An Open Letter to the Washington Park Committee.
Honored Sirs:
It has been well over six years since Mr. McIntire gave the Negroes of this city tract of land on Preston Ave., known now as Washington Park.
Just a few moments after the grant was made the City Council called you gentlemen together and informed you of the gift; it was slight contention at that meeting, we understand, over just what man would be best suited to head the committee or a matter to that effect. We weren't there so cannot discuss that phase of it at any length.
Shortly after satisfactory agreement was reached in your body, you proceeded to give benefit dances, accept club and private donations and let the grounds out for barbeques and other purposes in attempts to create a fund.
After the small show left the park grounds during the early fall of 1932, your interest apparently ceased and the most that we have been able to hear was a very indefinite statement made by one of your members in a mass meeting last last year concerning the promise of the City Council to help erect a building on the grounds.
Gentlemen, the City Council of Charlottesville selected you because of your merits and the Negroes of the city were well pleased with its choice because we felt you more than capable of doing the task entrusted to you.
Your six year reign however has been very unsatisfactory, and individuals are wondering about small donations given; clubs are anxious for an explanation and the citizens in general would like to know what you intend to do. Right here may we add, even if they weren't wondering and even if they didn't want an explanation, your position, one of public trust, would most certainly call for some sort of reckoning after a lapse of six years.
If you find it inconvenient to release a signed published statement in regards to the present financial standing of the fund, your past activities and your present plans, then why not call a mass meeting, rid yourselves of the obvious burden and give the people of Charlottesville a chance to show their appreciation for the generous gift of Mr. McIntire by appointing an active and capable park committee.
In conclusion may we add, this is not an attempt, gentlemen, to do but one thing, and that is, to start action that may lead to the development of Washington Park, a much needed project in our city that has apparently escaped your notice.