Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-29
Stanley Asked
For Stronger
|Schoo|sPIedge
Whitehead. Carter
Question Assurance
On Groy Proposal
BY ALEX r. PRESTON

Gov. Stanley today faced re-
newed demands that he give
stronger assurances that Viz
ginia's public school system would
be maintained If 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 I'M
Florida, issued a statement de-
claring his intention to strongly
that the General
Assembly comply with the State
constitutional requirement for
maintenance of public schools.
University of Virginia Presi-
dent Colgate w. Darden, jr.,
said today the Governors state
ment satisfies me completely"
Cites Financial Plan
Mr.. Darden, q former Cover
nor. nine days ago asked for
assurances the public school sys-
tenn would be kept intact If the
constitution is amended to per-
NIT tuition grants for schooling
in non-sectarian private schools.
1.-The Governors statement
satisfies me completely" he said.
THE financial provisions being
made by him for the schools give
clear indication of his support"
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 CommissionI
recommendations for avoiding
compulsory attendance at In
tegrated public schools.
The tuition grants plan is q
part Of the Gray Commission
plan and voters viii decide on
January 9 whether to eliminate
from the State Constitution al
provision now banning use Of
public funds for educating chill
dren In private schools.
Weighed Against Constitution
The Justice Department wants
to make sure that whatever
action Virginia takes in the
school segregation dispute is
within the limits of the Federal
Constitution, the ofiicial said.
Right now the Justice Depart
ment cannot forsee exactly what
line Virginia will take. especial.
|ly in all the details which may
have a key bearing on the legal
status of the program.
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
not 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 q period of watching and
waiting on other aspects of the
school segregation issue.
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.
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
tenance 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-
planned he wanted to eliminate
any confusion that may have
been created" in the January O.
referendum campaign.
Had Declined Comment
Previously Gov. Stanley had
declined to comment on requests
for guarantees that the public
school system would be main
tanned on the grounds that fur
ther statements would simply
confuse the people"
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 1879 states that the leg
islature shall maintain the
school system.
Mr.. Carter, who is opposing
the amendment plan, said he
was doubtful" as to what Gov.
Stanley meant in his statement
yesterday. |
Parole Conference !