Evening star., 1947-12-08
|CoIored Leaders PIE;
For School Inquiry
Referred 10 Dirksen

of the House District Committee 8
request by a group of colored organ
ization leaders that a special House
committee investigate school con-
ditions here, particularly as they
apply to colored pupils. 49,.
The group called on the Speaker
at the Capitol and was advised to
lay the matter before Representa-
tive Dirksen. Mr.. Martin said he
would arrange the appointment.
The visit, led by Edgar G. Brown,
director of the National Negro
Council, was an alternative to ex-
tending the picketing Of schools to
include Cardozo High School and
Shaw Junior High. Picketing started
last week at Browne Junior High
and the Blow and Webb Schools.
It was continued today.
Mr.. Martin said he was much
concerned with this problem OF
seeing that every child gets equal
treatment under the law, particu-
larly in the Nations Capital.
Members Of Group.
The group which called on tha
Speaker, In addition to Mr.. Brown
included Bishop Robert j. Jones
the first Negro to be elected
bishop Of the Methodist Church; DR.
G. T. Murray, pastor Of the Yer.
mont Avenue Baptist Church; the
Rev. Earl L. Harrison, pastor OF
the Shiloh Baptist Church; the
Rev. E. c. Smith, pastor of the
Metropolitan Baptist Church; James
M. Tolbert and Mrs. Arahm Hastie
The last two names represented
civic associations, Mr.. Brown said
Mr.. Brown said after the meet
ing with the Speaker that he be-
lieves his group now is on a Con
structive approach to equal rights
for all children"
Meanwhile, only about 1870 stu
dents, or IA per cent of the total
enrolment of 1927, attended morn
ing classes at the Browne Junior
High School and the Webb and
Blow schools.
At Browne, 1913 students out of an
enrolment of 87O were present, so
out of 269 were present at Blow
and IL out of 288 were present at
Webb. ...-.
Afternoon classes call for 39o
students in the three schools.
Saturdays Plans Revamped.
Picketing started last Wednesday
at the Browne, Blow and Webb
Schools and also continued today.
Mr.. Brown announced Saturday
the plan to picket the Shaw and Car
dozo Schools. As result Of meet
ings and conferences yesterday, he
said, new forlr-point program had
been decided on instead. It con-
sists Of:
!. The request of a House investi-
cation during the special session of
Congress of conditions here in an
effort to eliminate the "makeshift
and hand-me-down measures" for
the schooling of colored pupils.
2. A legislative program to be
presented to Congress to "imple-
ment the Presidents Committee on
Civil Rights recommendations of
equal schooling for ALL" This pro-
gram would seek to wipe out what
Mr.. Brown referred to as the "34
black laws which result in inequities
and unequal educational opportuni-
ties"
3. The circulation of q petition
calling for q referendum on the
sit tight" attitude of the Board of
Education to determine whether
there shall be a city-wide boycott OF
all schools to get action.
4. 10 seek from the courts, if they
have the power, the removal of all
school board members as incompe-
tent and the recall or resignation of
Superintendent Hobart M. Corning
Brown Talks to Three Groups.
Mr.. Brown said it was regretted
that the demand for the removal
Of all schoolboard members should
apply to Mrs. Velma Williams, a
colored member, and Adelbert w
Lee. He said those two voted against
the majority on the school transfer
question. But" he added, "they
have done nothing to correct the
situation"
The strike by students which
paralleled the picketing last week
OF the Browne, Blow and Webb
Schools was opposed yesterday by
Elmer G. House, chairman of the
Citizens Emergency Committee.
Mr.. House said the committee
Cannot condone a strike by stu
dents" and although it recognizes
the right of picketing it excludes
this means as part of its program.
He said the committee has recon-
mended to the Board of Education
that consultation with the repre-
sentative organizations and the par
ents would provide the necessary
solution"
Mr.. House spoke oyer radio sta
tion WQQW. He said his commit
tee represents Is civic organizations,