Evening star., 1952-05-14
D. +. Board Kill,
Segregation at
backgrounds
Minority Report Hits
Furtive Technique
On Race Policy

The District Recreation Board
yesterday approved inter-racial
use of four Fairgrounds, but drew
a scorching report from one Of its
members.
Mrs. Alice Hunter, a colored
member. declared in minority re-
port that the board was "substi-
tuting a furtive and particularly
frustrating segregation technique
for an open segregation policy"
While approving inter-racial use
OF four Fairgrounds, the board
retained four other Fairgrounds
for white use only.
Mrs. Hunters report was
turned down by the board in q
5-to-2 vote. Edward j. Kelly
sided with Mrs. Hunter.
Contradiction Charged.
Mrs. Hunter charged there were
contradictions in administration
OF the new anti-segregation pol
icy. that the board ignored testi-
mony by citizens, failed to study
population needs and distorted
the picture of several Fairgrounds.
She said the latest example was
an attempt to put the RoSedale
playground under interracial|
policy. but denying use of the
playground swimming pool to Ne
gro children.
Board Chairman Harry 8.
Wender said it was not the idea
OF the board or the superintendent
to open the playground to BIZ
racial use and keep the swimming
pool for white use only. The idea
was advanced at a meeting Nav
Z by a member of colored or
ganization. he said.
Study Of Plan Asked.
Recreation Supt. Milo F. Chris
tlansen was asked to make a study
to see whether such a plan was
feasible.
The boards action in keeping
some Of the Fairgrounds for white
use. Mrs. Hunter charged, pro-
vlded "a glaring example of the
failure OF an arm of the city
government to discharge it's duty
honestly and forthrightly and to
keep faith even with those citizens
whom it did invite to testify"
She referred to a public hearing
on the subject last Wednesday.
She asked that the board re-
consider recommendations on all
Fairgrounds, review all testimony
presented and "studiously refrain
from prejudging the value of tes-
tlmony offered and of the groups
presenting it, and arrive at a
conclusion based on ascertainable
1acts and as free as possible from
biased opinion"
In charging substitution Of a
"furtive" technique for an open
segregation policy. Mrs. Hunter
declared that a new form of segre-
cation was being practiced in play
grounds opened for interracial
use.
She termed as "less obvious
segregation devices" denying chill
dren participation in programs in
which they previously had entered
at integrated centers.
Report Called Severe"
Mr.. Wender interpreted Mrs.
Hunters report as a severe in
dictment" Of Mr.. Christensen. He
said that if it were accepted by
the board. the board would have
no choice but to ask for Mr..
Chrlstiansen's resignation.
Mr.. Christensen, in making a
report to the board in executive
session yesterday before the reg
ular meeting, said the plan of
opening the Rosedale unit to COL
ored and restricting use of the
swimming pool was the worst form
OF segregation.
He recommended against its
tnter-racial use.
Mr.. Wender reported he had re-
ceived SO letters from residents
OF the Rosedale Playground area
asking that no change be made
in the present arrangement of
using the playground for white
only.
The board approved inter-racial
use of these Fairgrounds: Kenil-
worth, at Kenilworth avenue and
Ord street NE; Sherwood, at
Ninth and G streets NE; Trini-
dad. at West Virginia avenue and
Mount Olivet road NE, and
Parkview. at Princeton place and
Warder street NV.
Parkview is now operated as a
colored unit, while the other three
are white Fairgrounds.
Status of 4 Others Retained.
The board voted to retain four
other Fairgrounds in their present
use. for white only: Edgewood,
Turkey Thicket, Rosedale and
Wheatley.
Oscar L. Rand. president of the
Pleasant Plains Civic Association,
requested that the Banneker
Recreation Center, now used by
colored only, be made inter-racial.
On the recommendation of Mr..
christensen. the board replied
that this center was not under
specific study and referred the
request to the recreation staff and
the boards Transition Commit
tee.
The board has invited members
Of citizens and civic associations
to meet with it on June "a at
pm. to review items for considera-
ton in the 1854 budget.
A