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

commission which seeks to ovois
compulsory intesrotion in Nirsiais
| Schools.
understanding that depositors
would purchase all our stock "a
they liquidated old assets"
StilI In Business.
| He Is president Of the Bank Of
Waverly and / mentioned to him
I had heard he is on the board
of virginia's largest bank-First
and Merchants of Richmond
why was he still in the business
!if he wanted to get out?
| I'VE got 70 like it," Mr.. Gray
replied. I'VE don't own it. We
only own about 80 per cent Of
the stock ncv."
In any cease. Waverly still has
a bank.
There are many other rea-
sons why Sussex County people
stand behind Mr.. Gray. Some
of these had to be learned the
round about way 49, Mr.. Gray
doesn't talk freely about most Of
his philanthropies.
OF one he speaks freely. how
ever. 1t is the Elmon Lee Gray
| Gymnasium. in memory Of his
father. He donated the funds
for this athletic facility at the
high school here in 1887. Mr.
Gray didn't tell me the amount
of money involved. But he be-
Ilieves this is one way of demon
strating his abiding interest in
public schools at a time when his
commission report is being at
tackled as undermining the pub
lie school system.
BE sure and mention the
gymnasium" he told me more
than once.
S45,00O for Pools
also learned that he had
given $4,000 for a swimming
pool for white children in Sussex
County and $4,000 for one In
Ineigllboring Surry County.
The gifts were made to the
American Legion. Apparently
what he had in mind was the
same situation that troubles
some of the residential comnu-
mites near Washington. d. C.
Fearing indignation in public
pools, citizens there banded to-
Igetner to form private corpora
lions beyond the jurisdiction oi
the Federal courts.
Mr.. Gray's attitude about the
Negro may be CLEANED from these
remarks taken from a speech In
Prince Edward County on Oc-
tober 6-prior to release Of the
Gray Commission report:
He was quoted as saying the
Supreme Courts decision ban
ming racial segregation was "po-
llitical and monstrouS. :"
He was quoted further: i have
nothing against the Negro race
las such and ! have lived with
them all my life, but ! don't in
tend to have my grandchildren
go to school with them" lie has
Efive.l
He emphasized he spoke as
State Senator. not as chairman
Iof the commission.
II told that group" he said,
II would act impartially and
hear everything anyone wanted
Ito say on this vital question. But
i also said I have my own per-
isonal convictions on the issue
which do not intend to sacri-
fee on the altar of political ex-
Ipediency."
After the interview I ran
into a friend Of the Senator'S
whom ! recognized in a lunch
room.
Help for Individuals
HE probably didn't tell you
what all he's DONE for the Negroes
around here" the man said
I"Why don't you go and talk with
his house boy? The Senator
built his house for him and gave
him the land to 60 with it. He's
done lots of things like that but
you probably wouldn't get 1t Out
of him"
| After his mothers death 3
few years ago, Mr.. Gray CAV.
her residence here to the Con.
Igregational Church, Of which HI
is a member. to be used as .
parsonage.
1t was in the same year h,
gave up his lumber business
I1952-that Mr.. Gray sold hi
summer estate, Swann's Poin
fon the south bank of histori,
James River in Surry County
He got $500, 1000 for it. y
i u just picked it up during
the depression" he said.
i The 1,400-acre estate was {
10th century grant from thu
King Of England and is one O
the showplaces Of the Jane
River country.
Out of Farming
! Sale of Swann's Point marked
Mr.. Gray's retirement from &C
tive farming. Today he has
herd of about 60 purebred Angu
cattle grazing on his own ant
Ia friends properties.
OF the 10000 to 10000 acre
he still owns. he rents out farm
! ION a cash rental basis
f. there's no share cropping"
Mr.. Gray doesn't get up will
the chickens-he rises befor'
they do.
. He gets up at 5 o'clock or be
fore. A reporter for the Rich
, Imond Times Dispatch said Sen
ator Gray good-naturedly com
planned to him one day:
"Your paner was late thi