Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-08-26
LETTERS TO THE STAR
Overture for the March

It appears to me that the
NAACP and other organiza-
tons working with the aid Of
the Kennedy Administration
have really succeeded In SELL
ing the concept that any OPP
position whatsoever to tn
Negro today. no matter how
excessive the demands, rep
resentS q display Of racial
prejudice and even bigotry
toward the Negro.
The march on Washington
Is heralded as a "demonstra-
ton" which is well within
the rights Of citizenship.
Why? It has never been so in
the past. The bonus march,
ers and Coxey's army were
both dispersed because such
demonstrations were consid-
cred a form of intimidation
upon the F deral Govern
ment. This demonstration,
even II not deemed intimida-
ton, will result in considera-
BILE expense, effort and in
convenience to the city. If we
allow this demonstration, we
must allow any and every
demonstration Of any minor
ity pressure group which
proclaimS q grievance,
whether real or imaginary.
Could the city stand such
demonstrations on a con-
slant and frequent basis?
The demands Of the Negroes
today have gone beyond the
point Of equality" and have
now become excessive, excess
Sive to the point that they
would deny rights to non-Ne-
groes. For 20 years, I have
defended the Negro race and
opposed racial prejudice.
Some is years ago. I walked
in a picket line in front Of
the Washington YMCA. This
picket group consisted Of Ne
groeS and whites, and car
ried signs to the effect that
racial segregation was not
Christian. I believe this to-
day. I also believe that any
discrimination toward the
Negro or any other minority
group by the Federal or q
State Government is in con-
flict with the 5th and 14th
Amendments.
But. we should remember
that one citizens rights end
where the next citizens begin.
I would like to see the look
on the face Of the first Negro
home-owner who Is ordered
to sell his house to q white
man; or the first Negro en-
ployer who Is compelled by
the Federal Government to
hire a white man. Possibly
then, these people will realize
that we have lost a be sic
freedom In this country. 1t
will mean another step in
greater RECOMMENDATION and
control of the Government
over It's citizens.
It's sheer irony that this
reasoning is being promoted
ever-increasingly In the
name of democracy. Equality
for Negroes, yes! But why
more than equalityP
r. b. Shaw.
Considerable concern h as
been expressed about the
health and welfare Of our Vi
sitors on August %. Concern
also is being expressed by 10
cal hospitals and other vital
organizations about their
ability to provide essential
services to local residents on
that day as well as to those
from outside the community.
Whereas sympathetic local
citizens are being asked to
participate In the march, we
hope the responsible leaders
also will emphasize to their
m m bers their respective
responsibilities TO their inSti-
tuition s and to the public
they service. II. for example,
a substantial segment OF en-
ployes were TO take leave
from essential hospital jobs
on August 20, It is conceiva-
BILE that the health, welfare
and safety OF many persons,
local and otherwise, could be
placed in jeopardy.
william M. Butcher
Hospital Council,
National Capital Area, Inc.
/ note that, In response to
a request from Chief Robert
v, Murray OF the Metropoli-
tan Police, the Washington
Senators have rescheduled
their games for August ~
and 20. This is realistic plan
ming because the march on
Washington will undoubtedly
entail q traffic strain.
I would suggest 10 the Dis