Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-06

RICHMOND. Jan. 6 (R.-The
crescendo of criticism from
church groups against virginia's
proposed constitutional amend
ment reached new heights today
with more attacks charging the
change would be inconsistent
with Christian principles.
The new opposition was voiced
by % Episcopal ministers Of the
southwestern diocese. Al Lynch
burg ministers of varying faiths,
the Harrisonburg Ministerial
Association, the Hampton Roads
Rabbinical Association, the Ar
lington Ministerial Association.
and the board of directors of the
Arlington Council of Churches.
Virginians will vote Monday to
determine whether a convention
shall be held to consider amend
ing the State constitution to per-
NIT public funds to be used for
private education as a means of
avoiding compulsory integration
Of Negro and white pupils.
Tuition Grants Provided
Tuition grants would be issued
for attendance at private non-
sectarian schools in cases where
parents don't want their chill
dren to go to integrated public
schools and no segregated school
is available or where localities
close public schools rather than
permit mixed classes.
The Arlington Ministerial As
ISOLATION also reported it OPP
poses calling the convention.
Thirty-one Of 80 ministers at a
meeting earlier this week ia
vored the resolution urging a
mo" vote on Monday. the an
nouncement said.
The resolution said the Gray
report does not safeguard and
promote the principle Of the
proper dignity of man" The
ministers also said the report
fails to prescribe standards for
private schools and makes no
provision for the creation of pri-
vate schools. The report "seri-
ously threatens the constituted
authority of the United States. "
the statement said.
The board of directors Of the
Arlington Council of Churches
adopted a resolution opposing
the convention proposal. BY a
1872 vote, the directors resolved
that the amendment would "seri-
ously weaken our public school
system and would increase in
tolerance among our people"
The directors action was an
nounced by Edmund D. Camp
bell, chairman Of the councils
department of Christian social
relations, and Mrs. Philip j.
Anstedt, secretary.
Criticism Brings Answer
Also in Arlington, the Rev.
George F. Tittman. rector of st.
Mary's Episcopal Church. replied
to a speech In Hopewell by an
other Episcopalian official who
voiced qualms about so many
ministers attacking the amend
ment plan.
DR.. @. MacLaren Brydon. reg
istrar for the Diocese of Virginia,
said at Hopewell it was dis
turbing'' to see churchmen who
had been silent on segregation
questions suddenly portray in
tegration as being the will of
God.
Mr.. Tittman, who is president
of the Potomac Glorious, the Or
gan for the Episcopal clergy OF
Northern Virginia, shot back to-
day with this question: "Are
clergymen not citizens Of the
land, and is it not their duty
as citizens to express their opin-
ions. individually and in groups,
in moments of civic crisis? Or
does ordination into the Chris
tian ministry doom men to be
forever bystanders in the great
issues of the day?"
Two pro and two con speakers
debated the issues at a Rich
mond high school last night.
State Senator-elect Armistead
Boothe of Alexandria. the State
wide leader of the opponents,
said a pupil plus public funds
equals a public school and so
Viz tA4tAOll III dA1t WALL NC lOuAAN
unconstitutional"
Amendment Defended
But Henry Wickham. attorney
for pro-amendment forces. ar
gued otherwise and contended
that without tuition grants par
ents would be forced to send
their children to integrated
schools or let them grow UP in
ignorance.
Dowell j. Howard, State SUI
perintendent Of public instruc-
ton. the other pro speaker, said
o.