Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-20

UlULIWEdlItl uIiuCI bl1C PAOPOoSN =
and in legislation that is plannt
THE great objection I've ent
in support of the amendment is
their belief that its adoption
would result in the closing OF
schools in certain areas of the
State" the University of Virginia
president declared.
Virginians will vote January
9 whether to call constitutional
convention to permit State pub
lie grants to pupils for private
schooling, an effort to avoid in
stegration.
Has Endorsed Plan
Mr.. Darden has Endorsed the
( proposed tuition grant plan as
--"offering an opportunity OF
= keeping the schools open and
= dealing with the critical situa-
:. ton. in those areas with a very
!. heavy Negro population"
: Behind it. he said today.
ought to stand the full force
and integrity of the Common
wealth.
It regard Section 1919, which
requires the maintenance OF an
efficient public free school sys-
tenn. as binding on the people OF
Virginia and that it is a guaran-
. tee the school system will be
: retained.
He said he would be unwilling
to ask people to support the pro-
posed amendment unless be-
lieve the public school system
would be kept intact"
That assurance" he declared.
Fought to be given the people Of
Virginia. That's what's disturb
ing them. and that's what they're
: entitled to hear"
Abandonment Mentioned
The report of the Gray Com
mission which recommends
constitutional change mentions
the abandoning of public school
systems in some localities.
1T would be catastrophe II
= schools were closed in Virginia
for either race" Mr.. Darder
said,
Mr.. Darden, who amplifled his
views today, first made them
public at a luncheon discussion
; yesterday of Virginia's Big Six
college presidents who had gath
cred at Natural Bridge to dis
cuss quite another problem
Virginia football.
1t was a similar concern about
Section 1919 in the constitution
that moved State Senator Tee
Dalton, of Radford, to ask the
State Senate to write into the
proposed amendment guaran-
tee it would not weaken Section
1923. The Senate declined to de
so and Senator Dalton votec
against the referendum bill.
A similar effort was attempted
unsuccessfully in the House Of
Delegates by Omer Hirst of Ar
lington who suggested that tut
ton grants be given only tt
those localities which maintain
public schools.
Proponents Active
Meanwhile, those pushing TO
an affirmative vote stepped III
the tempo of their own cam
paign. The State Referendum
Information Center here, serv
ing as voice for those who seel
to amend Virginia's constitution
sent out a group Of speakers II
various parts of the State, tn,
Associated Press reported.
Gov. Stanley told reporters a
his press conference yesterda.
that if the people vote agains
the referendum question on Jan
uary 9. "' " Then think WEI
have to take a fresh look at tn
legislation proposed by the Ora,
Commission.
Gov. Stanley said he feels tn
"crux of the effectiveness" o
the pupil assignment plan pro
posed by the commission "woul,
be a favorable vote for the con
vention in order that the Legis
lature might then make, If !
considered it wise, tuition grant
available" to parents refusing t
send their children to integrate
: schools.
!. At Norfolk, DR.. Dabney s. Ian
! caster, director of the group
7 State campaign headquarters
! described how school building
: vacated by local resistance to en-
. forced indignation could be pur
: chased by corporations forme
: by parents and operated pri
vately.
DR.. Lancaster said the court
!. have authority to declare publ
: buildings surplus property an
: put them up for sale.
: AS outlined by DR.. Lancaste
the purchase could be made wit
an acceptable down payment