Evening star., 1955-11-27
Extra Meeting
Seen Prolonged
By Dissension
BY ALEX R. PRESTON

In its 18th special session
since the turn Of the century
the Virginia General Assembly
will convene Wednesday to take
the first step in the Old Domin-
IONS answer to problems created
by the Supreme Courts public
school segregation decisions.
Gov. Stanley's administration
has attempted to expedite
handling the single piece of busi-
ness for which the lawmakers
have been SUNNI on e d, but
enough dissension already has
been heard among them to in
dicate the session could be pro-
longed beyond the expected two
or three days.
The Legislature will be asked
to make the first move to pave
the way for spending public
funds for the private education
Of children whenever localities
balk at mixing whites and
Negroes in public schools or
whenever parents object to in
tegrated classes for their chill
dren.
Joined by Others
Northern Virginia legislators
have been Joined by some from
the Norfolk and Roanoke areas
as well as from scattered sec
tions elsewhere in regarding
such a proposal as undermining
the basic system Of free public
education.
Gov. Stanley will deliver Q
special message to the joint as
sernbly shortly after the House
Of Delegates and State Senate
convene at noon.
He is expected to ask for the
enactment Of only one hill--to
set a date for q special refer
endum probably soon after the
first Of next year, on the ques-
tion of calling limited consti-
tutional convention. II approved
by the voters, the convention, in
turn, would meet early next
spring to change Section III of
the State Constitution which
prohibits the use Of public funds
for educating students in schools
not owned or under the complete
control Of the State. The State
Supreme Court ruled on this
point about three weeks ago in
ending the practice Of subsidiz-
ing the education Of certain war
orphans in private schools.
Part Of Plan
These initial steps are part Of
the overall scheme designed by
q special commission of 80 AS
semhlymen appointed by Gov.
Stanley Il months ago to pre-
serve segregation by all legal
means"
An indication that the extra
session this week could become
involved In delaying tactics also
was seen in statements by mem
hers Of the commission who said
they might agree to- further
strengthening" or alterations to
the commission report. providing
the new proposals were not In
conflict with the basic plan.
There are some notably Rep
resentatives Tuck and Abbitt.
both Democrats from the heavily
Negro populated Southside- who
believe no public funds should
be spent for integrated schools
In any locality without prior
approval of voters in that local
ity. The strongly pro-segregation
group, the Defenders Of State
Sovereignty and Individual Lib
critics, which has a substantial
following in Southside Virginia,
holds similar views.
However. this phase Of the
commissions plan proba bly,
would not come directly before
this weeks extra session Of the
Assembly, but 1t is bound to fig-
ure in public hearings and de-
bate.
Public Hearing
The public hearing has beer
scheduled before q Joint meet
ing Of the House and Senate
Privileges and Elections Com
mittees at 8 pm. Wednesday ir
the House Of Delegates at Rich
nnond.
Among those already on record
IL opposing the constitutions
convention are Delegates Arm
istead L. Boothe Of Alexandria-
who does not take his seat in the
Senate until iaryOu1er L
Hirst and John Webb Of Fair
fax, and Mrs. Kathryn H. Stone
Of Arlington.
The constitutional change Il
only one phase Of the program
brought In by the commission
headed by State Senator Garland
Cray Of Waverly. II the con-
yenti6n is authorized. the regular
session Of the legislature which
convenes January ii is expected
to carry out the rest Of the Gray
Commission proposals through
normal legislative channels.
The other main provision o.
the program designed to give 10.
caiities the option Of integratint
classes would be to give loca
school boards increased powers
to assign pupils to various
schools 'sfor reasons other thar
race. Also, o law has been pro-
posed under which no parent
would be required. against hi
wishes, to send his child TO al