Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-02
Virqinia House Vote
Near on School Plan
Final Senate
Action Slated
For Tomorrow
BY ALEX r. PRESTON
Star Star Correspondent

- w
BY ALEX r. PRESTON
Star staff Correspondent
RICHMOND. Dec. 2.-House
passage of the constitutional
referendum bill was expected In
the General Assembly today, with
final Senate action slated for to-
morrow.
Earlier. approval of the Gray
Commission plan by both Houses
had been expected today. How.
ever, Senate leaders today pre-
dicted a meeting of the Senate
Privileges and Elections Com
|mittee would be called for to-
morrow to consider the bill.
The bill then would go to the
Senate for floor debate and final
action.
Opposition Seen Melting
In the House today, Delegate
Kathryn Stone Of Arlington led
Ioff debate. She predicted the
people of Arlington would not
tolerate taxation to support pri-
vate schools.
Delegate Arnistead Boothe Of
Alexandria, the second speaker.
said he is against indignation In
public. schools but predicted that
the Gray Commission plan for
State tuition grants to private
schools would not stand UP in
court. Mr.. Boothe said another
part of the Gray Commission
report, to allow assignment Of
pupils to schools on q number Of
grounds other than race. would
be adequate to avoid enforce&
Indignation.
Opposition to the Gray COM
mission plan, recommended to
the special session by Gov. STAN
ley on Wednesday, seemed to be-
melting away. Opponents, besides
Mrs. Stone, included Delegate
John c. Webb and Omer L. Hirst
of Fairfax.
May Offer Amendment
The specific proposal before
the special session is a plan to
authorize q referendum on call
ing a constitutional convention
to amend Section 141 Of the State
constitution to permit the use Of
public funds for the private edu-
cation Of children where integra-
ton Is not desired.
In the Senate passage Of the
measure seems assured, but o
minority movement is expected
for an amendment.
Senator John A. K. Donovan
lof Fairfax County Falls Church
lis expected to support . proposal
lby Senator Ted Dalton, Republi-
lean Of Radford. Senator Dono-
Ivan repeatedly has said he wants
SPECIFIC assurance the referen-
dunn convention will not jeop.
ardize the public school system.
Mrs. Stone. at the outset Of
her remarks today, read a pas
sage from the Virginia bill Of
rights, which, she said, next
to the Bible and my Christian
faith is the most precious
part Of my heritage" She read
from Section Is:
a.. And that it is the mutual
duty Of all to practice Christian
forbearance, love and charity
towards each other"
Criticized in Campaigns
Her remarks took on added
Significance because she has been
subjected to criticism by her OPP
Iponents in two political cam
|paigns and at public hearings
in the Legislature for having sent
her children to an integrated
school. Mrs. Stone told the law
makers today that two of her
children now attend Arlington
public schools. A minister Of her
church testified two days ago
that the integrated school was
Ia cooperative endeavor spon-
|sored by the church.
"You have heard that the citi-
gems of Arlington do not COM
pletely agree" Mrs. Stone said.
I'm this we are not unique. This
is what I believe is likely to hap
pen in my county:
When we take a moderate
first step-probably by sprinkling
some so Negro children-who do
not live in predominantly Negro
|neighborhoods throughout the 20
white elementary schools, know
full well that many parent will
Immediately apply for the private
tuition grant. Our local expendi-
ture per pupil in 1884 was
1924. It is higher now, approach
ing $500.
Income Level High
1.-THE income level of our COM
munity Is relatively high. Many
parents will no doubt willingly
add from their own pockets Suf-
f1cient money to enter their
children in private schools.
1--WE have about 60 private
schools for pre-school and young
children now. These schools will
attempt to expand by adding
more grades. Do not think that
the cost to Arlington and to the
State will be slight"
Delegate Mann Of Arlington
presented Northern Virginia'S
plea for the other side of the
issue:
II believe the majority of the
people in Arlington are firmly
opposed to enforced migration"
he said. Unfortunately, there
are a large number Of citizens
who have become victims of q
propaganda campaign to con-
vince the people that the amend