Evening star., 1949-10-25
AttorneyAttacks
County Delay in
School Equality
Judge Plans to Visit
Arlington Units as
Case Draws to Close

procrastinated so long in provid-
ing educational opportunities for
Negro pupils that it is not clear
whether the improvements now
promised will be available to chill
dren currently enrolled or to their
grandchildren.
Martin A. Martin, Negro, OF
Richmond, made that observation
during the examination of a wit
ness in a suit accusing Arlington
of discrimination because of race
The hearing is being held before
Federal Judge Albert v Bryan in
Alexandria.
- Effort was being made to COM
plete the case today in time fol
Judge Bryan to make a persona.
inspection of two Arlington
schools.
The judge wants to examine
conditions at Hoffman-Bostor
School for Negroes and at Wash
ington-Lee High School for whites
Lawyer "Surprised" by Witness.
An unexpected development oc-
Cured today when Mr.. Martin
encountered trouble with one OF
his own witnesses. He attempted
to prove that an adequate course
in automobile mechanics is not
provided colored pupils who attend
the Manassas Regional High
School. One Arlington boy is en-
rolled at Manassas to take auto
mobile mechanics which he alleges
cannot be had at Hoffman-Boston.
The Arlington School Board
contends this boy is being offered
education equivalent to that given
whites at Washington-Lee, which
has a course in auto mechanics
The witness, Simon Alsop. col
ored, who teaches a course at
Manassas, said all of his students
in auto mechanics are beginners
and therefore do not yet need all
tools required for more advanced
study. He testified that he ex-
poets to receive additional equip
ment from time to time.
Board Attorney Objects.
At one point Mr.. Martin un-
dertook to declare the teacher a
hostile witness who had caught
the attorney "by surprise" but
Judge Bryan suggested that this
not be done because many per-
sons appearing for the first time
in court are frightened and con-
fused by procedures. Several
times objections were raised by
Lawrence Douglas. lawyer for the
school board, to the way in which
Mr.. Martin was examining the
witness he summoned.
Among other witnesses for the
colored plaintiffs were c. N. Ben
nett, principal of the regional
school, and Miss Peggy Council,
student at Hoffman-Boston, who
has become one of the parties to
the court action.
She reiterated in part testimony
given previously that she has been
unable to receive instruction in
either chemistry or Latin, al
though she has applied for those
courses. The two subjects are on
the white high school curriculum.
Miss Carroll said she needed that
instruction because she planned
to enter a college for nurses.
Noted Educator Heard.
AS the hearing entered it's final
stage, Judge Bryan had the testi-
mony of nationally-known edu-
Gator that there is no evidence
that the Arlington School Board
and it's officers discriminate
against pupils because of race
or color.
The official. DR.. Howard A.
Dawson, is director of rural
service for the National Education
Association. He emphasized that
his individual views do not neces-
sarily reflect the official opinions
of the NEA.
Judge Bryan also had received
a categorical denial of discrimina-
ton, from Mrs. Edmund Camp
bell, vice chairman of the School
Board. Both of these witnesses and
William A. Early, new superinten-
dent of the Arlington public
schools, testified yesterday. Then
the defense rested.
Dr.. Dawson maintained that ed
ucational equality cannot be
Judged from the labels" attached
to courses. or the amount of
equipment used at a school. He
said the value of schools depends
more directly upon the quality
of instruction, the spirit" of the
establishment and well-in-
tegrated curriculum.
State Provisions Stressed.
The colored plaintiffs contend
that Hoffman-Boston is inferior
to Westinghouse with respect
to courses offered. cafeteria facili-
ties, gymnasium facilities, athletic
fields. libraries and other matters.
DR.. Dawson observed that Ar
lington must operate under Vir-
ginia constitutional provision for
segregated schools. He said only
48 students attend the high school
section at Hoffman Boston,
whereas 1881 white children are
enrolled in the Washington-Lee
High School.
When a lawyer for the colored
patrons raised a question about
DR.. Dawson's possible "bias or
prejudice" the educator said he
has long fought for improvement
of Negro schools and would not
favor segregation in Arlington
County if State laws did not re-
quire it.
Mrs. Campbell, who formerly
was dean at Mary Baldwin Col
lege and whose husband is chair
man of the board Of that institu-
ton. emphatically denied any dis