Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-08-21
La.l q . .arIss

defenses which face a crucial
test next month when they
collide with Federal Court inte-
grafton orders.
The 24-square mile county,
which has been under Federal
court orders to desegregate
since September. 1857, has re-
ceived applications from 81
Negro students to enter six
white schools. This includes five
who last year won court orders
to attend the white schools Of
their choice and who propose
to exercise that choice Septem-
Der 4 when the fall term be-
gins.
Oppose State Stand
Through elected representa-
tives in the State government,
its own local government, the
ballot box and civic effort, the
area that Virginia once ceded
to the Federal Government has
asserted its opposition to the
States anti-integration pro-
gram of closing schools and
cutting of funds.
White residents already are
planning to challenge the State
m assive resistance laws in
court All that remains to be
decided is when a suit should
be filed-before schools def
initely close or after.
There is room for argument
whether a majority of the
county's white residents are
anxious to accept indignation.
But on the question of clos
ing schools-or even tamper-
ing with them-the county has
spoken in many ways.
Ariington's entire legislative
delegation opposed the laws
that form the hard core Of mas
Sive resistance.
Twice the politically divided
county board forgot its differ
ences to support unanimously
moves aimed at keeping schools
open.
Voters Take Stand
At the ballot box, the county
first expressed itself on the
matter Of meddling with schools
in the Gray referendum held in
January, 1856.
At issue was whether or not
the State constitution should be
amended to permit payment of
tuition grants for private
schooling of students to avoid
indignation.
The referendum carried the
State as a whole by better than
three to one-but not in Ar
lington. Fearful of any move
to weaken the public school
system they had spent so much
time and money improving,
Arlington residents turned the
idea down with a vote Of TO-
306 to zoos.
In last falls gubernatorial
election when massive resist
ance was the paramount issue
and Little Rock was fresh am
munition for that side, Airing
ton gave a l,300-vote margin
to the Republican candidate
State Senator Ted Dalton, who
campaigned against the school
closing. fund cutoff measures.
He lost Statewide by nearly
two to one to Gov. Almond.
PTAs Against Shutdown
The Arlington County Coun-
ell of Parent Teacher ASSocia-
tions in April adopted a resolu-
ton opposing closed schools. A
resolution approved by the Arl-
ington Civic Federation in June
urges support of maintaining
public education. Twenty-eight
Arlington ministers issued a
statement opposing use of
church facilities for private
schooling such as pro-segrega-
ton groups have advocated to
avoid indignation.
Leading the movement to
keep Arlington schools open is
the Committee to Preserve
Public Schools. So far, there is
no organization like it any,
where else in the State.
Function of the committee is
ito pursue every legal means to
keep public schools open" Its
organizers include leaders from
liberal and conservative fac
tions in county politics, and
membership stands over 5000,
according to officers.
o. Glenn Stahl. a former
school board member. is chair
man. Head of a legal subcom-
mittee is Warren Cox, another
former school board member.
Bid to Almond Failed
A delegation from the COM
mittee tried without success to
get q commitment from Gov
Almond whether he would let
the county reopen any schools
closed by indignation.
Under the school closing law,
the Governor is supposed to try
to reorganize a closed school on
a segregated basis.
Mr.. Cox's legal subcommittee
on several occasions has ex-
pressed the opinion that the
closing of schools can be pre-
vented by filing a court petit
ton to bar the law from taking
effect.
Chairman Ralph Raul Of
the Arlington County Board is
confident the majority of Ar
lington's residents want to
keep schools open. and believes
the means can be found to do
it. Mr.. Raul is a member of
the more liberal political coali-
tion--the Arlingtonians for a
Better County - who have a
one-vote majority on the five
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