Evening star., 1949-09-07
Critic Of School
QuizzedAgainin
Racial Bias Suit
Teacher Association
Secretary Heard on
Arlington Facilities

ATiln9ton TuCilItIeS
Cross of key
prosecution witness was continued
today in the racial discrimination
suit brought against Arlington
County school authorities. as the
hearing was resumed in Federal
District Court, Alexandria.
On the stand in behalf of Con-
stance Carter, 17-year-old pupil
at the colored Hoffman-Boston
School, was J. Rupert Picott, Of
Richmond, secretary OF the Vir-
girlia Teachers Association. He
told Judge Albert v. Bryan at the
opening session yesterday that the
colored schools facilities were
inferior to those provided white
students attending Washington
Lee.
AS the hearing was reconvened,
Attorney Lawrence Douglas re-
sumed intensive questioning of
Mr.. Picott in an effort to show
that some of his expert conclu-
sions would be affected by the
overwhelming size of Washington
Lee, and also that Hoffman
Boston enjoys some facilities not
provided at the white school.
High school enrolment at Wash
ington-Lee is 1880; that at Hoft-
man-Boston is 48.
Henderson to Be Called.
After the colored Richmond
witness is dismissed, the plaintiff
expects to call DR.. Edwin B. Hen
derson. director of physical edu-
cation, health and safety in the
Washington public schools. Miss
Carter herself may take the
stand later in the day. Lawyers
have estimated the hearing will
run at least into tomorrow.
The purpose of testimony pre-
sented so far was to detail the
principal differences in physical
equipment at the white and
colored schools. The plaintiff is
asking Judge Bryan to require the
School Board and Supt. William
A. Early either to provide at Hof1-
man-Boston all the courses offer
ed at Washington-Lee, or force
the school authorities to permit
Miss Carter to enroll at Washing
ton-Lee. Virginia law requires
segregation of the races.
Girls Mother Testifies.
At the opening session, the
plaintiffs mother, Mrs. Eleanor
Taylor, 3425 South Twenty-second
street. Arlington, testified Miss
Carter attended Dunbar High
School, Washington. after she
found the Hoffman-Boston course
was not as complete as the Wash
ington-Lee course and after school
authorities refused to enroll her at
the white school. st
Mrs. Taylor admitted, on Cross
examination, that her daughter
did not take all the courses at
Dunbar for which she had applied
in Virginia. She said. however,
they were at least available.
Mr.. Picott and a photographer
who introduced 10 pictures of the
two schools testified that Wash
ington-Lee had a better shop,
auditorium. gymnasium and Ii
brary and better facilities for art
and athletics.
On cross-examination, Mr..
Douglas got Mr.. Picott to admit
that "in a sense" the Hoffman
Boston home economics depart
ment was better than Washing
ton-Lee's because it had one more
room, a bedroom =
Not Conscious of Bias.
Are you conscious of any bias
or prejudice in this matter?" in
quired Mr.. Douglas.
mo, I'm Mt conscious of any"
replied the witness. II am trying
to draw fair conclusions.
Then why didn't you make the
comparison between the two home
economics units?" MIR. Douglas
demanded.
Il was not asked the question
on direct examination" shot back
Mr.. Picott.
The plaintiffs attorneys are
Leon A. Ransom of Washington
and Oliver w. Hill and Spottswood
Robinson of Richmond.
7 The Arlington School Board re-
tanned DIR. Howard Dawson, di-
rector of rural service for the Ma
tional Education Association, to
assist Mr.. Douglas in the case.