Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-30
Keep Public Schools,
Darden Warns State
End Of System
Would Destroy
Commonwealth
BY PAUL HOPE
Star STAFF Correspondent

RICHMOND, Oct. 30.-Vir.
ginia's school board members
were in session here today with
a warning from former Gov.
Colgate w. Darden that "if Vir.
ginia's public school system dies.
the Commonwealth will die with
it,"
Several hundred members Of
the Virginia School Boards AS
ISOLATION also have heard three
other speakers say that integra-
ton would kill the public school
system.
Recent State legislation to
segregation is the main
topic of discussion among the
a majority of whom
favor continued sep
aration of the races, but many
Of whom aren't sure exactly what
the new legislation means.
James M. Thompson, State
Delegate from Alexandria, and
State Senator A. S. Harrison, jr.,
of Brunswick County, who sup
ported the legislation in the Gen.
eral Assembly, told board mem.
bers yesterday that Virginia en-
barked on an "uncharted course"
in the bills enacted last sum.
mer.
Could withhold Funds
This complex legislation would,
among other things, allow the
Governor to withhold State funds
from localities which integrate
schools, allow him to take over
schools under certain
conditions and transfer pupil
assignment powers from local
schools boards to a three-member
State board.
Mr.. Darden, who opposed the
legislation at hearings before
the General Assembly, did not
the race issue in a
speech last night, but the Uni
versity of Virginia president
made clear his belief that vir-
ginia's public school system must
be preserved.
IF the Virginia public school
system withers and dies, the
Commonwealth will die with it,"
he said.
School board members from
the Washington Metropolitan
Area of Virginia, where the feel
ing is strong for local option on
segregation. are staying in the
background here on the race
issue.
Were so outnumbered, what
good would it do for us to say
anything?" said a member from
Almond Cites Obstacles
At an afternoon session, At
torney General Lindsay Almond
said integrated schools cannot
be maintained in Virginia be
cause the people will not support
them = the General Assembly
will not appropriate funds for
them"
Indignation in Washington was
held by Mr.. Thomson as dis
astrous blow struck against pub
lie education"
Senator Harrison said that the
true picture of chaotic condi-
tons in Washington seeping
down into Virginia" and the
irresponsible and reckless ac-
ton" of the National Association
for the Advancement of Colored
People were in large part re-
sponsible for the action taken by
the Virginia Assembly.
Both speakers maintained that
the legislation was designed to
protect the school system.
Indignation would destroy our
system" Mr.. Thomson said.
Harrison FavOrs Unity
Senator Harrison spoke against
any break in the system of total
segregation.
I'VE must have the support Of
all of Virginia II there is to be
any effective Statewide system
Of education" he said.
Questions from the floor igdi-
Gated the members we're not sure
exactly what the legislation
means.
Senator Harrison conceded
that no one knows exactly what
the effect of the legislation will
be.
Mr.. Almond said a test Of the
State laws will come If the State
loses its appeal in school segre-
cation cases now pending and
the Federal courts order inte-
grafton.
Arlington and Charlottesville
cases come before the Fourth
Federal Circuit Court Of Appeals
in Baltimore on November 81.
In both cases lower court judges
have ordered an end to segrega-
ton by race.