Dr. George W. Bowles – a Giant in York’s History

Dr. George W. Bowles was born in York, Pa. in 1881. He was the Son of Mr. Adolphus & Mrs. Harriet Bowles of this town. His father Adolphus Bowles, was born in 1850 here in York. They lived at 127 West Princess Street. His Father Adolphus was employed in the Small building downtown as an Elevator Man. George was always an intelligent and motivated individual. He was the First Black Man to graduate from York High in 1898, although he was the second Black Person overall. Mrs. Emma Robinson, longtime school teacher of this town, was the very first person of color to graduate from York High in 1886.

After graduating from York High, Dr. Bowles attended and graduated from Livingstone College, a Historically Black University in North Carolina, affiliated with the A.M.E. Zion Church. He then pursued a four year Degree in Medicine at Howard University in Washington D.C. Dr. Bowles graduated number one in his class from Howard University on June 1, 1906. He was awarded his diploma personally by U.S. President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. In 1906, immediately after graduation, Dr. Bowles returned to York to become the First Black physician to practice in this city. But Dr. Bowles became more than just a Doctor. He became a Guiding Light in the development of York’s Black community for the next several decades.

In 1913 Dr. Bowles wrote one of the most controversial papers ever when he advocated a separate Negro Colony as a strategy to combat the atrocious conditions the Negro had to cope with. During a lecture before the Paine Literary Society held at Bethel A.M.E. church Bowles advocated segregation as a way to bring about better living conditions for the Negro in the city and said there ws presently a movement afoot in the city to organize a Negro Colony in York. His lecture was entitled “The living Conditions of the Negro”. Education was dealt with at length in his lecture. The Doctor criticized the Negro for his lack of interest in the public schools intending to show the importance of education to the Negro both individually and as a race. He referred to two representative Negroes, Dr. W.E.B.DuBois and Booker T Washington. the former for his efforts in the pushing the value of higher education and the latter for his emphasis on expanding industrial and vocational education. Speaking about discrimination, Dr. Bowles referred to conditions in this as showing how unjust as far as citizenship, the treatment Negroes receive in this city is. Getting even more controversial Dr. Bowles suggested the citizens of York should offer inducements that will attract a better class f Negroes rather than the large portion of Negroes who are undesirable.  He  went on to say that on certain occasions it was impossible for Negro ministers and professionals to rent on a good street, but was compelled to live under filthy conditions. Bose disclosed that steps are being taken at this time to get a number of local organizations enlisted in a movement to start a Negro colony, a place where the Negro could live without the accustomed humiliation.

In 1917 Dr. Bowles married the lovely Helen Hunter Taylor, a teacher in the Harrisburg public schools. She was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Lorenzo Taylor, who were prominent in the colored circles of Harrisburg. Miss Taylor in addition to being a school teacher was a musician of marked ability. The couple would reside at 322 Water Street in York which is now Pershing Avenue.

Dr. Bowles was well known in this city and commanded great respect especially among the leading citizens here, both Black and White. He was President of the Peoples Forum a Black organization which stressed education and vocational activities in York. In 1910 the Peoples Forum opened and operated a tobacco factory on Penn & Smyser Street in York. The factory was under the direct supervision of Dr. Bowles and employed about 50 Negroes. The factory was one of the greater accomplishments of the Peoples Forum Vocational and Employment initiatives. The workers were paid between $2.50 and $9.00 per week. Dr. Bowles intended the Forum and its initiatives to be a Great force for uplift among the colored race in this city. The Forum was non-sectarian and held a regular meeting every Sunday at A.M.E. Zion church which was on East King Street at the time. Other officers of the organization were; Marion J. Armstrong Vice-President, S. Milton Gibson, Secretary, Albert Foster assistant Secretary, Paul Foster corresponding Secretary, Nathan Gibson Chaplin, George Chapman Bible Instructor and John C. Reeves Treasurer.

Dr. Bowles along with Rev. Thomas Montouth and his wife Mary, was also instrumental in procuring the Community House for Colored People which was established on North Duke Street in 1917 and had a reading room, reception room, game room and a small gymnasium. Community House was under the auspices of Faith Presbyterian Church and was a model for the Crispus Attucks Association, of which Dr. Bowles along with Rev. Montouth, was a Founding member. In addition to Bible study classes, domestic science and art classes, boys and girls clubs and an employment bureau the Community House became famous for its Community Lyceums or forums. These lyceums were held every week alternatively at the several Negro churches in the community.

In 1915 Dr. Bowles, whose office was at 112 West King Street, was one of three representatives from the State of Pennsylvania to be appointed by then Governor Tener to attend the Emancipation Celebration marking the fiftieth anniversary of Negro Freedom, which was to be held in Chicago.

In 1917 Dr. Bowles was elected as a member of the House of Delegates of the National Medical Association, an organization of Negro doctors, surgeons, dentist and pharmacists throughout the United States. In 1938 he was elected as President of this prestigious organization. As President of this organization Dr. Bowles was honored by the Pennsylvania Institute of Negro Health for his “outstanding contributions” and for his activity in planning for better Negro health in the United States. He testified before the U.S. Senate committee on a national health bill.

For 10 years Dr. Bowles chaired the advisory committee of the National Negro United Public Health Services in Washington. In 1942 he was appointed by Governor Gifford Pinchot as a member of the Pennsylvania Inter-Racial Commission. Locally he served for six years as Chairman of the Inter-Racial Commission of York. And in addition to his character building efforts at Crispus Attucks he was instrumental in insuring that the young Black males of York had an opportunity to build their character and leadership skills by participating in the Historic Boy Scout Troop #11, which he along with others worked diligently to sustain.

Dr. Bowles was a prolific writer and a powerful speaker. He would write many letters to the local newspapers trumpeting the need for Negro Unity to address the problems in the Negro community. During celebration recognizing the two hundred and ninety sixth anniversary of the Negro in this country, held at St. Pauls Hall on West Jackson Street, Dr. Bowles spoke on the subject “Will the Education of the Negro Solve the Race Problem?” For a speech at the Bethel A.M.E. church on Newberry & King Street, Dr. Bowles chose as his topic “Race prejudice and Some of It’s Causes”. At another Lyceum at Bethel A.M.E Dr. Bowles spoke on “The Negro Problem Real & Imaginary”.

In March of 1916, Dr. Bowles and others, organized a committee of persons interested in uplifting the colored people of this community. They called a mass meeting for the expressed purpose of forming a local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The objectives of the organization would be to form a center for popular education, to create a bureau for the study of local racial conditions and to seek the overall welfare and advancement of the colored people of York.

A short time later Dr. Bowles and a delegation of York Negroes met with Mayor Hugentugler to petition against the showing of the racist film “Birth of a Nation”. The delegation felt that the already considerable prejudice against the Negro race in York would be made far worse by the showing of this anti-Negro film which was based on the Thomas Dixon, Jr. book “The Clansman”. Other members of the delegation were; Rev. J.A.S. Cole, Pastor of A.M.E. Zion church; Rev. G.S. Burton Pastor of Shiloh Baptist church; Rev. W.E. Williams, George I. Reed, G.H. Chapman, and B.T. Montgomery.

Dr. Bowles served on the Board of Directors of Crispus Attucks for over 20 years. Crispus Attucks had a resounding impact on the growth and development of York’s Black Community during and after the tenure of Dr, Bowles. Dr. Bowles statement on the founding of Crispus Attucks was prophetic. He said, “We have a National Purpose in forming this organization. We will be a character building organization. We want to influence the young in order to bring them into Harmony with our ideals. We hope in the development of our center to bring to bear influences that will create conditions which will enable another rising generation to develop character and to perpetuate the best of our culture and traditions. The overall purpose of our organization is for the promotion of the social and moral welfare of the colored people of York. To us this means up-building character by creating and developing activities and conditions that will help the individuals to live happily and normally with each other.”

How many of you remember the 1968 Debutante Ball sponsored by the Society for the Advancement of Careers under the leadership of Mrs. Mildred Chapman held at the Yorktowne Hotel…..an absolutely Fabulous event……

            

                  

A few more photos from the 1968 Debutante Ball sponsored by the Society for the advancement of Careers under the leadership of Mrs. Mildred Chapman held at the Yorktowne Hotel…..an absolutely Fabulous event…

                                     

A few more photos from the 1968 Debutante Ball sponsored by the Society for the Advancement of Careers under the leadership of Mrs. Mildred Chapman held at the Yorktowne Hotel…..an absolutely Fabulous event……

 

As we approach the 50 year anniversary of the civil disorders known as the York Riots, which shook this community to its core, the subject of Race and Race Relations continue to be a polarizing and somewhat difficult topic to discuss. We believe that the difficulty and aversion to broaching this subject causes us to remain in a state of ignorance and denial regarding the underlying emotions and causes which sparked the civil disorders of the 60’s and which continue to cause a crippling racial divide in this community today.  We believe this unwillingness and inability to discuss and adequately resolve the long simmering, racially charged issues of the past is detrimental to the overall growth and development of all segments of the community and is actually threatening to the creation of a strong social fabric here in York.

Although there has been incremental progress in the creation of a just and equitable community, any cursory review of quality of life indicators will reinforce the fact that we have a Long way to go in creating a community that really respects, utilizes and values its diversity. Whether we look at the works of social scientist David Rusk who spoke of the need for deliberative efforts to correct the systemic inequalities which exist here, or whether you review the statistical analysis of the York Counts review of Quality of Life indicators, it is perfectly clear that many of the underlying issues which instigated those terrible times of years past continue to plague us today.

We believe one of the first steps to resolving or eradicating those issues is to have open, honest dialogue about Race. To that end we are proposing a Community Conversation on Race modeled on President Bill Clinton’s 1995 National Conversation on Race. This forum and workshop would be designed to bring together interested community residents in a safe, non-threatening environment where we can engage in meaningful, productive conversation centered on healing the trauma of the past and creating a unified vision for engagement and progress as we move together into a more inclusive and prosperous future for All of our citizens. A few of the overarching goals of this initiative will be;

• To articulate a vision of racial reconciliation and a just, unified community;
• To help educate the community about the facts surrounding the issue of race;
• To promote a constructive dialogue, to confront and work through the difficult and controversial issues surrounding race;
• To recruit and encourage leadership at all levels to help bridge racial divides;
• To find, develop and implement solutions in critical areas such as education, economic opportunity, housing, health care, crime and the administration of justice — for individuals, communities, corporations, and government at all levels.

At the conclusion of this initiative we will present a report to the community that will represent a vision of One York, which incorporates and builds off of the growing diversity of our community. The report will reflect the work that has occurred during this process including conversations and suggestions at town hall meetings and other venues; reports on how the issue of race has evolved during the last 50 years; and provides recommendations and solutions that enable individuals, communities, businesses, organizations and government to address difficult issues and build on our best possibilities.

In order to accomplish this very important task we are soliciting the support and help of all persons and organizations who have a shared interest in and are concerned about the type of social construct which develops here as we move together into what could be a proud, fruitful and prosperous future. For us all.

For more information and/or to arrange a contribution to our efforts Please contact;

Thank you for your interest, concern and support.

I want to thank the sponsors of the recent telecast of the York High / Central football game. My schedule has been so hectic lately that I have not been able to see this terrific team play.  It was heartwarming to witness the positive, and emotional celebration this York High team displayed tonight. You could feel the love, the comradeship and the Spirit they displayed, after their well-deserved Victory over Central. Spirit such as this has the potential to Lift the Spirits of all of those around it.

I began thinking about the Cultural and Historical impact this season of success would or could have on the psyche of this community. From past experience, I know how much of an impact the actions and behaviors of a popular, admired or respected group of young men can exert on the climate of a community, positive or negative. Back in the days, as in today, the enlightened could almost track the climate of the community by examining the success or lack of success of its major sports team.

With the difficult and troubling educational process in our community, some people say we spend too much time on “Celebrations”. Not truly understanding that as a people Celebration under adversity has and continue to hold the taunt threads of our survival together. Celebration of familial and communal events serve as a time of rejuvenation and inspiration to a body that faces adversity and struggles for survival almost every single day. The celebration of family members success – Proms, Athletics and Graduation – are almost sacred in our community, even amidst the difficult times.   

Back in the 1980, my Brother Kerry and I ran a few youth development, educational programs around the Philadelphia, New Jersey region. At one of the Universities we participated in a program to train a group of “Positrons” These Positrons would serve as a small cadre’ of youth who could act as internal change agents amongst their peers. The theory was to train groups of young students to act as positive leaders in their communities, which were caught up in the throes of a growing, devasting drug trade.

I’ve always thought that, even though our district has had significant issues, if we could improve the attitude, desire and value our students have towards education, we could overcome any obstacles. And visa versa, if we can’t improve those characteristics our district will continue to struggle however many times we tweak the curriculum or infuse additional resources.   

Even though Culture is highly Political, I don’t want to totally politicize this commentary. So, my thoughts were, can you imagine the young Men of the York High football Team serving as mentors, tutors and role models for the generation of youth coming up behind them. Can you imagine these young men having visible positions throughout the school district, and the community, modeling what success looks like to a younger generation?  Can you imagine the impact of these young student/athletes, most of whom I hear pursue excellence in scholarship, on the educational habits of the rest of the district’s students?

This team and the Spirit they have awakened in this community reminds me of one of the overriding themes of the recent Movie “The Black Panther.” In the movie, the Spiritual connection to Family, Community, History and Culture provides significant buffer against the destructive forces of the World. It has been quite a while since this community has had such a game changing opportunity for improvement like the one it has now.  

Many folks especially many who benefit greatly from much of the downtown development might say they are pleased with the progress of this community

Renovating, rejuvenating, and the development of buildings without Renovating, rejuvenating, and developing the people is simply like putting lipstick on a pig. Not insinuating the town is a pig, but, you get the picture. People say sports. Like music is one of those things which transcend race, politics and the troubles of the world.  

To help York build a better future, Jeff Kirkland’s preserving a history that’s been ignored.

Walk six blocks west from Martin Library, and you’ll find another kind of library. 

Hanging on walls, stored in boxes, and archived on hard drive after hard drive in Jeff Kirkland’s West Market Street home is a collection of stories that tell the history of York – the black history of York. 

For years, Jeff has conducted interviews, done research and collected photographs in an effort to preserve a history that’s been overlooked. 

He hopes to write a book one day, or maybe open a space dedicated to showcasing York’s black history. 

But for now, he works tirelessly to gather the information before it disappears.  

“History is lost when generations die out,” he says.

He’s learned about black entrepreneurs and the first black church. And he’s learned more of his own personal history. His grandfather, one of a group of 200 black men who moved from South Carolina in the 1920s, organized a protest against unequal treatment for black people at his job.  

It was also his grandfather, Jeff says, who urged Voni Grimes to move to York. 

It’s also important for white people to learn black history, he says.  

“To know how we got to this point. We didn’t get here accidentally.” 

In order to create a better future, you have to understand the past, he says. 

“Our story needs to be told.” 

York’s Crispus Attucks in the ‘character building’ business

The flashpoint for the 1968 riots in York was the Chester Roach Incident, where a White man, 58 year old Chester Roach, who lived on Penn Street over top of Hoffman’s Meat Market, fired on a group of young Black youth, wounding 10 of them. The area of the shooting was in the heart of the slum district. Here is the story from someone who was there and newspaper reports;

Around 11:00 pm on Sunday August, 1968 a group of young Blacks were walking through the 400 block of West Hope Avenue on the way from one party on West Maple Street to another on Green Street. According to witnesses, as they congregated in the alley talking and just having fun, Roach, apparently angered by the noise and laughter near his second floor apartment came outside and began yelling at the youth telling them to ”clear their Black asses” out of his alley. Several persons reported that Roach fired a pellet rifle after some of the youth began yelling back at him. Bucky Jones, 50 of 222 South Penn Street, told Gazette & Daily reporters that he telephoned city police about 11:30 pm to notify them that trouble appeared to be brewing.

Witnesses then said Roach went back to his apartment and then leveled a shotgun out of the window threatening the youth with it. At this point Jones said he was calling the police for a third time from Sammy’s Pizza at Princess & Penn Street. Sammy’s usually closes around midnight. The youth at whom the weapon was being aimed apparently did not believe that Roach would fire the weapon so they began to taunt Roach. Roach then fired the shotgun injuring several persons. Jones called the police for the third time as Roach was firing the shotgun.

Mrs. Dorothy Sweeney, 413 West Princess Street, reported last evening that she heard the shooting and walked to the corner of Princess and Penn Street, a half block from the meat market. She said she observed two police cars approach, and said the policemen donned riot helmets. Other witnesses said the police escorted Roaches wife out of the area, but left Roach in his apartment. 

After Roach began firing the weapon, witnesses said, the youth began throwing bricks and rocks through the windows of Roaches apartment. James McNiel, an anti-poverty worker and former policeman who lives in the block, said he arrived shortly after midnight and seeing what was happening, filed a complaint to the police that trouble was brewing in the area.  He said the police did not seem to act on his complaint and “seemed to want trouble to start.” Mrs. Sweeney and several other witnesses said the police left the area and Roach again began shooting, wounding several more persons. Following this according to reports, the youth set fire to a shed in the rear of Hoffman’s in an attempt to drive Roach out.  Roach came out of the apartment carrying his shotgun and a .38 caliber revolver, witnesses said and fired both of them. Earl Smith 16, was hit by the revolver and was in serious condition at the Hospital. He was taken to the hospital in a taxi.

Someone disarmed Roach who was then clubbed over the head with his own shotgun and reportedly shot. His injuries were minor and the .38 revolver is still being sought. It was not until Roach was injured that the city police again entered the area, this time with an armored truck. They parked the truck in front of Hoffman’s and told the residents to clear the area. Roach was taken out of the area to a hospital in an ambulance. Witnesses said if the police had taken Roach the first time they were on the scene no one would have gotten injured seriously.  The second time police came to the area they cordoned off the area allowing only residents to enter. Some of the youth had turned over and set on fire a car owned by Robert Goodling, a 15 year old resident who said he now plans to leave the area.

According to hospital reports Roach arrived there at about 1:45 am, more than two hours after Jones said he made his initial calls to police. A reporter who entered Roaches apartment said he found it littered with empty beer cans and cartridge shells.

The police said Roach wounded the following persons: Sarah Chatman, 18 of 227 South Howard Street; Robert Richardson, 483 West College Avenues; Mike Wright, 18 of 235 Green Street; Janet Hunter, 19 of 235 West Princess Street; Eric Kirkland, 15 of 120 West Cottage Place; Andre Woodard, 15 of 472 West Princess Street; Richard Rascoe, 22 of 148 South Penn Street; Vanlon Hudson, 17 of 364 West Princess Street; Lucious Scott, 25 of 503 West College Avenue and Earl Smith, 18 of 341 West Princess Street the most seriously wounded, who is in the York Hospital intensive care unit with a gunshot wound to the lower back.

In addition, York Hospital reported that Paul Nolden, 36 of 447 South Duke Street suffered puncture wounds of the thigh; Percy Smith, 65 of 300 South Penn Street suffered fractured ribs when assaulted; and Stephen Johnson, 21 of Wyndham Drive received a chip fracture of the elbow when he was assaulted at Penn & Princess Street. Johnson the son of Mr.  & Mrs. G. Dugan Johnson, told police he was assaulted by five Black youth who robbed him of $75.00.

One of the youth injured by Roach, 15 year old Andre Woodard, said he and a friend, Mike Wright were walking from a party on the 100 block of West Maple Street to another party on Green Street at about 11:00 pm Saturday night. At the party Woodard met his cousin 15 year old Eric Kirkland and the three walked to Mill Lane and Hope Avenue near the rear of Hoffman’s when they heard shots. As they were standing around all three were hit by gunshot pellets. Both Woodward and Kirkland said they had not antagonized Roach in any manner and that they did not know of or heard of him before the incident. Hudson also injured said that he had been at the Green Street party and was walking through Hope alley when Roach fired at him. He said Roach was standing at the rear of his apartment with his dog yelling something like “get out of my alley.”  Scott another victim of the shooting was unable to walk with shotgun wounds to both legs. Scott said that between 11 and 11:30 pm he heard gunshots and went to Hope alley and Penn Street directly across the street from Roach’s apartment. Roach shot at him from the downstairs alley to the apartment. Several witnesses said that Sarah Chatman was standing on the porch of 223 South Penn Street when Roach fired at her. She sustained gunshot wounds to the right thigh.

Disorders Spread

Civil disorder in the city began to spread when Negroes learned the police failed to arrest the Roach for the shootings of 10 Negro youth. Sixty-five city policemen, armed with full riot equipment and two armored trucks were patrolling a two block west end area inhabited by about 2,000 persons early the next morning.  The Negro population was angered when they learned that police had not arrested 58 year old Roach.

More than 100 Black youths roamed the streets and alleys in the vicinity of Penn Street and Hope Avenue, battling the police in small groups with guns and firebombs.  The disorders seemed to be spreading after midnight. There were also that some white people had entered the area threatening Blacks. Jacob Hose said he had no intention of calling in the National Guard. Detective Charles McCaffery who was in charge said the police were instructed not to use their weapons unless fired upon. Hoffman’s Meat Market was gutted by fire from a blaze started with firebombs. Schmidt & Ault paper mill was also the scene of a large fire started by firebombs. A 23 year old man was arrested for pointing a weapon at a policeman. Several vehicles were pelted with rocks and bottles through the evening as they passed through the affected intersections.  Numerous home and store windows were broken and several residents had to be escorted from the area.

Hoffman’s Meat Market continued to be a center of trouble.  A nine year old girl was injured in the store and was believed by many to have been injured by a bullet fired by city police Corporal Pete Chantiles who says he fired into the ceiling to scare those around the store.   Chantiles had also fired teargas at a small crowd of people earlier that day. Mayor Snyder on the advice of District Attorney John Rauhauser ordered Chantiles to be suspended for 10 days after these incidents. According to Chantiles when he arrived at the store there were a bunch of people looting the goods and he fired his weapon into the ceiling to scare them off. The people in the store said the owner Ed Hoffman had given them permission to remove anything left in the store because most of it was damaged by the fire. Hoffman denied he gave anyone permission to be in the store. Witnesses say Chantiles shot grazed 9 year old Robin Day of 438 West Hope Avenue. She was treated at the York Hospital for a lacerated knee. The hospital reported that there was no evidence of a bullet wound. An 11 year old boy said that one officer grabbed him by the arm kicked him in the back out of the door. All of those in the store at the time were preteens according to Evelyn Jones of 458 West College Avenue.

An anti-poverty worker Vince Williams, 25 of 322 East King Street who was later arrested by police said he was walking south on Penn Street when he noticed a photographer taking photos for WGAL. He approached the photographer and questioned what was going on and found out that Robert Hoffman had given instructions to the youngsters and a few adults to remove the remaining items in the store left from the previous looting. He say this was witnessed by the photographer and an insurance adjuster who was there making estimates of the damage. Williams says after Chantiles fired his weapon, he grabbed his arm and told him Hoffman had given the youth permission to enter the store. Chantiles arrested Williams for obstructing a police officer. This charge was later dropped and Williams was charged with a new charge which forbids activity which obstructs policemen or firemen during disorders. Bail was set at $500.

Heart of the Slum District

Penn Street and West Hope Avenue, where the triggering incident to the riots occurred is in the heart of the most densely populated part of York.Occupied largely by Negroes, the neighborhood can best be characterized by inadequate recreational space and dilapidated and deteriorating housing. If you lived there and you want fresh air on a hot night chances are you’ll spend your time sitting on your front porch. The only “park” in the area is the Cookes Urban Renewal area at Penn Street and the Codorus Creek. It has almost no facilities for young children. Two basketball backboards posted in dirt, and a couple of horseshoe pits and about a half dozen picnic tables. During negotiations for the land taken from the Codorus Street neighborhood with the promise to build an adequate park, the Dentist Supply Company obtained nearly half of what was originally supposed to be a park. The result was a small park which could not even hold a baseball diamond.       

Recent efforts to build a park in the area, called “the worst slum” in the city, have been slowed by lack of Redevelopment Authority staff.  In the past 10 years efforts by certain recreation and Redevelopment officials to have a park built in the area have failed. Efforts by city officials such as Councilman Donald Schlosser to initiate a stricter housing code enforcement program in the area have met with failure and Mayor Snyder vetoed legislation designed to bring in federal funds to uplift the area. On a recent tour of the area led by RDA Administrator Joseph Newman it was found that the alleys were littered with abandoned cars no one had the authority to move. Dozens of buildings had broken windows, crooked doorways and broken steps. Several of the building were literally junk heaps.  When Newman was asked who had responsibility for developing the park in the Cookes area, he said the city administration has the responsibility. When City Director of Community Development John Hennesey was asked he told people to talk to Newman.

Persons who live in the neighborhood have little reason to try to protect the building there. They live in a slum. They don’t own the buildings. They pay rents as high as white people pay in the suburbs. There is little space to move around. Large trucks come through the neighborhood at all hours of the day and night. Children are always playing in the garbage littered streets. The city’s Comprehensive Plan, prepared by Buchart Horn at a cost of to the city of $57,000, says that most rental units occupied by Negroes in York were deteriorating before the Negroes moved in. McKinley-Cookes Neighborhood Center, a part of Community Progress Council, which works as the anti-poverty agency for the southwest section of York, did a study of the 300 block of West Hope Avenue and found the neighborhood to be the most dense, highly populated and dilapidated section of York.