Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-14
Lancaster Asks
Special Session
Educator Urges
Action on Schools

Action on Schools
RICHMOND. Va, July IA (P.
DIR. Dabney S. Lancaster, lead
er of last winters fight for a
key part of the Gray Commits
sion's anti-integration program,
today urged a special session of
the Legislature without any
further delay"
DR.. Lancaster said the 140
lawmakers should be summoned
into extra session to consider
the remainder of the Gray pro-
gram in an attempt to provide
the State with a bulwark against
compulsory integration.
DR.. Lancaster's statement was
his first comment on the segre-
cation issue since January when
he led a successful campaign in
behalf of an amendment to the
State constitution to permit
public funds to be used to subsi-
die private education.
His appeal for a special ses-
sion followed by two days an
order of Federal Judge John
Paul directing Charlottesville to
move toward beginning desegre-
cation in the city's public schools
in September.
DR.. Lancaster. former State
superintendent of schools and
president of Longwood Teachers
College. said he was still solo,
on the Gray program and be-
lieved it provides "as good a So
luton as has been proposed" for
keeping Negro and white pupils
apart.
Il believe it would be we'll Il
have a special session of the
Legislature without any fur.
ther delay" he said by telephone
from his Bath County home.
my primary concern is to Sc.
the continuation of Virginia!
public schools. That was the
reason I led last winters cam.
lpaign for the amendment.
Sees Progress Hurt
Il am opposed to indignation
and have said I believe it viii
set education back so years il
the State. I still feel that way.
DR.. Lancaster's statement
came on the heels of comment
yesterday by Gov. Luther Hodges
of North Carolina, who founC
the Charlottesville decision dis
turbing' for the South in it.
efforts to retain segregation.
He said the ruling proved 6
point he and North Carolina''
Special Segregation Study Com.
Imittee had made several months
lago.
THAT point is simply this,
said Mr.. Hodges. Those who
would do nothing could destroy
our public schools"
Gov Stanley has declined
comment on the Charlottesville
ruling. but Attorney General J
Lindsay Almond. jr.. has prom
Used an appeal which might de-
lay the start of desegregatior
at the outset of the fall term.
Likes Assignment Plan
DR.. Lancaster said he felt il
would be difficult for Virginia tc
put up an adequate defense in
the segregation suits brought by
the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People
unless new legislation were
adopted.
Therefore, he suggested con.
sideration of the remainder o.
the Gray proposals. One of thest
proposals-for a student assign
ment plan-has evoked criticism
because it would leave the doc
ajar for possible indignation IL
some localities.
Dr.. Lancaster said he felt thu
assignment plan-sending chill
dren to specific schools on othe
grounds than race-has "consid
cradle merit " He conceded ther,
! might be a little" indignation
under the plan.
Gov. Stanley said several week
ago he would call a special SEES
sion Of the Legislature befor,
, September 6, but he has givel
no word as to the exact date.
The ruling Of Judge Paul il
expected to bring increased pres
sure from some legislators Il
have the Assembly meet at al
early date and take up the Ora!
program. and possibly other pro
posals for avoiding compulsor.
indignation.
: Meantime. NAACP lawyer
/, quickly completed drafting
\ proposed decree for issuance ii
the Charlottesville case. Judg
: Paul asked the NAACP and TIL
!, State to make suggestions for tn
decree after he announced
!. would be forthcoming.
y 1t was sent to State and cit,
] Nattorneys for consideration-an'
certain rejection.