Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-20
Virginia PTA
Hits Plan 10
Close Schools
Continued From First PAGE

continued FROM FIRST PAGE
sailed attention TO the inn
pending situation IN Arlington,
where a Federal court order has
oecn issued diectinr admiss on
81 seven Negroes 10 four white
schools, The order has beer
suspended pending outcome Of
an appeal 10 the Supreme
Court.
An amendment was included
10 meet his objection.
Text Of Resolution
The resolution as finally
adopted states -
Resolved, that the Northern
District of the Virginia Con-
vresS Of Parents and Teachers
Is opposed to any action on the
part Of any elected Official !
which will result in the closing |
Of the public school system in |
his district. We urge that local |
PTAs determine the views on |
This subject Of officials state |
and local, who ere seeking cleo |
lion or reelection. Afte such |
1ctormination. VIC recommend |
hat local PTAS implement 2
vigorous campaign to REQUEST |
individual PrA members 10
support at the polls only those
candidates who have declared
themselves opposed to any ac-
ton that would close the public
schools. unless such action is
by a court of effective juris-
diction. and who gives assur-
ances that they will work
actively If elected to prevent
any curtailment Of the present
school system.
This resolution is not an in
dorsement for, or a condemna-
ton Of, segregation or desegre-
CATION in the public school sys-
tenn. It's only purpose is to
insure that there is cultivated
In the largest possible number
Of our future citizens an APP
probation of the responsibilities
and the benefits which accure
to them because they are
Americans and are free. This
resolution is a plea TO preserve
our public school system. the
only means capable Of cultivat-
ing this appreciation"
A questioner wanted to know
II it would be proper for the
PTA to take a part in election
campaigns.
Mrs. w. w. Kavanaugh,
State PTA president, said I'VE
can inform our members and
urge them to vote their convic-
tons"
III is not our purpose TO IN
dorse one particular candidate"
said Capt. Atkinson. IF four
stand for open schools, then We
support all four
Cites Scope Of Measure
Capt Atkinson was asked
after the meeting If his reSolu-
ton was intended specifically
to oppose massive resistance y"
+ r~~''~1 +hat he would not
use that term because it in
Guides many things. But he
acknowledged that it was in
tended to oppose such laws as
the Minter bill which provides
for the automatic closing Of
any integrated school. the Lit
tie Rock bills which close any
schools patrolled by Federal
troops, and the fun cutoff |
which withholds State school
funds from any locality that
operates mixed classes.
The convention also went
on record favoring maximum
local control in coping with
the school desegregation prob
lem, and called for legislation
to let localities elect their own
school boards.
Arlington County's right to
elect school board members
was revoked after the county
announced tentative inte-
grafton program in 1856.
A pro-segregation resolution
circulated throughout the
State by the Staunton River
PTA District was not brought
up. Mrs. Malcolm Morrow of
Annandale, outgoing president
of the Northern Virginia Dis
trict. said she had received a
copy of it, and was prepared
to have it considered if anyone
requested that it be brought
w. No one did. She said there
Is no requirement that one
district consider measure
forwarded from another dis
trio.
The Northern District con-
sists of Arlington, Prince Will
liam. Loudoun. Fauquier and
Fairfax Counties and the cities
OF Alexandria and Falls Church.