Evening star., 1950-09-21
Sesqui Drama
Performance in
Schools Halted
CunceIIutin Made
In Controversy Over
Inter-RuciuI Cost

SlOn To-Day CaQCeleQ all uVe re-
manning performances of scenes
from Faith of Our Fathers" which
were to be given in the Districts
public schools.
Paul r. Massmann, director Of
the commission, made the an
after comforting with
School Supt. Hobart M. Corning.
His action came after a contro-
versy arose over the banning Of
the performance from Anacostia
High School, on Tuesday because
the cast included both colored and
white actors.
Wanted to Avoid Controversy.
A conference scheduled for this
morning between Mr.. Massmann
and DR.. Corning was not held be-
cause they conferred when they
met accidentally last night at a
social function.
Mr.. Massmann said he didn't
want to "submerge" the historical
drama in the controversy and let
it become secondary to the squab-
BILE. He pointed out that the
whole plan had been to acquaint
the students with the drama,
written specially for the sesQui.
centennial celebration by Paul r.
Green.
The Board of Education did not
request the cancellations, Mr..
Massmann added. He said it was
done to avoid any further en-
barrassment.
One Performance Given.
Thus, the Sesquicentennial
Commission plan fell through
with only one performance actu-
ally given. That was yesterday at
Armstrong High School with a
mixed cast.
Eastern High School had re-
quested cancellation of its en-
gagement and the commission
called off the scheduled appear
ance at Mckinley High School
this morning pending Mr.. Mass
mann's decision.
The affair started when Mrs.
Opal Corkery, principal of Ana
costa High School, told IL white
and two Negro actors they
couldn't appear on the stage at
the school. DR.. Corning backed
her. saying she could do nothing
else under the circumstances.
Meanwhile. the National Coun-
Gil of Negro Women struck out
against the ban and appealed to
President Truman, who is chair
man of the Sesquicentennial Com
mission, to take immediate ste ys
to intervene. The council also dis
patched a protesting letter to the
school board.
The incident touched off a con-
troversy that found colored mem
bers of the Board of Education
criticizing DR.. Corning severely
for allowing the ban. 1t also
found the school system in the
peculiar position of having split
policy.
Decision Up to School Heads.
DR.. Corning said there was no
rule forbidding the appearance Of
mixed group of entertainers at
the schools. He said it just
hadn't happened before.
He added he had not issued an
order to cover the situation and
was leaving the decision up to the
principals of the schools.
DR.. Garnet C. Wilkinson, first as
sistant superintendent in charge
of colored schools, Immediately
issued an order to the principals
of colored schools, however. The
order said that, under mo cir
cumstances" would an all-white
or an all-colored group Of actors
be allowed to present scenes from
the drama. Only a mixed group
could present the scenes, he
stated.
Bitter Comments Heard.
In the Board of Education meet
ing yesterday. Mrs. James w. Will
liams and DR.. Phillip T. Johnson,
both colored members, made bitter
comments about the Anacostia
ban.
DR.. Johnson said: If that's the
policy of the Board of Education,
it is time to change. If we're
American citizens, we should be
treated like American citizens"
Mrs. Williams declared: BY
now I imagine Russia is making
lot over it-showing how we
don't practice what we preach
DIR. Corning made no response
to the comments of the two board
members and a motion to adjourn
was promptly carried.
Text of Wire to Truman.
The telegram the National
Council of Negro Women sent to
President Truman said:
"The National Council of Negro
Women urges your immediate ac-
ton to stop the travesty on Faith
of Our Fathers" arising out Of
the action of the superintendent
of Washington schools in barring
mixed casts from school perform
ances. This incident serves to
show the viscious consequences Of
the segregation policy of the
schools in the Nations Capitol.
eve know that you as chair
man ex-officio of the Sesquicen-
tennial Commission fully appreci-
ate the extent to which this repre-
hensible action will damage the
whole cause of American democ-
racy and our Nations leadership
in world affairs"
The council also sent a letter
to Mr.. MaSsmann, demanding
that he stop performances in the
schools unless the racial restric-
tions are removed.
The school performances were
Il