Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-03
After the Investigation

Inc Davis Scnool investigation pro-
duced an unusual contest. On the one
hand was the Davis subcommittee, striv-
Ing to diScredit indignation. On the other
hand were critics of the subcommittee,
striving to discredit the investigation.
Both sides can claim victory in certain
areas. We have no doubt that the testi-
mony will be widely used to bolster oppo-
sition to Indignation. We have no doubt
that the subcommittee is thoroughly dis
credited in the minds of those, if there
were any, who expected any objective
appraisal of Washington'S experience in
integrating its public schools.
OF far more Importance, however,
than the ultimate outcome of this con-
test is the question of what use is to be
made of the material unearthed in the
testimony of SO witnesses, all of them
qualified to speak with some authority,
as to conditions in WaShington'S public
schools today. If he were wise, Chair
man Davis would conclude his inveStiga-
tion-now in indefinite adjournment
by calling witnesses who would testify
as to the benefits and successful achieve
ments under indignation. That would
round out the picture and destroy the
justified criticism that choice of witnesses
was highly selective. We do not believe,
however, that it would affect the impor-
lance of the testimony so far given.
That testimony is highly important.
1t has revealed publicly the need for
unusual steps to correct an intolerable
condition in the public schools of the
Nations Capital Depending on what is
done, that condition will show marked
improvement with experience, or it will
deteriorate to point that stamps inte-
grafton as failure, with the most de-
plorable effects on the character of this
great city.
In the opinion of most of the pro-
fesSional educators who testified, the
primary need is for more teachers, spe-
cializing in the various methods available
to them in reducing the shocking dis
parity between achievement levels; per-
haps in the apparent disparity between
existing ability to achieve and to enforce
discipline. There is need for reconsider
alton Of a school building program, de-
signed not merely to take care of popu-
lation growth, but to meet the peculiar
needs of the population that is growing
And there is need for leadership by the
President of the United States, regardless
OF who wins the election, in financing
a program that cannot be supported by
the economy of this city alone, or provided
by the normal processes of annual mu-
nicipal appropriations.
There is also need for the Board
Of Education to revise its unwise policy,
no matter how well intentioned it may
have been, of suppresSing, and withhold
ing from the public, statistical informa-
ton that is none the less relevant because
1t involves race. We are dealing with a
problem that involves race, and the intel
ligent method of dealing with it is to
follow policy based on complete frank
ness and candor unaffected by the emo
tionaliSm which obscures the nature Of
the problem. One of the reasons for the
current investigation, which clothed it
with certain validity, was the deliberate
policy Of secrecy concerning facts which
should have been matter of public
record.
No comment on the Davis inveStiga-
ton would be complete without reference
to the character of testimony by repre-
sentatives Of Washington's school teach
ers and administrators, from DR.. Corning
on down. They were faced with an I'M
pleasant ordeal, which the great majority
OF them met With a dignity and an obvious
effort to be fair and factual, rejecting
great credit on the teachers, and creating
sympathetic understanding of their prob
LENS There we're others who should have
been called, and some OF them may yet
be given an opportunity to give their
views. We doubt, however, that what they
might say would materially change the
hard outlines Of picture that must be
redrawn If indignation in Washington is
to provide the example of successful
and deeply significant undertaking.