The Reflector

Issue Number:28

Date: 02/17/1934

p. 01, c. 01

The various churches of the city appointed committees, by order of the city council, last week, that will meet in the near future with a similar body of white citizens for the express purpose of making definite plans for local recreational work.

The move was welcome news to hundreds of Negro citizens in Charlottesville, and every step shall be watched with great interest, because one of the first issues, naturally will deal with the development of Washington Park.

Over five years ago, as "The Reflector" has previously pointed out, Mr. McIntire gave a large tract of land, located on Preston Avenue, for the building of a Negro Recreational Center. A Negro committee was formed, the ground named, some funds obtained and then activity ceased. In vain the people of Charlottesville have asked for an explanation and have been told by the city that developments would begin as soon as the park committee presented its pledged amount of the needed cash, and upon appealing to the committee the blame has been shifted to the city.

This seemingly indifferent attitude manifested by these men, chosen to represent the Charlottesville Negroes' intererst in the park project, has been a source of humiliation to the thousands of citizens that are quite eager and ready to do their part.

"The Reflector" hopes that this new committee chosen to meet the city council will attend the meeting determined to rectify the five year blunder of the first committee, and agree on a definite plan for the immediate development of Washington Park. It can be done and done easily because hundreds and hundreds of Negro citizens and many white friends are willing, at a moment's notice, to follow a logical procedure that will put into practical use Mr. McIntire's gift of five year's standing.