Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-22
Gov. Stanley Is Silent
On Segregation Plan
Won't Speculate
On Program for
Groy Proposal

to speculate about the legisla-
tive course he will recommend on
the bulk Of the Gray Commission
program for dealing with the
school segregation issue.
He also has declined COM
ment on former Gov. Darden'S
suggestion that proponents of a
State constitutional amendment
voice strong assurances the pub
lie school system will be MAIN
tanned.
Gov. Stanley. at his press con-
ference late yesterday, said there
had been no change in his plans
regarding the Gray report.
Il repeat, my plan is to first
conclude the constitutional
amendment question and then
consider the rest of the pro-
gram" he said in a prepared
statement.
The constitutional amendment
proposal is the subject of q
Statewide referendum January
9. The amendment would per-
init the State to use public funds
to help finance the private edu-
cation Of students in preference
to attendance at integrated pub
lie schools.
Miller Announces Stand
In other developments, G.
Tyler Miller, another former
State education chief, came out
for the amendment plan but said
he would reserve judgment" on
legislation that may be pro-
posed for implementing the Gray
program.
Edward B. Hincks, chairman
OF the Arlington Save Our
Schools Committee, sent a tele-
gram to Gov. Stanley calling for
postponement of the January 9
referendum. Mr.. Hincks said he
had been asked by many citizens
to petition the Governor because
OF questions on how any law for
tuition grants for private educa.
ton can go into effect without
lowering the quality of schools
and bringing increased cost TO
parents and taxpayers.
Gov. Stanley turned aside
reporters questions about wheth-
er he would recommend that the
regular 1856 General Assembly
beginning in January enact the
entire Gray program.
He said discussion on other
phases Of the program would
merely confuse the voters when
the only issue before them now Is
the amendment plan.
Byrd's Endorsement
The chief plank in the Gray
program other than the amend
ment proposal is a recommended
ton for adoption of a student
assignment plan. This would
permit the continuation of segre-
cation by allowing students to
be assigned to schools on cited
grounds other than race.
Senator Byrd. in a statement
Saturday which Endorsed the
amendment plan, recommended
that Virginia take adequate time
to consider revisions in educa-
tional policy He said he saw no
need for ''precipitous action in
the immediate future"
Some legislators have inter-
preted Senator Byrd's statement
to mean he feels it would be best
II the Legislature did not UNDER
take to adopt the entire Gray
program at its regular session.
Suggestion absurd"
AT his press conference, Gov,
Stanley labeled as absurd" a
suggestion of Delegate Stuart
Carter of Botetourt County that
the referendum be postponed to
give the people more time to
think OF the issues involved.
Mr., Miller. in his statement
OF support. said it was 'impera-
tive" for Virginians to consider
not only local conditions but
those areas of heavy Negro
population where authorities
have threatened to abandon
schools rather than integrate.
The former State education
chief. now president of Madison
College, said of the entire pro.
gram:
Il wish to have the opportu-
nifty to examine carefully the
specific provisions of each bill
which may be submitted to the
1856 session of the General AS
sembly to carry out the recon-
mendations of the Gray report"