Evening star., 1960-07-01

when Segregation Goes, Busi-
ness Grows" Glen Echo
Should Echo Democracy" and
End Jim Grow at Glen Echo"
Guards at first told all dem
onstrators to leave the park
property but later permitted
orderly picket procession in
front of the main gate.
Belongs to Human Race"
When several picketers.
headed by Laurence Henry,
25-year-old Howard University
divinity student, tried to enter
the park, they were stopped by
guard Francis j. Collins who
told them the park was strict
ly for white persons"
Asked what race he was. Mr..
Henry said: Il belong to the
human race" He was told the
park was segregated.
Are you telling me that be-
cause my skin is black cannot
come in the park?" Mr.. Henry
asked.
THE park is segregated" re-
piled Mr.. Collins. 1T is pri-
vate property" Maryland law
does not prohibit segregation at
private businesses.
The demonstrators, who in
cluded white adults and chill
dren from the nearby area, then
began marching in a large
circle.
An hour later a group of %
people, including IA Negroes,
suddenly left the picket line
and walked into the park and
to the Ranch" the parks eat
ing facility. where they stood
IN line awaiting service. The
counter then was closed.
Tickets Are Produced
After a short period seven
Negroes and six white persons
marched out of the Ranch"
and boarded the merry-po-
round. Negroes produced tickets
previously purchased by white
students.
A half hour after they had
seated themselves on the merry
go-round, the Negroes were or
dered to leave. and when they
refused, Mr.. Collins arrested
them.
Shortly afterwards Mr.. Henry
advised all demonstrators to
leave the park. AS soon as the
Negroes had departed, the
merry-go-round ground back
into motion and the Ranch re-
opened.
March Till Midnight
The picketers continued to
march until midnight as some
residents of nearby homes ar
rived with sandwiches and cold
drinks.
The demonstration followed
a press conference held by the
groups white and Negro lead
ers during which they an
nounced they were writing all
members of the Montgomery
Council asking them to inter-
Icede to "highlight the need for
social adjustment"
Mrs. Stella B. Werner, a
county council member, said
she felt sure I'VE will not per-
init any violence" She COM
mended the demonstrators for
the peaceful way they carried
out their protest.
She said she wanted to avoid
further comment until I know
all the legal angles"
I'VE have no law enforce
ment involved because we have
no law on this. l am sure
Montgomery County will do
what's right"
Authority Doubted
Joe M. Kyle, council mem
Der and an attorney, said he
thought the council has no
authority to enact any legis-
lation" in this area. He noted
that the NAACP, KenSington-
Wheaton Democratic Club and
a Unitarian Church group have
asked the council to adopt an
anti-diScrimination ordinance.
He said several council mem
berS have discussed possible
creation of a civil rights COM
mission to study race problems.
but added that nothing has
been done yet to form such a
group.
Councilman Stanley B. Frosh
said he thought MONTGOMERY
County would achieve "the Ill
innate integration of our
amusement places without
undue incident"
He said the county made the
transition to integration in its
schools without incident. Il
am confident we can accom-
Iplish the same result in our
places of recreation" he said.
Councilman Jerry T. Will
liams said. Its bad affair
that they'll have to work out
themselves"
Grover T. Walker, council
president, and Councilman Da-
vid L. Cahoon were out of town.