Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-02
Continued From FIRST Page

action. Representative Broyhill.
Republican of Virginia, left
after staying briefly in the
morning.
DR.. Corning, during his testi-
monyg contradicted a number of
allegations made by witnesses
and interrogators both yester-
day and earlier in the series of
hearings, which opened two
weeks ago.
Denies School "Mess"
He fatty denied a statement
by Mr.. Gerber that indignation
has created a mess" in the
city's schools and also denied
that 1t has lowered the school
systems standards.
He disputed testimony by C.
Melvin Sharpe. Board Of Educa-
ltion president, that the integra-
ltion program had proceeded too
quickly. The school administra-
tor said he knew of no workable
alternative.
He also denied an assertion
by Mr.. Sharpe that the schools
had an "escalator" system of
promotions, under which pupils
were moved from grade to grade
automatically.
Under questioning as to the
reasons for the achievement lag
Iof Negro pupils, he denied there
was any conclusive evidence of
lower innate ability" on their
part. A main reason for the lag,
besides less adequate school and
home conditions than those of
the city's white children, was
segregation itself, he testified.
Lack of Contact
He told the investigators there
was an almost complete lack
of contact between the city'S for
mer white and colored school
divisions and that this undoubt-
edly was an educational disad-
vantage to the colored..
In discussing the need for
more adequate school finances,
in order to make classes smaller
and make other improvements,
DR.. Corning told the investiga-
tors:
am not abiding at all. I am
telling you what is essential to
work out a good program of edu-
cation in Washington, and if l
were in any other city l pre-
sumo I would be saying exactly
the same thing. A teacher cam
not be expected to carry the
load teachers have been expected
to carry in this city, or over the
country. for a good many years"
Mr.. Gerber said: But they
have all been doing it over the
country and getting pretty good
results over the country"
II am saying l am not alibi-
ing" responded DR.. Corning. Il
am saying that is a basic cause"
Intangible" Gain
The school superintendent adj
mitted that he had mo list of
advantages to advance for white
children as resulting from the
end Of segregation, but he
asserted:
Il think 1t is quite likely that
there may be gains TO the white
children from having a better
understanding OF other people"
He added that such a gain was
perhaps in the field of the in
tangibles."
He also denied that the exodus
of white families to the suburbs
could be probably traced to inte-
grafton. although he said he
suspected" part Of it was. He
testified that there has been no
"appreciable upturn" in migra-
ton out Of the city since integra-
ton began in 1854.
Under questioning from Rep
resenative williams. he conceded
that the city's white elementary
enrolment had decreased 20 per
cent in the last two years, COM
pared to only / or 2 per cent a
year over a number o. previous
years. and that this was IAN abb
normally large drop. DR.. Corn
ing said he had been referring
in his testimony 10 the overall
enrolment.
DR.. Corning was asked at one
point whether he foresaw seq
regation returning again because
OF the departure Of white pupils.
He replied. Il am no prophet"
Mr.. Gerber later declared:
We have an abundance Of