Evening star., 1948-11-15
Byrd Defends Meeting
With Legislators as
Within His Rights

The University of Maryland was
well within its rights" in placing
vital" issues before members of the
General Assembly, President H. c.
Byrd declared today in answer to
a protest against his action Satur-
day.
During a meeting with members
of the General Assembly at College
Park, DR.. Byrd said that while the
University of Maryland is respon-
sible for education Of Negroes, 1T
would be disastrous to have them
come into College Park under
present conditions He advocated
controlled segregation" term
which was not explained in detail.
His talk was protested to Gov.
Lane by Leo v. Miller. president Of
the Board of Managers of the
Brownsville State Hospital for Ne
groes. Mr.. Miller, who is white,
described the Saturday meeting as
IAN extravaganza INDUCED in by
the president of the University Of
Maryland" and asserted that the
legislators were exposed to at
tenpts at molding their opinion
on certain public issues at State
expense. ''''
SoughA to Outline Position.
DR.. Byrd, in his statement today,
said the University considers that
it is well within its rights" in plac-
ing its position relative to vital
Statewide questions before men,
bers of the Legislature. ."
The members of the Legislature
constitute the final court so far as
the University of Maryland is con-
cerned. They determine what the
university shall do and what it shall
be, and under democratic form of
government it would seem the uni
versity has every right to place
it's position truthfully and soundly
before them as a body" Or. Byrd
said.
DR.. Byrd said that was what he
attempted to do Saturday.
And who, under a democratic
form of government, would deny the
university was right?" he asked
DR.. Byrd said "the university ex-
poets to place its position before
members of the legislature as long
as such questions need to be pre-
sented."
Action Called Unorthodox.
Mr.. Miller, in his letter to Gov.
Lane, said:
"As an administrative official Of
a State institution which is con-
fined to defined State policies for
obtaining institutional funds I am
registering vigorous protest against
the unorthodox manner in which
Dr.. H. c. Byrd "'' is being allowed
to proceed.
"As a taxpayer, I object to the
approximate expenditure of $1,000
Of public moneys for the football
party recently held at the State uni
versity. This action gives a strong
appearance of being in the nature
OF subtle bribe.
"Other institutional heads may
also desire the legislative body to
have a favorable presentation Of
their story but to do 50 they would
have to compete with DR.. Byrd.
Probably it would be necessary to
hire a big name band. Such compe-
tition, of course, would be ridiculous,
but unless DR.. Byrd is restrained
there is justifiable argument for
such activity"
We're Guests Of Byrd.
After their conference Saturday
the Assembly members
were guests of DR.. Byrd at lunch
and later went in a body to the
= North Carolina football
game at Griffith Stadium.
DR.. Byrd told the legislators there
are two important questions in
volved in Negro education. One is
the university's responsibility and
the other proposal to abandon
Princess Anne Agricultural College
10 the Morgan State College for
Negroes.
He said ne was opposed to allow
ng Morgan to take over Princess
Anne, which now is under univer-
;ity administration.
The president said he believes
Negro and white work should be
at the university" add
ng that it could be done "in such a
way as to meet objections"
DR.. Byrd also discussed the uni
,aNcirI,Sr