Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-21

stitution to permit public, funds
to be used for private non-sec-
tartan schooling.
Urged Flexibility
But he suggested Virginia pro-
coed with its educational re.
vision plans ION flexible basis
or on a basis of standby legis-
lation" rather than try to come
up with complete and final
legislation" by the 1856 school
term in September.
In commenting on this. Mr..
Carter declared:
IF. after reconsidering, the
governor and the Gray Commits
sion, as well as other proponents
of the plan to amend the State
constitution, can agree that no
complete and final legislation
to begin with the school term
of next September should be
passed, then urge them to post.
pone the January 8 referendum
in the light of Senator Byrd's 60
slow advice and the repeated
complaint of the people of Vir-
ginia that they have not been
gives sufficient time to study and
understand the proposed change
in their constitution"
Seek Early Action
It has been the thinking of the
Gray Commission--the 32-man
body Of legislators which last
month recommended a package
program aimed at maintaining
separate school facilities-that
favorable vote January 8
would permit the holding Of an
early convention to take up the
amendment proposal.
In this way the Legislatures
1856 session-beginning in jan
uary-might take up the entire
Gray program.
However, since Senator Byrd's
statement some pro-amendment
leaders have repeatedly begun
thinking about revising the
timetable for legislative. action.
Such a revision might mean q
postponement of the convention
until the adjournment Of the
Legislature in March.
Assignment Device
Meantime. the Legislature
might proceed with enactment Of
laws to carry out other phases
Of the Gray program that did
not depend on the constitutional
amendment One of these would
be a pupil assignment plan
whereby Negroes and whites
would be sent to different
schools. but on grounds other
than race.
Gov. Stanley said Monday he
would wait until the results Of
the referendum are In before
deciding whether to recommend
that the entire Gray program be
taken up at the Legislatures
regular session.
Other Developments
Meanwhile, there were various
other pro-and-con developments
on the amendment plan. Among
them:
/. 1t. Gov. A. E. s. Stephens,
speaking at Virginia Beach last
night. said a pro-convention
vote January 9 would be a vote
of confidence in General As
sembly that has never let the
people down. He described as
a cruel fact" that education
was in danger in some areas Of
the State because Of the
Supreme Courts desegregation
decision.
2. The Rev. John H. Marion.
director Of the Virginia Council
on Human Relations. in a Rich
mond speech last night, called
the amendment plan a half
baked thing" that could wreck
the public school system. He
said it would be impossible to
preserve the system by en-
couraging and substituting private
education.
3. Delegate Joseph Williams Of
Henrico. sharing the platform
with Mr.. Marion. said rejection
OF the amendment plan would
mean some areas would go with
out schooling because local
officials would not permit inte-
grafton.
4. The faculty of Hampton
Institute, private Negro college.
voted ITO against the amend-
ment plan and censured Gov.
Stanley and the Legislature for
violation of their oath to support
the Constitution of the United
States" The faculty's state
ment described the proposed
amendment a "willful evasion"
OF the Supreme Courts ruling.
5. School superintendent Of
the Counties of Campbell, Bed
ford, Appomattox. Halifax, Char
lotte and Pittsylvania and the
City Of Lynchburg Endorsed the
amendment plan in a resolution.
They said they believed it to be
Ito the best advantage of the
Virginia public school system"