Evening star., 1954-05-30
Spencer Wants
0rder|ySchooI
Racial Merger
Board Will Debate
District lnteerution
Plans Wednesday
Washington, D. c.
SUNDAY, MAY 80, 1884

NssSN
PIons Wednesday
Commissioner Samuel Spencer
last night said the District should
carry out public school race IN
tegration "as fast as we can do
It in an orderly and well-thought-
out manner"
Mr.. Spencer stressed, however,
that he believes the school or
ganization should not be pushed.
He added it would have to be
left to school authorities to de.
eide how fast they can move.
Mr.. Spencer, who has been
playing an important role in set
ting the Districts policy for
meeting the Supreme Court anti
segregation ruling, made his re-
marks in answer to questions
on the weekly WWDC "Commis-
sioner's Report" radio program.
To Debate Corning Plan.
The Commissioner did not
commit himself either way with
respect to School Supt. Hobart
M. Corning's integration plan,
which would start a limited race
desegration program next fall.
The Corning plan is due for de-
bate Wednesday by the Board
of Education.
Mr.. Spencer cited, however,
several difficulties which DR..
Corning has contended stand in
the way Of immediate complete
integration. The Commissioner
also emphasized, after the broad
cast. that he feels it would be
very unfortunate to begin the
fall term in confusion because
of any effort to reorganize too
quickly.
President Eisenhower, imme-
diately after the May II Su-
preme Court decision, told Mr..
Spencer he hoped Washington
would be a model for the Nation
in ending school segregation and
asked to be kept informed on
District plans. Mr.. Spencer last
week sent the President a prog
ress report. The Commissioner
said Gen. Eisenhower has not
yet made any comment on this
report.
DR.. Corning's plan, highlights
of which Mr.. Spencer outlined
on the broadcast, provides that
only about 2,700 colored children
would be transferred to white
schools in September. These
youngsters would come from
crowded colored schools. Eighteen
white schools are involved in
this plan.
Zone Boundaries for Schools.
Next winter a new map ot
school boundaries would take
effect. and thereafter newly
entering pupils and those being
promoted from grade school or
Junior high would enter schools
in the new zones in which they
live, without regard to race.
Pupils, however, would be allowed
to stay in their present schools
even if they lived outside the new
boundaries, provided all those liv-
ing within the zone were accom-
modated first.
Besides the remapping, which
is now underway, this plan re-
quires that present pupils. both
white and colored, be asked
whether they want to remain
where they are.
Putting the new districts in
effect will mean large-scale pupil
and teacher shifts, as well as
moving furniture, books and
school supplies.
Under DR.. Corning'S timetable,
most mixing of white and colored
pupils would not occur until Sep
tember 1855.
IntegratiOn Speed-up Sought.
Some Board of Education
members have indicated they
would like to speed this up, at
least by making the new bound
aries effective as soon as school
opens this fall.
Mr.. Spencer, however, did not
state last night whether he would
favor such a speed-up.
Mr.. Spencer said it was pos
sible the District government
might provide some help in the
way of extra money and trucks
if the school board decided on
quicker integration. DR.. Corn
ing has said the school system
might not be able to carry out
extensive reorganization this
summer without such help. But
Mr.. Spencer didn't indicate he
was too optimistic about provid-
ing it.
DR. Corning presented his plan
to the school board last Tues
day. and the board has scheduled
a special session for 2 pm. We'd
neSday to consider it. A move is
expected then from Negro men,
bers to speed up the school re-
organization. There have been
strong indications that this move
will get at least some support
among white board members.
Compromises Suggested.
Chief debate is expected to be
on whether the new non-racial
boundaries should take effect in
September. On the proposal that
most present pupils be allowed to
remain in present schools, senti-
ment has not yet crystallized,
but there may be some compro-
mise moves. Wesley S. Williams,
colored member, has said he
favors allowing at least Junior
and senior high seniors to fin
ish at their present schools if