Evening star., 1950-04-07
Pools
Continued From First Page.


Wender did not indicate whether
the offer would be accepted or
rejected. He could not be reached
for comment at once.
However, it is we'll known that
Mr.. Wender and the Recreation
Board are unwilling to operate the
pools on biracial basis. The last
offer made by the board was to
operate one pool biracially. two for
colored swimmers and three for
white.
The pools in question are Ia
koma, East Potomac, Mckinley
Anacostia, Francis and Banneker.
AnacOstia Closing Recalled.
Until last summer, only Francis
and Banneker we're used by COL
ored residents. in spite of an
announced Interior Department
policy of non-segrega ton at all
pools which has been in effect for
several years.
Anacostia was closed last sum-
mer after disorders broke out
when colored swimmers tried to
enter. Mckinley became a COL
ored pool by virtue of most white
residents refusing to swim there
after colored youths began using
it.
Mr.. Chapman did say after the
conference that the Recreation
Board apparently was mot yet
ready to accept our terms for op-
Grafton Of the polls" He added
he believed the public in Wash
ington is nearer a solution to the
question. but gave no details.
If the offer to the Recreation
Board is turned down, Mr.. Chap
man Stated, the Interior Depart
ment would operate the pools this
summer on a non-segregated
basis.
Has Confidence in Board.
He asserted his confidence in
the District RECREATION Board.
THE board is working finally and
trying honestly to integrate all
the recreational facilities we
have transferred to them under
the former agreement" he said.
Mr. Chapman called the atten-
ton of board members to a SWIM
ming pool operated by the Navy
at the training center in Ana
costa Park used by Negroes and
whites on an equal basis. The
area is on National Capital Park
lands and has been used since
1941 by the Navy under permit.
Mr.. Chapman made it clear to
the Recreation Board members
that the swimming pools policy
of the Interior Department was
based on the Governments OBJ
legation to come under the Con-
stitution to guarantee equal rights
to all citizens"
The President has clearly
enunciated a national policy thai
all public services shall be admin.
istered without distinction, race
color. creed or national origin" ht
stated. Il strongly believe that il
is imperative that this policy be
demonstrated in the District u
Columbia. The eyes of the entire
world are fixed upon our National
Capital. Every act of the officials
responsible for the administration
of public facilities becomes a SYM
Dol of our ability as a Nation tc
function in strict adherence to the
principles of our democracy.
1T is the duty of the Govern
ment to provide swimming pools
and other recreational facilitie:
which are essential to the public
welfare and to make them avail.
able to all the people. BY thi:
same token, the Government doe.
not compel people to use thes:
facilities. 1t is. however. the re.
sponsibility of the Government tt
protect the rights of all of tht
citizens who choose to use such
public services"
Alabama is said to have chosel
the yellowhammer as State bir,
because its coloring is similar II
that Of the Confederate cavalr,
uniform.