The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1956-10-12

w dStl1ij-hpu. WI. ~ tx VI O-ftlit-
grafton Washington Evening star
conceded TODAY a congressional in
vestigation of Washington desegre-
rated schools had revealed public
lv the need for unusual steps to cor
rect on ntolerable condition" III the
puplic schools.
And while accusing he House
Investigating Suscomnitte OF an
over effort to "discredt inte-
grafton" it said the investigators
could claim victory in certain
areas
The widely read and highly res
pected afternoon newspaper. calling
ate ntion to criticism of the sub
committee, said that such criticism
should not affect the importance
OF the testimony of So witnesses
qualified to speak with some auth
Gritty most Of whom found major
flaws III the operations of the CAPT
tails Integrated school system.
II said their testimony has shown
condition which. depending on
what is done, will show marked
Improvement with experience. or it
will deteriorate to a point that
stamps indignation as a failure,
with the most deplorable effects on
the caracter of this great city. !"
The newspaper regretted h a {
various other witnesses had not
been called by the subcommittee to
round out the picture. but it con-
ceded that what they might say
would materially change the hard
outlines Of picture that must be
re-draWn if indignation in Washing
ton is to provide the example of
successful and deeply significant
undertaking
The text OF the editorial follows:
The Davis school investigation
produced an unusual contest. On the
one hand was the Davis subcomnnit-
tee striving TO diScredit integration
On the other hand were critics of
the subcommittee, striving to dis
credit the investigation. Both sides
can claim victory in certain areas.
We have no doubt that the testi.
mcny will be widely used to bolster
opposition to Indignation. We have
no doubt that the subcommittee is
thoroughly discredited in the minds
! Of those, If there were any. who ex-
pocted any objective appraisal OF
| Washlnston's experience in integral
ing its public schools.
"Of far more importance. how
ever. than the ultimate outcome Of
thus contest is the question Of what
use is to be made of the material
unearthed in the testimony of So
witnesses. all of them qualified to
speak with some authority. as to
conditions in Washingtons public
schools today II he were wise.
Chairman Davis would conclude his
lnVestgation-noW in indefinite adj
journment by calling witnesses
who would testify as to the benefits
and successful achievements under
intesraton That would round out
the picture and destroy the justified
criticism that choice of witnesses
vas highly selective. We do not be-
lie'e, however. that it would affect
the Importance Of the testimony SO
far given.
That testimony is highly impor.
tant. II has revealed publicly the
need for unusual steps to correct an
lnto)trable condition in the public
schools of the nations capital. De-
pending on what is done. that CON
dition will show marked improve
ment with experience. or it will de-
terIorate to point that stamps inte-
grafton as failure. with the most
deplorahle effects on the character
Of this great city.
In the opinion of most of the
professional educators who testi-
fed. the primary need is for more
teachers. specializing In the various
methods available to them in re-
duclng the shocking disparity be
tween achievement levels; perhaps
IN the apparent disparity between
existing ability to achieve and to
enforce discipline. There is need for
reconsideration of a school building
program. designed not merely to
take care of population growth, but
to meet the peculiar needs of the
population that is growing And
there is need for leadership by the