Evening star., 1951-10-27
Donohue Again Hits
Integration Foes in
Civic Federation Talk

Commissioner F. Joseph Dono-
hue, speaking last night to the
Federation of Civic Associations,
central body of colored community
organizations, again linked the
Fire Department integration con-
troversy with the theological war
against Communism.
1T must embarrass our own
officials to be faced with the truth
of Communist propaganda when
it can point to the Capital of
our country where they would put
their colorcd fire department in
ghettoes, he declared.
Where do you think we stand
with the peoples of Asia, VIXEN mi
norities are denied the bare essen
tialS of freedom in Washington,
city which is a target for the
eyes of all the world? We're not
so strong morally. physically or
milltarlly that we can afford to let
such a situation exist"
Follows Broadcast Theme.
The Commissioner hit on the
same theme last week in his radio
program, when he denounced the
local firemen'S union as aiding
and abetting Communism with
its opposition to the integration
order. The order has been held
up at the request of the House
District Committee until Congress
reconvenes in January.
The speaker was introduced by
Federation President Leon A.
Thompson, as "one of the few
public officials. especially in
Washington. who have the cour-
age of their convictions" Mr.. +
Donohue prefaced his remarks on
the integration issue by declaring
that the threat of Communism as
a party dedicated to the violent
overthrow of the United States
Government, is the biggest dam
ger in this country today.
He said there is no real democ-
racy in the District or in the
United States, as long as minor
ities exist.
i do espouse the cause of the .
minority" he said. because in
America there is no room for
minorities."
The Commissioner contrasted /
the unity of soldiers of 48 United
Nations countries fighting together /
in Korea, despite their racial and
language difference, with the lack
of unity in the District govern I
ment. l.
Supported i'm Resolution.
Immediately after the Commits .
sioner'S speech, Federation Vice
President John B. Duncan intro
duced a resolution, adopted unani-
mously supporting "the courageous
stand of the Commissioner in de-
fense Of democracy" as exempli- ,
fed by the integration order. It i
also denounced the recent attack
of Carl Shipley, president of the
Young Republicans Club. on the
Commissioner and the order.
In other business. the Fedora
ton voted to ask the superintend-
ent of schools to clarity policies
regarding appointment of person.
mel to- major administrative jobs
in the school system. Specific ref
erence was made to areas where
the Federation feels that racial
discrimination is evident.
The citizens adopted Attorney
Margaret A. Haywood's motion
that the Federation join 81 other !;
organizations in presenting a brief
as a friend of the court in the
Thompson restaurant case, slated
to be heard in the United States
Court of Appeals in November or
December. Principals in the case
hope it will test the validity of old
laws forbidding discrimination in
public eating places.
Victor J. Tulane earlier spoke to
the group on behalf of the Com
munity Chest.
The meeting was held in the
District Building Board Room.