Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-09-15
Maryland Counties
To Waif-and- See on
School IntegIration

School officials in nearby
Maryland counties, informed Of
the States view that indignation
should be a matter of local
choice. are taking wait-and-
see attitude.
Board of Education members
In Montgomery County and
School Supt William Schmidt, of
Prince George County. said they
expected officials of those two
counties will keep their schools
segregated until the Supreme
Court takes final action.
They were commenting on a
statement by w. Giles Parker,
assistant State Attorney Cen
eral, who said the States Of
ficial attitude, when it. makes its
stand known to the Supreme
Court, will be that county Off
Gals should determine by local
option when white and Negro
children may go to Maryland
public school together.
Addresses Opponents Tonight.
Mr.. Parker is scheduled to
address tonight a group of par
ents protesting proposed inte-
grafton. His statement was a
preview of what he is to say
tonight.
This fall, schools in Baltimore
are integrated but in the coun-
ties white and Negro pupils are
attending separate chools.
State school officials said earlier
that they would await further
word from the Supreme Court
before making a decision on
what action the counties should
take.
Mr.. Schmidt, who is chairman
of committee appointed by the
State School Board to study the
problem, said Mr.. Parker's views
coincide with the recommends
tons of the committee. Conclu-
sions of the group have not yet
been set down in a report. Mr..
Schmidt said.
Cites Local Variations.
Mr.. Parker said, 1--WE feel that
there should be a variation in
local procedure because of the
variation of local circumstances.
There is as much difference be-
tween Garrett and Calvert Coun-
ties, for instance, as there is be-
tween Maine and Mississippi"
Relative sizes of Negro and
white populations might deter
mine how and when a particu-
lar county might best end its
two-race system of education,
Mr.. Parker said.
Comments on Mr.. Parker's
statement by four members of
the Montgomery County Board
Of Education were based on an
early report of his remarks
which was interpreted as per-
mitting counties to put irltegra-
ton into effect Immediately If
they SO desired.
Wylie w. Barrow, the CHAIR
man; Mrs. Helen M. Scharf,
William F. Bulls and Mrs. Will
lard Edwards all agreed that a
further waiting period, at least
until the Supreme Court acts,
would be advisable.
NAACP Offers Aid.
The Montgomery board, meet
ing yesterday. told county rep
resentatives of the National As
ISOLATION for the Advancement
OF Colored People to get in
touch with the boards integra-
ton committee. The NAACP
had offered its advice and as
sistance on the indignation
problem, and asked to meet with
the School Board.
Meanwhile, Joseph A. Hunter,
president Of the Maryland Con-
gress OF. Parents and Teachers,
made a statement indicating
that the parent-teacher associa-
ton at Southern High School in
Anne Arundel County may be ex-
PEELED from the congress. MIR.
Hunter said the State organiza-
ton probably will not recognize
any PTA group which seeks to
resist the end of segregation in
the public schools.
This is the group Mr.. Parker
will address tonight at Lothian,
Md