Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-08
YEA Officials
Confer With
Gov. Stanley

RlChMOND, dec. b tH1.-Ine
Virginia Education Association.
an organization Of some $4,000
white teachers, may take a
stand on the constitutional
amendment plan to permit use
of public funds for private nom
sectarian schooling.
A referendum on the anti
Indignation measure, part of the
program Of the Gray Commits
sion. was authorized by the
General Assembly last week and
has been set for January 8.
Gov Stanley and State Senator
Charles r. Fenwick.o of Arlington,
IA member Of the Gray Commits
sion. conferred privately with
YEA officials here yesterday in
what was described later as an
exchange Of views.
Religious Editor Hits Plan
Meanwhile, a second editor Of
Ia Virginia religious publication
took a strong stand against
changing Section 141 of the
constitution to permit the pri-
vate school tuition plan.
DR.. George S. Reamey. editor
Iof the Virginia Methodist Adj
vocate, said the change would
weaken the public schools and
seriously lower the barrier be-
tween church and state"
He noted that Virginia's edu-
cational ranking . among the
States is 41st and added:
ITO divert what may prove
to be a very stable sum Of
money to a system of private
schools would seriously weaken
the public system unless there
were a considerable increase in
taxes"
DR.. Reamey's stand came a
day after DR.. Reuben Alley.
editor Of the Virginia Baptists'
Religious Herald. denounced the
constitutional referendum plan.
DR.. Reamey declared he was
"unalterably opposed" to any
change that might lead to State
support of sectarian schools.
Protestant churches do not
want it. and I'm opposed to tax
ing people to support church
J schools that include in their
teachings many things to which
protestants object" he said.
4 I'VE have every right to have
e church schools, but they should
be supported by the religious
groups that want them and not
= by public funds"
Some YEA Action Expected
Robert williams. executive
director Of the YEA, said after
the conference with the Cover
nor. the board of directors may
decide to take some stand on
the amendment plan or may re-
quest the matter be taken UP by
the associations delegate as
1 sembly of 800 members.
The board will meet, he said,
. as soon as arrangements can be
made for Gray Commission rep
;. resentatives to be on hand to
explain that study groups rec
concentrations for charting a
new educational course for Vir-
Iginia.
The Gray Commissions pro-
posals-the amendment plan is
> the basic one-are designed to
i, give Virginia a legal out" from
the Supreme Courts desegrega-
ton decision. The recommended
=. tons. however, would leave the
!. way clear for localities to pro-
. coed with indignation if they so
desired.
At their conference with Gov.
!, Stanley. the YEA officials sought
more specific information on the
amendment plan. Mr.. Williams
, said afterward the conferences
! resulted in a great deal of clari-
!, fcation."
Gov. Stanley said he was
9 much encouraged" by the in
terest shown by the YEA rep
resentatives, who included, in
addition to Mr.. Williams, Miss
' Virginia Lewis of Culpeper, pres
: ident of the organization.
II feel they want to be help
t full in finding the program that
: is best for public school educa-
S ton in Virginia" said the Gov
ernor.