The Tribune. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1951-19??, 1954-11-06
ADDRESS BY SUPT. OF BALTIMORE SCHOOLS
CONTINUED from week of October 80. 1954l

.
Continued from week of October 80, 1954)
Segregation of white and colored children in public
schools has detrimental effect upon the coored chill
dren. The impact is greater when it has the sanction
of the law; for the policy of separating the is
usually interpreted denotng the nferiority of the
Negro group. of inferory affects the motiva
ton of child to learn Segregation with the sanction
of law, therefore, has tendency to retard the educa
tiona and mental development of Negro children and
to deprive them of of the benefits they would
ceve in racally integrated school system"
1--WE conclude that in the field Of public education the
doctrine of separate but equal has place. Separate
cational facilities inherently unequal"
In and editorial published the day after the decision
the New York Times pointed out that the Constitution
and the Bill of Rights be hard masters. What the
Times might have added is that these masters of
creation From earliest days as nation we
set down from time time in historic documents the
high principles by which to govern ourselves.
Often these statements have ahead of usual be-
havior but they remain deliberately established goals
and freely chosen standards
1t is when become that daily conduct
is inconsistent with these statements of purpose that
begin to rise above past 1t is these occasions
that the American dream more nearly true for
more Americans
In one of these pivotal chapters of American history
privileged to become active participants To
greater degree than most historic events the abolition
of segregation in public schools will affect the daily
lives of individuals Because it has to do with long
tabshed patterns of association, it will raise questions
with emotional overtones To ignore these aspects of
the problem would be unwise and irresponsible.
Being teachers and therefore, students of human
behavior need to understand these things and being
human, must view own attitudes with as much
obectivity muster AS instructors of children
of community thought, must be sensitive
the anxeties which exist and should
of the greatest possible assistance in clarity
ing misunderstanding and providing reinsurance
Let me review some of the questions that are being
asked and let give you such information as can
bearing upon them.
l. Will the school system be reorganlzed to lnte-
CRATE all schools?
The answer to that is mo" There will be such
reorganization All of present policies for admitting
or transferring pupils will remain in full effect except
that no child shall entry any school class
because The designation of White and Negro
schools will, of course be discontinued because every
school will receive children of both But MOI
effort will be made deliberately to transfer children of
either for the purpose of mixing schools we have
had the last of placing children anywhere for racial
Hereafter every child will be dealt with strictly
the basis of his educational requirements and IN terms
of his best development.
The division of colored schools will to exist but
no one now associated with that division will suffer any
loss of status because of this administrative change.
g. Will there be large number of pupil transfers
in September?
policy of our board city government Negro and
white schools in Baltimore operated according to equa
standards. In the construction OF buildings ana ther
maintenance in the professional examination of teachers
in the ALLEGATION of funds for books and supplies there
have been racial distinctions.
g. Will teachers other staff members be dis
charged as result of the new policy?
Again, the answer is NO. AS in the past, ca
cancies which in the future will be filled with al
scrupulous regard for relative merit There will be one
eligible list for each type of position Whenever va
cancy occurs of the applicants of the five standing
highest on the list will be selected for employment AS
in the past specific requirements of the position and
the qualifications of each available candidate Will
determine who is assigned Whether are dealing with
teaching positions filled by transfer initial placement
or prootiona positions filled by selection by the board
of sperntendents will be Disseminated against
because of his Nor will his race entte anyone TO
preferment over another who is better qualified.
a. Will children be required to attend particular
schools?
No. and again refer to present policy Balti-
insist that child attend the school in