Evening star., 1960-07-22
Joy dndReeves
Duel in Court
On Pupils Suit
Arlington Denies
20 Were Rejected
Because of Race
BY JOHN BARRON
Star STAFF Writer

DJ JOLIN DhhnON
Star STAFF Writer
A Federal Court desegrega-
tion hearing developed into a
verbal duel between the Ar
lington School Board chairman
and the lawyer for 20 Negro
children yesterday.
Attorney Frank Reeves chal-
lenged in detail each decision
made by the school board in
rejecting the Negro applica-
tionS for admission to predomi-
nantly white schools.
Barnard Joy, board chair
man, for more than five hours
defended the reflections, argu-
ing that the pupils fail to meet
either residence or academic
criteria for transfers sought.
Contending racial conSidera-
tions influenced school board
action, Mr.. Reeves asserted
that Arlington attendance
areas are contrived to maintain
segregation and charged the
placement criteria were applied
only to Negro students.
Responding point by point,
Mr.. Joy declared that atten-
dance areas are drawn partially
with the objective of maintain
ing "neighborhood groupings"
Placement Assignments
He emphasized that since the
school board formulated its
criteria, the State Pupil Place
ment Board has assigned all
Arlington children except in
instances where courts have in
tervened after Negroes have
filed suit.
But all the Sparring produced
no immediate results.
Testimony continued until
almost 6 pm. and permitted
no time for formal argument
by attorneys regarding the 20
denialS.
Judge Albert v. Bryan agreed
to hear the final arguments
September 6 in Alexandria
Federal District Court.
The hearing yesterday re-
suited from his directive last
month ordering the Arlington
board to reStudy 81 Negro ap-
plicationS and the Alexandria
School Board to review IS.
After complying with the in
struction, Arlington on July 8
advised the court it would not
oppose entry of IL of the 81
to classes composed primarily
of white pupils, but it rebuffed
the other 20.
The III thus probably will be
admitted by court order before
school opens in September.
Twenty three Negroes already
have been admitted to pre-
viously segregated schools in
Arlington upon court orders
The Alexandria board told
the court that if it is directed
to make pupil placements, il
will assign 10 of the Is Negro
applicants to predominantly
white schools. 1t deferred de-
cision regarding two children
pending collection of additional
data. and rejected three.
John Barton Phillips, rep
reSenting the Alexandria schoo
| system, and Mr.. Reeves agreed
! yesterday to try to resolve any
dispute concerning the five ap-
, plicantS before the September
| 6 hearing when arguments ir
: the Alexandria case also will be
: heard if any differences remain
Mr.. Phillips said later he as.
sumeS there is no doubt thai
6 the 10 applicants will be ad,
: mitted to the Alexandra
! schools in which they seek tt
; enroll. Sixteen Negro children
previously have entered white
schools in Alexandria as a re-
suit of court orders.
In testimony yesterday, Mr.
, Joy stated that IL of the Ar,
lington applicants were rejected
=, because of academic ant
"other" factors and said tina
=, school board members consid
cred the denialS "in the bes
educational interests of the in
. dividual students"
Cites Tests
He reported that tests, som
of which were administered tw
years ago, indicated the menta
maturity and academic achieve
ment levels of the IL wer
below national normS.
Mr.. Reeves asked if ther
are white children in tn
classes for which the Negroe
applied who have mental ma
turity and achievement level
similarly below national norm!
Undoubtedly" Mr.. Joy sal
in the course of a length
reply.
Mr.. Reeve subsequently aske
several times if white childre
have been denied assignmer
to white schools because c
their mental maturity an
academic achievement.
These cases are handled b
the State Pupil Placemer
Board" Mr.. Joy replied.
For these children there
not another alternative whic
would be in their educations
interests" he added at or
time