Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-04-22
.NAACPGird
For Legal Battle

RICHMOND, April 81 (P.-
Virginia leaders of the National
Association for the Advancement
of Colored People today for
mally announced a new about
legal effort to end racial segre-
CATION in the States public
schools
I'VE feel we have been more
than patient in giving time to
comply with the Supreme Court
decision" said NAACRa Attor-
neys Spottswood w. Robinson
III and Oliver Hill of Richmond.
mo one seems to want to do
anything" they added. I'VE
have no alternative but to re-
sort to the courts"
Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Robinson
said the NAACP had decided to
push its fight for indignation in
Virginia due to the pressure OF
citizens requesting remedial ac-
ton p"
Intensive Program Seen
THE association is going to
initiate a program of intensive
litigation" they declared.
Their statement came amid
indications the NAACP would
enter Federal District Court early
next week and petition for inte-
grafton in Prince Edward County
next fall.
Prince Edward was involved in
test case before the
Supreme Court. The District
Court permitted the county to
continue segregation this ses-
sion. but directed it to begin
working toward complying with
the desegregation ruling.
Prince Edward hsa made no
move to integrate, and county
officials have threatened to close
public schools rather than per-
init white and Negro pupils to
attend the same classes.
Broad implications Hinted
The statement of Mr.. Hill and
Mr. Robinson. however. carried
broader implications than the
Prince Edward case.
In cordance with the
NAACP's announced policy. the
organization apparently is ready
to file new suits against other
localities.
Last year petitions for deseg-
regation were filed with school
boards in Arlington and Isle of
Wight Counties and in Char
lottesville. Newport News. Nor
folk and Alexandria.
In recent weeks, the NAACP
has asked the school boards of
Charlottesville and Ar
lington for reports on progress
toward desegregation. The plain
implication was that a negative
answer would precipitate legal
action TO force the issue.
Arlington Studied by NAACP
"A letter received last week
by Arlington Supt. 7. Edward
Rutter from the NAACP, asks
that answers to questions on
progress on deSegregation be
answered by Wednesday. Ed
win c. Brown, legal counsel
for the Northern District of
the Virginia NAACP, said a
suit will be filed unless the
Arlington School Board gives
satisfactory answers to the
questions.
One of the questions was
whether pupils will be adj
mitted to county schools this
fall without regard to race.
Mr.. Brown said a suit also
will be filed in Alexandria as
soon as the State NAACP gives
the word.
Z. r. Draheim. chairman of
the Arlington School Board,
said a reply to the NAACP let
ter will be given next week.
w. Lester Banks. executive
secretary Of the NAACP in Viz
ginia, said petitions requesting
voluntary compliance by local
school boards are in various
stages Of readiness in more than
80 other counties and cities.
All Of Virginias public schools
are operating on a segregated
basis this year under a policy
decree Of Gov. Stanley and the
State Board OF Education. And
there have been hints Of similar
policy might be laid down for
1861.