Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-06-04

A. In the states where segrega-
lions has either been obligatory or
permitted, there has been the
greatest Industrial expansion dur
ing the past 20 years Of any part
Of the country. and they are now
faced with this cholee-either
spend the money In equalization,
or In needed development. like
roads, hospitals, sewerage sys-
TENS. water systems and other de-
veiopements for the benefit of
the people generally. They cannot
afford both. 30 now the Supreme
Court has done q very great SER
vice 10 the States which have
maintained segregation by reliev-
ing them of the foolish expsndi-
lures OF money which they can
put 10 much better use. for these
needed improvements.
I Just came back recently from
a trip TO Texas. and I've been In
other parts OF the South a great
deal during recent months. A
number Of people. who for obvious
reasons did not want to be quoted,
businessmen for example said to
me: we can't openly advocate II
but the cost Of creating equal but
separate schools Ia 30 prohibitive
that we. the South. and the nation
cannot afford II. But we hope that
somebody win bell the cat
namely. the Supreme Court be-
cause then we can say. We'll, we
don't like the decision, but we
have no other alternative but TO
accept the decision Of the Supreme
Court"
q. You think, then. that II win
be cheaper 10 operate non-segre-
gated schools than II has been 10
operate the segregated schoolsT
A. Considerably cheaper. I
think they win be more efficient.
There viii be better education, not
only for Negroes but for whites as
well. And. leaving aside the ques-
ton OF dollars and cents for the
moment, it's going TO mean the
narrowing Of the wide chasm be-
tween whites and Negroes. They
win learn 10 know each other and
respect each other m human be-
lngs. I believe that In a relatively
short time the South Ii going 10
wonder why there was all Of this
widespread discussion and all Of
this feeling about segregation.
VIoIenceT short Lived
q. You don't anticipate any ser
ious trouble a. a result OF this de-
cision7
A. 4 won't 10 quite that far.
Unfortunately, sOSne Southern
ers - and particularly men Hike
Governor Herman Talmadge Of
GeOFgia--haVe said repeatedly
that blood win flow In the
streets hike Rivers" should the
Supreme Court outlaw segregA-
ton. Frankly, Z don't believe n,
Now. there may be some In
stances OF friction that will be de-
liberately fomented by people who
want to stop the growth toward
an integrated society, but be-
lieve that the authorities. both
federal and state, will step In and
nip In the bud any significant To-
mented violence that may be at
tempted.
q. DO you think that there
might be violenceH
A. There may be some. but
think Il will be short-liVcd. and I
don't think the instances win be
numerous Now there may be
some scraps between the young.
stera. but even now there IL fric-
ton among white children attend
ing all-whlte schools and between
Negro children attending all-Ne-
gro schools. I don't think there
win be any measurable amount Of
friction. above what normally ex.
lists among healthy children. To-
day there are more than 2.OOO
young Negroes attending proses.
Sional and graduate schools in
Southern StAtsS All except five
states now admit Negroes. About
four times that number attend
summer schools. and there's never
been a single bit Of trouble.
q. Wont there be some COM
munities where Negroes them.
selves win voluntarily go along
with continued segregation and
raise no protest or legal issue
A. I don't think 30 for a variety
Of reasonsA Negroes themselves
have long realised that their chill
dren are being denied equal ed
ucaSion. This is true not only in
the North and the cities OF the
South. but In the rural areas.
what win Be done 10 Q continued
campaign to wipe out every w~s-
tige % segregation not only In
schools but In housing. which Is |
equally important In the matter Of
Jobs IN the right 10 vote.
Power of NGIllaaa Votes
q. On the question of voting
Mr., White, how strong h the Ne
gro VotsT
A. That brings me TO one very |