Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-29
Public Education
Statement Hit
AS Not Enough
BY ALEX r. PRESTON

stronger assurances that Viz
ginia's public school system would
be maintained II the State pays
tuition grants for educating chill
dren in private schools.
Delegate Robert Whitehead Of
Nelson County and State Sena-
tor-elect Stuart B. Carter Of
Botetourt, said the Governors
assurances yesterday did not go
far enough.
The Governor, mentioning in
Florida, issued a statement de-
Iclaring his intention to strongly
recommend" that the General
Assembly comply with the State
constitutional requirement for
maintenance of public schools.
In another development. a high
official in the Justice Department
said the department will watch
closely Virginia's action In car
rying out the Gray Commission
recommendations for avoiding
compulsory attendance at in
tegrated public schools.
To Decide January Q
The tuition grants plan is o
part of the Gray Commission
lplan and voters will decide on
january whether to eliminate
from the State Constitution q
provision now banning use Of
public funds for educating chill
Idren in private schools.
| The Justice Department wants
Ito make sure that whatever
action Virginia takes in the
school segregation dispute is
within the limits of the Federal
Constitution, the official said.
Right now the Justice Depart
lment cannot forsee exactly what
line Virginia will take, especial
lily in all the details which may
have a key bearing on the legal
status of the program.
Il The official said that "if all
they do is call them private
!, instead Of public schools and
use public funds I don't think
that would stand up"
(The Gray Commission did
mot propose that public school
buildings be operated as private
institutions. Many members Of
the commission believe that this
could not be done under Federal
court decisions.)
Other Aspects Studied
The Justice Department, ac-
cording to one high official, also
Is in a period of watching and
! waiting on other aspects Of the
school segregation issue.
According to this official, In
Itegration Of white and colered
students is going ahead nation
ally at a satisfactory rate. The
official said that as indignation
works in each State or each CON-
munity. the next State or COM
munity will find it easier to
follow the Supreme Court edict.
/ He obviously placed great con-
fldence in the gradual accept
ance Of Indignation across the
country.
He conceded, however, that
probably some areas will have
to be prodded through Federal
law enforcement agencies. The
time for such action, however,
has not come yet.
Court Deadline Awaited
The Supreme Court, for in
stance. has not yet set a dead
Iline for enforcement Of its bar
ION segregation in public schools.
In the renewed demands for
assurances by Gov. Stanley that
public schools will be main
tanned. Delegate Whitehead
said. "His statement makes no
reference whatever to the main
Itenance of public free schools in
every county and city"
Mr.. Carter asked whether
public schools would be operated
in those counties which have
threatened to close their IA
cilities rather than submit to
indignation of white and Negro
pupils.
Gov Stanley released the
statement yesterday through his
aides in Richmond. He ex-
lplained he wanted to eliminate
ANY confusion that may have
been created" in the January 8
referendum campaign.
Had Declined Comment
Previously, Stanley had de-
lclined to comment on requests
flor guarantees that the public
school system would be main
Itained on the grounds that fur
Ither statements would simply
confuse the people"
Former Gov. Colgate Darden
and Mr.. Whitehead, each a sup
porter of the proposal to amend
the State Constitution, had APP
pealed to pro-amendment leaders
for positive assurances that
public schools would be main
tanned.
Mr.. Darden and Mr.. White
head noted widespread fear
among the people that adoption
of the amendment might prove
harmful to the public school
system.
Gov. Stanley, in his statement
yesterday, said he would urge
the legislature to exercise its
authority to see that the pro-
vision of Section 129 of the con-
stitution is fully carried out"
Section l29 states that the leg
Iislature shall maintain the
school system.
Mr.. Carter, who is opposing
the amendment plan, said he