Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-13
Local Control Urged
In Indignation Steps
Continued From First Page

Continued From First Page
and when to put into effect its
May II decision against the
principle of racial segregation in
public schools.
Maryland and several other
State officials were to be heard
later today. The current hear
ings were expected to end to-
morrow with final presentation
by Solicitor General Simon
Sobelof for the Justice Depart
ment.
Mr.. Lake informed the high
court that his State since last
May has been making an earnest
study of acute problems result
ing from the decision against
school segregation. He reported
that a special commission as well
as the State Legislature have
stated that mixing of the races
in North Carolina public schools
at this time cannot be accom-
plished and should not be at
tempted.
Challenges Court
He also challenged the author
ity of the courts as well as that
of Congress to issue any decree
or enact any law attempting to
tell a State how to assign stu
dents in public schools or other
wise to administer State school
systems. so long as no one is dis
eliminated against because of
race.
Mr.. Lake protested that the
type of prompt and detailed
court order requested by attor-
fieys for Negro children would
exceed the courts power. He
warned that it could open the
way for Negro children to push
white children out of desks SO
that the Negro children could sit
In them" Mr.. Lake described
such a decree as clearly uncon-
stitutional and impractical"
Suggests TV System
In discussion between JUS
tice Frankfurter and Mr.. Lake,
the idea of q radio and TV edu-
cational program was mentioned
as a conceivable substitute for
public schools. When Mr.. Lake
said he believed that such a
system could be operated legally
without violating the courts de-
cision, and that various other al
tentative educational methods
could be provided in place OF
public schools, Justice Frank
furter commented:
II suppose a State also has a
right to bring up its children IN
ignorance"
For the third day Of oral
arguments, the prime question
still was whether to allow
gradual deSegregation without
definite deadliness or to order
complete indignation by next
September.
That issue was sharply defined
and debated yesterday. Attor-
neys for Virginia and South
Carolina warned that any set
date for compelling indignation
In the foreseeable future would
cause untold social and educa-
tional upheavals and probably
force closing OF public schools.
Attorneys for Negro children
in those States declared, how
ever, that there was no practical
excuse or legal reason to prevent
the wiping out of public school
segregation this year, and Ger
tainly by September. 1856.
Ask Pointed Questions
Pointed questions from the
Justices during the argument
demonstrated their concern
over the problem of how to bring |
about workable indignation.
Chief Justice Warren appeared |
to be especially concerned over |
whether South Carolina would |
or wouldn't attempt to desegre-
gate it's schools. He closely ques-
toned the attorney for the |
school district involved in the |
South Carolina case on whether
an attempt would be made to |
comply with the courts decree
once it is issued.
At one point Justice Frank
furter asked the same lawyer,
S. E. Rogers of Clarendon
County. S.. c., If he was asking |
the court to reconsider the doc
title of constitutionality Of last |
Nay" Laughter rolled through |
the courtroom as Mr.. Rogers re-
piled: I'm certainly not sug-
costing that in my argument, |
sir"
Five Arguments End
Yesterdays conflicting and
sometimes bitter exchanges
closed the arguments on
cases from the District, Vir-
ginia. South Carolina, Della
ware and Kansas. Those five
figured in the high courts unan-
imous decision of last May III
outlawing racial separation of
students in public schools.
In its quest for further in
formation and suggestions as a |
help in determining methods and |
possible time limits for putting |
the May II decision into effect,
the Supreme Court then began |
hearing officials from several
States.
While not direct parties in the |
pending litigation, those States.
as well as a dozen others that |
required or permitted school
segregation. have close concern
in the type of court DEGREES even
tually to be issued.
Florida Official Heard
The court late yesterday
listened to a Florida official.
Today it expected to give ear
to--and probably question-rep-
reSef1tativaS nf Arkansas OKLA.