Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-06
Byrd Calls Yes Vote
Vital for Schools
Urges Passage
As First Step to
Preserve System
By ALEX r. PRESTON
Star Stan CORRESPONDENT

By ALEX r. PRESTON
Star Stan Correspondent
RICHMOND. Jan. 6.-Sena.
tor Byrd. Democrat of Virginia.
said today approval of the con-
stitutional convention referen-
dunn on Monday is the first
step necessary for the preser-
walton Of the public school sys.
tenn in Virginia"
The Senator made the second
statement he has issued within
the last four weeks in support
of the referendum question
leading to private school tuition
grants from the State.
His statement was to be
broadcast by tape recording
over IA Virginia radio stations
this afternoon and evening.
Leaders Called Out
The pro-amendment forces
were bringing out the top eche-
lon in the closing days of public
debate on the controversial
question raised by the Gray
Commission recommendations
for avoiding compulsory attend
ance in public schools.
/ Gov. Stanley was to go on q
j15-station network tonight to
deliver a personal appeal for a
favorable vote on Monday. And
former Gov. John S. Battle Of
Charlottesville will make a SIM
lilar tape-recorded plea tomor-
row over the same IA stations
that carry Senator Byrd's speech
today.
/ Among the stations carrying
the speeches of Senator Byrd
and Mr.. Battle and the time
scheduled for the broadcasts are
the following:
Il WPIK, Alexandria, 1850 pm.
today and tomorrow; WING,
Winchester, 7:50 pm. both days;
IWTON, Staunton, 6:25 pm. both
days; VIVA, Fredericksburg.
$3.50 pm. both days. and WCHV.
Charlottesville, 6:15 pm. both
days.
Let us understand" Senator
Byrd said. the (Gray Commits
sion0 proposals have been for
the purpose of preventing de-
Istruction Of the public school
system In substantial areas of
Virginia, where forced integra-
Ition will, in itself, result in de-
struction Of the public school
system.
Support Cited
Throughout this discussion,
the fact that not a single edu-
Gator in Virginia has claimed
that the proposals would destre.
our public school system has
been Of great significance to US.
On the contrary, notable edu-
, Gators in the State in whom we
all have confidence, are actively
supporting the calling of a con-
stitutional convention. Among
those are the present State SUI
: perintendent of public instruc-
ton and all of the three living
. former heads of public educa-
ton in Virginia"
:. The educators he named are
DR.. Dabney Lancaster. Harris
Hart and Tyler Miller, former
superintendent; DR.. Dowell J.
Howard. the present superin-
tendent; former Gov. Colgate w.
Darden. jr.. president of the Uni
versity of Virginia; DR.. Walter
S. Newman. president of Virginia
Polytechnic Institute. and DR..
Charles j. Smith. former presi-
dent of Roanoke College.
/ Colgate Darden. who declined
political preferment after his
term as Governor has given
1T his Endorsement Senator
Byrd said.
Faith in These Men"
II have faith in these men as
educators. I know the sincerity
Iof their purpose. I am certain
that no power could force them
Ito advocate something they be-
lieved would do injury to the
cause of public education. Their
position with respect to Mondays
ELECTION should be influential and
it can not be disregarded."
Senator Byrd emphasized that
a favorable vote and approval
of a constitutional amendment
by a convention still would en-
tail legislation to be enacted by
the General Assembly.
II think" he said, I'VE can
rely upon the intelligence, the
patriotism and the good faith Of
members of the Virginia General
Assembly to act calmly. with de.
liberation and with utmost con-
sideration of all concerned in q
matter of such vital public con-
sequence as this one u.s."
Ministers Assailed
There were also these devel-
opments:
Delegate Russell Carneal Of
Williamsburg assailed ministers
for their opposition, saying they
were being "misled."
Ted Duconois of Richmond, q
national AFL-CIO official, told a
Bristol labor meeting approval Of
the amendment might produce
Increased juvenile delinquency
and relaxation of child labor
laws.
Colgate w. Darden jr., presi-
dent of the University of Vir-
ginia. urged a Bristol audience
to support the amendment and
mot turn your backs" on
Southside Virginia.
nj n.