Evening star., 1954-10-20
Six D. {. Pupils
Find lnfegration
Can Succeed
But New Rochelle
Guests Still Discover.
Some Distinctions
By james 6. Deone
Stcr Stoff Correspcndent

NE w 1tJSI1G4k&E, IN. =, OCG
20.-Six Washington high school,
students this week are learning
that public school racial integra-
tion can work.
Two days ago. the principal
and a group of students of New
Rochelle High School, which has
a mixed enrolment of whites and
Negroes, welcomed two student
visitors from each of three Wash
ington high schools, Anacostia
Eastern and Mckinley.
The Washingtonians were in
vited here because New Rochelle
has been hearing of difficulties
in the Capitals school integra-
tion process this fall. It was the
thought of the New Workers that
a visit to an integrated school
might help reassure students In
the Capital and aid in smoothing
OUT The QlIllCuiCl6S.
Suggested by Teacher.
A young history teacher, Rob-
ert Forbes. first suggested the
project which is now bringing
unexpected national notice to
the normally quiet, efficient high
school of this WeStcheSter
County suburb of New York.
Mr.. Forbes also teaches a class
in human relations. Reading
news accounts two weeks ago
of pupil walkouts which occurred
in some Washington schools, he
suggested to Willis Thomson,
New Rochelle High School prin-
cipal, that here was a fine op-
portunity to put the human re-
lations theory to work.
Mr.. Thomson agreed and, in
an assembly. put the idea before
the student body. The students
greeted the idea with enthusi-
asm. So Mr.. Thomson and Rob-
inson Brown, president of the
General Organization (student
government), sent out invita-
tions. Washington school prin-
cipals responded by picking the
six students-Richard Caulk and
Allan Gross of Mckinley. Betty
Harris and Jack Linden Of Ana
costa. and Ann Hooten ano
Robert Hunt of Eastern. YOUNG
Gross is the son of Representa-
tive Gross, Republican, Of Iowa
Travel Funds Raised.
Mr.. Forbes human relations
students have spearheaded the
project. It has quickly become
something embracing the whole
school, however. Funds for pay.
ing the travel fare (by air) of the
visitors-a total of $300-were
raised in home-room collections
faculty solicitation and cake anc
cookie sales. Ten students vol
unteered to act as hosts, includ.
ing putting up the visitors ir
their homes.
Here besides the Washington.
ians are four students from Bal.
timore, which also had some
recent integration disturbances
Some from Milford. Del, scene
of another recent integratior
walkout, also were invited, but
school authorities there declined
for the present.
All of New Rochelle Higl
Schools 1,606 students, aloni
with their parents and the res
of the community, have beer
brought in as at least taci
participants.
Publicity Brings Difficulties.
The publicity is not, according
to Principal Thomson something
either expected or wanted. Il
fact it created serious difficultie
at the outset.
On Monday, when Mr.. Thorn
son arrived with the Washing
ton students after meeting then
at the airport. he had difficult,
ushering them through a jan
of 20 news photographers ant
reporters. Most of the day wa
spent in interviews and pictur
taking.
That night the project par
ticipants again were on publi
display when they went to Man
hatan to take part in a forum
discussion on integration.
BY yesterday, however, thing
had settled down somewhat ant
he felt the project was MOVING
along better.
"We started this as a yer.
simple little plan. It's a devic'
I've used many times" MI
Thomson said.
When the New Rochelle schoo
has had a problem involving
student resistance, such as OBJ
jections to cafeteria food, stu
dents have been sent to see hov
things operate elsewhere. Afte,
talking over their findings. tn,
problems are ironed out and tn
student viewpoint changes.
Forbes got the idea," th'
principal said. that If Wash
ington students could watcl
this school-we don't have in
tegration trouble, but don't sa,
we don't have fights. you can
get 1900 adolescents togethe
and have peace and love 36
days a year-it would help.
81 think there's a fear Of tn
unknown" he continued. That
where we can help +"
Never Segregated.
In some respects the New Ro
chelle situation is not precisel
parallel to that in Washington
Mr.. Thomson's school has be
tween 90 and 25 per cert Negr