Evening star., 1950-12-26
Negro Lawyers Plan
Fight on Segregation
In Virginia Schools
By the Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va, Dec. 26.-The
National Association for the Ad-
vsncement of Colored People plans
to press for the elimination Of
racial segregation in Virginia
schools next year.
Litigation asking for injunc-
tions against segregation will be
commenced during the fairly early
part of 1851 in as many commu-
mites as we the NAACP attor-
neys) can comfortably handle,
according to Spottswood w. Rob-
inson III, colored, of Richmond,
lawyer for the Negro organization.
Mr.. Robinson believes the time
has come for an all-out drive to
end racial segregation, and he
adds that next years suits over
education will center around
"non-segregation" rather than
equalization"
Two Decisions in Year.
There were only two court de-
cisions on racial matters in schools
during 1850. but they were far
reaching. And Negro attorneys
did plenty of investigative work
for possible future suits.
The Gregory Swanson case. be-
cause of its practical implications,
is considered by attorneys the
more significant of the decisions
rendered. This Federal Court de-
cree on September held that
Mr.. Swanson, Negro lawyer prac-
ticing in Martinsville, was entitled
to enter the University of Vir-
ginia to pursue his graduate
studies.
Three judges-Chief Judge John
j. Parker of the fourth circuit,
Judge Morris A. Soper, also of the
fourth circuit, and Judge John
Paul. district judge for Western
Pennsylvania-held in effect:
If a State maintains only one
unsupported graduate school, it
cannot bar Negroes for reasons of
race or coior-even though Vir-
ginia's constitution and laws de-
clared a policy of racial segrega-
ton.
Studies Begun Promptly.
Mr.. Swanson, whose appliea-
ton for admission In the fail Of
1949 had been rejected by the uni
versity's Board of Visitors, prompt
ly entered the institution and be-
gan his studies.
Although the Swanson decision
applied only to students on a
graduate level in college, Negro
attorneys are certain that the day
isn't far off when Negro under
graduates will matriculate at
white colleges.
Negro attorneys have contended
in court that Virginia State Col
lege, the State-supported Negro
undergraduate school, does not
offer opportunities equal to those
offered by the white colleges.
When they go to court, however,
the Negro attorneys are expected
to ask not for an equalization"
of these opportunities, but for per-
mission to send Negro students to
white colleges to share in other
opportunities.
Opportunities" at Issue.
The word opportunities" and
it's impact on future court rulings
was brought out at some length in
the other court decision this year
affecting racial problems in the
schools.
Ruling on case involving
schools in Arlington, the Fourth
United States Circuit Court of Ap-
peals held that the State must
provide equal opportunities-in-
tangible opportunities for its
Negro children, as well as equal
facilities-material facilities.
The new NAACP policy of ask
ing for specific injunctions against
segregation rather than against
Observation-Disclosures there is such
a policy-was largely precipitated
by Mr.. Robinson at July meet
ing of NAACP's attorneys in New