Evening star., 1956-08-29

Appropriations Committee, but
some Of the opponents refuse to
kill it there on the theory that
such a controversial measure
should reach the floor. Unoffi-
cial polls indicate the Governors
program would clear the House
las of yeSterday-prior to the
latest pupil-assignment bills with
stronger checks against integra-
ton.
The real battle expected by
the administration forces is
shaping UP in the Senate, where
sentiment appears too evenly
divided to predict the outcome
The package of IA Gray Com
mission bills was sponsored in
the House by l3 members and
one more who signed two Of
them. Their chief patron is
Delegate Harry B. Davis Of
Princess Anne, vice chairman of
the Gray Commission and chair
man of the Education Commit
tee. to which the bulk of the
measures have been referred.
Sponsors in Senate
In the Senate the Gray bills
are sponsored by Robert F.
Baldwin of Norfolk, Senator
Fenwick and State Senator Floyd
Landreth of Galax, the latter a
Republican.
/ Mr. Mann, who is a member of
the Gray Commission, said. I'VE
felt that the people were en-
titled to see all of the Gray
Commissions proposals and have
them available for next weeks
public hearings.
THE second assignment bill
offered by me is stronger and
is the one that we on the Gray
Commission who opposed the
Governors program are going to
push"
1 Observers detected q COM
promise feature in the Mann
legislation in its provision that
the Governor appoint the local
school assignment boards. One
Of the criticisms some law
makers have directed at the
Gray assignment plan is that an
integration-minded school board
could mix the races. They fear
that Arlington. for example, is.
one.
Under the Mann bill a Cover
non, such as Mr.. Stanley, who
is dead set against integration.
could select the members of the
assignment board who we're in
accord with his views.
Difference in Plans
This is how the Mann bill de-
parts from the original Gray
assignment plan:
/. 1t would freeze all children
in school attendance in the same
school unless reassigned for
good causes shown"
2 The school district assign
ment board. appointed by the
Governor for terms Of three
years, would issue the rules
under which pupils would be
placed.
The bill includes factors writ
ten in the Gray plan on which
student assignments could be
made-that is, individual need
and welfare Of the particular
child involved and the welfare
and best interest Of all other
pupils attending the school.
availability Of facilities. health,
aptitude OF such child, the avail
ability Of transportation"
/ In addition, the board would
be given even wider latitude by
the addition OF these assignment
factors: The sociological, psy-,
Geological and like tangible social
scientific factors as will prevent.
as nearly as possible, any condi-
tion OF socioeconomic class con-
sciousness among the pupils. and
all such other relevant factors
and their effect on such child
and on the welfare and best
interest Of the administration
of the school or schools in
volved
3. The assignment board would
have the right Of appeal from a
cYurt 20 the State Supreme
Court.
The. Fengiek bill today is
simply an enlargement on
the one offered by Mr.. Mann, so
that the rights OF ali parents in
'la school would be recognized.