornet off you
shoulders"
4 certainly would" Mr.. Roo
declared.
Control in Question.
Until the pool problem cam
to the front. the committee wa
delving into the old question
raised two years ago, about VIII
controls some so playground area
in the city, which make up NOR
than two-thirds of the land tn
Recreation Board has been ad
ministering for many years.
Mr.. Wender explained the lam
in question was purchased by tn
National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission and assigned t.
the District. for playground use
Tho Tntorior nnrartraant S01init0