Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-07
Stanley Forces
Propose Pupil
Assigning Plan
Move Regarded
As Supplement to
Segregation Stond
BY ALEX r.. PRESTON
Star star CORRESPONDENT

RICHMOND, September t.
Gov. SANKEY'S forces in the
General Assembly today had
embraced a pupil assignment
plan as one Of the approaches to
the public school segregation
tissue. The plan is considered a
supplement to the Governors
'no-integration" program, and
not a substitute for it.
This represents q reversal
of their heretofore bitter
opposition to the pupil assign
lment principle because it takes
into consideration the possible
linking Of the races in class
rooms.
At the same time administra-
ton leaders are reported ready
to modify Gov. SANKEY'S plan to
withhold State funds from inte-
grated public schools. Instead
tof an automatic CUTOFF, financial
assistance would be denied only
where the efficiency Of the public
schools or the good order, Of the
community might be threatened
by Indignation. The Governor
has said. however, that he be-
lieveS only a segregated school
can be efficient.
Jail Risk Seen Involved
The fact that the latest pupil
assignment bill was introduced
yesterday by E. Blackburn Moore,
speaker Of the House of Dele
gates. indicated that Gov. STAN
ley has receded to some extent
from his previously adamant
stand against this avenue of APP
proach. The argument was adj
vanced that any pupil assign
ments, inferentially recognizes
the Supreme Courts school seq
regation decision.
That is one thing the States
Democratic organization has re-
fused to do. The Legislature last
March adopted a resolution of
interposition whereby the States
sovereign powers are placed as
a challenge against those of the
Federal Government.
The spirit of interposition was
to be found in the Moore assign
ment bill. Responsibility for
placement Of nearly three quar-
tiers of q million Of Virginia's
children in specific schools would
be transferred from the local
administrations to the Governor
exclusively.
CIear-cut Clash Seen
Advocates see in this idea a
clear-cut clash of authority be-
tween Federal and State Govern
ments. They believe that if
anyone has to go to jail as q
result of a Federal court order.
| it will be the Governor and they
are almost certain that this will
mot happen. Gov. Stanley APP
iparently is willing to take the
chance.
At the outset, the Moore bill
declares:
"All power Of enrolment or
placement of pupils in and deter
limitation of school attendance
districts for the public schools
in Virginia is hereby vested and
shall repoSe exclusively in the
Governor of Virginia. 4
"The local school boards and
division superintendent are
hereby Invested of all authority
now or at any future time to de-
termine the school to which any
child shall be admitted.
Factors Are Listed
THE Governor is hereby en-
powered to adopt rules and regu-
lations for such enrolment !
The Governor may designate, APP
point and employ such agents
and agencies as he may deem
necessary in the administration
of this act :"
The bill then lists number
of factors which shall be con-
sidered in the placement of
children in specific schools. For
the most part, these factors are