Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-01
Continued From First Pas,

| COntlHue0 from FISt rage
be used to pay for the private
schooling of children.
This step is needed. advocates
Of the program say. In order to
continue education in those To-
calities that may close down
their public school systems rather
than integrate the races. Also.
the State funds would be avail
able to parents who object to
sending their children to inte-
grated schools In areas where
public education systems are re-
tanned.
All In Serious Mood
It was q tense and somher
group Of lawmakers who con-
vened Jointly yesterday after
noon to hear Gov. Stanley out
line the steps they had beer
caileo mere 10 take. #
The public hearing that fol-
lowed was opened with a prayer
lby one of the committee mem
bers-a procedure that no one
recalls having been followed be-
fore.
Sees Minds Made Up
w. Hale Thompson, colored, of
Newport News said he believed
most Of the members Of the Leg
islature already had made up
their minds before the public
hearings.
81 believe" he shouted amidst
the gavel pounding of the chair
man, that most Of the men who
serve in the House Of Delegates,
are men who Thomas jefferson,
Patrick Henry and George Ma
son would be ashamed Of"
State Senator Garland Gray
lof Waverly. who heads the spe-
lcial commission appointed by the
Governor that drew up the pro-
lposals, took charge of presenting
proponents Of the bill.
DR.. John H. Marion. executive
director of the Virginia Council
on Human Relations which
urges compliance with the ST.
lpreme Court decree. presented
opponents to the measure.
Warns Of School Shut Down
There are more than Is
counties and one or two cities
where the white school popula-
ton is less than one half" Mr..
Gray said. Faced with possible
Indignation, this presents us in
this section Of Virginia with an
insurmountable problem.
May I say to you with all the
sincerity that / possess that en-
forced indignation in Eastern
Virginia will drive us to the ex-
tremity Of closing many of our
public schools. Make no mistake.
I'VE appeal to the people of
the Valley. to the people of
Northern Virginia and the peo-
Iple of the southwest to look with
sympathy on our problem and to
give us the tools by which we
may with considerable sacrifice
to ourselves preserve segregation
and at the same time, give edu-
cational opportunities to the
children of our section Of Vir-
ginia.
1.-THE members of the commits
sion from eastern Virginia, ! can
assure you, have looked with for
bearance on the desires of the
other members to preserve edu-
cation"
Fears Haste on Plan
DR.. Marion said, 1--WE cannot
believe, and we should hate to
be forced to believe. that the
members Of our Legislature wish
to assume the grave responsible
4 ty Of settling so vast and vital
a question while they and the
people are still cropping their way
in a fog"
Most OF the spokesman for
Northern Virginia communities
and organizations opposed the
private school tuition plan, al
though some were in favor of 1t.
Among the latter was Calvin
Haley of Arlington, administra-
tive assistant to Representative
Smith. Democrat of Virginia,
who said. however. that he APP
peared only as an individual
citizen.
Harley williams Of Fairfax,
president of the Virginia Ctti-