Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-04
Virginia Speaker
Challenged BY
Attorney General

RICHMOND, June 4 (P).-The
speaker of the Virginia House
of Delegates stood challenged by
the States attorney general to-
day to engage in a free-swinging
debate on the contributions Of
each to the school segregation
issue.
Attorney General j. Lindsay
Almond, jr., even invited H.
Blackburn Moore of Berryville
to name the time and place.
! Mr.. Almond confessed shock
yesterday at what he called Mr..
Moore's "unwarranted and I'M
justified attack upon me-"
/ Mr.. Moore touched of the ex-
change by suggesting in state
ment that Mr.. Almond might
favor passage of legislation to
permit some form of racial in
ltegration in Virginia's public
schools this fall.
\ He noted that Mr.. Almond had
told reporters last Thursday that
the Legislature should be called
into special session at the earli-
Jest possible date to consider the
States next move in its legal
tug of war with the National
Association for the Advancement
of Colored People over the racial
problem.
New Suits Pending
/ New suits seeking desegrega-
tion in public schools in Norfolk,
Newport News. Charlottesville
and Arlington were filed last
month by attorneys for the
INAACP.
At last Thursdays press con-
ference. Mr.. Almond said he had
fought to the end of the legal
rope and as counsel for the State
it is my Judgment that we must
have State legislation on the
subject in order to meet the att
tacks of the NAACP." The attor-
ney general said he needed new
weapon if he was to continue the
fight.
POuncing on this yesterday.
Mr.. Moore questioned whether it
was wise for Mr.. Almond to say
The was at the end of his rope
and thereby admit alleged weak
mess and give assurance to the
NAACP while suits are pending"
| The exchange came on the eve
Iof today's meeting of the 32-man
Gray Commission to weigh latest
Developments on the segregation
front and possibly plan a new
course for Virginia in the effort
to avert indignation.
Every Legal Weapon
Mr.. Almond replied by repeat.
ing what he has said before
that every legal weapon has
been exhausted"
GAS the attorney general has
made this utterance in advance
of a statement by the Governor, !"
Mr.. Moore said, II ask the attor-
ney general to inform the people
of Virginia of the exact nature
Iof the weapon and whether, as
representing Virginia, he pro-
poses to fight for continuance
Iof segregated schools for the
school term in September, 1856,
or does he desire legislation that
would permit any form of inte-
grafton for this coming school
lyear?"
! Mr.. Almond replied: mfr.
Moore well knows that the Gov
Isrnor has appointed a study COM
mission, and that it is the func-
Ition and duty of this commission
to recommend to the Governor
the best legal weapon. ask Mr..
Moore, as member of the GEN.
Ieral Assembly, what weapon has
he ever furnished?"
Mr.. Almond replied that he
planned Ito continue the fight
to preserve segregation in the
Virginia public school system and
any help from Mr.. Moore would
be more than welcome"
!, He charged Mr.. Moore with
deliberately distorting and mis-
representing my position before
the people of Virginia. Whether
his motive is political or other
wise, / stand ready to debate
the issue with him at any time
Tor place he may select"