Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-08
Davis AssaiIs Move
By School Officials
To Effect Inteuration

10 Effect Integration
Representative Davis. Demo-
crat, Of Georgia, yesterday
critized District school officials
for inviting views of the public
on the mechanics of ending
racial segregation.
The House District Committee
member also called for a copy
of a school publication, Hand
book on Intergroup Education"
He implied that if tax funds are
paid for the book, he might seek
to have the Districts school APP
preparations SlaShed,
The Georgia legislator said
school officials ought to drop
plans for a public hearing on
the indignation question.
He made public a letter to
Chairman Taber of the House
Appropriations Committee in
which he accused School Supt. |
Hobart M. Corning Of joining in
a premature movement to set
up methods of operating nom
segregated schools" The letter
also accused "the left-wing
Americans for Democratic Action
and some similar organizations"
of promoting a propaganda cam
paign on the subject in an effort |
to influence the Supreme Courts |
decision on pending race segre-
cation case.
Taber Not Excited.
Representative Taber. Republic
can, of New York, said he had |
not seen the handbook. He said |
he had no comment to make on |
Mr.. Davis letter, but he said he |
is not excited" about it.
DR.. Corning asked for COM
ment, said he did not wish to
get involved in a controversy |
with Mr.. Davis before talking |
with the legislator. He did point |
out that the Board of Education,
rather than he himself, sent out |
the invitation for indignation
views.
School officers now are sitting
the first answers to the invita-
ton. About 70 were received, but
some contained no suggestions.
The school board asked for the
written suggestions in case the
Supreme Court should order the
dual school system ended. Dead
line for suggestions now is Febru-
airy 20. No hearing date has been
set.
Handbook Being Printed.
The Federation of Citizens
Associations and some of its
member groups, like Representa-
tive Davis, have attacked the
invitations as premature. But a
number of other groups, includ-
ing the District Congress of
Parents and Teachers, have SUBJ
mitted proposals.
The handbook questioned by
Mr.. Davis now is being printed
for distribution to teachers. It
was prepared two years ago by
a school committee as a guide
for improving relations between
racial, religious, economic and
other groups.
The 16-page booklet is being
printed in a high school print
shop, and the cost is small, an
Official said.
1t is only coincidence that it
is being printed now, according
to school officials.
The school board vice presi- |
dent, Albert E. Steinem, said last
night he agreed with Mr.. Davis
that the projected public hearing
ought to be abandoned. Mr..
Steinem also said the handbook
distribution should be delayed.
But Board President C. Mel
win Sharpe said he had no plans
last night to make any change.
He said he had not talked with
Mr.. Davis.
Text of Davis Letter.
Representative Davis letter to !
Mr.. Taber follows: /
I'm what is obviously an effort |
to influence the Supreme Court |
in deciding a District of Column
bia case involving segregated !
schools, the left-wing Americans ,
for Democratic Action, and some
similar organizations, are pro-
noting a propaganda campaign
on the subject.
II have noted that the super
intendent of the District school
system joined in the premature
movement to set up methods of
operating non-segregated schools !
if the Supreme Court by judicial
legislation. should undertake to
change the existing system.
1.-THE school superintendent,
so the press states, sent out 800
invitations to submit views on
of citizens in the District are
indignation" The great majority
vigorously opposed to such &C
ton, and most of those to whom
this invitation was mailed have !
declined to participate. in the
movement.
Asks for a Copy.
IT have noted in Fridays
papers that the school Superin-
tendent is planning to send out |
for general distribution 5000 |
copies of Handbook on Inter-
group Education which it is
stated was prepared by curric-
u1um committee on intergroup
education organized by the SUI
perintendent in May, 1913.
THE news item states that
copies were given to school prin- |
cipals and supervisors a year
ago.
Being member of the SUBJ
committee on health, education
and recreation of the District of
Columbia Committee, have