Evening star., 1955-02-16

AVWSt tNtOIOtO
In Department,
Tocey Declares
Bitterness over integration in
the Fire Department erupted on
Capitol Hill today during a hear
ing on a bill to revoke the policy.
Testifying before a House Dis
trict subcommittee in a crowded
room, Capt. George e. Tacey.
president of the District Fire
mems Association, Local SO
tAFL), and Second Battalion
Chief Elmer F. Stein, called for
passage Of the, bill.
Capt. Tacey testified that the
intergration of Negro and white
firemen had impaired efficiency
and damaged morale.
Capt. Tacey said that the in
tegration Of Negro and white
firemen ostensibly was made to
increase efficiency and reduce
operating costs but that it had
not saved "a f1ve-cent piece"
Even more disheartening," he
testified, SIS the realization that
efficiency has not improved but
rather has been seriously en-
dangered. There are evidences
everywhere that morale has Suf-
fered crippIing blow"
Fears Loss Of Standard.
Citing the high standard of
the District Fire Department
under previously segregated
policy as class one. shared by
only three other cities, he said
there could be danger of losing
this high standard under inte-
grafton.
Declaring the fire. fighting
forces have worked successfully
together at fires when there
were Negro companies and white
companies separately set up,
Capt. Tacey complained:
What we have fought against
and do oppose now is the social
integration or social upheaval
that is being foisted upon us
through the demands of minority
pressure groups - groups who
scream the much-ahused terri
discrimination so loudly as to
veil their own dubious loyalties. !"
Shares Living Quarters.
Questioned at length by Chair
man Davis, Democrat, of
Georgia and other subcommit-
tee members. the witness de-
tailed his complaints as based
7 partly on the fact that the
Negro firemen are assigned to
the same living quarters.
There was lot Of friction in
the houses" the captain told
Mr.. Davis In response to a. ques-
tion. Negroes were completely
ignored. They were not accepted,
and there was q lack of esprit
de corps which is vital in a fire
company"
Asked by Mr.. Davis what the
reaction was in the firehouses
where the colored men were
moved in. Capt. Tacey replied:
"The reaction has been very
bitter. There have been Incl
dents. but so far no physical
violence" Many of the Negroes
themselves have asked to be
transferred away. he added, de-
ciaring, "They don't like it any
better than we do"
Davis Summarizes.
: Mr.. Davis. summarizing part
OF the Capt. Tacey testimony,
received full approval from the
witness when the Representative
said:
"AS I understand your posi-
ton. you say that relations be-
tween the white and Negro fire.
men prior to this integration
order were pleasant and salts
factory. There was teamwork
and efficient fire-fighting. Now
teamwork is mostly absent.
There is resentment and feeling
between the two groups that
makes it disagreeable for both
sides"
Representative Klein, Demo-
crat. Of New York, declaring
that he was in favor of inte-
grafton and predicting that in
tegration would spread through
out every field in the country,
cross-questioned Capt. Tacey at
some length. ~
Can't Pinpoint Charge.
The witness, asked specifically
about his charge that efficiency
had fallen of, said other wit
nesses could testify to that bet
ter than he. He said, however,
that he could not definitely pin
point" the changes in efficiency.
But I do know morale Is low, .
he said.
At one point when Mr.. Klein
predicted complete integration
throughout the country, Mr..
Davis declared "of course that
is your opinion" A round of ap-
plause from the crowd greeted
the Georgian's statement.
Representative Williams, DEM
ocrat. of Mississippi. apparently
favoring the Davis bill, drew
from Capt. Tacey the statement
that the opportunities for pro-
motion for Negroes was much
better during segregation than
with integration.
Does District Commissioner
Spencer live in an all-white
area?" Mr.. williams asked the
witness.
When he hesitated, declaring
he had never been there, voices
in the room called out loudly,
twas