Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-18

lntegfaJlon mas revealed WI
say is woeful inadequacy on
the part of educational prepare
ton in the Negro schools.
He added, with reference to
test results showing a Negro lag /:
Those are facts which you
should know, and we should
know. There should be no at
tempt to disguise or conceal
them, because they represent a
real challenge.
Mr.. Tobriner, who led in the
drafting of the policy under
which Wa hington schools
dropped racial bars two years
ago. spoke at a meeting of the
Charlottesville chapter of the
Virginia Council on Human Re-
Ilations. The inyitational session,
|on the University of Virginia
campus. was attended by more
than 100 persons, including some
Negroes.
DisavOws ANY "Cause"
The Washington school board
member announced at the start
|of his talk that he had not come
"as an apostle of indignation"
and that he carried mo torch
for any particular method of
Idesegregation." He said he
wished to deal only with the
"factual history" of Washing
tons experience.
He also declared thai there
are differences between Wash
ington and Charlottesville, whose
school board is now appealing
Ia Federal court desegregation
order. But he told the meeting
Where we have failed per-
hapS you can have success. and
where we have had success per-
hapS you can copy it."
Mr.. Tobriner credited what he
termed "a rather favorable en-
vironment" for the smoothneSs
with which he said the Capital
adjusted to the racial revamp-
ing of its schools.
Government Action Cited
Under this heading he listed
the influence of the Federal
Government - including action
ending segregation in Govern
ment-controlled parks and play
groundS-and the District Gov
eminent. as well as several court
decisions.
One of the latter ended re-
strictive real estate covenants,
and another banned restaurant
segregation.
The city's Catholic schools also
had begun desegregating before
the Supreme Courts school de-
ciSion. he noted. And he said
the public schools also benefited
from -'the tremendous prestige"
of a statement by President Eli
senhower. On the day following
the school ruling. he said. the
President told city officials he
was much interested in District
integration and hoped it might
be model for the Nation"
He also noted that Mr.. Eisen-
hover when he took Office had
declared his desire for ending
racial discrimination in the Dis
trict.
Recalls Scattered WalkOuts
AS a result, when indignation
actually began, pupil walkouts
which occurred at some Junior
and senior high schools lasted
only a few days, the board menu
Der said. He blamed the walk
outs partly on publicity about
racial difficulties in other com
munities. terming them first
frictions," and on per
feet Indian summer weather ;"
Only some 5000 of the city's l03,-I
900 pupils participated. he
Mr.. Tobriner said he felt the
walkouts were also partly en-
couraged by IAN error of judy
ment" by DR.. Hobart M. Corning.
District school superintendent,
in accelerating the indignation
timetable by extra Negro pupil
transfers.
. With respect to two schools he
cited special difficulties. At
Anacostia High School there was
feeling because of the location
OF a low-cost Negro housing prof.
ect in the neighborhood against