Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-03
Gerber

We are being treated to a
reverse carpetbagism. To their
eternal credit, the people Of
Washington have given a con-
vincing demonstration of law
abiding, responsible, tolerant
citizenship by the manner in
which they promptly, and sue
cessfully, in tegrated the
schools of the District. This
sits badly with some politi-
clans, most notably Georgia
Congressman Davis, who has
announced his intention to in
vestigate the District schools
with the hardly concealed
purpose of showing that in
tegration here has not sue
ceeded. Where. now, is all the
pious cant about the Fed
eral Government not inter-
fering in local affairs?
His right-hand man in this
undertaking, he has an
nounced, is to be one Willie
Gerber of Memphis, Tenn.
Willie's knowledge of the
local scene and his qualifica-
tons for this post are best
stated by the Nashville Ten
nesseean, a highly response
Bile journal, which said edi-
torially on July IL, 1856:
here in Tennessee
Willie is remembered all too
we'll as an offensive. over
bearing political fixer and
hatchet-man who served as
Boss E. H. Crump's top lieu
tenant until he fell from favor
and felt the Ratchet across his
own neck in 1948. The second
most powerful man in Tennes-
see politics for the better part
of a decade, he used his power
recklessly and ruthlessly to
carry out the Boss bidding.
And If that meant making
puppets out of Governors or
appearing on the floor of the
Legislature to whip the boys
into line. Willie was a man
who could do it with no sec
ond thoughts about the proc
esses of democratic govern
ment or the will of the people
of Tennessee"
Is this the man to study the
increased efficiency and the
savings arising from having
one school system rather than
two? Is he the man to meas
ure the contribution which
integrated schools will make
to present and future friendly
relations between people of
different races and creeds?
Can we suppose that he will
be interested in learning what
the removal of the stigma of
a Secon d-class citizenship
means to many of our citi-
zens? Just what are the
qualifications which fit Boss
Crump's right-hand man to
investigate our problems?
One does not have to guess
very much The ability to
make any playground scufle
appear to be a race riot, to
whip up race prejudice, to
SANDER the members of the
Board of Education, disparage
the school administration and
the teachers. revile the Board
of Commissioners-in short,
to prevent this dangerous
American doctrine of a de-
cent equality offtreatment for
all citizens from further
spreading around the country
these. one surmises, are
Mr.. Gerbers qualifications.
One can only wish that Rep
reSentative Davis, long one of
the most determined foes of
self-goyernment for the peo-
pie OF the District, might APP
ply with little consistency his
asserted interest in local rights,
freedom from Federal "domi-
nation and the dangers Of
Outside influences. The peo-
pie of the District have ham
died this problem. and done it
we'll; one can be certain, in
advance. that Representative
Davis and Willie will do moth
ing TO help.
Gerhard p. Van Arkel.
X Hk
Normally a paragon OF toll
erance and impartial news
coverage, your newspaper sadly
depressed in your Sunday edi-
ton of July 30. l refer specif-
ically to an article by staff
Correspondent John v. Hor-
ner under Memphis dateline.
Mr.. Homer refers to Mr.. Ger
Der as "a Russian Jew. a rarity
in the Midsouth." Let me point
out for Mr.. Horner's edifica-
ton that Mr.. Gerber hes lived
in this country for nigh unto
so years. He is an American
citizen. and although a con-
troyersial figure. he has in his
lifetime performed invaluable
and distinguished services for
1 4 a L..