Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-10-10
Byrd, IT, Opposes
Extra Session Call
Would Act on
Segregation at
Regular Meeting

RICHMOND. Va. oct. 10 "a.
State Senator Harry r. Byrd.
|jr.. said today the problem d
school segregation should be con-
|sidered by . regular session of
the General Assembly.
The Winchester Senator is one
LOT q half dozen legislators 70
express themselves against .
special session. which Gov. STAN
ley had limited he might call IN
mid November.
However, the governor had
hinged the call on receiving .
report Of the Gray Commission.
and indications are that their,
recommendations will not be
completed until after the general
elections on November 8.
The public school system is
close to the hearts Of all parents,
all Virginians," Senator Byrd
said today. ANY legislation
|drastically affecting the schools
would receive greater public ae-
ceptance. I believe, II:
81. Adequate time Is given for
public understanding, and
az. II IL is enacted bv a lerfS.
lature freshly elected by the
people, even If it proves neces-
Isary to extend the regular session
| q while"
Fun Debate Held vital
Senator Byrd said that as one
who strongly favors segregated
public schools. he felt that fun
debate and understandings by the
people Of any new legislation Is
vital.
He noted that newspaper dis
patches indicated the commits
lsion's recommendations would
mot be completed until the mid
IDLE Of November or later, and
that an opinion Of the Virginia
Supreme Court whidn may have
% significant effect on the COM
missions report is not expected
until November. He added:
The Woodworking Gray Com.
mission. composed Of outstand-
ling Virginians, has been DELHI
lerating and debating this vital
subject for more than q year.
Certainly the public and the
Legislators are entitled to con-
slider the proposals. for at least
100 days before being called upon
ito formulate 81 decision"
4 Since the report cannot Be
imade public before mid Noyela.
lher. a special session could not
;Ibe called much before mid Ds.
lcember. Senator Byrd said.
/ M0mentous Issues
/ THE issues involved are the
most nomentous Virginians have
faced during this century. Al
Federal Court In Washington has
ldecreed the abolition Of customs
and traditions dating back 800
years, /" he said.
"The issue should be met in
my judgement, by legislators
elected after the issue arose"
# the commission report were
iacted upon at q special session.
he said. its members would be
those elected four year ago ia
the Senate and two years ago In
the House. both elections pre-
Iceding the recent court decision.
Any legislation SO enacted
would be under sharp attack,
las having violated an important
democratic principle-that such
lmomentious issues should be
voted on BY legislators elected
latter the issues were formulated.
senator Byrd said.
None but the commission
knows what the report viii
recommend" Senator Byrd said.
Until it is released for public
appraisal. public sentiment cam
not crystalize. Understandings
by the. public is essential to CO.
operation by the public"
Observing that there was only
q months difference between .
Especial session in December and
q regular session in January.
Senator Byrd declared. $50 far
las ] can see. the Virginia people
could lose nothing by waiting
THAT additional month"