Evening star., 1961-04-28


Prince Edword Unshoken by U. S.
Entry in School Suit. Poee BE-
guarded formal statement is
sued following one-hour con-
ference with top State educa-
ton and legal officials in his
office.
Gov. Almond emphasized
that a motion filed by Attorney
General Robert F. Kennedy in
Federal court here has as its
basic purpose the opening of
schools in Prince Edward
rather than the closing of
schools elsewhere in the State.
Public schools in the Central
Virginia county have been
closed for the past two years.
Federal Judge Oren R. Lewis
will hear arguments on the
Governments motion to join as
a plaintiff on May 8.
Implicit in the Case"
AS a part of that motion, the
Government has asked the
court to restrain the State from
spending public funds to oper-
ate schools anywhere in Vir-
ginia until classrooms are
opened to both races in Prince
Edward.
Gov. Almond said he thought
this latter point had been over
emphasized in the public mind.
1T was an argument already
implicit in the case now pend
ing before the court" he said.
9 Attorneys for the Negroes
had contended it was a consti-
tutional violation of a guaran-
tee for equal opportunity for
public schools to be maintained
everywhere in Virginia except
/ in Prince Edward.
The Governor was asked why
he called conference between
the seven members of the State
Board Of Education. the State
superintendent and the retir-
ing and incoming State attor-
neys general so soon after Mr..
Kennedy's action if the situa-
ton has been little affected.
Because of public clamor,
because of a misconstruction
Of the Governments action"
he replied. Il thought it nee
eSsary to clarity the situation
with the superintendent and
lay members of the school
board"
In his formal statement
Gov. Almond declared the
meeting was called because the
board of education was in ses-
sion here today anyway.
Nothing should be said or
done at the executive level that
could in anyway embarrass
counsel" for the State and
Prince Edward in the pending
case, he said.
every Phase" Discussed
After asserting the legal sit
uation has not been changed"
by the Government motions to
intervene, he added, In my
judgment, other comment from
me at this time would be pre-
mature"
Mr.. Kennedy stated earlier
and again late yesterday the
Governments move followed
unsuccessful conferences be-
tween the Justice Department
and Virginia officials seeking
to reopen Prince Edward
schools.
The Governor emphasized
that Ito my knowledge" there
have been no conferences be-
tween the Justice Department
Representatives and anyone in
the State or county govern
ment level.
| He was asked whether to-
days conference discussed a
provision of the Virginia con-
Stitution which requires that
a system of free public schools
shall" be maintained through
out the State.
Without answering directly,
Gov. Almond said, There was
a general discussion of every
phase and every facet Of the
problem"
Asked about a statement by
State Republican Chairman I.
Lee Potter of Arlington which
suggested the Kennedy admin
lStration had consulted Gov.
Almond before filing his mo-
ton in court, the Governor an
swered heatedly:
That mountebank, Potter,
made that charges when he
knew it was false"
He also declined to comment
on a statement yesterday by
Senator BYRD, Democrat of Vir-
ginia, who had asked the At
torney General to reconsider
the Governments "intemperate
and ruthless action" in seeking
to become a plaintiff in the
suit.
Senator Byrd said the move
was an effort ito punish an
entire State because the action
of one county displeases" Mr..
Kennedy and could close schools
for all of Virginia's 847,000
white and Negro pupils.
MI. Kennedy replied that the
intervention was merely a step
to rectify" a situation in
which Prince Edward County
had "circumvented and nulli-
fled" Federal court deSepratinn