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

might. Key committee memb
Democrat of Georgia, have left
town. So has Counsel William
E. Gerber.
| The So witnesses questioned in
the nine days of public hearings,
all present or former employees
of the school system except for
C. Melvin Sharpe, who is Board
of Education president, were far
short of the total of persons re-
portedly interviewed privately.
The Davis investigating staff
has been reported to have inter-
viewed some 500 persons. At the
start of the investigation, more
than two months ago, the Ger
Der staff obtained a list of some
1000 teachers and other school
employes, and many were called
on for questioning privately.
Only the SO persons were ten
dered - and accepted = invita-
lions to testify in public. how
ever. Left uncalled, although all
were interviewed, were the other
eight school board members. in
GLIDING the three who are
Negroes. Also not invited to tes-
tify, either publicly or privately
were the top leaders of the city's
now integrated parent teacher
ORGANIZATIONS.
Those appearing at the public
hearings included Is principals
% teachers, two school counsel
ors. an attendance supervisor
and six officials, including Supt
Hobart M. Corning. There was
also testimony by former prac-
teal nursing supervisor and a
former teachers college nurse,
and Health Department spokes-
man. Nine of the witnesses
were Negro, the rest white.
Gerber to Return in 10 Days
Mr.. Gerber, before leaving yes
terday for his home in Memphis,
Tenn, said he planned to return
in about 10 days. The counsel
said he planned to study the
transcript of the hearings while
out of town. The hearing rec
ord, meanwhile. is already being
Iprinted.
The special subcommittee staff
lis likely to begin writing a re-
port as soon as Mr.. Gerber re-
turns, 1t was indicated. George
w. McCown. Florence IS. c.
High School principal, and
Leonard o. Hilder of Arlington
(Va9 are the other two regular
staff members.
Two Republican subcommittee
members, Representatives Hyde
of Maryland and Broyhill of Vir-
ginia, last Friday sought to have
the hearings halted until after
the November 6 elections. They
said the sessions interfered with
their campaigning and other
business.
The move was unsuccessful
Chairman Davis said then that
witnesses already had been
called and plans made for a con-
tinuation of the hearings.
Hearings Adjourned
| After questioning DR.. Corning
for nearly five hours Monday
Mr.. Davis announced, however
that he was adjourning the hear
ingS. He said the subcommittee
which also includes Representa-
tives Williams of Mississippi and
Jones of North Carolina, Demo
Gratis. would be subject to call
But he gave no indication OF
any plans for further hearings.
/ Some nonparticipants in the
Davis inquiry. including two
members of the parent House
District Committee, Representa-
tives Wier of Minnesota and
Dawson of Illinois. Democrats,
have criticized the inquiry as
being biased. Criticism has also
come from several organizations
interested in the segregation
/ issue.
! The Washington Chapter of
Americans for Democratic Ac-
ton yesterday made public a
statement accusing the Davis
group OF seeking to tailor an
answer that suits your precon-
iceived purposes.
| The organization also made
public a letter from its presi-
dent. Charles Donahue. to Mr.,
Davis renewing September is
request to present testimony
before the subcommittee.
ave Issues Protest
Another protest was .aised by
the American Veterans Commit
tee, claiming a membership of
$4,000 liberal" veterans. 1t
said the investigation was care
fully and willfully planned to
'subvert the process of integra-
ton Of the Nations public
schools.
In Atlanta Mr.. Davis was
quoted by the Associated Press
as saying: Il don't think that
either the ADA or ave state
ment is worthy of notice" He
declined to discuss the state
Rents further.
Meanwhile a review Of testi-
mony during the hearings
showed that little was brought
out that was not previously
publicized. at least locally. al
though not all OF 1t had been
disclosed in such detail.
School teachers and officials
in general testified that they
found too many children below
desirable achievement levels,
and that, specifically. colored
children on the average were
well below customary achieve
ment levels Of white children.
10 Figures Introduced
Mr. Gerber introduced figures
Inurnnrtlrnr 10 shnr, that rnInrnd