Factual OUTHERN CHOOL EWS Objective ~'lot.: o~:... a! VOL I, NO. 3 NASHVILLE, TENN. NOVEMBER 4, 1954 IC!:t;

intervene in the Supreme Court hear­ ings. useful to restate the objectives of the Reporting Service. "The Southern Education Reporting Service has there- the forthcoming Supreme Court de- te,.. 3. In Georgia and Louisiana, voters The Service grew out of the conviction of a group of fore been established with the aim of assisting responsible crees. tn:4· went to the polls to vote on "last re­ southern editors and educators that there would be a need local and state leaders, and particularly school adminis­ e e.:. SOUTH CAROLINA-The Su­ sort" amendments to their state con­ for a full, factual, objective and balanced reporting of trators, in developing practical and constructive solutions l:e::... preme Court decision and pending :a:.:c. stitutions aimed at preserving segre­ developments arising from the May 17 Supreme Court to their own particular school problems by supplying decrees prompted more talk than ac­ gated schools. decision declaring segregation in the public schools un- them with objective facts about the developments in other tion in South Carolina last month. lllo:tk 4. In Florida, Maryland and Vir­ constitutional. As stated by Chainnan Virginius Dabney communities. It is our resolve to report the facts as we Both the outgoing and incoming gov­ \lei~ ginia, the race issue was the subject in his letter of July 5 to President Clarence H. Faust of find them, and to refrain from taking sides on any con­ ernors voiced grave concern over the "aCIIII of widespread public debate, mostly the Fund for the Advancement of Education: troversial issues or advocating any particular point of probability of trouble if desegrega­ l aE_ in political campaigns. "We are convinced that a major contribution can be view." tion of the schools is attempted. South lg 1'4 made at this time to the advancement of education and In sum, the Reporting Service is not an advocate in the Carolina's white teachers urged the Otherwise the region was quiet, in­ to the general public interest by an impartial reporting ~ segregation-desegregation issue. It is neither pro-segre­ continuance of a system of free pub­ cluding Missouri, where the begin­ service which provides accurate and unbiased informa­ \ing! nings of desegregation have so far gation nor anti-segregation. It expresses no opinions of lic schools, but did not take any defi­ tion concerning the adjustments which various communi­ nite stand on the question of segrega­ produced no incidents whatsoever. ties in the southern region make as a result of the Su­ its own on what is good and bad or wise and unwise. It .g Sl tion. Here is the state-by-state digest, preme Court's recent opinion and forthcoming decrees in adheres scrupulously to the accurate and objective re­ Mo~. with fuller details inside: .a:. the five cases involving segregation in the public schools. port of the facts as it finds them, state by state. TENNESSEE - There was no d ... ALABAMA- Despite increasing change in Tennessee's policy of .dtr. pressure from legislative sources, ject of increasing com­ gia amendment, however, the Louis­ attendance were involved, and none "watchful waiting" during Oct.ober, md Gov. Gordon Persons declined in Oc­ ment. Florida States Rights Inc., a iana proposal would give legal sanc­ of the schools with large percentages and at month's end it appeared that tobe.r to call a special session of the group opposing desegregation, was tion to segregation in the schools un­ of Negro students; 97 per cent of Bal­ the state would not file a brief before Alabama legislature to act on a re­ chartered in Dade County. der the inherent police powers of the timore's public school students were the Supreme Court. About the only port by a special legislative commit­ state. not involved in any way. action on the segregation-desegrega­ tee urging the amendment of the GEORGIA-Just as the November tion issue came late in October when state constitution to pave the way for issue of Southern School News went MARYLAND-As October opened, MISSISSIPPI-Although a state­ the Tennessee conference of the Na­ poaible abolition of public educa­ to press, the people of Georgia were Baltimore made the nation's front wide election is still some weeks ofl, tional Association for the Advance­ tion. going to the polls to decide whether pages with stories and pictures of a strong campaign in favor of a pro­ ment of Colored People met in Nash­ t!::: to approve an amendment to their picketing and rioting. This issue of posed "last resort" constitutional ville and adopted a three-point ~~ ARKANSAS-A. the state of Ar­ state constitution which would per­ SoUTHERN ScHOOL NEWS canies a de­ amendment authorizing the abolition program c.alling for implementation ~~ kansas moved ahead with the prep­ mit the substitution of a private tailed, documentary account of the of the public school system began to of the May 17 Supreme Court opinion. ll n. aration of its brief in the school seg­ school system for a desegregated pub­ Baltimore unrest including this pic­ pick up steam in Mississippi in Oct­ err. regation cases, Education Commis­ lic school system. The entire Georgia ture in retrospect: not more than a her. An advisory committee issued a TEXAS-Atty. Gen. John Ben oi if sioner Arch W. Ford revealed that report in this issue is given over to a half dozen of 52 schools with mixed question-answer brochure explaining Shepperd bad a staff of six assistants ndr.... Arkansas' position ''will not be a complete explanation of the amend­ the amendment. at work on the brief that Texas will ;ton.!.. radical approach or one of defiance ment, and the arguments advanced file with the U.S. Supreme Court, but MISSOURI-With reports in from otherwise October produced no new ;~ ... (but) a reasonable approach ... by proponents and opponents. (which) will try to point out the 466 of Missouri's school districts, the developments gro.. ving out of the May .derH KENTUCKY-With Republicans How They Voted pattern of desegregation comes into >I\\'<.£ problems, financial and othenvise, 17 decision. brought on by the decision." and Democrats alike accepting the At press time for this issue, the sharper focus. The full details will ~nt t be found elsewhere in this issue, but VIRGINIA-Under the leadership Supreme Court decision when it was voting on the Georgia ''private .soci.i:. DELAWARE-After the State Su­ announced, the segregation-desegre­ in capsule form, here are the facts: of State Sen. Garland Gray, the Vir­ r 1\c. preme Court stayed a lower court gation issue was kept out of Kentucky school" amendment, with 1,058 of 289 of the 466 districts have no Negro ginia Commission on Public Educa­ order requiring the readmission of politics in this election year. The "go­ the state's 1,810 precincts reporti~, pupils; of the remaining 177 with tion announced plans for a public reap!!: Negro students to Milfor·d high slow" policy of waiting for the Su­ stood: for, 153,576; against, 148,317. Negro pupils, 110 have begun some hearing on Nov. 15-its first since ap­ school, an uneasy truce prevailed preme Court to spell out its decrees The voting on the Louisiana form of desegregation. In no case has pointment by Gov. Thomas B. Stan­ leCi·~· throughout the tension areas in appears to have satisfied most every­ "police power'' amendment, with desegration caused any incident. ley to study problems growing out of l,t Delaware. Throughout the state, the court decision. But Chairman one. 599 of 2,029 precincts reporting, NORTH CAROLINA- Although alsD• religious and other organizations be­ stood: for, 71,161; against, 15,046. Gray came in for some published crit­ ten gan to take positive stands Cor the L 0 U I S I A N A-The people of he has not yet made public the de­ icism because of a speech he made. Louisiana, like those in Georgia, were For complete analyses of the two tails, Atty. Gen. Harry McMullen says a:!ed preservation of law and order. proposals, see the Georgia report lOl • also voting on a constitutional amend­ that the North Carolina brief will fol­ WEST VIRGINIA-As the end of SoUTHERN on Page 10 and the Louisiana re­ low the line taken by Florida and ask October approached, it appeared that t.e til· ment as this issue of ScllooL DISTRICT OF COLUl\miA-The in .. 'f(" NEWS went to press. Unlike the Geor- port on Page 3. the Supreme Court (1) to give ade- the unrest three West Virginia desegregation of the District of Co­ counties where desegregation was edi!l lumbia school system had proceeded tried had about run its course. Par­ edO: smoothly for three weeks when, on ents who were picketing the schools Ill .. Oct 4, white students at Anacostia at Four States, near Fainnont, re­ edev high school began demonstrations Williams-Ryan Book Slated turned to their homes after a stem ,\Lee; against desegregation. The demon­ warning from a Marion County cir­ strations spread to two other former­ (On Nov. 20, the University of lie schools. But Irom May 17 forward. tionsbip between the majority and cuit judge. In Greenbrier County and ly all-white schools and six junior minority races. The charting of those Boone County, where demonstrations highs, but by the fourth day order North Carolina Press at Chapel Hill, the Court proclaimed, no American N. C., will publish a significant new could be denied admission to a pub­ Iorces has been l:n·gely left to social were reported in the October issue, had been restored and enrollment was things were quiet. R. normal once again. book, Schools in Transition, by lic educational institution solely be­ scientists, and it is to them the public GE Robin M. Williams Jr. and Margaret cause of his race. now must look for guides to the fu­ FLORIDA-Until Atty. Gen. Rich­ W. Ryan. It will be priced at $3.00. There could be no doubt that the ture. The book carries the following intro­ ard Ervin's brief was made public. the Intensive social studies in the spe­ Index duction by Harry S. Ashmore, author Court's unanimous decision removed segregation-desegregation issue re­ cific field of bi-racial education were State Page mained fairly quiet. In Oct.ober, how­ of "The Negro and the Schools.") legal sanction from the practice of segregation in education or that it already well under way when the Su­ Alabama ...... 2 ever, the question began to bob up in • Arkansas ...... 2 political campaigns and was the sub- • • cleared the way for massive social preme Court handed down its his­ toric decision. They had been under­ Delaware ...... 6-7 ON May 17, 1954, the Supreme change. Yet the nature of that change District of Columbia ...... 4-5 Court of the wrote remains clouded with uncertainty. taken under a grant from the Ford Florida ...... 3 Trouble Spots an end to an era in American educa­ The Court itself recognized that it Foundation's Fund for the Advance­ Georgia ...... 10 Because conflict and tension in tion. Before that date the Court had had left vital questions unanswered ment of Education, which in the Kentucky ...... 16 Delaware, Baltimore and the District interpreted the Fourteenth Amend­ when it called for re-argument on spring of 1953 had recognized the Louisiana ...... 3 of Columbia made the headlines in ment to the Constitution to mean that the specific decrees to be entered in need for a new and comprehensive Maryland ...... 8-9 Oct.ober, those three areas are given the several states could educate the five test cases upon which it based look at the public school system which Mississippi ...... 11 special documentary treatment in whites and Negroes separately, pro­ the new precedent. bad served the two races throughout Missouri ...... 12 North CarolUla ...... 13 this issue of SoUTBERN ScHooL NEws. vided the facilities made available Cor Many of these questions, however, the nation's history. As a key part of The District of Columbia report, that project. research teams were Oklahoma ...... 13 the purpose were substantially equal are not legal in character. Many South Carolina ...... 14 written by Jeanne Rogers, is on -and 17 of the 48 states, including all forces have been at work reshaping sent into 25 communities which bad Pages 4 and 5. The Delaware report, Tennessee ...... 16 those where Negroes were largely the character of bi-racial education lately experienced the transition from Texas ...... 16 by William P. Frank, is on Pages 6 segregated to integrated schools. and 7. The Baltimore report, by concentrated, bad required or per­ in the United States-indeed, reshap­ Virginia ...... 15 Edgar L Jones, 1s on Pages 8 and 9. mitted in their pub- ing the whole of the complex rela- See NEW BOOK on Page 16 West Virginia ...... 15 PAGE 2 Nov. 4, 1954 SOUTHERN SCHOOL NEWS Arkansas Alabama LITTLE ROCK, Ark. tional Association for the Advan~. ment of Colored People said in MONTGOMERY, Ala. tend taking the requested action un­ RK.ANSAS' brief to be filed with 1 til convinced that a "workable plan" resolution: OV. GORDON PERSONS, sub­ A the United States Supreme Court We deplore the action Of state DUthO!f, had been developed. G jected to increasing pressure dur­ in the public school segregation cases ties in setting a statewide J>altern 01 ing October to call a s~cial session Malone leader of tho9e favoring a "will not be a radical approach. or segrcgaUon In public schools by Dd\'illlla all districts to wait !or the second Su. of the legislature to cons1der the rec­ special s~ssion, called Person's re­ one of defiance," State Education preme Court edict before dcscarecatln' ommendations of a legislative com­ fusal a "shabby evasion." Malone said Commissioner Arch W. Ford told The next day, the group adopted mittee on segregation, has flatly re­ be hoped Persons' action "will be SERS Oct. 26. the national NAACP integration J>Ol. fused to resort to such action. remembered four years from now"­ "It will be a recognition of the d~- icy which calls for work with school . · b th Supreme Court and will Persons said he would have no an obvious reference to unconfirmed CJSlOn Y e boards until September, 1955, dead. hesitancy in calling a special session reports that Persons intends to run be an effort to point out proper way~ line for integration and then legal ac. "on a day's notice" if convinced a for governor in 1958. of implementing it in Arkansas, tion against districts which have not "workable plan" for meeting the Malone intimated that Persons, Ford said. complied. problem of school segregation had whose term ends in J anuary, was "It will not be a Talmadge ap- been developed. passing on the kno~ty segr.e~ation proach," he said. "I think it will be a HOSPITAL TEST CASE In September, the special legisla­ problem to the incommg adminiStra­ reasonable approach. It will cite two On Oct. 20, the State Hospital for tive committee set up by the 1953 tion. (J ames E. "Big Jim" Folson was cases in Arkansas as evidence of com­ Mental and Nervous Diseases claimed legislature to study school segrega­ nominated governor in the May pliance - at Fayetteville. and at in Federal District Court at Little tion recommended to Gov. Persons Democratic primary, which is tradi­ Charleston. It will try to pomt out ~he Rock that segregation of white and that sections of the state constitution tionally tantamount to election in problems financial and othel'W1Se, Negro children was a legal and nee. be rewritten to pave the way for Alabama.) Tom Abernethy, GOP brought ~n by the decision." essary part of their treatment. possible abolition of public educa­ candidate for governor, has attacked Ford said that the official ~olicy of The hospital's brief was filed in tion in Alabama. both Gov. Persons for his refusal to the state board of education ~as answer to a suit filed by relatives of The committee, known as the call a special session and Nominee "not to try to satisfy the extrerrusts Maurice Johnson, 11, against the hos. Folsom for his refusal to commit at either end, but to recognize the de­ pita! for denying admission to the Boutwell committee for its chainnan, himself to any plan which might State Sen. Albert Boutwell of Birm­ GOV. GORDON PERSONS cision and not ignore the ~ores of boy because there was no room for ingham, urged the repeal by amend­ abolish public education in the state. Turns Down Plea To Call our society and our finanCial prob- him in the ward for Negro children ment of the section of the state con­ Malone charged: Special Session lems." . , In reply, the hospital brief said in Specific details of the br1ef won.t stitution requiring the state to pro­ Seve.ral plans (The Boutwell commit­ ~ part that an individual with psychOSis revealed until next month. Prelimi­ vide public schools for white and tee's recommendations) to meet the segre­ "White employers would be strong­ suiTered from a loss of technique In nary work on the brief is being done Negro children. The committee urged gation Issue were presented to the gover­ the art of society. Therefore "treat. nor a month ago. Untll now he hns ly induced to withhold employment by R. B. McCulloch, Sr., a Forrest deletion of all constitutional refer­ studiously evaded the Issue. He has been from Negro parents who would take ment should duplicate ... the SO· City attorney hired b.y East ences to "public" education. as well presented with the fact that the present advantage of the intended compul­ seve~ cia! pattern which for the patient u as other changes in the organic law legislature Ia willing, anxious and able to Arkansas school distr1cts which ~d propose an amendment t.o our constitu­ sion, leases would likewise be term­ normal." To do otherwise, the BnSY.'e! of the state. The Bout\vell plan inated, and trade and commercial re­ asked the state board to request In­ tion which enables the next administra­ tervention by Arkansas Atty. Gen. said, would subject the patient to would enable parents to decide. on tion to meet the segregation Issue. lations, now in satisfactory progress, disturbing factors that could hinder a voluntary basis, whether they Gov. Persons has a legislature, as the would be affected. Tom Gentry. recovery. It added that segregation wanted segregated classrooms for poll (that an 'overwhelming majority' of "Under the actual conditions in the legislature favors n special session) MEETING PLANNED in itself was not discrimination as their children, according to the com­ Alabama, the exact effect which the long as facilities for treating the two shows. which ls anxious to do this. Yet Ford said that McCulloch would mittee. he has relused to call It Into session. He Supreme Court assumed as to segre­ races were equal. complete his work in November and The Boutwell committee's recom­ Is the only one who can do this. gation would, on the contrary, result On Oct. 25, the state board of ed­ mendations, if enacted, would open Our sister states have token prompt from forced integration . . . Negro that a meeting of officers of school action. I regret that the governor does ucation approved a record-breaking the way for state-subsidized private children would be harmed, and districts affected by the Supreme not embrace the opportunity fol' this legis­ Court decision would be called before 1955-57 budget of 42 million dollars schools, and would grant judicial im­ lature to do the job. warped by belligerent resentment of for public schools. munity to school officials and em­ their forced acceptance, by innum­ the state's brief is submitted to the Persons said that the Boutwell Court. The school district officers will The budget, an increase of about ployes so that they could not be erable daily incidents emphasizing it, $12,500,000 a year above present sued. (SotiTB'ERN Sc.BOOL NEWS, Page committee had spent 10 months in and by the sharp disclosure of a gen­ be asked if the brief covers all prob­ the preparation of its recommenda­ lems they expect to arise from the school revenues, was described by 2, Oct. 1, 1954). erally lower scholastic aptitude. This Education Commissioner Arch W. tions, which he, Persons, had refer­ would result in such continuous and anti-segregation decision. Arkansas SCHOOL ABOLITION DENIED red to "some of the most able lawyers has 423 school districts and 228 of Ford a; "not realistic in that the mon· \videspread incidents and friction as ey is not in sight" but as a budget in Alabama" for their study. The to be subversive of the training and these operate dual systems for white Sen. Boutwell bas denied that the which would cover part of Arkansas' plan offered by his committee is. in­ lawyers have not had time to pass education of white and Negro chil­ and Negroes. judgment on the Boutwell recom­ dren alike .. . Proper and effective In general, the Arkansas suit is ex­ school needs. The budget will be re­ tended to abolish schools. He S8ld: viewed by the Arkansas Legislati\'1! mendations, P ersons said. Also, be education cannot take place in an pected to ask for a Supreme Co~ The comm1ttee'a plan would not require pointed to the fact that the term of abnormal and unwholesome atmos­ ruling which would allow each diS­ Council and then by the legislaturt the aboUUon of publlc schools, but con­ the current legislature ends the day itself. templates that particular schools might phere of tensions and resentment. trict to move toward integration on be dlscontlnued It their operation should following the Nov. 2 general election. "The main objective of the pro­ the basis of the problems peculiar to The bulk of the exlra money would be found to lnvolve a substantial threat Persons received considerable posals is to assure the recognition by each district. It probably will ask that be sent to the school districts in 1m to the maintenance of good will. peace form of minimum budget aid, trans­ and order. newspaper support for his stand. our school authorities of the right of no one pattern or date be set to cover Although the legal changes rec­ white people, as well as Negro peo­ all districts. portation aid and for operation and As summarized by Boutwell, the ommended by the Boutwell commit­ ple, to elect to attend schools of their Whatever is submitted to Gentry maintenance. committee's r ecommendations pro­ tee had been made public in Sep­ own race and to make possible the will be subject to hls revision before The funds would also provide for a vide: tember, it wasn't until Oct. 20 that application of tests and standards he submits it to the Supreme Court. $2 400 minimum salary for all U!aeh· "(1) Amendments to various sec­ the full text of the committee's re­ which must be met before mixed On Oct. 23, the Arkansas State er~. and for help to the districts it tions of the constitution to permit the port, containing conclusions about schools can be operated at all for Conference of Branches of the Na- equalizing white and Negro schools. state to discontinue public schools the possible effects of integration, those willing to attend tliem." wherever necessary to avoid friction was released. Excerpts from the re­ CALLED 'LAST RESORT' or disorder, and to allow the sta~e port follow: and its subdivisions to devote pubhc While the Boutwell committee's money to the aid of private education VIOLENCE PREDICTED recommendations for constitutional Institute Publishes changes would open the way for the when adequate public facilities are "The recent outbreaks of violence lacking or inadequate, or public op­ abolition of public schools-by re­ in border states and communities are moving the constitutional obligation eration involves the adoption of coer­ pale reflections of the result of a Segregation Analysis ced policies. of the state to provide "public" edu­ forced integration in this state, and cation for both races-the committee "(2) A system permitting a degree if we are to save our schools and our The Institute of Government of the system which makes provision for ~~ pointed out that such was only a University of North Carolina has "voluntary segregation." setQ: of individual choice of the kind of children from violence, disorder and "last resort" measure. The report school which parents in any area published for general circulation its The study analyzes the questiom tension, it is imperative that prompt said: may desire. If, for any reason, the action be taken. report to the governor of North Car­ which are still to be answered by thf ~ "The power should be delegated by olina on the Supreme Court decision Supreme Court in its next decisi system does not result in an accept­ "There are as many different situa­ the legislature to the local school au­ of May 17, 1954. It shows why and how these qu ~ a: able or workable solution, then the tions to be met as there are commu­ thorities as a final resort to discon­ Entitled The School Segregation tions are important; it outlines thf ::~ public schools involved m~y be dis­ nities in the state, and the committee tinue public schools and instead grant continued and the education of the Decision, this study was originally various alternatives which might Ill IQ:iE:: feels that no one solution is the com­ public aid, such as tuition and trans­ pupils concerned aided or provided plete answer but that several solu­ designed as a report for Governor adopted by the court; it sets forti t:o: portation, directly to the pupils, William B. Umstead and his advisory the various arguments which mig!!· ~:. for by individual public assistance." tions and combinations of solutions white and Negro, and enable them By the proposed constitutional are necessary. The committee urges commission. Thereafter its contents persuade the court to allow what ~. to attend private schools . . . This were made public, and the Institute amendments relieving the legislature an amendment to that section of the court has called a "gradual adjust· 11 r, 1 could be done without impairment o£ has received many requests from in­ ment" to its ruling; it shows bow ~1:!· of the mandatory requirement to pro­ state constitution requiring separate teachers' tenure, pensions or other vide publication, the plan would give 'public' schools for both races, as well terested persons and groups from decision in favor of "gradual adj~· ~ rights." many parts of the country who de­ ment" might provide the legal basi! '!~ the legislature "flexibility and dis­ as other changes in the state's or­ Mainspring of the overall plan of cretionary power," Boutwell said. ganic law. sired to study the report. This for a long transitional period to mak~ t• ,~ the Boutwell committee is "freedom prompted the decision to publish it. the changes required by the court· On Oct. 2, the Legislative Council, "The committee feels that under of choice." The committee assumed The School Segregation Decision decision, how school officials a group of 12 members of the State the present legal situation some that most white parents would pre­ ~i~' ~'tl is a legal analysis of the impact of be allowed considerable discretion Ill t­ House and Senate, passed a resolu­ school systems in the state may at fer all-white schools for their chil­ the Supreme Court decision. It traces attempting to fashion a workabh ~ tion urging the governor to call a any time be faced with an intolerable c4'en, that most Negro parents would the history of segregated education special session to consider the Bout­ situation. It therefore believes that program of "desegregation," ho• ~ prefer all-Negro schools for theirs. and the legal background to the considerations such as the populatio:: well committee's recommendations. prompt action is desirable to protect But the committee also conceded present cases. It explains what was The council's resolution did not pass our school officials, and to give the ratio of Negro to white students, e~· there might be some who would pre­ decided and what was not decided by istlng racial antipathies, the acade11111 on the merits of the committee's re­ elected representatives of the people fer mixed schools: the decision rendered on May 17, port. It merely stated that the cur­ the power to modify our system of background of students and the .de­ "Considered from the standpoint 1954. It discusses in considerable de, sires and security of students nughl rent legislature should be given an education so as to meet the threat of of the right of free citizens of all races tail the legality of various plans de­ opportunity to review the recom­ compulsory racial integration. affect this program. to control their social and personal signed to evade or avoid the conse­ The problems analyzed in 'flt mendations and take whatever action contacts, the people of Alabama "The overwhelming majority of the quences of the Court's ruling. School Segregation Decisiot~ are not the lawmakers might think wise. citizens of Alabama are unalterably might be willing to concede the right Thus considerable space is devoted peculiar to North Carolina. They alt ~ opposed to the idea of permitting the of white and Negro families to send to the constitutional problems inher­ RESULTS OF POLL their children to mixed p u b 1 i c common to all southern states. Wbil( ~" use of the public school system to 1 ent in any plan to provide for con­ the study concentrates on the !ega. ~~ On Oct. 8, Rep. Wallace Malone coerce racial integration. The com­ schools." tinued segregation by resort to a sys­ of Houston County reported to the aspects of segregation, it was wnttft ~ mittee believes that the vast ma­ 1 However, the report added that tem of state-supported "private" for lawyers and laymen alike. bl ,_ governor that he had conducted a jority of Negro citizens of the state such arrangement "should be accept­ schools, or "tuition grants," or to pro­ Copies of this publication ma~ personal poll of the members of both are instinctively and genuinely op­ able to the community and the tax­ vide for continued segregation in the procured by writing to the InstilU; houses and that "an overwhelming posed to the idea of compulsory inte­ payer." This was interpreted by some public schools by an "assignment sys­ of Government, University of No~ majority" favored a special session. gration and its effects upon the basic as suggesting three separate school tem" or by resort to the "gerryman­ harmony between the white and col­ Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Caro­ On Oct. 12, Gov. P ersons replied in setups-white, Negro and mixed, all dering" of school attendance districts lina. Single copies are priced • a letter to Malone that he did not in- ored people of Alabama. on a voluntary basis. or by resort to a school enrollment $2.00. SOUTHERN SCHOOL NEW$- Nov. 4. 1954 - PAGE 3 the Inherent powers of the state; It would over the world while Communism has State Supt!ramend~·m or EducatiOn permit the legislature to prescribe terms advanced? Is It not astonishing that a and qualifications for admission to the large part of the vicious propaganda that Shelby Jackson once agam decltnecl public schools: and It would allow you so upsets our country today pours forth to comment on any posstble plans for Louisiana ~o change Article XII of the constitution from the same street address in New York an integration of the public school with reference to public schools at spe­ NEW ORLEANS, La. City? system. tacked the Bureau's position. cial elections held for such purpose. Segregation Is a natural order-cre­ L OOISIANA's voters were scheduled A joint statement by the commit­ Amendment 16 Is the heart of our ated by God, in Bls wisdom, who made He also said that it would be to ballot on Nov. 2 on a series of whole program. black men black and white men whjte. "about another month" before fig­ tee, named by Gov. Robert F. Ken­ iU In the past. the superintendent of constitutional amendments- one of non and the state legislature to study Each man should be proud of his race ures would be compiled as to white education would still odmlnlster our and should constantly strive to preserve which would give legal sanction to se~regation - integration trends, public school s~tem. along with the Its purity .... and Negro registration in both the segregation in the schools under the pomts out: state and local school boards: and segre­ public and private schools of the gation would be maintained upon the We must look back to Reconstruction. inherent police powers of the state. The Supreme Court's decision was same legal basis as compulsory attend­ to the 15 years from 1865 to 1880. to view state. our situation In proper historical per­ Only two agencies other than the based on the holdlng thot to separate Ne­ ance. In recent years, the state has National Association for the Ad­ gro children !rom while children "solely" The most vital feature of Amendment spective. on account of race deprived them of equal 16. however, Is the teoture thot would Our forefathers were Oat on their shown a steady rise in number of vancement of Colored P eople an­ protection of the laws guaranteed by the permit thot part of the constitution deal­ backs. They were broke. They could not children being educated with a dis­ nounced opposition to the amend­ 14th Amendment. ing wlUl pubUc schools to be amended vote. They had carpetbagger judges. cernible trend to increased enroll­ ment. They are: Amendment No. 16 (the proposed seg­ by you ot special elections called any scalawag sheritfs and re.negode district ment in private (including paro­ The Bureau ol Governmental Re­ regation amendment in the Louisiana time lor thot purpose. attorneys. Federal troops and federal consUtuUon) does not provide for sep­ Under present provisions you can judges threatened their every move. chial) schools. search, a privately-endowed research aration .. solely.. on account of race, but amend our constitution only at general Yet, they rose up. and In 15 terrible agency in New Orleans. on the contrary, provides for separation elections held each two years. Suppose years they fought oft this yoke of tyran­ COURT CASES PENDING t The Catholic Church, through its In the exercise of the power of state gov­ another unwise decision of the Supreme ny. official paper, Catholic Action South. ernment to promote public health, morals, Court justices. stripping us of our con­ We should be ashamed of ourselves ll Cases filed by the NAACP are still ~ better education. peace and good order. stllullonal protection, were handed down we cannot win our 1\ght. We arc by no pending in Orleans and St. Helena ~r:: Specifically, the amendment would Immediately after the Nov. 2 election. means broke. we can vote, we still have 1t!':i! place the police power of the state While the Bureau of Governmental For two long years. we would be at our own officials. and we can pack the parishes, while A. P. Tureaud, Research has come in for heavy fire the mercy of the arrogant. allen NAACP NAACP off to where It belongs. NAACP attorney in New Orleans, r.-::: behind segregation; authorize the and Its hlrellngs, who would completely ~;:: legislature to enact laws on all mat­ from some groups because of its Our forefathers won their battle. We said briefs would be filed shortly in destroy the friendly relaUons now ex­ can win now. I am con1\dent that we ters "regarding the terms and quali­ stand, there have been no public Isting between our races. the two latest court cases-against ~ will. The NAACP and their te.Uow trav­ McNeese State College in Lake fications for admission to the public statements made against the Catholic We cannot afford to lay ourselves open elers have thrust upon us the necessity ~£ to the Insidious attack of these sinister Charles and Southeastern Louisiana :;~ schools"; and would provide that Church. of reasserting our leodenhlp. rascals who under the guise of 'helping Louisiana ls equal to the challenge. College in Hammond-two small a.:.nr:.. future omendments to the public In southwest Louisiana, tradition­ our colored people' arc stirring up trou­ state-supported colleges. ..!l:coi school provisions of the constitution ally French and Catholic, the Cath­ ble between the races all over the United could be voted on at special elections olic Church has always been an im­ States. Rainach's statement is the most Southwestern Louisiana Institute, ~~ We are here to sternly warn the forceful made by any state official instead of waiting for the biennial portant element in the bringing of NAACP that In Louisiana we will not the only state college where Negroes ~~ changes. since the Supreme Court's ruling of :.i~ general elections. tolerate their driving their wedge be­ have been admitted as undergrad­ Thus, the amendment is the heart However, Louisiana-still by tra­ tween our white and colored people. May 17. It also marks the first time ~;.. Our Louisiana colored people have uates, reports no incidents, and of Louisiana's battle to preserve its dition-is split between the south­ in recent years that a state official President Joel Fletcher has contin­ ~ west and upstate, and not since the achieved a rlch heritage. They have made has public:ly attacked the NAACP. ~ historic segregation lines. and are making fine contributions to the ued to decline comment on integra­ It is accompanied by two acts al­ days of Reconstruction has the state spiritual ond physical progress of our tion problems on his campus. .. ~;:: elected a Catholic governor. state. 'SPONSOR' NOT IDENTIFIED !:!;. ready passed by the recent legisla­ With our help. they are approaching, The committee headed by Sen. The joint legislative committee The college has released no figures st.~t­ ture, one of which has olmost the and in many instances exceeding. the giving total Negro students because exact wording as the constitutional Rainach has also started a statewide standard of separate but equal facilities purchased television time on com­ ~~ for their children In public education. in the words of a college announce­ e-.;: amendment, and the other which campaign for passage of the segrega­ mercial stations around the state to tion amendment. They have and will continue to have show its film but would not make a ment, "Students are not required to i:i;! makes the local superintendent of our helping hand In all their needs. It Is register by race.'' in Chief instrument used in their for these reasons that we deeply resent statement as to who was paying the ~ schools the authority assigning chi.ldren to specific schools. campaign is a 15-minute television the carpetbag NAACP so cynically ex­ bills. A public relations official who Various estimates place the num­ ~- ploiting our colored people only as an is handling the campaign for the ber at 80, however. The Bureau of Governmental Re­ film which was shown throughout Instrument to on end. to be discarded the state. when their Ignoble purpose Is served. committee said: Louisiana also saw its first white­ search called the proposed constitu­ Why should they force through the tional amendment "an unconstitu­ RAINACH'S ADDRESS courts of the United States something "Wc were told that if we were ever Negro college football game, when in tional attempt to circumvent" the they cannot gain through the Congress­ asked where the money was coming the middle of September, Xavier of recent desegregation ruling of the Sen. Rainach served as master of the substitution of o foreign system of from, we were to say, 'It carne from New Orleans, a Catholic Negro col­ ceremonies in the film and delivered Ule thot creates strife and confusion for U. S. Supreme Court. an angel.'" lege, played and defeated Keesler a short address, which included: an order of Ufe under which our white However, a joint legislative com­ and colored people together are making Meanwhile, around the state things Air Force Base, an all-white team, . . . Amendment 16 would simply do progress? 36-0. mittee, headed by State Sen. W. M. this: It would preserve separate schools Is It not slgnlllcant thot during the past remained pretty much as they were Rainach of Summerfield, has at- for our white and colored children under 30 years white control hos receded all last month. There were no incidents.

:;;al:: ~:: .t-k J. Tom Watson, who died unex­ segregation issue, here is the public Klan official. Hamilton said the or­ :r.i:1ll'1 pectedly in the last days of the cam­ reaction insofar as reflected by ganization knew of this when he was z:c;::: paign, had served two terms as newspaper editorial comment. elected, but "admired his spunk" in Democratic attorney general, then admitting the old Klan tie and offer­ ~~ Florida Lakeland Ledger: "We have read switched parties to run for governor our copy of (the Ervin brief) and ing to step aside ii it would hurt the MIAMI, Fla. the states on their Ideas on how to end as a Republican. In one of his final are impressed by its calm objectivity fight for segregation. segregation. WilEN the Supreme Court's segre- statements he declared that "the as well as by its conclusions. Florida States Rights Inc., claims L~ : It doesn't make sense to me to cooperate people of Florida will not have to ,itt a:!::­ gation decision was announced, with someone who Is trying to hurt you. "We earnestly hope that the court 4,000 members and is setting up I think we have cooperated too much worry about intermingling of white ~~:: there was much comment that Flo­ will concur with the basic thought chapters in middle Flol'ida areas. ridians generally remained calm. But already. and Negro pupils in the same schools in this briel-narnely, that the trans­ the tide of debate now is rising, The congressman added that since if I am elected." ition must be gradual and with some SHERIFF IN SPOTLIGUT J ;:::.~ This prompted a public expression !:;L. whipped by Atty. Gen. Richard W. the Supreme Court had taken its degree of local determination ...." A flurry of discussion broke out in Ervin's "friend of the court" brief stand, "I think the federal govern­ of policy by his Democratic oppo­ The Tallahassee Democrat quoted the state when it was discovered that !:L~ nent, LeRoy Collins, who will be ;t-;7;:. asking a gradual approach to inte­ ment should be required to take all the summation of the Ervin brief Sheriff Wi.llis V. McCall of Lake gration. necessary steps to make the states Florida's governor for the next two which said: "We think the only an­ county had been addressing anti­ Striking evidence of this was the carry out the ruling." years. (He will serve the remaining swer is time and the patient efforts integration rallies in Millord, Del., unscheduled discussion a l the state Rep. D. R. (Billy) Matthews, an­ half of the term of the late Gov. Dan of those who value democracy more under auspices of the National As­ Kiwanis convention at Sm·asota dur­ other panel member, said: "We McCarty. Since McCarty's death, than their personal longings and sociation for the Advancement of ing a panel on national i$sues. U. S. should express ourselves on this is­ Senate President Charley E. Johns private prejudices. We hope this White People. Sen. Spessard Holland and six of sue, but not get hot-headed. The has been acting governor.) court will accept this answer." I Said Collins: McCall became nationally known Florida's eight congressmen took court ruling emerges as something To this the Democrat added this when he shot two handcuffed Negro I favor segregation In our public lS part. as terrible as the tragedies of World brief postscript: prisoners arrested in the famous Wars I and n and the emergence of schools. It Is part of Florida custom and In response to a question from the law. I wlU usc all the lawful power of "We hope so, too." Groveland rape case, killing one. floor on whether federal aid to Communism. We ought to let our the governor's office to preserve this cus­ McCall claimed they attacked him in people know it is a tremendous tom and low. Under our stole constitution schools might be withheld unless the Fort Myers News-Preu: "The ac­ an effort to escape. court order is obeyed, Rep. Robert thing." this Is the governor's duty. tion of Florida officials in accepting We canot find a solution to the problem F. Sikes replied: Rep. A. S. (Syd) Herlong said he the invitation of the U. S. Supreme He was introduced to the Dela­ arising !rom the United States Supreme ware audiences by Bryant Bowles, The amount ot federal money lor agreed with Bennett in holding that Court decision in an atmosphere of h,ys­ Court and filing a brief in the public schools Is not a major lhinJ! except In the Supreme Court decision in­ terlcat or pollUcal demagoguery. school segregation cases was criti­ head of the NAAWP as "a man who areas where there are large military fringed on states rights. We should call together the best brains cized by some who favored instead knows bow to handle Negroes." establishments. In our state to study the sltuoUon and an ostrich attitude. U these critics meet It calmly and property. When McCall's activities became What happens to these grants HOLLAND STATES VrEWS could read the brief .... they cer­ known, the Tampa. Tribune said: could not be decided "until that Sen. Holland, who previously told Thomas B. DeWoU, Republican tainly would change their opinion ... bridge is crossed," he said, referring Florida audiences that the problem candidate for the legislature in Dade U o county official !rom some northern county (Miami) has raised the issue "Its presentation must enhance the to the final Supreme Court ruling now is "to learn to live with" the prospect that the Court's decree will stat& came to Florida for the purpose of and the state's response to it. But he court ruling, told the Kiwanians: by calling for a stand by his oppo­ exhorting Negroes to resist school segrega­ nent. DeWolf said he is opposed to permit a gradual approach to inte­ tion laws. we rather Imagine thot most added: We all agree that It (the Court de­ gration, over an extended period of Florida citizens would te.U him to go back "There are things more important cision) Is a terribly distressing thing. I desegregation "until such time as (it) home and mind his own business • • . is voluntarily accepted by the peo­ time, which is Florida's best hope." to me than money." am deeply concerned and I feel It was an So far as SherUf McCall Is concerned. unwlsc opinion. The question Is: Where ple." we would think that law cnton:ement In are we and where do we go? OPPOSITION GROUPS FORM BENNETT'S STATEMENT Democrat John B. Orr Jr., replied Lake County would provide him with Congress didn't hove a thing to do with Opposition to desegregation is in­ qulte enough trouble--without borrowing With the subject opened, Rep. the segregation order. Yt was the decision that the legislature could do little any from Delaware. Charles E. Bennett told the Ki­ of nine judges. three of whom were from unless it abolished the public school creasingly outspoken as groups be­ wnnians: the southland. No matter how much we system. gin to organize. The Florida headquarters of don't like It, we must not have false Those nine men In U1e Supreme Court Ideas of the seriousness. Thot Is going to "I don't know any legislative can­ Among these is Florida States NAACP called on Acting Gov. Johns made a mistake. The Supreme Court Is be U1elaw. didate who is willing to advocate Rights Inc., chartered in Dade coun­ to oust McCall, which is within his comPOSed of politicians. not lawyers. The altitude of this state In responding this," Orr said. ty in August as an outgrowth of a legal powers. The letter to Johns I have been against non-se~eregatlon but to the Supreme Court In ftllng a brief was I am convinced that the solution ls be­ loosely organized committee set up I am going to try to remain calm and a wise approach. 1t we made no efforts. said: cool on the matter. I om not In lavor of Ing made more dlfficult by politicians who. to circulate petitions favoring con­ Indeed we would be In the wrong posi­ for personal advantage. are attempting to getting excited and jum1>ing off the cliff, tion. I believe It Is wise for our state to tinued segregation. It has been hold­ His unmindful attitude of law enlorce­ now or later. I don't feel thol ll is good fan the flames of hate. ment and his open resentment of the make o strong case of the problems and ing weekly mass meetings. United States Supreme Court dcclalon. for lhc colored people to end se~regotion. the lmpoct. It would show how ridiculous I hove yet to meet one who told me they Most legislators who have made coupled with the plans of the state of It would be to abandon segregation lmme­ statements on the subject agree gen- Hayden Hamilton, a furniture store Florida toward Implementation of thot wanted their children to go to school with dlotely. white children. • erally that segregation will not be manager who heads the States high judlcloJ body's final decree Is lead­ Ing this organlzotlon ond cltlzens ot I think the Court's action was legisla­ This was not a political campaign a major issue at the 1955 legislative Righters, said it is vigorously op­ tive. It wos one of the greatest blows posed to violence and believes "pas­ Florida to believe that Willis V. McCall. discussion. The congressmen quoted session and that any attempt to abol­ as an omcer of the county and state. will against democracy. TI1e Su1>reme Court Is were not opposed in the November sive resistance" to the Supreme not supposed to say whot the people want ish the public school system would be a detriment toward the development - Just what the law Is. Those justices are general election and Holland's term be decisively defeated. Court ruling is more effective. of better race relations and peaceful solutions to the problems thot wUJ arise. appointed for life and don't know what has four more years to run. He and other officers deny any PUblic opinion is. Congr!'ssmen face elec­ NEWSPAPER COI\DIENT tion eoch two years and we nre acquainted But two political candidates, both connection with the Ku Klux Klan, a Johns has given no indication that with how the people feel. Republicans, have tried to make cap­ While these may be indications of question which arose when its vice he will take action on the NAACP t think It was very Irregular to call in ital of the issue. the poll tical climate of Florida on the president was found to be a former request. PAGE 4-Nov. 4, 1954 -SOUTHERN SCHOOL NEWS me. I know these kids. They know president of the board of district commissioners, made this statement me." Racial feelings have not been good The students of our schools and It adult collzens of our city have govtn in the Anacostia community for a 1 fine example of .uponslble Americit number of years. Six years ago, there cllizesnhlp by the successful ffilll\ller Ill District of Columbia was trouble on public transit buses which they have been carrylna out lb. integration program in our schools dunn, friend and I'm simple enough to be­ between Negro and white boys of the WASmNGTON, D. C. area. Later, the Anacostia Recreation the past three weeks. lieve ~ou are my friends. I've got a The Commissioners have every conA. opening bell at Anacostia High THE big job to do inside the building and Center, adjacent to the school, w.as dence that both students and adults WIJJ School on Oct. 4 was the signal opened {or use by both races: ~te continue to do so. that you will lllttt I believe that is where you feel you your responslbUitles as peaceful. law for the start of a four-day demon­ really ought to be. I am asking you attendance at the large swunmmg abiding citizens and that you wUl eoop. pool and other facilities fell off rap- stration by white students against to report to class." erale with the school authorities In eany. racially-mixed classes. idly. d lng out ihe law of the land as laid dOW!! The organized class-cutting spread The statement was drowned out by In 1950 Washington celebrate a by the Supreme Court. to two other former all-white schools catcalls and boos. The principal Sesquicen'tennial. A play ,?e~icting and six junior highs. Participating in shrugged his shoulders and walked the Federal Union called Fruth of MEETING ARRANGED this truancy were 2,500 students, or back toward the csbool. "Well, any­ Our Fathers" was part of the cele­ Through efforts of a minister, Ana. two per cent of the city's 104,000 way, I tried," he said. bration. Part of the cast was sche~­ costia school officials and leaders of school population. At this point, a motorcycle police­ uled to present a skit at Anacostia the demonstration agreed to meet the Trouble started at the beginning man's radio carried the staccato an­ high school. There was one Negro following day at the school stadilllll of the fourth week of school. Two nouncement that trouble had begun performer in the troup. to talk tl1ings over. weeks before, School Supt. Hobart M. at McKinley high school. McKinley is Mrs. Opal Corkery, then principal, Police were under orders to tell Corning had speeded up his original situated in a racially-mixed nei~rh ­ refused to let the performers appear the students to go to school or go one-year program of public school borhood of northeast Washington. on the stage. She said students had home. Chief Murray announced that integration. At McKinley, about 150 white stu­ indicated a "riot" would have oc­ a section of the District Code dea.Una He had authorized the transfer of dents had walked out of classes. The curred if the mixed cast appeared. with unlawful assembly would been. nearly 500 Negro high school students school has enrolled 419 Negroes and The board of education investi­ forced to prevent unruly demonstra. to buildings nearest their homes and 598 white students. Principal Charles gated this incident and supported tions. similar shifts of 354 Negro junior high Bish pleaded with the young people Mrs. Cork ley in her action. The school Said one mother watching the students. These young people were to come inside and "talk the situation board ruled further that white and marching students: "They're wasting enrolled in District schools last year over." About 45 minutes later, they Negro persons could not mix in Dis­ their time talking to these chil

COUNCIL STATEMENT The American Council on Human Rights, issued the following statement directed to Negro students: We ask all colored students attending Integrated schools and their parents to make every effort to maintain stoic calm In the face of the grave provocations now going on. The pollee force of Washington Is tully capllble of thwarting any attempt­ ed violence and only where absolutely necessary to protect your personal salely should any Individual action be taken. This ordeal wlll soon be ended and the brl&ht sun of democratic education wUI shine on all of us. white and colored alike. Cod and justice are on our side. The bigots canot prevall. The Washington Federation of Churches called on the "boys and girls and parents of this community to do all in their power to prevent any disgrace from coming upon our nation's capital and upon our coun­ Washington Post & Times-Herald Photo ~~~~ try •.. to stand up and be counted Protesting high school students from Anacostia are Jed back across Sousa I was one of the more widely publicized incidents in nearly a week of unrest in '.\ !'11.;, as good citizens in this particular Bridge after an unsuccessful attempt to march to Eastern high school. This several District of Columbia schools. c~ time of emergency." In behalf of fullest attendance at ~=<: sembly, Bish said: "Let's forget all Shortly before 10 a.m. a large group rlaht to use all peaceable means to pro­ r.! the Anacostia assembly, two 17-year­ clared that resistance to the Supreme :!oa. this. I'm worried about playing of Eastern students appeared at the Court decision on school integration test this outrageous action. ~E..:.. old seniors made a television appeal. •Roosevelt in football Friday. You far end of the stadium and most of is "subversive" and "does more to They have the right to picket the Said one boy: "I think they (the schools, the school officlal.s, the Commis­ :eo... demonstrators} are going about it in know we tied Coolidge and I thought the Anacostia students ran to join undermine democratic government sioners, the Supreme Court or the White ·~=:· the wrong way. I doubt that any mass we should have won by at least two them. than any traitor Communist can do." House, or any other government agency. 11~::r They have the right to assemble to dis­ movement in our schools can solve touchdowns. Roosevelt is rough. It Bishop Oxnam made his remarks . MEETING BREAKS UP cuss It without being Interfered with. the District integration problem. has a good ball club." during a meeting in the Methodist The ConstltuUon guarantees the rights After the meeting had broken up, There is a mistaken idea that a ma­ "Do you suppose there's a cheer­ Building, Calling segregation sinful, of tree speech and assembly. jority of us here at Anacostia are out leader in the house?" Bish asked. In a seven- member student committee Bishop Oxnam praised the court de­ I told them It they carry on their pro· seconds, four girls left the audience met with the prin cipal. The results of cision as a "historic utterance" and test and stay out of school-school offi­ on a strike. A majority of us are in cials will have a hard time holdlnr school ·t t~­ school and attending classes." for the stage. Bisb asked: "How about this session were discussed at a sec­ said "it has done more to bring back ~::,- ond stadium meeting attended by without pupUs. I said I was on their side On Wednesday, the two major as­ a yell?" The quartet began: to this beloved land the respect and and I hope they win. a;"!­ about 100. lt:7 t. semblies, designed to restore normal "Two bits, four bits, six bits, a gratitude of the peoples of the world Back at school headquarters, Corn­ ~ class attendance at the high schools dollar. All for Tech, stand up and A spokesman for the students re­ than any statement since the historic ing met with a group of Anacostia a:_ involved, broke about even in re­ holler." ported his group hadn't made mu ch u tterances of our leaders that led to parents and issued this statement: sults. headway, except that "four of us are the adoption of the United Nations It has come to my attention that some The large auditorium echoed and to discuss it further" with higher The first at McKinley came off in reechoed as the young people let off Charter." parents are disturbed because they ~ orderly fashion and broke up with school officials. Subsequently, the Also frowning on the student dem­ lleve that the process of moving groups two days of steam. spokesman reported that this meet­ of chUdren from school to school. ac­ almost the entire student body re­ To the organ strains of "On Mc­ onstrations was the District Federa­ cording lo new boundaries, Is to be a suming classes. The second, at Ana­ ing, too, had been futile. Suggestions continuing process throughout the year. Kinley" the students returned to their tion of Citizens Associations. This costia high stadium, reached near that Anacosti.a set up a biracial white organization unsuccessfully No such additional group movements to next class. Bish bad given no order. grievance committee similar to the conform to new boundaries wJU be pro­ pandemonium before it broke up in sought a court order to delay the posed or made for the remainder of this confusion with nothing constructive one which ended the disturbances at start of integration in September on semester. THE ANACOSTIA MEETING !ey ~:.~: accomplished. McKinley received short shrift in In February, 1955, junior hlgh school The mass meeting at Anacostia be­ the grounds the school board should i:m': most quarters, at this time. wait until the Supreme Court rules graduates will be assigned to the senior gan decorously enough at 9 a.m. On high schools on the basis of new boun­ tc..'Ti · THE McKINLEY MEETING Late Wednesday, Police Chief Mur­ on the method and timing of de­ hand. as per advanced billing, was daries. Otherwise, changes and assign­ 'i~- The spirited McKinley meeting ray issued this statement: segregation. ments wUI be Umlted to occasional cases ~- heard Bish explain the machinery of entertainment in the person of Art of Individual students. Transfers as a re­ I want to call on these school cblldren The Federation urged public school ::..~ ~ the student committee appointed to Lamb, Washington TV personality, who have absented themselves from sult of the fl.llng of options hove been students not "to follow a lawless completed in the secondary level. Some, -:.:L: 1 iron out grievances. The principal about 20 ministers of churches in the classes to return to school. The Pollee Department has been very patient with course" that might lead "to ultimate however, are still being processed In the . ~ ~ then assured students that rumors area, some 100 parents, heavy police elementary schools. them. But we cannot and will not pennlt community chaos and tragedy." The ;.s:;t~ that the football contest with Roose- details and school officials. them to operate In disorderly gangs and velt High would be cancelled Friday Before the me e tin g officially groups. There are many risks and dan­ executive committee said: "We urge COURT PICKETED opened, Bryant W. Bowles, 34, who gers involved In going about the streets the students and other citizens of the On Thursday, police reported that r.o e:c."' were false. In demonstrations ot this kind--such as District to retain faith in the orderly :s jj) R:. With a rousing cheer, the students described himself as president o£ the Injuries In traffic or In fights. 25 placard-bearing students gathered Association for the Advancement of and legitimate channels of Govern­ on the Supreme Court Plaza. They tp!etioc turned their attention and enthusi- It Is well for the youngsters and thelr ment for seeking redress for their gnt\"'.X asm to the forthcoming clash with White People, Inc., arrived at the sta­ parents to remember that the children were escorted by police to the side­ grievances, rather than to follow a utters. t their traditional gridiron foe. dium and was escorted into the school will automatically acquire a pollee rec­ walk bordering the east ground of the ord it It becomes necessary to arrest them. lawless course which leads only to !Ciee to "I'm in a forget and forgive mood building by police. He told reporters That poUce record w!U remain with them Capitol. he wanted to explain his "mission" ultimate community chaos and trag­ ti:efO::. right now," Bish told the students. for the rest of their lives. I do not want edy." One boy asked a court guard, !tate; He said the first of the week had to the principal to see th.b happen to any of these school "Who's the judge here?" The man children-and It will not happen unless k. been "so very long" be thought it was Bowles said several "level headed they are out on the streets looking for On Thursday, all junior high at­ explained, "this court has nine jus­ •tZ..'!'!~ Friday. "It couldn't be," be contin­ and serious" students had called at trouble. For these reasons, I am asking tendance rolls were reported back to tices." He added: "Son, I think there •• •:!!C ued, "because we have a football his office and asked him to keep down parents and chlldren to see that all stu­ normal. McKinley High bad "better is a classroom somewhere in which ~~... game Friday and a pep assembly." violence. Bowles said he had noth­ dents return to their classrooms. than normal" attendance. Absences you could learn things like that." Jf(l.lfz;a "Well," Bish said, "we're here to­ ing to do with the stadium meeting STUDENTS WARNED still were high at Anacostia and The students soon lost interest in rc;.a:llf day because some of the school lead­ since he didn't want to discuss the Eastern High Schools. However, their demonstration at the court be­ At the same time Supt. Corning is­ many students were off because of ~ n~ ers Tuesday thought we could do situation with minors. sued this statement: cause a movie crew was taking shots d !(/.! something constructive about the sit­ the Jewish holy day, Yom Kippur. "When they go home," Bowles told As superintendent of schools. I hereby nearby for a picture dealing with the ~~ uation we've been embroiled in the reporters, "I'll be glad to discuss it direct all students of the Washington At about noon, four Anacostia stu­ life of the late Senate chaplain, Peter last couple of days." with their parents." He said he had a public schools who are at present absent dent demonstrators saw Coming and Marshall. Bish said these spokesmen Tues- In protest against the integration of our street corner meeting the night before schools to return to their classrooms Im­ presented him with a petition which On Friday, virtually all absentee ;T day conferred with Assistant Supt. with a group of students and had ar­ mediately. among other things requested "seP­ students returned to their classes. ~.:~ Nelson and explained that they had ranged to address a meeting W ednes­ Principals of schools where such ab­ arate but equal rights." Corning told At Anacosti.a, only 81 students were ·r ~ grievances about McKinley integra­ day noon in Fairlawn Park but didn't sences are now occurring have been di­ the absentees school officials would absent out of 1,300. Normal absentee­ :'-:;:. tion. because of rain. rected to declare absentees who will not have returned to school by Friday morn­ discuss their proposal after they re­ ism runs 90 or 100. - ..... Following this conference, Bish In the principal's absence, Bowles Ing, Oct. 8, Ineligible to receive or enjoy turned to school, but not before. The ;; and the students decided to set up a spoke with a teacher who suggested school honors during the balance of the students rejected Corning's offer and Principal Griffith met with the stu­ present school year. dent committee which Thursday vis­ •. ~..,.. biracial "complaint and suggestion he get permission from the minister refused to go back to class. ThJs means that those students who ited Corning, These students had de­ :o:. ,~ committee" of eight young men and who was serving as moderator of the continue to be absent alter Thursday will Although it wasn't in the petition, cided to return to school and try a !lila~ women. This committee has met at stadium meeting, to address the d1squallty themselves: # ~ 8:30 a.m. every school day and prob­ the students said they wanted re­ new approach. They now wanted to gathering. A. From holding commlsslons and moval of the 43 Negro pupils at Ana­ llr 11'1! !ems reportedly are being "ironed warrants In the Cadet Corps. B. From set up a biracial student grievance :! out." The minister told Bowles he could holding positions on school publications. costia. They were told this was im­ committee similar to the one which "I had dinner with my friend Mr. speak if he would ask the students C. From representing their schools on possible. was operating successfully at Mc­ ~ ~ to return to school. This Bowles re­ athletic teams. in rille matches or In ~ •:(. Nelson Tuesday night," Bish said, One of the students said they bad Kinley. Still a third such committee fused to do and he left the stadium. musical or dramatic performances. D. I ::.;:.. • "and I've never been prouder of Mc­ From being eligible to hold any office In solicited the support of Rep. James has been organized at Eastern high P~ Klnley than when he told me how The meeting proceeded in com­ any organization, club or activity that Davis (D. Ga.), chairman of the school. 1 parative order until a student leader comes under the direction of the school ~ r intelligent and respectful the student or from holding any positions represent­ House District Committee, and got it. An example of the integration :;::;,.( spokesmen were." came to the reading of the last of a Ing their schools. problems outlined before these stu­ 12-point list of objections to integra­ Contacted at his office in Atlanta, :'; f::J Also Bish said, "I'm told someone Those students who return to their Davis told a reporter: dent committees are these reported ~:f :J! rushed up to one of our students as tion at Anacostia. It suggested a grad­ classes by Friday will be civen all pos­ at McKinley. The Negro students ~ ~ he left Franklin Administration ual method of desegregation begin­ sible assistance by their teachers to make I told them I regarded th.b Supreme were not tidy in the washrooms. They ning with the kindergarten grades. up the work mlssed this w~k: those who Court declmon as being rank usurpation ~~ott' Building and yelled 'What school do not return by that time wliJ seriously of authority by the Court which it does were told about this and already the you from?'" The reply, Bish said, was When the youth had finished read­ jeopardize their scholastic standing be­ not possess. It Is an outrageous attempt results were noticeable. • ~ "The best, buddy." ing that, the student assemblage cause of the continued absence. All adults to forcibly cram down the throats of 1 1 who have contacts with achool children people the personal, sociological views of In another case, a Negro girl was ;etll·~' Referring to the grievance commlt- started yelling its protest, shouting and especially parents are asked to use nine persons who now comprise the court still wearing a sweater of her last 1 t,C"' tee, Bish said as a sponsor he "didn't "No! No! No! Erase it! Take it out." their natural leadership In ending a sltWi­ without any legal precedent on which to year's school. Armstrong high. Mc­ intend to be a dictator. I sort of run ;) Despite attempts by various of the tlon whieh now becom~• disgraceful lllld base their decision. 1;:)6' dangerous. Kinley students said this was dis­ rf#' high school like a person who plays clergymen and eventually the prin­ I am &lad people all over the country loyal It was found the girl.had no cipal to restore order, the balance of recogruu the decision to be just what It ' the piano by ear," be said. Elsewhere in the community, Meth­ Is-an unconstitutional usurpation of other sweater. If; Near the end of the 45-minute as- the meeting was tumultuous. odist Bishop G. Bromley Oxnam de- authority. Students and parents have the Today, she does. D PAGE 6 Nov. 4, 1954 SOUTHERN SCHOOL NEWS 2. An appeal taken by the Milford board of education to the State Su­ preme Court that stayed the order of the lower court. SOUTHERN SCHOOL NEWS 3 The arrest of NAAWP president Delaware Bo~les in two of Delaware's three News is the ffic:i l public4tion of the Education WILMINGTON, Del 4. Middle-of- the-roaders greeted counties on charges of conspiring to 0 4 S~uthern Southern Sc:~ool b' r f.,d-linding 4gency est4bltshed by southern N UNEASY TRUCE prevails in the truce with favor because it meant urge people to violate state Jaws. 4 that there would not be, for a time at Reporting Serv.tce, n °d 1e~ '":tors with the aim of providing ac:c:urate, A southern Delaware after the con­ 4. The action of the state's attorney newspaper edttor~ 4n eh uc:l •dm"tnistr.,tors public: officials 4nd interested least, any more threats o£ boycott or . d · f mot on to sc oo v ' troversy that flared up in the middle general, H. Albert Young, to rev~ke un btose tn or 1 I t . educ:

MACON, Ga. By a 14 to 4 vote, with four mem­ F OR the past six weeks Georgians bers absent, the commission urged have witnessed increasingly bot ratification of proposed Constitution­ campaigns for and against a proposed al Amendment No. 4 and, pending constitutional amendment which ratification, made the folJowing would allow the General Assembly recommendations: to substitute a private school system 1. The existing public school sys­ for a public school system to avoid tem should be continued in every mixing the races in the classrooms. county and independent local system The issue was voted on in the gen­ in the state as long as it is possible eral election of Nov. 2. to do so. 2. The following should be con­ Proposed Constitutional Amend­ tinued: (a) The provisions of the ment No. 4 is the key to the dispute. present appropriations act by which It says: state funds are appropriated only to Nolwllhstllndlng any other provisions sepal'8tc public schools, the unex­ ot lhls conslltullon. the General Assem­ bly may by law provide for grants of pended appropriation to lapse upon slate, county or municipal lunds to citi­ the mixing of the races. (b) The pro­ zens of lhe state for educational pur­ visions of the present budget cutting poses. In discharge of all obligations ol off funds from mixed public schools the stnte to provide an adequate educa­ tion for its citizens. and cutting off salaries of teachers instructing mixed classes. (c) The Opponents of the plan insist on present statute providing that no calling it "the private school plan." teacher instructing mixed classes GOV.-~mn~ATE t\lARVlN GRlFFlN Proponents insist it should be called SUPT. l\1:. D. COLLINS shall be paid anything out of the Principals In Debate Over Georgia Amendment "the segregation amendment." common school fund. (These laws, ., a! It was sponsored in the 1953 legis­ it was explained, give statutory aid ~;:: lature by Gov. Herman Talmadge Collins claims. He also fears such to the provisions of the Georgia Con­ Following the convention, the pro­ 1 g::.;I.~ and received the required constitu­ stitution forbidding expenditure of amendment allowing for review by plan would wreck the Teacher Re. tional majority. The governor said it the commission before submission to ponents and opponents of the ~end­ ~ ...~ public funds for mixed public ment got their vote appeals m h1gh tirement System, abolish local scboal was formulated in anticipation of just the legislature. control and destroy the accreditatioa ~~ schools). p'$1 such a decision outlawing segrega­ Chancellor Caldwell warned that gear. . ratings of state schools. tion as the Supreme Court handed 3. Similar statutory laws should schools in the university system Gov. Talmadge, Gov.-nommate ~~ be enacted with respect to local Griffin, Atty. Gen. Cook and several Atty. Gen. Cook believes the pro. down. He has spoken in favor of it would lose their accreditation and visions of U1e proposed act are broad ~ on numerous occasions, holding it to funds, so that by no means can local approximately $2lh million in fed­ members of the General Assembly po:; c-. funds be spent for mixed public enough to permit the legislature ~ he a "last resort" measure to be used eral funds but said he would vote in spoke in favor of it. Copies of Cook's ~t~~ schools or for the payment of public appropriate funds for teacher retire. in maintaining separation of white opinions, given in answer to the .,l.~!t favor of the amendment in order to ment. and Negro students in Georgia school teachers instructing mixed governor's questions of Sept. 14, and preserve segregation. As for possible loss of federal schools despite the desegregation classes. (It was explained that this literature publicizing pro-amend­ WtSD c.lecrce. would give statutory aid to consti­ COLLINS DISSENTS ment views were mailed to many funds, Cook is of the opinion that k tutional provisions forbidding the would amount to only about $5 mn. lit~ Dr. Collins, voicing the most vig­ citizens at state expense. The amend­ on1'0!tr GRIFFIN BACKS PROPOSAL expenditure of public funds for ment was endorsed by the County lion. This, he says, is the price Geor. orous dissent to adoption of the re­ gians must pay to maintain segrega. J ;::tn: Gov.-nominate Marvin Griffin, mixed public schools.) Commissioners A s s o c i a t i on, the port, stated that he was not elected lion. ~\l'! It who will be inaugurated in January, 4. Existing laws should be retained state superintendent of schools in Georgia Municipal Association, the Otherwise, the attorney genml ~~ has also thrown his full support be­ and strengthened with reference to order to liquidate the Georgia public State Board of Education and various claims. only the well-to-do will b (dl1 hind the campaign to secure approval (a) assignment of pupils in public school system. other organizations and individuals. schools; (b) laying out of public able to send their children to pn· a!;l'!i of the amendment. He promised to Hand, in voting against the report, Anti-amendment forces, led by fb;., work in favor of the proposal in his school district lines; (c) the power expressed apprehension that the Dr. Collins and Harold Saxon, execu­ vately-operated segregated school< and the poor will have to send ::.:~ successful campaign for the guber­ of local school boards to contract for phrase in the proposed amendment tive secretary of the Georgia Edu­ thei: .. natorial nomination. the education of children in adjoin­ " ... in discharge of all obligation cation Association, a white teachers' children to public unsegrega~ ~ ing school districts in which the pub­ schools. ar.o;C Since the Democratic primary ..." could prove fatal to the State organization, scheduled speeches and lic schools have been closed. distributed literature opposing the 72 r, election of Sept. 8, the drives in School Authority financing of bonds t\lAr'\'Y LEGAL P ROBLD\S favor of and against the amendment 5. The General Assembly should to build schools. proposal. ~ have increased in tempo with many enact laws so that, if and when the Harris based his opposition to the Among others publicly fighting the It is conceded that a vast amoWII :t;:4 important organizations or officials existing schools in any county or in­ report on a belief that it nullified the amendment were listed the Georgia of legal work will have to be doDt ;:-.:~ publicly taking sides. dependent school district are closed weapon the state bas to tell pupils Education Association and numerous and numerous laws enacted to pre· ~ by federal court decree, the educa­ county and district affiliates. the pare !or use the segregated pma~ 'dr..st. On Sept. 14, Gov. Talmadge re­ there will be no schools unless they tion of the children of school age in League of Women Voters, a special­ school plan, depending on rat.ifica. nt.:~~i quested an official opinion from At­ are segregated. He held that closing that locality may go on at state and of the schools because of integration ly-formed Committee to Save Our lion of the amendment, in the e\'elll ~r torney General Eugene Cook on the local expense, and in properly super­ Schools, defeated gubernatorial can­ test integration suits are filed and following three questions: would so arouse white people that Tht vised segregated schools. Negroes would not dare defy the didates Tom Linder (who is still in schools closed because of failure lo t.'::!:i 1. Under the Constitution of this 6. Enacting laws to insure the con­ solid front of whites. office as Georgia commissioner of comply with the law. \~ State, can taxes be levied by either tinuation of segregated schools, the Discussing the part of the report agriculture) and Charles Gowen. the From the many statements of pub­ lr.i!R the State or any local unit of govern­ General Assembly should provide for which emphasized that the existing Active Voters organization. the State lic officials and !rom interviews with wit-t ment, for the support of mixed and protect the Teachers' Retirement separate public school system should Council of the CIO, Georgia Federa­ \'arious leading pro-amendment fig. lotit schools of white and colored stu­ System and the equalization and be continued as long as it is possible tion of Labor and State PTA Con­ ures, a surmise of the skeleton form dents? llrtl other salutary p1·inciples embodied in to do so, Dr. Cutts asked who would gress. which the private segregated school ~·.:le 2. Under the Constitution of this the Minimum Foundation Program, say when it was no longer possible. Opponents of the amendment have plan would take can be sketched. "lUI n Stale, can public funds of the State and provide for the fullest utilization Gov. Talmadge replied that the ques­ asked many questions concerning the Grants of state, county and mu· ·i~ or any local unit of government be of existing educat.ional facilities. All tion would be determined by the details of the proposed segregated nicipal funds would be made to par· ... ,~ expended for such purpose? of this, the commission was assured, General Assembly. private school system and have used ents who could assign such grants to II,): 3. If by action of the judicial de­ could lawfully and constitutionally Two days after the commission the lack of information available as whatever schools their children wish ~·~:: partment of the Federal Government, be done if the proposed amendment session, the State Democratic Party one of their strongest arguments to attend. lllt::t the races are ordered mixed in the were adopted. convention adopted a resolution against ratification. School buildings would be madt public schools, could funds of the The commission report concluded calling for "overwhelming" ratifica­ Amendment supporters have re­ available !or educational purposes. State or any local unit of government by stating that necessary legislation tion of the proposed amendment and plied that the details will be worked leased to individuals under the rt­ be expended for the purpose of sup­ to effectuate the foregoing would be incorporated this position into the out by the General Assembly, which quirement that tuition in excess ol porting the schools in which the races prepared by the attorney general, the state party platform. the people must trust. and they say the aggregate of state and local were mixed pursuant to such Fed­ general counsel and executive secre­ The state convention, by resolu­ the issue is how far people want to grants not be charged. and reguht· eral action? tary of the commission after ratifi­ tion, also denounced the Supreme go in maintaining segregation. ed by the state board of educatioo cation of the amendment and sub­ Court decision outlawing segrega­ and state education department II COOK'S REPLY NEGATIVE mitted to members !or approval tion, condemned President Eisen­ FINANCIAL PROBLE11 the public service commission reg. Cook's opinion, limited to the prior to submission to the General hower for his appointment of Chief Loss of federal money in the tran­ ulates utilities. common schools as distinguished Assembly. J ustice to head the sition from public to private status Legislative authority to levy taxes from the university system, was in court, deplored the conduct of Geor­ Cor the schools has also been dis­ Ior teacher retirement would be ex· the negative in answer to all three DISCUSSION PROVOKED gia Education Association leaders in cussed. The Committee to Save Our tended to private school teachers by questions. Discussion was lively preceding opposing the amendment, urged re­ Schools says the amendment would amendment of the present act. His conclusion stated: adoption o! the recommendations. sistance to compliance with the de­ cost 20 million dollars in federally­ Private schools accepting studenlS ln my opinion there Is no authority Voting for the report were Gov. segregation decision and called upon fmanced school buildings and would would be required to post perform· under lhe Georgia Constitution of 1945 Georgia's representatives and sena­ end federal appropriations of several to establish mixed schools, tax for mixed Talmadge, Gov.-nominate Griffin, ance bonds. ln actual practice, granb Atty. Gen. Cook, State Auditor B. E. tors to introduce legislation in the million dollars annually for school due students through their parents sc:hools, or expend funds for mixed Congress stripping the federal courts schools. tr the Supreme Court of the Thrasher, Board of Regents Chair­ ?laintenancc. In addition, it is urged. would be sent to schools upon pre· United States should strike down the re­ man Robert Arnold. former Georgia of powe1· and authority to decide Implementation of the amendment sentation of bills for individual pu· quirement in Article VIIl, Section I, lhat cases against the public schools of Education Association P resident would mean stale subsidies to stu­ pils. If a parent refused or failed to separate schools be maintained for the Georgia and other states. white and colored roces in Georgia. lhe Harvey Cutts, Rep. Frank Twitty, dents in privately-owned colleges <'xpcnd grants for educational pur· provision for an adequate education Ln State Democratic Committee Chair­ In a speech accepting the party's including ones owned bv churches' poses, the state would recover the gubernatorial nomination, tanta­ free common sc:hools falls with it. By so man John Sammons Bell, State a!ld would thus destroy the univer: money, since the amendment only doing, the Supreme Court of the United mount to election in one-party Slates would hove abolished free public: Board of Education C h a i r m an s1ty system, already hard-pressed autho"rized grants for educational cducallon In Georgia under the present George Whitman Jr., W. S. Mann, Georgi a, Gov.-nominate Griffin for finances. called Amendment No. 4 "a second purposes and a contract or obligationd Constitution of 1945. University System Chancellor Har­ Dr: Collins takes the position that Bill of Rights" for the people of the to use it for no other purpose woul Some opponents of the amendment mon Caldwell, Bibb County School state. a prJvate school system would not be implied. have disputed Cook's interpretation Superintendent Mark Smith and guarantee continued segregation. A The state is without authority to Rep. Battle Hall. He said, "There must be no vio­ Supreme Court decision striking of the state constitution. lence of any kind in our state," but require segregation in any school The Georgia Commission on Edu­ Voting against the report were ~o~ So~th ~arolina's proposed system but presumably schools renewed his campaign promise that 1 cation, created by the legislature to State School Superintendent M. D. schools and colleges in Georgia "'.h .tc pnmary is cited with the would be leased only to those opera· 0 Ptnlon that the court would take make plans to provide adequate edu­ Collins, House Speaker Fred Hand would not be mixed while he was tors r<'quirmg segregation. cation consistent with both the state and Roy Harris, former House Ule same view of segregated private governor and added: " ... no true schools. Rei igious :;chools would have DO and federal constitutions at the re­ speaker. Southerner feels morally bound to claim to public funds since the grants quest of the governor, met on Sept. Thrasher voted for adoption of the recognize the legality of this act of Even if the schools became private would be to students. not schools. and 28 to discuss recommendations for report but refused to sign it. He a.nd tyranny, support its provisions or they could not operate because the~ the General Ass<'mbly could den1 the General Assembly. Dr. Collins secured approval of an obey its unthinkable terms." they would be subject to sales. in­ grants to students attending religio\1.1 come, property and all other taxes, schools. SOUTHERN SCHOOL NEWS- Nov. 4, 1954- PAGE II

association "reaffirm its historic po­ construction program. (Counties act other legislation without violat­ sition that a free public school system which have already built schools ing the provisions of the constitution is the best guarantee of personal and "frown" on that feature, contending of this state or the May 17 decision o£ Mississippi national well-being and is thus in­ they will be penalized for their the United States Supreme Court. dispensable." However. it was tabled equalization efforts). This conflict will continue until the by a closer vote than was the other The "question and answer" bro­ United States Supreme Court rules JACKSON, Miss. With opposition developing to the proposal adopted. chure of the advisory committee lists on the constitutionality o£ Section 207 i\,f'ISSISSIPPrs qualified electors constitutional amendment, the advis­ Speaking against the Todd propo­ six measures for the maintenance of of the Mississippi constitution which lfJ. will determine on Dec. 21 wheth­ ory group has upped the building sal, and Cor the one endorsing the segregation that "will probably be is the section that specifically pro­ er to "gamble" 120 million dollars of program to 60 million dollars and amendment submitted by the conven­ used before a legislative vote on abo­ vides that separate schools for the the taxpayers' money on ability of agreed to recommend its passage at tion's resolution committee, A. W. lition" and then estimates it will take races shall be maintained. state leaders to continue public school next year's contemplated special leg­ James, supel'intendent of schools at "from 10 to 20 years, or probably 2. To confer upon the legislature segregation for 10 to 20 years in the islative session. Drew in the delta county of Sunflow­ longer, to exhaust them." the power to abolish the pubUc face of the United States Supreme The advisory group is also on rec­ er, said: "It is hoped that by that time a schools by a two-thirds vote of those Court's integration decision. ord favoring increased funds for the We must have faith In our officials that permanent solution will have been present and voting. By a majority State officials, headed by Gov. teacher salary-transportation-admin­ they will not abolish schools until the found," the committee states. vote of the legislature, counties ond Hugh White, are confident if the long­ istration phases of the equalization people decide lhat Is the best thing to do. The six delaying steps are listed as Adoption ot the Todd motion would be school districts may be authorized to delayed facility equalization program program. They now require 34 mil­ Interpreted by the public that we don't follows: (1) Continuance of segrega­ abolish their public schools. Legisla­ of the dual system is immediately lion dollars annually, but this sum is believe the nmendment should be rati­ tion under section 207 of the state tors have pointed out that such a launched, Negroes will not seck inte­ still short about $3,400.000 of fully fied. constitution which calls for equal but course may become necessary at some gration but will be content to remain carrying out the program. James Ewing, president of the separate opportunities for the races future date in order to provide fman­ segregated on an overall equality ba­ Anticipating a bitter fight on the Copiah-Lincoln Junior College at and which has not been subject to cial assistance for all educable chil­ sis. constitutional amendment, the advis­ Wesson, onetime head of the Missis­ direct court attack and is still the law dren. The public schools would be The state department of education ory committee has drafted a brochure sippi Education Association and a in Mississippi. (2) The assignment of abolished only as a last resort, to pre­ has estimated officially it will take of "questions and answers" for dis­ member of the Legal Educational pupils (as provided in a 1954 statute). vent integration. Sll7,477,978, based on construction at tribution statewide. The brochure Advisory Committee, spoke for the (3) Gerrymandering of school dis­ tricts. (4) Application of military or Question: "What constitutional $1.50 a square foot, to equalize facil­ anticipates some of the opposition endorsement resolution. police power. (5) Use of other oppli­ provisions guarantee a continuation ities in the dual system. They admit questions, and attempts to answer "We either want to maintain segre­ of the present system of public them. gation and pay the price for it (vot­ cable statutes. (6) New statutes. most o£ that applies to bringing Ne­ Answering the opposition question, schools?" gro school buildings up to equality ing of a 60 million dollar bond issue The committee has already placed "Why not wait 10 or 20 years or un­ Answer: As a practical matter, by with those of the whites. Rep. Ney Gore of Quitman county, to launch a building program to equalize Negro schools), or if, when til all other methods of preserving failing to provide revenue, two-fifths As a starter on the building pro­ its secretary, on full-time duty to and as accosted by a sociological and segregation have failed before con­ plus one of the senators or house gram, the 25-member Legal Educa­ handle a speaker's bureau as well as psychological integration decision, be ferring upon the legisl-;ture the pow­ members present and voting could tional Advisory Committee headed by distribute interim reports of the er to abolish the public schools," the nullify the present school program. group. It rejected an offer of financial willing to integrate," Mr. Ewing told Gov. White has gone on record favor­ the administrators. committee has these answers: By refusal to vote for school appro­ ing immediate issuance of 60 million assistance from the newly formed priations, 25 senators (of the 49), or "Citizens Councils" tendered through I don't believe the Issue is solely seg­ 1. Adoption of the amendment on Dec. dollars of the needed new money in 21 will serve notice that the people of 71 house members (of the 140) could Speaker Walter Sillers of the House regation versus Integration, but It may ts. bonds Cor inauguration of the facility be an Issue as to how much we want Mississippi mean to maintain segregation sound the death knell to schools. of Representatives. (The councils are at all cost. Negro leaders participated In "l' upgrading work. The LEAC will sup­ segregation. We've got to be willing to Other questions posed in the bro­ r_ port that size bond issue in a con­ made up of white males dedicated to abolish schools I! necessary as a last re­ the fonnatlon 1 through the 1952 Missis­ upholding segregation.) sort to prevent their lntegralion. There sippi Citizens Council on Education) of chure and the answers which indi­ t:t:• templated special session of the leg­ Is no danger of that until the time comes, the present school program often de­ cate the thinking and position of the islature early next year. The outside financial assistance was but If it does. we will all be ready. scribed as lhe finest In the history of Mississippi (the 1954 teacher salary­ proponents of the school abolition offered after the recent special legis­ transportation - administrative equaUza­ amendment, include: MIENDMENT A PREREQUISITE lative session refused to vote cam­ WinTE BACKS PROPOSAL tlon program). While n Iorge number o! The session, however, is contingent paign funds for the advisory commit­ Gov. White admitted at a meeting Negro leaders have since repudiated the Question: "Is the May 17 decision separote but equal philosophy of school in keeping with the American way of on voter ratification of a constitution­ tee. In turning down the outside of the advisory committee on Oct. 12 operation. It Is believed that. by and life?" al amendment authorizing the legis­ funds, the advisory group suggested that "a lot of work must be done" if Iorge. Negroes want equal advantages tor lature to abolish pubUc schools to that those interested in promoting the amendment is to be ratified by their children under a segregated tax­ Answer: "No. The United States the amendment handle their own the voters in the Dec. 21 special elec­ supported plan. Supreme Court's action is an inter­ prevent their integration as such. 2. It will be a warning to allen or­ Gov. White, sole authority for calling campaigns. tion. He said strongest opposition go.ntzatlons that we Intend to preserve ference in states rights. It is legisla­ a special session before he steps from Members of the advisory committee in northeast Mississippi, the so-called our way of life. tion by decree instead of through office in January of 1956, has said he have agreed to make speeches with­ Hill Sector, stems from reports "be­ 3. Conceivably. it will crystallize public Congress. In the May 17, 1954 deci­ ing spread that the Delta wants to OJllnlon In some states to a point where sion, the United States Supreme will not issue the call "without the out cost to the inviting clubs or It would probably result ln a more liberal protective features" of the constitu­ groups. They will also arronge "on abolish schools." The state's heaviest high court Interpretation of its Moy 17 Court overruled at least five of its tional amendment. their own" meetings in the more than Negro population is in the Delta area decision. own previous decisions, 13 decisions 1,700 precincts in the 82 counties to along the Mississippi River. 4. It will have some weight In the of lower courts, and 59 decisions of The Legal Educational Advisory "We must get over to the people preparation. adoption and promotion of "sell" the amendment to the voters. the platfonns of political part;es. state supreme courts. Its decision was Committee was created at the 1954 that abolition is not the objective in not based on a single precedent of regular session of the legislature S. Passoge of the omcndment will pro­ OPPOSITION FORMED the amendment," Gov. White told the vide the best possible assurance of a previous decisions. The decision prior to the May 17 decision of the advisory committee. "No one wants continued and improved segregated pub­ struck down the constitutions of 17 However, an opposition group lic school system to the citizens who are Supreme Court. It was authorized to to abolish our public school system." states relative to separate schools for "devise" means of continuing segre­ which feels that the amendment being called upon to poy for a 120 million I~ James Ewing, president of the Co­ dollar school bulldlng program. the races and further struck down gation in anticipation of an adverse should be delayed until all other piah-Lincoln Junior College at Wes­ steps to preserve segregation have As to whether the legislature has the statutes of 21 states. The decision court ruling. son, and onetime head of the Missis­ o£ the high court was based on seven The proposed constitutional been exhausted, is also preparing a sippi Education Association. a mem­ sufficient authority under existing statewide campaign. Several larger conditions to deal with public school works in the fields of sociology and amendment was drafted by the ad­ ber of the advisory committee. said psychology." visory group and submitted to a re­ newspapers-at Greenville, Tupelo, committee approval of a school build­ segregation, the advisory group says: cent special session of the legislature McComb and Pascagoula-have come ing program "will do more than any­ No. not as the constitution Is presently Question: "Isn't it asking a great where it was approved for submission out editorially against the public thing else to offset the feeling in the written. Adoption ot the amendment on deal of the proponents of a strong school abolition amendment. Dec. 21 Is necessary to give the legisla­ school system to vote to authorize to the voters in a special election on opposition area." ture flexibility to meet whatever situa­ Dec. 21. Sponsors of the amend­ The opposition group met at Jack­ Following his statement, he pre­ tion may orlse. the legislature to abolish this system ment insist it will be used only as a son on Oct. 21 and set up a tentative sented a building program calling for which has been more than 100 years "last resort" to prevent integration, organization. Miss Alma Hickman of immediate issuance of 60 million dol­ DETAILS NOT WORKED OUT in the making?" nnd point to an estimated s1x other Hattiesburg. former president of the lars in bonds to begin equalizing the The committee admits that "a Answer: "Yes and no. No one is "delayin~ steps" that wm t:~ke from Mississippi Education Association, estimated $117,477,978 disparity be­ workable plan for private schools" voting to abolish the public schools. 10 to 20 years to exh11ust through was named chairman. tween Negro and white schools. Un­ has not been offered or blue-printed. Some term the Dec. 21 vote as a vote the courts before being called on to Two key members of the group arc der a 1954 statute, Negro schools "A good 'quarterback' cannot name of confidence in faith in our ability to use the abolition-amendment. State Sen. George Owens of Ponto­ must be equalized before the now ex­ the play he will use in a game ten solve our problem if and when all Before making a deci!:ion on the toc, and State Rep. Joel Blass of isting gap is widened. years hence," it answers. "Many ed­ other measures have failed. We must amendment, the voters face a stump Stone County, both of whom opposed Under the proposed building fund, ucational, political and legal leaders have faith." speaking campaign reminiscent of the amendment in U1e recent special the state in addition to alloting $12 U1ink the details of the 'private Question: "Is there any guarantee lcj!islativc session. per child in average daily attendance school' program must be worked out, that the court will uphold a system quadrennial contests for election of if and when needed, in the light of governing officinls on all levels­ A tentative name, "The Committee per year for buildings, will allot, as of private schools?" conditions at that time-including in­ from constables in the 410 bents in the of Friends of a Segregated Public an emergency measure for 10 years, tervening Supreme Court decisions." Answer: "No one can predict a 82 counties to the governorship. S<·hool System," has been adopted. A an additional $3 fot· each child of the court decision. The establishment of Negro race. That is expected to speed The committee insists there is a The only issue on the special elec­ slate headquarters will be maintained a system of private schools would and speakers and literature sent equalization in the heavily Negro­ satisfactory plan for separate schools tion ballot wm be the amendment. under existing conditions. tend to invalidate the effect of en­ statewide. populated counties. Ratification will require a majority "The answer to the racial problem forced racial integration." Spokesmen for the Hickman group Legislotive opposition to the addi­ vote or those participating. tional $3 is expected, however, from is a continuance of segregated tax­ Question: "In the event of abolition, An alternate school program has emphasize that they are for segre­ supported schools through increased is there danger that the federal gov­ gated public schools, but feel that the the big white areas on grounds the not been spelled out by those spon­ "black counties" failed to use pre­ support for the minimum foundation ernment might set up a federal sys­ abolition amendment should not be soring the amendment. In general, vious allotments for Negroes and of program (the 1954 equalization stat­ tem of schools?" however, it calls for a private school presented the voters until all other utes) and the immediate inaugura­ Answer : "Such is not likely to oc­ asserted "delaying steps" have been their own making maintained a wide system financed by direct appropria­ gap between the systems. tion of a building program," it states. cur. It would require a favorable vote tions to the children, rather than to exhausted. Sen. Earl Evans of Canton, chair­ The committee answers question of both houses of the national Con­ the school districts as presently Members of the opposition organ­ man of the senate finance commit­ No. 1 in its brochure: "Will the gress. Thus far, Congress has not voted. ization contend they have consider­ tee, said the poorer Hill counties amendment, if adopted, abolish pub­ voted on the segregation issue-not able support in all sections of the should be willing to help the other lic schools in Mississippi," this way: even for the District of Columbia JJ\"EQUALlTIES CORRECTED state. and feel confident they may areas since the richer section, mostly "No. The voters arc not asked to which Congress governs. Our South­ The state has already corrected be able to gain voter rejection of the the heavily Negro populated area, has vote on Dec. 21 on the abolition of ern congressmen have had the sup­ other inequalities in the dual segre­ amendment in the Dec. 21 special been assisting them through the public schools. So far as is known, no port of many from Northern, Eastern, J!ated system. The 1954 regular ses­ election. equalizing fund. one presently favors such a course." and Western states in preventing a sion of the legislature removed them Of Mississippi's 82 counties, 61 are vote on this matter." Ai\IE~DI\IENT ENDORSED in an equalization program covering m the equalizmg group and receive PURPOSES STATED Question: "If the public schools teachers' salaries, transportation and Another development was endorse­ added state aid to bolster inadequate It then states as the purposes of the should be abolished, would not the ment of the amendment "as a last administration. The progrnm adds local funds for maintenance of their amendment the following: poorer counties and school districts nine million dollars to the previous 25 resort" to prevent integration by the schools. 1. To enable the legislature to con­ suffer a much greater loss than the million dollars annual appropriation Mississippi Association of School Ad­ tinue authorizing the establishment, richer political subdivisions?" ministrators in the annual meeting OTHER FEATURES for public schools. support, maintenance and operation Answer: "No. Better school prac­ at Jackson, Oct. 21. The action was Other features of the school build­ of the public schools of this state. In That same 1954 session app1·oved a tices throughout the country require school building equalization formula, by voice vote, with some members ing equalizing proposal app1·oved by view of Ute conflict between the pro­ that the 'money follow the child.' but did not vote anv funds pending ,·oting "no." It was evident that the the educational advisory group in­ visions of the constitution of Missis­ the Supreme Court's decision. As 750 members of the association are clude: sippi relative to segregated schools This is the fairest, all-around method originally drafted, the building pro­ not in full agreement on its stand. No allotment of state funds (for and the recent decision of the United of financing schools. It can be used gram called for 10 million dollars A counter resolution by Dr. L. 0 . buildings) could be used to retire an States Supreme Court, it is doubtful under eithe•· a public or a p1·ivate when and if the money is made avail­ Todd, superintendent of the Meridian existing indebtedness of a local school that the legislature can make any ap­ system. The same legislators will vote city school system, proposed that the district for the first five years of the propriation for public schools or en- able. . _., the distribution." SOUTHERN SCHO OL NEWS PAGE 12 Nov. 4, 1954 Six Negro students chose to a ~ the formerly whi~ high school, anc 110 chose to co~tin.ue a~ the N~ high school. At Juruor high, six Nt­ groes chose to attend the fonnertl Missouri white school, and 78 continued at the ,.~. neighboring town in which Clarkton Negro school. ~·- ST. LOllS, Mo. On the elementary level, district ·;:.' ~Y complete reports re- has been sending its Negro elemen­ tary pupils has itself adopted inte­ lines were drawn arou~d the N~ ~~ ceived by the Missouri State De­ elementary school, which tormeru rP partment of Education at Jefferson gration at the high school leveL Like­ wise the county seat, Kennett, 18 served the whole city. All chi!~ ~ City show that integration in some who live in this district (all Ne- )¢~ form has begun in school districts miles south of Clarkton, has inte­ grated its high school this year, 9 groes) are required to. attend the ~~ accounting for 75 per cent of the Negro school. Negro children llvn. ~ ~ state's Negro pupils. Negroes attending the same school with 363 white youngsters. outside the district were given tbt f..ll" This does not mean that three out option of attending the elementaJy ~I of four Negroes are now attending Supt. H. Byron Masterson of Ken­ nett reports that "the Negro s~dents school nearest them, or continuing 1o ~ formerly white schools. The process attend the Negro school. ~~~~ of ending segregation in Missouri have entered into high school life and The effect is to continue the schocl ~ typically begins at those school levels we have had no problems arising from the situation. The white stu­ in the heart of the main Negro res!. ,\lll where the absorption problem is least dential section as a Negro school()( s;'lll se.rious. Hence many Negro pupils in dents readily accepted the colored the Negroes living outside the cfis. J rf1 districts which have started desegre­ students, electing one to a senior class office." trict, two have chosen to attend o~~e a,~ l.el gation are still attending s<:pcu:ate formerly white elementary ¢d II schools. Yet in most of the dast.ncts The Kennett school board an­ scboat which have taken the first step it is nounced its decision to desegregate and 11 to attend another. Four otht: ~ generally understood that other steps last July and the public accepted it elementary schools have no Neg:roa, ~ will promptly follow-that desegre­ without ~rotest. Kennett is a town The situation has recently brougbs )!:t gation at all levels will be completed of 8,700 population. a protest from 35 parents of child~!~~ ~J in a year or so. Reports from other Missouri com­ at the school where 11 Negroes en. ~ lf\'t State Commissioner of Education munities follow: rolled. They have asked the ~ ~ Hubert Wheeler has received reports SIKESTON. (pop. 11,600; 20 Negro of education either to move the Ne- ,!lttld THE MAP ABOVE shows the status of Missouri sclsool distri ~ t policies on that integration in some form has be­ high school pupils in enrollment of . . firs d · year followmg Supreme gro pupils out of their school or to t!Jt~ come effective in 110 school districts. integration and segregntaon durmg t aca ermc d those with see that all other schools also enron 67:>--about 3%). Court opinion. Counties shown in solid black. or cross-batche are Negroes. The parents said they dJd )101'10! This Boothcel town, in Scott coun­ Negro school population of more tha n 100 P';IPil.s. . t of the school STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN ty formerly sent its high school not object to integration in ~ ~ Black coun ties are those where school districts c?ve r~g mos _ school and junior high, which oper. r:;J ill Of 466 districts reporting, 289 have p~pils to Charleston, 16 miles away. population have adopted total or partial int.egration s?me form: Crossst '!' ate city-wide, but did object to t1w er.~ no Negro pupils. Of the remaining Supt. Lynn Twitty believes that the hatched areas represent those counties where ~choo l das.trJcts covenng mo 177 districts with Negro pupils, 110 Sikeston Board of Education was the elementary school situation. ~ of the school population have retained segregah.on fo~ this year. Supt. Neil C. Aslin says it is too irJ d or just about two-thirds report they first in the state to take positive ac­ Black dots indicate school districts in coun ti ~s w • ~ less than 100 Negro early to draw final conclusions "bat are operating some form of integra­ tion. It was on June 1 that the board pupils which have adopted some form of integrab on this year. ~~ ~ tion. These break down as follows: announced that Negro pupils in the it is hoped that the transition can lit btJa ill made gradually and without incj. Al!frtl Integrated high school but segre­ 11th and 12th grades would be ac­ crowded school buses. Some of the Negro "Integration bas been complete in gated elementary school: 58 dis­ cepted in the Sikeston high school girls claimed the white boys "jostled" both academic and sports fields. One dent." ps.~:~ during the coming year. The board them when the bus started up or stopped of the varsity football players is ~.is !UP tricts. suddenly. Some of the colored girls KIRKSVILLE. (pop. 11,110. 8 Ne. lnte~ratcd elementary schools but acted early in order to give the pub­ claimed that some of the white boys colored, one substitute is colored, and gro pupils in total enrollment li n:e~ segregated high school: 11 dis­ lic three months to think about the would occupy a whole seat on the bus the Junior High team bas five col­ 2 ooo-four- tenths of one per cent) ~c tricts. matter and to "cool off" if necessary. so they could not alt down. ored players on the squad. 'In northeast Missouri, only %l pll No cooling off proved to be needed. Tbls only went on one day or so. The Continued operation of Negro boys were called to the omce. likewise the "The most important factor is the miles from the Iowa line, Kirksville !.1 !lit~ school, but Negro pupils given The general community feeling, ac­ colored girls. The matter of Integration democratic feeling prevalent in this had operated a Lincoln school !Dr cording to Supt. Twitty, was that the =•• option of attending other schools: was thoroughly explained to them and town. The school people should be Negro children until this fall, wbl!l ~~sta= decision bad been wise. their cooperation requested. This Incident 11 districts. only Involved four white boys and three given credit, but the townspeople the board of education voted to close ":! Integration at both elementary and "We made no special preparation of the colored girls. We have heard noth­ themselves are the ones that should the school. There are now three Ne. ~­ h igh school level: 30 districts. for entry of the Negro children into ing further of lt. receive the real praise. To some the groes in one elementary school, foGr f'4i!1:1 Altogether, the state has about the schools," says Supt. Twitty. "We Of course It Is not unusual for some change has been unwelcome, but in another and one in the junior hlP • felt that our student body would ac­ of the white boys to Jostle the white "!I 63,000 Negro pupils, of whom 44,000 girls on the bus, to, and give them a utUe everyone has accepted the fact that school. "There have been no ind· :;:, are concentrated in the four largest cept it better if we assumed that trouble in other ways. it is unavoidable and should be faced dents and things are going quite their behavior would be correct. cities-St. Louis (33,000), Kansas Very few parents have even mentioned as the American people have faced well," Supt. 0. Wayne Phillips rt- L Integration to me. A few stated that they ~ City (10,500), St. Joseph ( 400) and "Our assumptions have thus far their problems in the past-with in­ been correct, in that we have had did not like It, but knew that they could ports. "We see the colored parea11 ~~ Springfield (350). In all of these cities do nothing because this would be un­ telligence and a conscientious effort at PTA meetings." ~~~ desegregation has begun this year. absolutely no trouble. Our white constitutional. I have heard of a few to iron out difficulties." ir!L"tl youngsters have apparently accepted tamllles that were bitterly opposed to the CARmAGE. (pop. 11,188. 45 Ne- .xbilo Apart from these cities, the largest the Negroes as individuals with no change. but they have made no formal INDEPENDENCE. (pop. 36,963; 21 groes in total enrollment of 2,201- ArAirl concentrations of Negro pupils are complaint to me or to the Board of Edu­ Negro high school students in total particular bias because of their color. cation. 2 per cent.) !lid d found in two regions-"Little Dixie," "We have found that the reactions enrollment of 2,013-about 1 %.) In southwest Missouri 16 miles ~ !b:n and "the Bootheel." of the average high school age White and Negro boys play bas­ Harry Truman's home town in from Joplin, Carthage has ended '!'ito Little Dixie is a bloc of counties youngster are in most cases based ketball together and one Negro will Jackson county formerly sent Negro formal segregation in both elemen- ti:tn straddling the Missouri River in ~e on somewhat sounder reasoning than probably make the school team. high school pupils to a segregated tary and high schools, although ont thy llld central section of the state. It gets Its those of many older individuals." White and Negro girls play volley­ Kansas City school Kansas City all-Negro elementary school contill· ;Ci name from the fact that it was settled Negro pupils are transported on a ball together. In the study hall, at having begun to end segregation, In­ ues to be operated. led by deep Southerners and even today separate bus. the library table and in the lunch dependence this year is integrating Negro high school students formel'· ~ shows some of the political charac­ In elementary and junior high room, the colored students seem. to its high school students. ly were sent to a segregated schccl !alit segregate themselves voluntaraly, teristics, such as a predominantly schools Sikeston has a Negro en­ Acting Supt. 0. L. Plucker reports in Joplin. Now they attend the Car· m\lllhf Democratic vote, of the South. especially among girls, the boys gen­ rollme~t of about 400. These pupils no problems worthy of mention, thage school, numbering 12 in 8) ~ erally mingling more. The Bootheel comprises the south­ continue to attend an all-Negro though he thinks there may be more enrollment of 708. One of their n\IID' ~ east comer of the state along the school. They live in the section near­ Bell City is saving $5,000 a year by when unification reaches the ele­ her has been elected vice preside£! ~ not sending its high school students Mississippi. It is Missouri's cotton est to the school and thus, in Supt. mentary school level The Negro of the senior class and another l't' ltl'.i , country. Most of it lies south of Twitty's view, constitute a logical at­ to Charleston. students participate in a wide range porter for the junior class. Both ll' that 11 Louisville, and some of it south of tendance area. The school which The town bas 213 Negroes in ele­ of student activities in addition to halfbacks on the football team. sha::b mentary school, out of a total en­ Richmond. they attend is "equal in every respect regular classwork, including athlet­ At the elementary level, five Nt- to our other schools and in some rollment of 731-a ratio of 29 per ~ As the accompanying map shows, ics and dramatics. Teachers have gro children who live close to one li 1 cases is superior," says Supt. Twitty. cent. The Negroes are attending ch~ desegregation has begun in Little accepted the Negroes in mixed the white schools have been enrolled ~ Dixie and in t11e Bootheel, as well as "The elementary children would be their own school as usual. None ap­ classes on the same basis as any permitted to go to other schools if plied for admission to the white in that school. Other Negroes eon- fr.e Sccl in other sections. In both areas, how­ white student. Public reaction has tinue to attend the Lincoln school Sta:t Co ever, the number of Negroes still at­ they so desired." school. According to Supt. Kinder, been quiet. Although some persons "Negro community leaders and some which is nearest to their homes. or. l!il tending segregated schools exceeds BELL CITY. (pop. 482; 21 Negro do not approve of the change, there Negro teachers constitute the teach- ~ the number in integrated districts. high school pupils in total of 196- of the parents say they want their has been no open opposition. own elementary school with Negro ing staff. tt. bt In the Bootheel some form of inte­ about 10 per cent). Conscious efforts were made to janitor, bus drivers and teachers. "The community, teachers ani liiib. gration has been adopted by Cape This is another southeast Missouri prepare community opinion for the student body have accepted this ~ But they do insist on the school be­ transition. Publicity was given in Girardeau (178 Negro pupils), Jack­ town, in Stoddard county, a?out 23 ing modem and equal in every re­ nonsegregation plan and there hal iri • son (40), Sikeston (430), Bell City miles north and west of Sikeston. newspapers to the reasons for the spect to the white school." been no criticism nor any unpleas· ~ (230), Kennett (142) and Malden Supt. H. C. Kinder claims that Bell change, conferences were held with ant situations," says Supt. J. L ~b (75). But segregation has been re­ City was the first school in the state JACKSON. (pop. 3,700; 40 Ne­ Negro staff members and students. Campbell. "The Negro children art ~ ~ tained this year throughout Missis­ to integrate successfully, its session groes in total school enrollment of All pastors discussed the problem at courteous, polite and considerate d f!el._ sippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot and beginning earlier than many districts 998-about 4%). Sunday morning services, and a joint others, and are cooperating in evef'f ~ Butler counties, with total Negro elsewhere in order to permit a cot­ The county seat of Cape Girar­ conference of school patrons and way." ~~ school enrollment of some 7,500. ton-picking vacation in September deau County in southeast Missouri, ministers was held to discuss it. and October. Jackson had been sending its Negro SPRINGFIELD. (pop. 72,109. M2 ll'~t.~ CENTRAL MISSOURI The high school opened Aug. 9. high school students to a segregated COLUMBIA. (pop. 31,974; 501 Ne­ Negroes in total enrollment of 12.- ~·~ gro pupils in total enrollment of In central Missouri, integration The school board had decided to in­ school in Cape Girardeau, 11 miles -2 per cent.) ' &:oil plans are now in effect in districts tegrate a month earlier, but made no away. Last year this building burned. 2,900-17 per cent.) As previously reported, this sou~· ~~\ with total Negro enrollment of about newspaper announcement, merely At a joint meeting of the Cape Gi­ This central Missow·i city is the western Missouri city kept open liS ' 1 700, while segregation has been re­ passing the word around informally. rardeau and Jackson boards of edu­ seat of the University of Missouri. Lincoln school for Negroes but per· ~ ~ined. at least for this year, in dis­ On the first day, many Negro moth­ cation, it was decided to abolish seg­ which ended racial restrictions on mitted Negroes to attend a. whllt ~~­ tricts with total Negro enrollment of ers accompanied their children to regation in grades 9 to 12. admission with the beginning of the school nearer their homes il thC1 ~~­ about 2,150. school, evidently fearing trouble. Shortly afterwards, the Negro present academic year. In the public chose. Slightly more than half en· Ct,~ Few districts in areas of large There was none. teacher who had been under contract school system, segregation has been rolled in white schools. Now the fini ~~'!!!1 Negro school population have unified Two and a half months later, Supt. to the Jackson board of education re­ ended in theory but in practice re­ Negro teacher has been added to tht ~~~ their elementary schools. Generally, Kinder reports, "the teachers and signed. This left the board in a po­ mains effective, due to districting staff of the formerly all-white j\lll" ~~ integration starts at the high school students have accepted the Negro sition to abolish segregation in the combined with residential distribu­ ior high school, as a librarian. She ~ l level, where the Negro pupils are students into our student body very elementary schools as well, and this tion of the Negro population. was transferred from the staff of tht ' , 1 !ewer. graciously. Little mention is made of was done. The former Negro school, The board of education voted last Lincoln school as part of a plan tl. ~ In all sections of the state, the first the situation." He continued: built in 1947, is now used as a pri­ July to permit Negro and white the school board to utilize the setv~ }l'h­ steps toward integration have been At one time two girls requested that a mary building for both Negro and children to attend the secondary ices of 16 Negro teachers now ~·a.' Rparnte toilet stool be assigned to the white children. taken without incident. colored girls In the girls' rest room. This schools of their choice. The option Lincoln when it is closed next y~r. to~~ As previously reported, one school matter was disposed of by saying that "The board received whole-heart­ applies to junior high or senior high Another step in desegregaUOil ~ ed support !rom all the churches, board in the Bootheel~Ciarkton­ thls would be segregation. The question school, grades 7 to 12. The Negro took place when the Parent-Teachetf ~~ · came up later ln the board of education voted to integrate and then, in the civic organizations, clubs and espe­ schools continue to be operated, but association at Lincoln School bec8Jill ~ ti' meeting and was diSPOsed of ln the same cially the parents," says Superin­ face of parent protest, revert~d to manner. Negro attendance there is not legally a part of the city-wide P.T.A. coUJI• \; segregation. Curiously enough, the There have been a few Incidents on our tendent of Schools R. 0. Hawkins. compulsory. cil. SOUTHERN SCHOOL NEWS- Nov. 4, 1954- PAGE 13

councils to consider the segregauon question. "No one wishes to see the situation degenerate into ill feeling," said the paper. "But matters must ~~ North Carolina Oklahoma Je:. , ~GH, N. C. have the problem we do. It's rather not be allowed to drift. Let Chapel Hill's citizens, white and colored, OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. sons similarly situated within Grady · NoBTB CAIIOLINA s still incomplete a cheap gesture to condemn someone legal attacks on higher edu- county and the state of Oklahoma." , brief for the U. S. Supreme when you don't have the problem he come together and take the lead in TWO cation barriers were October's (The 1954 spring school census lists Court is expected to follow closely has. Be patient, and give us a little study for light and progress." f.t only publicized developments on the 13 Negro girls age 17 in Grady coun­ ~ Lhe brief which will be submitted by time." NAACP FILES PETITIONS Oklahoma desegregation front. In ty, and 1,070 Negro girls of that age Florida. Dr. Mays said the Supreme Court Charlotte's chapter of the National the background were integration in the state). !:.... Atty. Gen. Harry McMullan told decision was not ''revolutionary but Association for the Advancement of ''preparedness" meetings at state and Canadian County, including E1 SERS ~ that the brief, in general, will evolutionary." Today's fears of the Colored People petitioned the city local levels. Reno, listed 18 Negro boys and girls tl. follow Florida's and plead for time consequences, he said, will fade. "In school board (and later th.e boards age 17. Freshman-age Negroes in ~ in which to integrate the schools. It 25 years, we will look and laugh, and The first legal move since the U.S. in Mecklenburg, Harnett, Montgom­ Supreme Court's May decision came other counties where junior colleges also will ask that federal district laugh and laugh about how fearful ery and Vance counties) for the end Sept. 24 in the western district fed­ are located were tallied as follows: ' judges be given broad discretionary we were about nothing." He contin­ of segregation "at the earliest pos­ ~ powers to fix the deadline for inte- ued: eral court at Oklahoma City. The INDEPENDENT AND MUNIC­ sible moment, and in no case later National Association for the Ad­ ' gration in the various school dis- "It (the decision) says to me that than September 1955." IPAL: Altus Junior College (Jackson 'it~ tricts. it is the genius of American democ- vancement of Colored People filed a County) 14; Muskogee Junior Col­ The NAACP also asked for a hear­ mandamus suit seeking admittance t.~ As a basis for its plea of "gradual- racy that great social wrongs and ing on the petition and signers lege and Bacone Junior College ~ ism" in integration steps, the brief great social injustices can be adjust­ to E1 Reno (municipal) Junior Col­ (Muskogee County) 212; Poteau Jun­ pledged assistance in "devising and lege for three Negro youths. ~~ is expected to cite administrative ed and corrected without revolution implementing a program of desegre­ ior College (LeFlore) 19; Sayre Jun­ Named defendants were Paul Tay­ ior College (Beckham) 6; Seminole 7 ""- and legislative problems plus the and violence." He said he was sorry gation in accordance with the ... "'~~ need for statutory revision. North court action had been necessary. "I decision." lor, superintendent of both the El Junior College, (Seminole) 50; Cen­ ~~ Carolina will offer no plan for in- wish that it could have been out of In Catawba County, the board of Reno public school district and the tral Christian at Bartlesville (Wash­ · ~ tegrated schools. the magnanimity of our souls." education was presented a similar junior college, and Steve Lucas, board ington) 20; and St. Gregory's at ~ McMullan declined to discuss de- Dr. Mays said he believed there petition and decided to grant the of regents president. The college al­ Shawnee (Pottawatomie) 18. ~ tails of the brief. He said he hoped would be "enough justice on the part NAACP a hearing on it in November. legedly had turned down all three of STATE-SUPPORTED: Cameron at ~t to have it completed and ready for of the South and the nation" so that W. E. Turner, president of Cataw­ the plaintiffs, Ulysses S. Grant, Ray­ Lawton (Comanche) 45; Connors at ::e ~ distribution "three or four days" few, if any, Negro teachers will lose ba's chapter of NAACP, told the mond Johnson and Joshua White, all Warner (Muskogee County) 212; t!:e~ ahead of the Nov. 15 presentation to their jobs. "The thing that has hurt board in a covering letter that the high school graduates living in El Eastern Oklahoma A & M at Wilbur­ X.~r the court. me moot," be said, "has been to see petition was not "a threat or an ef­ Reno. ton (Latimer) 2; Murray at Tisho­ II!::: the emphasis placed on the social fort to use force in the implementa­ Filed as a class action, the suit mingo (Johnston) 8; Northwestern ~ MOTJON VOTED DOWN aspect of the decision when it ought tion of the desegregation program, asked an immediate injunction A & M at Miami (Ottawa) none; !: • School segregation, meanwhile, to be on the opportunity to provide but a desire to get together in a against race barriers at the junior Northern Oklahoma at Tonkawa ct; came in for discussion at the West- equal educational advantages for Christian way on the situation we college and requested that a three­ (Kay) 9, and Oklahoma Military a em North Carolina Conference of the every American child. He will learn face." judge court sit in the case. The suit Academy at Claremore (Rogers) 9. Methodist Church. A motion to re- ultimately that our fears are not Segregation was about the only was assigned to U. S. District Judge Action was deferred Oct. 21 when n. affirm the principle that the church founded on fact. We are simply try­ subject for discussion at a state W. R. Wallace, who has not yet set the Oklahoma City school board re­ A::~" should be free of racial discrimina- ing to do what other sections of the NAACP convention in Lumberton, an injunction hearing date. Sitting ceived the NAACP's standard peti­ llt,: tion failed to win a majority vote. country have done all the while." at which the featured speaker was with him will be his western district tion for immediate integration, along 11:\ ~ After two hours of debate, the dele- Mitchell quoted Gen. Dean's com- Thurgood Marshall, national counsel colleague, Judge Stephen Chandler, with a request for a joint meeting in gates, meeting in Asheville, approved ment when he was released by the for NAACP. He said southern gover­ and Judge A. P. Murrah, Oklahoma which Negro leaders might offer rec­ t U this statement: Chinese Reds: "People in the Orient nors who vow integration will not member of the U. S. Tenth Circuit ommendations. The board indicated .":lllt That we reaffirm the position expressed expect respect and rice, in that or- be allowed in their states "said the Court of Appeals. suggestions would be welcome, but by the Episcopal address of the 1952 der." Mitchell said, "This demand for same thing when we were fighting to did not respond with the immediate tl ct ~neral Conference that "to discriminate respect as it has swept throughout get Negroes Into 'lily white' prima­ RESIDENCE TESTED anlv against a person solely upon the basis of the world has been accompanied by cooperative planning invitation for illkt. his rau Is both unfair and unChristian. ries. It did happen and no one got For the first time, the suit tests whlch the NAACP branch had hoped. ±oil Every child of Cod Is entitled to that strife, bloodshed, revolution, war and hurt." residence as an issue of educational One board member pointed out it piau ln society which he has won by rebellion." "There is no problem about this equality. The three youths contended might be "discrimination" to rely on tll.'" his Industry and character. The South has the talent for work- thing called integration," Marshall the college is supported by public ! =fl. "That the lnstltutlons of the church. lo- Mi ll d H one segment of opinion in mapping ~ cal churches. eolleges, universities. theo- ing with Negroes, 'tche sai . e said. funds and offers advanced education plans for the entire city system. This logical schools, hospitals and home care- said he has urged white leaders at­ "If the old folks-both colored and to all white students of the commun­ stung NAACP leader Roscoe Dunjee, .oal.i fully restudy their policies and practices tempting to solve racial problems to white-would leave it alone, the ity, while no other institution in their state executive committee chairman, :at!: as they relate to race. maldnl certain invite Negro citizens in to help. To children would settle it themselves." home county provides the college :JJ 2 that these policies and practices are a question, he said: into pointing out that an all-white =6 q: Christ1an... He said recent incidents in Dela­ level business administration courses school board itself might be termed ware, Maryland and West Virginia they wish to study. U. S. Tate, Dallas, !:.~ • Ben L. Smith, Greensboro city There Isn't but one thing ln the world one-sided and discriminatory. that wW solve race prejudices. It's kept proved that the children managed regional NAACP attorney who helped ~~ schools superintendent, drew praise In a very small bottle. The label on the well until their parents interfered. prepare the case, told state NAACP Meanwhile, a white group was re­ · and applause for an impassioned plea simJlar bottle says: "JI'or people of culture "The only effective way to accom­ leaders he had fought and won five versed in its efforts to open a church­ '\ for tolerance. He said the state was and educaUonal background and dlfterent supported four-year co 11 e g e to views to work together on a rtUltter of plish desegregation is to do it at once such actions against junior colleges l ~ looking to the church for leadership. common Interest." Two drops of that and in Texas. undergraduate Negroes. On Oct. 11, · And he added, "no place exists for and firmly," Marshall said. He said any amount of prejudice disappears. Negroes should not expect "miracles" trustees of Phillips University at Enid . second class citizenship in deciding Sponsors saw the case as a possible to place them in integrated schools (Disciples of Christ) announced they li ~ the church's position." GOVERNORS COMI\IENT precedent-setter for other home will stick by the college's original s.~ The defeated motion on segrega­ "without effort or even some degree town junior colleges in Oklahoma. Gov. Herman Talmadge of Geor­ of discomfort." policy of admitting only undergrad­ ea tion would have expressed "sympa­ The state has nine other independent gia and Gov. Robert B. Meyner of Marshall added that "No Negro uate Negroes who could not obtain '+ thy and Interest" to public school and municipal junior colleges (in­ desired training at Langston, along New Jersey also discussed the effect church ever turned anyone away cluding one Catholic seminary al­ I CIX: administrators working on the prob- with Negro graduate students. of the decision on the South. Tal­ who professed Christianity. Other ready open to Negroes under a paro­ lem. It also said, "We recognize the madge said the court overstepped its churches should open up and admit chial desegregation program) and NO POLITICAL ISSUE !or.; obligation of all citizens to obey the constitutional bounds and set itself God and the Negro at the same time." seven state-supported junior colleges. Rounding out the sixth month since d !C% law of the land" and that the issue up "as a glorified board of educa­ Kelly M. Alexander, state NAACP lheC. must be resolved "in the light of the All have followed the general Okla­ the Supreme Court decision, Okla­ tion." Meyner disagreed, and said president, said "Segregation is the ~ 01 teachings of Jesus Christ." homa plan o.f admitting Negro under­ homa still had not beard any overt New Jersey has solved the problems greatest barrier towards better race graduates only for courses not pro­ :;rr- Debate on this motion was mainly of segregation. objection voiced to complying with relations in North Carolina, the vided at Langston Negro university. tl1e integration order by September ~ between those who said the state­ Talmadge said the end of school South, and the nation. Today it has lthtl c ment was not strong enough and No two-year college existts for Ne­ 1955. School desegregation did not segregation will mean, in Georgia, become a world issue." He said the groes. BoO' those who said no statement at all the end of tax-supported schools. He figure, directly or by inference, in press is not giving a true picture of A counter-action developed Oct. 11, the gubernatorial campaign leading ~ should be made. Opposition was ex- asked editors "to tell the truth about integration because it bas played up 51'f ~ pressed in a telegram sent to the the South" and said misleading when the El Reno independent school to the Nov. 2 general election. violence and ignored successful in­ district filed a motion to dismiss the ;na:t church leaders by Harry P. Gamble, books and articles had caused other tegration experiments. School and community groups con­ u..~.! president of the Louisiana division of sections to regard the region "as one injunction suit. State Sen. James A. tinued mulling the question of "How JeS 111 the Society for the Preservation of of tobacco roads, chain gangs and GRAHAM STATEMENT Rinehart, counsel for the school ad­ shall we do it?" sometimes in for­ 1 i» State Government and Racial Inte­ race baiting." Dr. Frank P. Graham, former ministration, advanced these grounds mally-docketed meetings and some­ -:es. ·, gr:ity. Meyner said the people of New president of the University of North for dismissal: tim e s incidentally at gatherings Carolint and U. S. Senator and now e ~ Gamble, a New Orleans attorney Jersey had the same problem as the The Supreme Court has restored the called for other purposes. Education who lives in Bay St. Louis, Miss., South when his state in 1947 adopted a United Nations mediator, told a segregation cases to lta docket, with oral leaders displayed a keen desire for m : said his organization opposes school a new constitution. Segregation, group in Washington that the segre­ argument scheduled the week of Dec. 6. information and evaluation on the gation decision must be "accepted in fosestallinl jurisdlctlon by federal dis­ :!d i: integration. A former state legislator which he said existed in more than trict courts at this time; and the sult was Maryland, Delaware, and Washing­ :t!f 2 and assistant attorney general In 50 localities, has since been complet­ good faith and wisdom" by every­ filed prematurely beclluse the hlgh court's ton, D. C. racial flare-ups. .mt.!f Louisiana, Gamble said many north- ly eliminated. He added that he does body. He said such an attitude is a ruling Is not enforceable Wltil "the form­ Among desegregation information "moral imperative of a dynamic pro­ ulation and entering therein ol a decree.'' / 1 emers have received the wrong im­ not expect the South to change its programs during the month: gram" to "prevent a precarious co­ ~ r pression of the way southern Negroes social pattern "overnight." Date for a hearing on the dismissal A Fighting Fund for Freedom rn:t' feel about segregation because of the existence from drifting either into Commenting editorially on the appeasement or into a third world motion was also pending, while Judge rally conducted by the Oklahoma lll~ "unfortunate publicity" given the Asheville conference, The Charlotte Wallace completed a two-week term City NAACP branch, with Dr. Mar­ South by "a few people." war." Observer said, in part: "The most October passed without a meeting of court at Tulsa. garet Butcher, Washington, D. C., rewarding part .... was the calmness of a special advisory committee set school board member, as guest Ite io EDITORS REAR TALKS WOMEN'S COLLEGE SUED with which segregation was dis­ up by Gov. William B. Umstead to speaker. Jf 111 In another Asheville meeting, the cussed by southern editors and the Oklahoma College for Women, a National Conference of Editorial help hlm formulate state policy "to An administrators' section devoted sympathetic attitude of northern preserve and strengthen the public four-year state-supported institution entirely to school merger problems s~ Writers heard a panel discussion of at Chickasha, figured in the second editors toward the South's problem." school system." Two meetings have and plans, at the annual Oklahoma cpe!l' segregation by Harry Ashmore, ex­ suit, based on the same residential )lll f"l eeutive editor of the Arkansas Ga.- ... In one discussion group, !or exam­ been held so far. The last scheduled Education Association convention in ple, a northern editor remarked. "I real­ principle. The NAACP filed the 3 .+. zette, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, presi­ session was cancelled by Chairman Oklahoma City on Oct. 28-29. Ize that segregation Is a tradition In the Thomas J. Pearsall of Rocky Mount mandamus suit in eastern district Ut.'t dent of Morehouse College, Atlanta, South . . ." He was quickly corrected by federal court at Muskogee on behalf All-day human relations institutes because, he said, there was nothing ,;; e Ga., and George S. Mitchell, execu­ 11 southern editor who said, "Segregation of Mrs. Clydia E. Troullier, Chicka­ sponsored by the National Confer­ •!:tf; tive director of the Southern Region­ Is much more than 11 tradition In the to discuss at the time. ence of Christians and Jews, Oct. 26 South. It Is an integral part of a soc:Lal sha Negro wife and mother. diD~ al Council, Atlanta. Originally, the committee was sup­ at Tulsa and Oct. 27 at Oklahoma system. What we are being asked to do Mrs. Troullier contended she has a ::t f.: Urging patience "and a little time," Is not merely to transfer a few pupils posed to help the eovernor, who only City, on the theme, "Integration is ~.• 's Ashmore said, "The American white from one school to another. It that were recently spent three weeks in the home and two small children to care Everybody's Business." Joined by 19 ~, man is not willing to accept the all, we would have no problem. But we hospital with a heart condition, draft for and cannot move to Langston other groups, the association tackled are asked to perform a major operaUon recommendations for submission to some 100 miles distant to attend the ~ ··• American Negro as his equal and the on a social ~· We In the South have the question from standpoints of had one experience with uprooting a so­ the General Assembly when it con­ Negro college. She alleges she is schools, churches and the commun­ .~ Negro is no longer willing to accept denied the rights open to all qualified .t. 1 less." He also said, "What we have cial system by violence, and we don't venes in January. The committee's ity, with seminars in all three fields. want It done that way again." inaction has been interpreted to mean white girls to gain a college educa­ The institutes, held annually on ~.eo to do is the most difficult thing a tion without leaving home. · ·!f. democracy has to do: protect the The weekly Chapel Hill News that the coming session of the As­ t h e m e s of current significance, ~ rights of a minority and respect the Leader, commenting on disorders in sembly may not be asked to take The class action petition asks relief marked the state's first formal com­ ~ , wishes of the majority. Delaware and Maryland, advocated any specific steps along this line, for Mrs. Troullier and "for the bene­ munity-wide meetings concentrating ~ "Some of you outlanders don't the establishment of local interracial pending the implementation decree. fit of all other qualified Negro per- on the coming integration job. ~ (\o.. PAGE 14 - Nov. 4, 1954 - SOUTHERN SCHOOL NEWS would be presented lo the Suprelb point on segregation _i n -~n article some 10 000 white teachers of t.he Court .. at an early date." That stalf containing 01ese asserttons. state, d~cided against formulating ment cnme from Dr. Channing ~ any definite course of action pendmg It may well be Ulat, when we ,.tan to Tob1as, chairman of the national I llltatc nnd expedite the amnlllamatlon 01 the Supreme Court's final decree on ~c Ute NeiJrO race w1th other races. we ,l!aruzat.Jon·s l>oard of directors. ij, South Carolina school segregation. The association, nrc0 verily frustrnun.: a jlreat J•llr),MC of did not clt•t.-111 U1c plnn 10 any rcspc: 1 COLUMBIA, S.C. lzens, following any decision or decree however through its authoritative C d Whcl c scgrc!lnllnn IS un-Chn~uan. at least im.ofar :~s public disclosUn !rom the United States Supreme Court. th~s ·is due to mnn·s fall~en naturl'. not to s oUTH CAROLINA'S continuing Council 'of Delegates, on Oct. 9, did h; concerned. Dr. Tobi:1s' address all. scgrct;ntlon lt.£Clf. concern over the school segrega­ Lt. Gov. George Bell Ttmmerman, adopt this statement, drafted by a When the Suvrcmc Court of the Un 1tctl indud..-d a c~tll upon Gov. Byrnt-s 1o tion problem is manifested more in Jr., Democratic nommee for gover­ special committee headed by Guy L. States dcl'arung {JOill its prnpcr consti­ face up to "the rcsponsib1l ity of inllu. wordo; than in deeds, since public nor and unopposed in the November Varn, superintendent of the Colum­ tution~! funct10n of intt>rpretlng the '"'~ encing implementation" of 01e Su. general election, has publicly re­ ot the land. ventures into the field o schools nrc being mainl.3ined on the bia city schools: some fancied results of educational ps~­ prcme Court decision. traditional separate basis in the ab­ newed his position that parents and "1. An adequate system of free chology Without any reference to th,e Later in the month, another out. sence of any Supreme Court direc­ children should be allowed a "free public schools in South Carolina principles of human conduct and man s of-state visitor delivered :mothe: choice" of schools to be attended. Ex­ ultimate destiny as gl\•en us in rcvl'alelf tive specifying otherwise. should be maintained. sort of messOkesmen for the National working relationships between white and ever before to expedite the building would be pleasing to the Negro r?ce ~s a for the Advancement o[ White Peo. Association for the Advancement of Negro citizens. llerc In SouU1 Cnrollna we whole, even If not to thtlsc llliSiolllldcc~ have steadily Improved those relation­ program in order to rush to comple­ pic. Colored People are maintaining that JeadNs whose motives arc QU!'St1onable. ships while rapidly Improving Negro tion t.he provision of adequate edu­ also to the best Chrlstlomnlntlcd white Approximately 700 persons, mosU1 integration will be, and should be, school facilities. Now, equality I!O<'S hand cational facilities and to maintain the people wh<'r<' thl" Jlroblems nre ncut<'. but from rural areas and including a accepted by South Carolinians at an In hand wiU1 separation. Olsrupt.lng those system of schools best suited to the perhaps not to those leaders of the nauon sprinkling of women and a few chiJ. early date. relationships by force will set back the whose motive to appease atheistic Com­ cause of education for both races and wlll needs of all children. munism ab1 oad seems more unport:mt dren. heard Mr. Linder charge tht Against the background of these make for social discord beyond the con­ 4. We believe that the present pat­ than the hn)IJIInc•o; and well-being o~ a NAACP with seeking not only tc conOicting statements, there has been ception of the Northerners who tell u.s large portion of our own lond wh1ch mix races in the schools, but "in thE how to conduct our own aJTalrs. tern of public education in South an extension of the membership and Carolina is the best form of organiza­ would be Insured by strict adherence to homes. then in 01e church, and thet The unfortunate thing Is that the Inno­ principle. influence of organizations formed cent Negroes arc the losers whenever tion for meeting the needs of chil­ before the marriage altar." with the primary aim of preserving such tunnoll Is stirred up. I nm hopeful dren of both races." The segregation issue is playing a "When we fight for separau racial separation, particularly in the that the people of South Cnrollno wilt minor role i.n the current race for t.he schools." he said, "we fight for thE guard against blnmlng the Innocent for The annual conference of South public schools. Several such organ­ what the guilty hove done. That will be Carolina Methodists, held in Spar­ United States Senate seal left \•acnnt very existence of the white ~ izations already are in existence and difficult, for It Is only naturnl to resent tanbut·g on Oct. 21-24, adopted a re­ by the death of the late Burnet R. down here in the South." others are springing up under vari­ bitterly the attacks ogolnst southern port saying "we fear the Negro would Maybank. Two write-in candidates, ous names. Most of them are in the leaders and the South generally, but we CEXSUS REQUESTED must place the blame where the blame suffer most" if races are integrated former Gov. J . Strom Thurmond and ~~ eastern portion of the state where belongs. in public schools "without regard to Marcus A. Stone, a Florence lumber­ Mr. Linder suggested t.hat a cerw ~ the Negro population is heavy. their relative numbers." The report man, arc opposing State Sen. Edgar be conducted of all school childrer ~ Both the incoming and outgoing CIIARGES 'CONFUSION' was drafted by a committee of eight A. Brown, of Barnwell county. who and their parents to determine · ~ governors of South Carolina have ex­ The incoming governor is critical ministers and eight laymen appoint­ was nominated by the State Demo­ wishes in school attendance. Parent ,,me pressed concern over incidents of of the tendency of the Supreme ed last year to study and report on cratic Executive Committee when and pupils would be required to sign ~I! racial strife in northern and border Court and of nort.hern writers and the segregation situation. It survived the committee decided insufficient a contractual form staling whethe! ~ states, and cite such incidents as politicians "to confuse 'discrimina­ a motion to table by a vote of 289-148. time remained [or a primary election. th£>y wished a mixed school or a sep. !'..It proof of public unwillingness to ac­ tion' with 'segregation.'" Embraced in the report were these All three candidates favor separate aratc school attendance. Those lists. tll!lf!ll cept enforced integration. South schools for while and Negro students. according to the Linder plan, woull :>¢r.!l The two tcnns ore not lntct•changenblc. statements: Ca1·olina Methodists have counseled On the legal front, attorneys for be published in the press and dlsc!Oil ;t~ I am opposed to discrimination on any The question of racial lntegratlon in t11e against mandatory mixing of the grounds, racial or otherwise, but It docs public schools can best be resolved on the Clarendon County School officials "who's who" in U1e fight. Se:l l races. The South Carolina Education not necessarily follow thnt racial dls­ state or local level. It is apparent to us who nrc involved in the Supreme He did not elaborate further on bw:i crimlnalion results !rom raclol separation. that an attempt to Integrate the races In plan but did say that an abandon. i Association (white) has called for If anything, separation makes for less dis­ Court litigation, have decided to file d::l our public schools without regard to their ment of the public school system i preservation of separate schools in crimination. for It does not provide a relative numbers would work grave in­ a short brief with the Cow-t next cu::=: the best interests of both races. basis for the Inevitable dlscrlmlnntlon justice to many Innocent persons. and In month. Robert McC. Figg Jr.. Char­ this stage would constitute "an 1C! which wlll follow If while and Negro the present Instance we fear the Negro leston attorney, said "there are no mission of defeat on this first lint children are mingled In the same schools BYRNES SEES TROUBLE would suffer most, as he has often when new allegations and no new material. battle." and the same classrooms. those far removed from his everyday Gov. James F. Byrnes, in a public In years past, there has been dlscrlm­ problems have undertaken to speak In his However, it is felt that the former Edward V. Atkinson, Sumter ll ~ 1 statement prepared for delivery at an inallon against the Negro In education. name. voluminous briefs would be too torney who heads the States Rigb ~ industrial ceremony in Dillon, re­ That Is now being wiped out with public Consideration must also be given to the bulky for the Supreme Court's pur­ League, and C. L. lvey, head of Ur:u support and public approval, so that our large number of Negro teachers and ad­ Florence unit of the NAAWP, bot ~ newed his contention that mixing the "separate but equal" laws arc becoming ministrators In our public schools. lest pose, so we will file a smaller and races would retard the education of ttroly meanln&lul. The "separate but they be denied leadership among their more current brief boiling down and urged that pro-segregation o P:ts equal" policy provides o fair and prnctlca­ people. reiterating positions which have i.zations such as theirs be merg · both white and Negro pupils. He ble basis for race relations In South Caro­ To compel a parent, whether white or been stated before." into one large body with resul · fen documented the state's progress to­ nna. If the administration or the Jaw In Negro. to send his chUd to school nnd at !)~ ward full equalization of school years past has been faulty. the need Is for the same time to compel the child to live Those prior positions embrace the greater political and numeri i.dl1!1 improved administration such as we are under conditions which the parent re­ strength. The States Rights Le facilities, saying "those Negroes who contention that the case should be now giving, not abnndonmcnt of the prln­ gards to be detrimental to the highest referred back to the local district has a present membership exceedir Ed1't1 seek admission to white schools will cJple Itself. Interest. would, In our judgment, Intro­ The public Is convinced U1at equal ta­ duce problems of serious import. courts for such further action as may 430. Mr. Atkinson reported. It has lti f. do so only because they do not want office in Sumter and is charte ala cllltles are both desirable nnd necessary. be necessary in light of the Supreme Ccln to attend Negro schools with Negro The real test now ls whether the Negroes EX-BISHOP SPEAKS OUT Court's decision. They also contend under South Carolina laws wi th teachers." of the state arc willing to toke advantage of their opportunity to ndvnnce the cause A prominent Episcopal church­ thnt t.hc Supreme Court is without following purpose: Citing developments in more of education, or whether they will seek man of the state spoke out strongly authority to prescribe any specillc The dissemination of infonna northern states, he added: to upset the entire pattern of public on the subject in The Living ChuTch, school system whereby integration "relating to the powers of the sta schooling as we know lt. Thls much Is might be eiTectcd. not surrendered to 01c federal g<11 The raclnl disturbances that have oc­ certain- whatever progress we make will national weekly publication of Prot­ curJ·cd during the past week in West depend wholly on the willingness of the estant Episcopalians. The Right Rev. In mid-October, South Carolina emment. to educate the people cluk VIrginia, Dclnwarc. and Ohio where public to support lhc program. AlbertS. Thomas, of Wadmalaw Is­ members of the NAACP were told in lectures. papers. periodicals and o C«ut thcrl.' ore rclntlvely few Negroes presents state convention that "a feasible plan means of the necessity of preservir Trt; a powerful nr(!umcnt In favor of lhe con­ Meanwhile, the South Cru·olina land, retired bishop of South Caro­ tinuance of st•gre!!nled schools. Education Association, comprising lina, defended the Southern view- to end public school segregation" and maintaining such rights, defen: hi~ Thoughtful penplc ~hou ld 1eallzc U>at ing such rights in debate, in coo; er:e I! U1erc lh £UCh i<:ellng in communities in and elsewhere." 0,~ the border states and In a nor them state where lhc percentage of Negro popula­ Farm Bureau Takes Action Ano01er pro-segregation group, llr tion ls relatively small. far more serious yet unnamed. has been fonned 11 ::, situations will arise In such counties as Clarendon County, where badcj Clarendon In this stale when an elfort is made to mix the races. Carolina's school case originated.~ llc!a In the case of U1c Clarendon County 'Constructive' Thinking Urged organization elected officers at fv.::. school district now pending in the Su­ meeting attended by approKimalt be:s:.l In documenting these conclusions, Turning to 01e report itself, the preme Court. the records show that In COLUMBIA, S. C. 300 persons. W. B. Davis Jr., a co t.c;Es the schools of U1nt district there are 2.900 the Farm Bureau has enlisted the Farm Bureau quoted this: T HE South Carolina Farm Bureau farmer of the county, is president tqa Negro ~tudcnts and only 290 white stu­ services of the Management Research "The South wants its white and dents. 'l'hc writers on soda! problems Federation hns announced a plan In Charleston County. an orga: ~ Institute, a Charleston research firm whose views were quoted with approval to stimulate "constructive thinking'' Negro children to be able to attend ization known as the "Crass R by the Supreme Court know nothing of headed by Frederick McDonald. Over racially separate schools: and where aimed at meeting 01e Supreme Court Leai!Ue•· is actively chnmpioning st; biiQ 1 Ute serlou~ness of the problem involved a period of months the Institute has mixed schools arc required. for no In such a district. threat to racial separation in public aration of the races The organiza · studied educational establishments, ~~ I con!lrntulatc the people of South Caro­ schools. child to be forced to attend one un­ has been in existence for sev · '­ llnn on their restraint since the decision attitudes and circumstances in seven willingly." E. Hugh Agnew said that the board years with the goal of working ot the Supreme Court. . . I believe the southern states. Out of that study has ~ vast majority of Negroes In South Caro­ of directors had decided that the He added, "Under such a plan as preserve constitutiona I govern n~ lina would prefer to send their children Farm Burcnu could render a useful come a report which the Farm Bu­ we envision, every parent would 111 reau will distribute in booklet form and Stnte Rights and to combat Sc ~ to the splendid schools now being con­ public service by promoting a realis­ have 01e right to express his or her structed for them My hope Is thnt the to its 20,000 members and will make cialism and Communism in S ~ tic approach to the problem pres­ choice as to the kind of school the ~~ 11; final decision ot U1e Court will be such available to the public. and Nation!' that our people wlll be able to find a way ented by the Supreme Court decision. child would attend." r-~"'J In citing the findings of the In­ to live within the low of lhe land and At the same lime he emphasized that Mr. Agnew said the deep public PAPER SUGGESTS PLAN lt.t<:i: still p1·cscrve our separate school system. stitute, Mr. Agnew raises the possib­ the Farm Bureau was not seeking to concern over the situation was mani­ While the vast majority of Sou S:.:. ility of tw·ning disaster into triumph interfere wit.h any governmental or fested in numerous t·esolutions being Carolina newspapers hold firm ~; REPLY FROM lllNTON by remodeling public education so as legislative offices concerned with the submitted by local Fm·m Bureau their opposition to integrated sch 'A'httJ Those sl.3tements by Gov. Byrnes to provide still better schooling while crisis and was hopeful of cooperating chapters with the approach of the the Evellhlg Herald. of Rock Hill, ~ drew this reply from James M. Hin­ retaining "the greatest possible de­ fully with all such agencies. Farm Nov. annual meeting of the organ­ suggested the possibili ton, Negro insurance executive and gree of racial segregation." 16 ~ditorinlly r~ Bureau officials, he said, are basing ization. of beginning the mixing of races 23\'t head o[ the South Carolina Confer­ "The Supreme Court," he said, their educational and informational "Most of U1e thinking apparently U1e fit·st grade level, so t.hat P ence of the National Association for "has no authority, and we believe no ~ approach to the problem on these two has been along lines evasion and diiTerences of educational atta. the Advancement of Colored pupils: oi ~~ conclusions: intention, of ruling out the right of resistance to the implied provisions between white and Negro s~ ~ Negroes foresee no trouble ahead (in 1. That under the Supreme Court free citizens to their free choice of of U1e Supreme Court decision. Our could be avoided. lSi~ mixing races In schools) unless it is sug­ decision of May 17 there is no legal association. but since segregation by feeling in the board of directors is ''After the first grade has gc~ted by those entrusted with the admin­ Istration or the taw. The number of chil­ way by which persons desiring to at­ law in public schools must end, we that we should shift the emphasis passed," the paper says, "the dren nnd parents Involved Y.•here friction tend mixed schools can be denied must seek a new system which will from defeatism and resistance to one year U1e second grade would cnmc was very small in comparison to such schools, but operate within the law, one that will o£ hope for an improved educational the large number of children and parents rcaJy without diiTcrencc in the qt~< Involved where no friction came from 2. That if the right of free choice operate successfully and is not pro­ base providing equal and better ity of education This process Integration. of racial association is granted to hibitive in cost. We think such a sys­ schooling while retaining the maxi­ continue year after year until Clarendon County whites and Negroes Negroes, the same right can be tem can be established on the twin mum amount of separation possible. uation from high school. are law-abiding citizens. and will follow We believe such a n approach wiU the course of law and order when the claimed by each state for its white foundations of 'free choice of associa­ throughout the school years. st~d create an atmosphere of confidence occasion arise~. There should be no feeling citizens, thereby permitting volun­ tion' and 'equal and better educa­ ha\'e the same opportunities w1thl on nny person's part that whites and in the South and avoid the hysteria confusion. unequal levels and to Nctroes would be other than good cit- tary attendance at separate schools. tion'". and turmoil of 'shotgun thinking.' " ing of school standards." SOUTHERN SCHOOL NEWS-Nov. 4, 1954-PAGE 15 Virginia West Virginia RICHMOND, Va. and monstrous" and added "I have ~GINIA'S s c h o o I scg1·cgation nothing against the Negr~ race as CHARLESTON, W.Va. in the governor, they bad reason controversy was highlighted in such, and I have lived with them all D ESEGREGATION in West Virginia's to cheer the unification of the October by the announcement that my life, but I don't intend to have schools and colleges, rebuffed in West Virginia Education association the Virginia Commission on Public my grandchildren go to school with the early weeks of the present term, (white) and the West Virginia State Education will hold its first public them." moved along toward a more peaceful Teachers association (Negro), which hearing at the State Capitol here at At another point in his talk, he solution during the past month with was the highlight of the WVEA an­ 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 15. The commis­ declared: every indication that another year nual state convention in Charleston sion is the 32-member group ap­ would find almost complete har­ on Friday, Oct. 15. All teachers in When I was appointed chalnnan of the pointed by Gov. Thomas B. Stanley Governor's legislative commission on mony. the state will henceforth belong to to study school problems posed by segregation, 1 told that group I would Only one flare-up marred recent the WVEA as their professional or­ the Supreme Court's anti-segregation act Impartially and bear everything any­ developments, and that was quickly ganization. one wanted to soy on this vital question. The "Declaration of Unification" ...... decision. But I also sold 1 have my own personal smothered when a Marlon County Another major development dur­ convictions on the issue which I do not circuit judge issued an injunction on follows: intend to sacrifice on the altar of political Sept. 28 against mothers picketing "For many long years, the illustri­ ing the month was U1e formation of expediency. the "Defenders of State Sovereignty the Annabelle school at Four States ous and honored profession of teach­ and Individual Liberties," an organi­ Sen. Gray's remarks at the Prince near Fairmont, W.Va. ing in the State of West Virginia has zation which will work Cor the re- George meeting led the Virginia The angry matrons on two con­ worked in and through two separate secutive days were successful in associations; namely, the West Vir­ 3. • tention of scgrcgntion in Virginia's Methodist Advocate, weekly official SEN. GARLAND GRAY ~ public schools. publication of the Virginia Method­ sending teachers home in protest ginia Education Association and the Beads Virginia Commission against integrating white and Negro West Virginia State Teachers Asso­ :e, Announcement of the commission's ist Conference, to question his "com­ petence" to serve on the commission. pupils until Judge J. Harper Mere­ ciation. Both have held as their public hearing was made by State dith issued the injunction. Previous­ guiding purpose the advancement of Sen. Garland Gray of Waverly, The Advocate, edited by the Rev. In his reply, R. Tuck said that : . Dr. George S. Reamey, said Sen. Mr. Whithead "has in his attack ly, Meredith termed the parents' the cause of education, the improve­ chairman. He said persons who ap­ action "a rebellion against the ment of the welfare of those who pear before the group will be ex- Gray's statements "can hardly be upon me made abundantly clear said to represent an impartial judi­ what I strongly suspected all along, government." teach, and the promotion of profes­ pected to discuss the question: The Marion County Parent Teach­ sional fellowship. "What course should Virginia follow cial mind, such as the people of Vir­ and that is that he favors integra­ ers Council voted to support legal "During those many intervening in the light of the Supreme Court ginia have a right to expect of the tion of the races in the public chairman-and of the entire mem­ schools." This was strongly denied action stopping picketing at the years, these two distinguished or­ decision in the segregation case?" school after the pickets had succeed­ ganizations have worked closely to­ In a prepared statement, Sen. Gray bership-of this special fact-finding by Mr. Whitehead. commission. ed in sending Principal Lloyd H. gether in the common cause. But, at explained: BOOTHE'S PROPOSAL Securro and the school's teachers the same time, they have been kept "If this is a sample of the speeches This first hearing Is Intended primarily Meanwhile, a proposed plan for home. County School Supt. W. W. separate because of tradition and tor spokesmen for local governing bodies, the Senator intends to make prior to Straight then announced that the custom and because of needs pecu­ ;;:;.: members of the General Assembly and the hearing in November, it raises Virginia in carrying out the school recognized organizations of both races integration decision was presented teachers would return and he would liar to the respective groups. who are hereby Invited to present the serious question of his competence seek court action if they were "In the year one thousand nine views of their membership, or constitu­ to serve on the commission in any by State Delegate Armistead L. Booth of Alexandria, who in past stopped. hundred forty-eight, a joint com­ ents. and thus alford the commission the capacity, whether as chairman or When Chief Deputy Sheriff L. 0. mittee of the West Virginia Educa­ ' benefit o! the opinlons of citizens from member," the publication said. years has led legislative fights to . aU parts of the state. eliminate segregation on public Yeager tacked a copy of the tem­ tion Association and the West Vir­ Meanwhile, residents of Nottoway The commlssion will give priority to transit vehicles. porary injunction forbidding picket­ ginia State Teachers Association was these spokesmen, but will hear Interested county, in a referendum on Oct. 5, ing on the front door of the six-room established for the purpose of study­ Individual citizens to the extent lime will overwhelmingly defeated a proposed In a speech before District L of the permit. brick and cinder block schoolhouse, ing relationships, problems, and $900,000 bond issue which had been Virginia Education Association at which sits on a hill in the little coal programs of the two associations. Norfolk on Oct. 15, Mr. Boothe sug­ Sen Gray added that other public designed to help finance construction mining community in northern West Subsequent studies revealed a defi­ hearings may be held later, but that of three Negro elementary schools. gested that the Supreme Court be Virginia, there wasn't a soul around. nite sameness of problems accom­ asked to grant local governing bodies this will be a matter for the full The vote was approximately 1,500 to The injunction prohibited the 53 panied by a duplication of effort in commission to decide. 200. or school boards considerable auton­ parents named as defendants-in­ arriving at conclusions and answers C. H. Bevell, chairman of the Not­ omy in putting the court's ruling cluding a few fathers-"from in any to such problems. into effect. ~ ~ 'DEFENDERS' ORGANIZED toway county school board, had ar­ way interfering with or obstructing "Upon report and recommendation The "Defenders of State Sovere­ gued that existing facilities for He proposed that the local boards the entering or leaving of the school of the joint committee to the gov­ ignty and Individual Liberties" re­ Negroes are inadequate and that new be empowered to assign individual grounds and building" and from "as­ erning bodies of the West Virginia ceived its charter from the State buildings are badly needed. But op­ students to schools on the basis of saulting, coercing, or threatening Education Association and the West Corporation Commission on Oct. 26. ponents of the bond issue had academic backgrounds; health re­ any pupil, teacher or other agent" of Virginia State Teachers Association, Officers were announced as: claimed, among other things, that the quirements of different students; the board. in the year one thousand nine hun­ President-Robert B. Crawford, proposal was ill- timed and should personality, practices, needs and de­ dred fifty-three-fiifty-four, author­ not be carried out in view of the sires of individual children; and the JUDGE WARNS PARENTS ization was given by each organiza­ Farmville dry cleaner, who for about Judge Meredith told those present, uncertainty as to what the future intensity of racial feeling in the tion to bring into being a unification 15 years was a member o£ the Prince including Supt. Straight and school Edward County School Board. Prince holds in the matter of school segre­ various areas. of the two associations under the fol­ gation. board members: lowing proviso: Edward County's School Board is Under his plan, the local authori­ "It cannot continue and I won't

Rehu-n nddrcss Southern Education Reporting Service Kentucky P.O. Box 6156, Adlen Station Na shville, Tenn. LOUISVILLE, Ky. ment against the go-slow policy. "We S CHOOL integration was no issue feel we have got to bring pressure in Kentucky's November elec­ to speed things up," President tions. The hope of "keeping it out of Charles Cordery of the Louisville politics" in the 1955 gubernatorial branch of the NAACP put it. "But we campaign may help to explsin the are trying first for a series of individ­ state's go-slow policy, adopted a few ual and small group meetings with weeks after the Supreme Court education board members and ad­ ruling last May. ministrators on the local level. Our That is the "informed opinion" of aim is to encourage more public dis­ some veteran reporters of Bluegrass cussion and public planning on the politics. Their summary: problems to be met in every com­ munity, and to speed up the inevit­ .. Republican and Democratic office­ ' Jill' holders alike "went along" with the able with a minimum of friction." In October two college officials .;;t Supreme Court decision when it was II'(.! I announced. Democratic Gov. Law­ added newsworthy quotes to the rence Wetherby, who is not eligible record of collegiate integration in L----Re~turn~~~P~os:ta~g~e~G~u~ar~a:n~te~e~d------·~ ~· for another term, put the Barkley­ K entucky. ~ Clements-Wetherby or dominant Commenting on the University of ~:t wing of his party on "politically un­ Kentucky's September registration of New Book r4'~ assailable grounds" by announcing some 20 Negro undergraduates (Continued from Page 1) ~~~ (graduate Negro students have at­ simply that "Kentucky will do what­ These communities, of necessity, were Texas ntl ever is necessary to comply with the tended U.K. since a district-court outside the South, for no Southern AUSTIN, Tex. of SoUTHERN SCHooL NEWs on Sepll ~ law" and then leaving further action ruling in 1949), University Vice­ President Dr. Leo Chamberlain in state had then undertaken to aban­ CTOBER was a quiet month in 1954. ~ hanging until the Court spells out the i<:'li> mid-October noted that the change don dual education below the college O Texas as far as the school segre­ The Associated Press reported thai "musts" of its ruling. leveL Negro children are attending Calho. ib~ That leaves no opening, it is had come quietly and without inci­ gation problem was concerned. dent. Of the new admission policy he When these field studies reached lie parochial schools with white stu. argued, for either Republican or the project's central research staff in Atty. Gen. John Ben Shepperd had dents at San Antonio, E1 Paso, Marfa. said: "After the (Supreme Court) six assistants, headed by Burnell Dixiecrat temptation to use school Atlanta, which I served as nominal Austin, Fort Worth and Corp11! I& integration as a partisan or factional decision last spring, there was no Waldrep, working on the brief which reason to make any distinction at director, it became apparent that the Christi. Numbers ranged from two It issue. material thus gathered was far too Texas will present in the United five or six Negroes per schooL Cath. all." States Supreme Court. Mr. Shepperd It also means, pending new de­ abundant, and far too valuable, to be olic spokesmen said the admission ol velopments, that for some months And at Pikeville J unior College, a is undecided whether oral argument Presbyterian-supported school in compressed into the brief volume Negroes had been without incident Kentucky is likely to produce little originally contemplated. The studies will be made by a Texas spokesman. The El Paso diocese reported that school integration activity except on Eastern Kentucky which admitted its Details of the Texas brief will be first three Negro students this year, served as the basis for several chap­ Negroes have been accepted for m the line of quiet study, discussion, ters in the summary report, The Ne­ unavailable until sometime shortly years at its schools in West Texas and tentative preplanning by educa­ the President, Dr. A. A. Page, said before the Nov. 15 deadline for fil ­ integration had caused "not a ripple" gro 4nd the Schools, published (by and Southern New Mexico. tors of both races. ing. But it is known that Texas will among the student body or the fortuitous accident, I must confess, The Most Rev. W. J. Nold, bishop NO COJ\IPLAJNTS and not by design) coincidentally bear down hardest on its plea for the of the Catholic diocese of Galvesto11, faculty "and it was truly gratifying court to let local authorities work Negro spokesmen, here as else­ to see these colored students accept­ with the Supreme Court decision. But said segregation is maintained there all of us concerned with what came out the integration of schools, under where, want a faster pace. But they ed." The Negro students, be said, "are The AP quoted him as saying: to be called the Ashmore Project felt broad direction from the court. have publicly aired little or no argu- treated just exactly like the others." "There is no change contemplated that they deserved publication in The Texas attorney general also is for this school year. By reason of their own right. expected to emphasize practical pre-existing conditions, segregati011 Much additional editorial work was problems involved, such as whether has obtained." necessary, however, to put this raw Negroes already attending its public Six Negro students enrolled at S data together as a coherent picture schools can be integrated in white Mary's Catholic school at Gainesvill Tennessee of American communities in tran­ schools without further educational in grammar grades in September sition. For that essential task we preparation. They left in about a week. There w NASHVILLE, Tenn. On the state level, the govern­ turned to P rofessor Robin M. Wil­ no report concerning where rrHE Tennessee conference of the ment's policy of "watchful waiting" No further effort by Negroes to ob­ liams Jr., a native Southerner who went. ~ National Association for the Ad­ remains intact, and there is no rea­ tain entry to public schools and col­ is now director of Cornell University's leges was reported during October. vancement of Colored People held its son to believe at this time that Ten­ Social Science Research Center and LUTilERAN SCHOOLS annual meeting here Oct. 29-31-the nessee will participate in the im­ who had served the project as a con­ NEGRO COUPLE FLEES M. M. Grocschel, principal of Lu· p:tu first meeting since the Supreme plementation hearings of the Su­ sultant. In collaboration with Mrs. The HtYUstcm Informer, a newspa­ theran High School in Houston, said: Wc!r..t Court ruling on May 17. preme Court in December. Gov. Margaret W. Ryan, he has prepared per mainly for Negroes, reported "Desegregation has not been re­ b~ In the program adopted for the Frank G. Clement and his official this volume for publication. that a Negro couple from Sulphur quested or suggested to Luthe Ut~J family still decline to discuss the forthcoming year, the Tennessee The purpose of Schools in Tr4nsi­ Springs, Texas, was "forced to flee schools in this area. ~ti Conference will: matter for quotation or attribution. ticm is the same as that of The Negro ~S:.".t the state in fear of their lives." The Texas Baptist General Con­ 1. Urge a strong and more posi­ As pointed out in the October issue 4n.d the Schools-not to argue the ~t:l The newspaper's account of Oct. vention meeting at Fort Worth urg tive stand by the state government of SOUTHERN SCHOOL NEWS, one rea­ case for or against segregation, but ~P:t 20, 1954, follows: members to take "initiative at o in support of the high court ruling. son for the present state policy is to make available factual information Texas. the place Governor Allan Shiv­ !r...., 2. Work for the establishment of the fear of alienating legislators if which may throw light upon this ers recently dared to tell a group of in working out a Christian solution · tU:he an interracial committee of respon­ the administration takes a stand on shadowy area of the nation's total ed­ Negroes was the "grandest place on God's our race problem." lirra green earth" again supplied grist for anti­ But the convention resolu '· sible citizens to study ways and the issue one way or another. This, ucational structure. Owen J. Roberts, American propaganda mills when the ~ means of impl{'menting the Supreme fniled to trln1t~ mal'ily moral and spu·itual." ~~ velopments in Tennessee declared home was shot up last July when Mr. II'C:r:oj will act as a "watchdog" over the that the recommended appropriation This volume and those that follow It are Ridge petitioned the courts of that Texas Dr. Foy Valentine of Dallas, dir« next legislative session. which begins for the school program by the state Intended to bring Into focus the dimen­ town to Integrate public schools there. tor of the church's Christian Lif. ~ttl sions and nature of a complex educational The NAACP leader's action was In line tr.COJ: in J anuary 1955, to prevent the in­ Legislative Council of more than 150 problem that ln many ways provides a Commission, said the world is watch· troduction of any legislation aimed at with that of other branch offices or the to:~ million dollars for the 1955-57 bien­ significant test of American democracy o rganization which sought to have the ing to see what Southern Baptists cl :r-...:..; circumventing the intent of the Su­ nium will be cause for controversy The ultimate solution of thet problem will Supreme Court's ruling for school Inte­ about race relations. preme Court ruling. enough without having the deseg­ rest with the men nnd women who make gration carried out ln their communi­ and execute public school policy In thou­ lies. "And what is more important, 00: regation issue to consider at the same sands of local school districts. and their Mr. Ridge said a!ter he Oled thr peti­ is watchin~," he said. "We cannot a! FOOTBALL GAME actions will be conditioned by the degree time. tion. two men visited his store and asked ford. under God, to sit around aD' In another development in Tennes­ of understanding of the general public hlm to sell it but sold he r.nve no definite see, the first intercollegiate football The council's recommendation which supports their efforts with its tax answer to thnt effect. Later. while he and whine about what the Suprellli game between a Negro and a white calls for an appropriation of $75,550, dollars. It this project serves to assist his wife were away from home. vandals Court has done." them ln their task the Fund for the Ad­ university in the "Deep South" was 399 for the year 1955-56 (compared shot up his house with shotgun blnsts. Two Baptist colleges in Texas ha\' vancement of Education will lee! that It When he returned. he found ~tlnsses played here Oct. 30 between Fisk to $65.516.700 for the 1954-55 school has wisely lnvested a portion ot lhc risk broken. ceilings and walls blasted and admitted Negroes for several yeal'l University of Nashville and Taylor year) and an appropriation of $78, capital of American education with which other evidence of the shooting. These are Wayland College at Pta· University of Upland. Ind. 366.459 for the year 1956-57. It Is entr111ted. He said the persons who had fired the view, in northwest Texas, and th• My thanks, and those of the offi­ blasts must have thought the couple to Dr. Charles S. Johnson, president In perhaps the only other develop­ be home asleep. Southwestern Baptist Theologiet of Fisk, said arrangements for the cers and directors of the Fund, go Before he had left home. the men had Seminary in Fort Worth. Other Ba ment bearing on the school segrega­ to Professor Williams and Mrs. Ryan game with Taylor "in no way stem­ tion issue in Tennessee, a plan for a created a disturbance at the house that list colleges in Texas have no Nf' ~~itt' med from the Supt·cme Court ruling for their skillful preparation of this, attracted a crowd of neighbors He saic.l gro students. special study committee discussed by the second of the four volumes which they told other Negroes In the neighbor­ last May." the Davidson County Board of Edu­ represent the end product of the Ash­ hood "what would happen to those Several theolo~ical seminaries ~ ~I:( Johnson said negotiations between cation in early September, remained uppity n-----s." Texns teach Negroes as well i ~· more Project. H e said when he visited the mnyor and ~ ~~t the two institutions for the game in its formative stage. other city officials. one ot the officials whites for the ministry. were started about three years a~to. At a meeting on Oct. 21, the board told him. "If you don't like the way we ~~ "Interracial intercolle~a te athletics are running things here. whv don't you EDUCATOR HONORED ~~<:.. received a list of 25 to 30 names Back Integration is something that will come about try living In another part of the coun­ A 73-ycar-old educator, Dr. W. E l! from which committee members try?" Mr Ridge said the mon added. "We just as easily as it did in professional HOT SPRINGS, Ark. , don't like nine men in Washington telling Banks, was honored at this ye/11 1 baseball," Johnson declared. were to be chosen. Board Chairman Leading Negro educators and Ed Chappell declared. however. that us what to do." referring to the members Texas State Fair in Dallas as The Fisk president added that the school officials from 14 Southern of the Supreme Court. state's most distinguished Negro fc: no further action would be taken on university received no protests about states and the District of Columbia Mr. Ridge said he reportrd the inci­ 1954. the game from residents or officials the committee until each member of declared here Oct. 27 that they wel­ dent lo the I>OIJ cc ond gave them the li­ the board receives a copy of the list. cense number of the cnr in which the Dr. Banks beaded Prairie Viet' of Nashville. comed the Supreme Court decision men who asked him about selling the A&M for 20 years before his re · on segregation in public schools and store rode but that no arrests were made. In past years. Fisk basketball teams The meeting adjourned without meN in 19116. He now serves on tb '' have played teams from white col­ setting any date for the appointment urged that "immediate steps be taken Three days later. Mr. Ridge said he was to implement the decision." told to lea\'e town because "you are a governing boards of seven coli~ leges. of the committee, and with the warn­ marked man." and universities-Atlanta UniveTSII! ing of one board member thab "if we "We believe that by virtue of the The action of the T e n n e s s e e The Ridges arrived In Cle\7 elond last Morehouse College in Atlanta, Pa~ NAACP stands as practically the sit here and don't try to work out position which we occupy in Ameri­ week and plan to live there pennanenUy. College in Augusta, Ga., Miles CDI •· some plan, we will be faced with a can life we are obligated to express They were presented at an NAACP meet­ only illustration of either pro- or log. lege in 'Birmingham, Ala., Lane ~­ anti -desegregation sentiment ex­ most serious situation" when the Su­ our views," the group said in a state­ lege at Jackson, Tenn., Texas """' pressed by any group or agency in preme Court delivers desegregation ment released after two days of closed The shooting incident occurred in lege at Tyler and Texas Southef. Tennessee in the past month. decrees. sessions. July. It was reported in the first issue University in Houston.

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