Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-21
By a Star stan Correspondent


RICHMOND. Feb. 21.-
Chances of enacting the Gray
Commission plan for avoiding
compulsory attendance at inte-
grated public schools appeared
today to be considerably dimin-
Iished.
Speaker E. Blackburn Moore
was joined by So other House
members in introducing his reso-
luton calling for a delay in
passing legislation dealing with
| the segregation question.
The Moore resolution would
Ideclape at is the sense Of the
Legislature that for the school
year beginning September,
1856. the public schools through
out Virginia shall continue to
operate on a segregated basis"
Another portion of the Moore
resolution declares. 1T is neither
practical, nor desirable, that a
special session OF the Legislature
be called and held Immediately
following the regular 1855 ses-
sion" (the one now in progress)
Voters Approved Convention
Some members Of the Gray
commission, who worked for
nearly Is months to adopt q plan
Ito meet the segregation problem.
feel the Moore resolution Is not
timely and necessary. Some are
angry because they feel 1t pulls
1.-THE rug out from under their ef-
forts.
/ On January 8, voters approved
by referendum Gray commits
sion recommendation that a con-
stitutional convention be held.
The convention was set for
March 5 and voters today are
electing delegates to that con-
Ivention.
A number of Gray plan pro-
Iponents argued in the referen-
dunn campaign that it was essen
tial to act quickly so a plan could
be In effect by the time local
school boards make up their
budgets In May.
| Delegate John c. Webb o.
Fairfax. who fought the Gray
plan to preserve segregation II
the schools, was-to the surprise
LOT many legislators--among tht
64 who signed the Moore resolu.
Ition to preserve segregation fol
Ianother year.
The Moore resolution MIR
webb said. fully justifies Thu
stand I took in opposing the de
lmand for immediate action OF
the Gray program, The resolu
ton emphasizes the need To-
more time to consider the prob
lem"
Fenwick Favors Session
Arlington State Senator Charlie.
r. Fewick, who served on the
Gray commission, believes spe-
cial session Of the Legislature
lis essential.
/ II feel" Mr.. Fenwick said, at
lis mistake to have the Moore
resolution before us at this time
I cannot support 1t If its adop-
Ition would result in there being
mo special session to consider
the Gray plan in view of the
representations made to the peo-
pie recently"
Arlington Delegate Kathryn
Stone. opponent of the Gray
plan like Mr.. Webb. refused to
sign the Moore resolution. how
. ever.
!; THE resolution appears tc
contradict the statements OF
|, those during the recent cam
paign that haste was necessary
to adopt some sort of plan." Mrs
Stone said.
Thomson Signs Resolution
On the other hand, Alexandra
Delegate James M. Thomson
actively campaigned for the Gray
plan and also signed the Moore
resolution.
II supported the resolution
) for two reasons" Mr.. Thomson
said. First ! want to keep the
segregated schools as long as II
can be done. The Moore reso-
luton. declaring it the policy
Of the State that segregation be
retained during 1861, is in &C.
cordance with the Supreme
Courts decision calling for de.
liberate speed"