Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-25

WAS that they were colored," he
said. He added that in one case
on a carpentry job. the appli-
catn was told that he was not
taken because he was colored.
He said he knew of q, half
dozen such cases in the last two
or three years.
Chairman Davis asked II he
thought his generalized state
ment was justified on the basis
Of the half dozen cases in two
or three years.
The witness said he thought so.
Earlier It was brought out that
lall. the students last year were
colored.
The Phelps principal. answer
ling committee questions. said
that in the last several years,
new students entering the school
had not been as well prepared
as he thought they should be.
Prior to two years ago, he ex-
lplained, there was no examina-
ltion to see If applicants for en-
trance In the vocational high
school were capable Of taking its
courses. He said he did not
know why that system had pre-
vailed.
But in the last two years he
said there had been q screening
of applicants and scholastic
standards were going up as a re-
Isult of this admission require
lment.
School Board Member VII
llianls last Saturday, follow
ling the first three days OF
public testimony by q series Of
teachers and principals in the
Davis groups study Of District
school integration, issued q state
7ment asserting that some wit
lnesses had made severe admis-
lsiQns d inAdequAcy Z The board
member raised q question as e
whether these persons were quail.
Med to continuG 10 hold their
present posts.
Miss Trip said she WAS con.
Icerned about this statement. and
asked assurance from subc0ni.
lmittee members that she would
,Ibe protected against reprisal
This was quickly promised.
Corning Appears
DR.. Corning appeared late in
1.-THE afternoon, on q summon,
iIfrom the committee. He wa,
] told by Counsel Gerber that
published stateinents--he die
mot mention Mr.. Williams by
name indicated principals and
teachers who testifled would face
'lreprisals.
/ He added that evidently thi:
propaganda is intended to coerce
these witnesses"
do you subscribe to this prop
Iaganda?" the counsel asked.
NO. sir" DR.. Corning replied
The school superintendent
then was asked whether there
would be any reprisals. and be
replied: Certainly not, sir.n
1 Shortly afterWard. Represen.
tative Williams asked whether
DR.. Corning would state categori.
Ecally that no one will suffer
discrimination or reprisal as 9
result Of testimony they may
give TO this committee"
i COrning's Answer
To this DR.. Corning answered.
Certainly not at my hand
Isir."
| Mr.. Williams, the school board
member, at the time he issued
his Saturday statement, and
again late yesterday, denied hi
! was making any threat.
II had no intention at all Of
Threatening anyone for testifyine
anything, nor any thought Of
lreprisals," the board member
said yesterday. II can't compre.
hend why anyone should bs
!, apprehensive."
). But he repeated his opinion
i about the testimony Of some oi
last weeks witnesses - whom
however. he has not singled out
Ilby name. He also said he in.
: tended to stand by 1t.
J, Il expect when the hearing
Iare concluded wen be furnished
transcript and well be guideC
/ accordingly" he declared to /
] reporter.
IF there is any indication tina
q principal or teacher can't a
j into the situation or her schoo
is too large to handle. / think til.
school administration SHOULD
. look into the fitness Of tina