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SOUTHERN SCHOOL NEWS—JUNE 1961—PAGE 9
LOUISIANA
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Court Postpones Hearing On Complete Desegregation
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NEW ORLEANS, La.
L - S. District Judge J. Skelly
•Wright postponed indefinitely
j hearing on a motion by the Na-
^al Association for the Ad-
rancement 0 f Colored People
jbich seeks to abohsh segregation
j all of New Orleans’ 118 public
Jtfols in September.
The motion, filed May 9, charges that
^ Orleans Parish school board
•trough use of the Louisiana pupil
placement plan (Act 492 of 1960) effec-
hvely denies constitutional rights to
50,000 Negro students in New Orleans.
Under the pupil placement plan, the
board last year admitted four Negro
children to two formerly all-white
jhools. It has adopted for this year a
junilar program under which additional
hegro children are expected to be ad
mitted to the first grade after a screen-
mg process, while the four admitted last
year move up to the second grade.
Dr. James F. Redmond, superinten
dent of schools, pointed out that the
\ew Orleans program does not con
template desegregating all second grades
in September, thus differing with
jrade-a-year desegregation plans else
where in the South.
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First Grades Only
He said Judge Wright’s 1960 desegre
gation order was only for first grades.
The question of whether Judge
Wright’s order was being carried out
was raised in the NAACP motion which
aid that the pupil placement plan is
contrary to Judge Wright’s intent.
The jurist did not comment when on
May 16 he indefinitely postponed the
hearing of the motion.
>ert
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Text Of Order
This is what his original order said on
May 16, 1960:
“It is ordered that, beginning with
the opening of school in September,
I960, all public schools in the city of
hew Orleans shall be desegregated in
accordance with the following plan:
"A. All children entering the first
trade may attend either the formerly
-'-white public school nearest their
’®es, at their option.
B. Children may be transferred
tom one school to another provided
tuch transfers are not based on con-
-•eration of race.”
NAACP Contention
Hhe NAACP said that by taking ad-
antage of the transfer provision in the
the school board used a pupil
^cement plan which does not sim-
% the problem of transition “noi
“fen the hard core resistance of either
e state legislature or the recalcitrant
Sobs.”
, plaintiffs (in the Bush v. Or-
ft* Parish School Board suit) and the
vffl they represent—approximately
Jp Negro students, save four—are
^ effectively denied their constitu-
:ion» rig ^ ts to uonsegregated educa-
■ the motion charged.
Georgi
la
(Continued From Page 8)
demonstration against desegre-
^ti-integration signs had beer
Hn* 11 on the sidewalks of the mair
but university officials had
'^obliterated.
a rif . V ' Ernest Vandiver said at a news
5 Ven rence that President Kennedy had
tw 3 fledge never to send federal
i. into Georgia to enforce school
iivsJ re8ation “t exchange for Van-
Paigj^ support in the presidential cam-
^iato^ Ver ' Et- Gov. Garland Byrd anc
, Herman Talmadge were al
during the month of civil right:
■ion. S °1 the Kennedy administra-
A
★ ★ ★
j. ,^t- Rev. Albert Rhett Stuart,
^ki$ ISC °P a l bishop of Georgia, said
hepftffU" 13 ! address in Savannah that
dnjfpjj !nt y and fear have caused
. P^Ple to lag behind secular
leaders in solving the
g racial problems. Delegates to
'-Id jj^’scopal Diocese meeting were
at Georgia political leaders had
S in Preserving pubhc educa-
011 of tk briber steps in the resolu-
lUd ne problem will take patience
"^soned judgment.”
D- .
★ ★ ★
l G ‘ Methodist Epis
'°rth 6a rg ^ a told a me
'■'* All- St Community
'Np that Negroes
^Sth » USt <<wa be up
Judge Wright took one action as a |
result of the NAACP suit. He ordered
i that the time for first grade students
to file applications for transfers from
one school to another be extended from
May 19—the date set by the school
board—until June 2.
Must Seek Transfer
Under the plan adopted by the school
board April 24, a child wishing to attend
a school outside of the district in which
he lives must apply for a transfer. The
school administration will then give a
series of tests as it did last year in
screening the 137 Negroes who applied
for admission to white schools when
desegregation began in November. Only
four of the 137 qualified.
Dr. Redmond said that all criteria
for transfer have been applied fairly
and will continue to be applied to either
a white or Negro student wishing to at
tend a school outside his or her district
boundaries.
The number of Negro students who
will enter formerly all-white first grades
in New Orleans in September will not
be determined until late summer, and
their transfer permits will be issued “no
later than Friday of the first full week
of school.” The date is Sept. 15, 1961.
No Family Separation
Under the pupil assignment proce
dure, no first-grade pupil will be trans
ferred “if he has brothers or sisters in
elementary school and such permits
would separate him from them.”
The rules provide that once a child is
transferred he need not apply for a new
transfer each year.
★ ★ ★
At Washington, the U.S. Supreme
Court affirmed a December decision of
a three-judge federal court in New Or
leans that enjoined the state from en
forcing laws that would cut off state
funds from the Orleans school board.
★ ★ ★
A three-judge federal court at New
Orleans declared unconstitutional Acts 3
and 5 of the Legislature’s second special
session of 1961 which would make it
against the law for anyone who in any
way assists a Negro child in attending
a white school or who participates in
the Negro’s instruction in a white
school.
The judges said the Legislature in
passing the acts “clearly wants parents
and teachers and other interested per
sons to understand that they will be
punished if they have any contact with
an integrated school.”
‘“These are the invidious weapons of
a state administration dedicated to
scuttling the modest program of deseg
regation which has been initiated in
Orleans Parish,” the court said in its
May 4 decision.
Legislative Action
Gov. Davis Pledges
Continued Support
For Public Schools
G ov. Jimmie H. Davis, in an
unusually strong statement,
pledged continued support for
public education in Louisiana, as
he addressed the Legislature in
joint session.
His budget—already passed in the
House and virtually certain of passage
in the Senate—provides almost $210
million for elementary and secondary
school support in fiscal 1961-62. This is
up $13 million from last year.
The executive budget also includes
$4,500,000 for grants-in-aid for children
who prefer to attend private, nonsec
tarian segregated schoools rather than
desegregated public schools. No detailed
plan for allotment of these funds has
yet been announced.
More than the money for public
schools was what Davis had to say by
way of reassuring citizens who have
feared Louisiana’s public schools may
be abolished because of desegregation.
At present only two schools—both in
New Orleans—are desegregated.
‘High Regard For Education’
“The funds we have asked for educa
tion,” Davis said, “should reassure those
who have doubts about the future of
our pubhc education. Louisiana, perhaps
more than any other state in the na
tion, has shown its high regard for edu
cation. For years our people have con
tributed great sums of money in its
growth and improvement, and I do not
believe they elected me governor to
Louisiana Highlights
The National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People
said New Orleans’ pupil placement
plan of school desegregation de
prives 50,000 Negro children of
their rights as citizens. NAACP
counsel asked that segregation be
absolished in all the public schools
of the city in September but U.S.
District Judge J. Skelly Wright in
definitely postponed a hearing on
the action.
A three-judge federal court ruled
unconstitutional two acts of the
Louisiana Legislature which were
intended to stop anyone from aiding
a Negro who attends a formerly
all-white school. The court said the
acts were intended to scuttle the
“modest program of desegregation”
at New Orleans.
Gov. Jimmie H. Davis, in address
ing the fiscal session of Louisiana’s
Legislature, said public schools
would be continued during his ad
ministration. At the same time he
announced his budget for the com
ing year contains $4,500 for grant-
in-aid programs to support private,
segregated schools.
The Louisiana House denounced
federal aid to education and the
Senate followed suit. In other legis
lative actions, the House passed a
resolution opposing U.S. District
Judge J. Skelly Wright’s appoint
ment to any position of trust, and
the state administration sponsored
a $300,000 grant for St. Bernard
Parish for educating children who
deserted New Orleans desegregated
schools.
O. Perry Walker, educated
through elementary, high school
and universities in Louisiana, was
named superintendent of New Or
leans schools to succeed Dr. James
F. Redmond, who has resigned.
One of his problems is a teacher
recruitment shortage brought on by
the fight over desegregation of two
city schools.
A Catholic priest resigned from
a new organization which is to pro
mote private, segregated schools.
Archbishop Joseph Francis Rum-
mel said the priest’s membership
on the board of trustees of the or
ganization was inconsistant with
Catholic responsibility to public as
well as Catholic schools.
The Legislature denounced Dr.
Waldo McNeir, Louisiana State
University professor who called
some actions of the Legislature on
school desegregation a “national
disgrace.” Dr. McNeir resigned his
post before a critical report was
read to the House and Senate.
Mayor Chep Morrison told a New
York audience that there was some
irresponsible coverage of school
desegregation in New Orleans last
November which presented a dis
torted picture.
oversee the destruction of this system.”
With regard to grants-in-aid, Davis
said:
“We will continue our efforts to op
erate our own (public) school system.
We have already embarked upon a
program involving an entirely different
approach to this problem. Since this is
a complicated matter, involving many
aspects of state government, it will be
some months before a realistic evalua
tion of the practical prospects afforded
by this program can be determined.
However, let everyone understand that
our efforts in this direction are designed
to continue our education system, and
not to decrease its effectiveness.”
Dual Systems Expected
While Davis’ statement with regard
to grants-in-aid appeared vague, many
legislators took his speech to mean that
Louisiana would continue public schools
while beginning a move toward support
of private, segregated schools as a dual
system in areas where desegregation is
ordered.
The governor’s budget also included
an outlook for more than $200 million
in federal matching funds, primarily for
welfare and highways.
However, members of the House and
Senate spent hours denouncing federal
aid for education. They passed a resolu
tion calling the proposed $15 per child
federal grant to the states “insidious”
legislation.
Rep. John F. Rau Jr. of Jefferson
Parish said the proposed federal aid to
education bill is the “most vicious and
most dangerous piece of legislation that
has ever been introduced in Congress.”
The House voted 90 to 7 for the re
solution despite efforts by a few mem
bers to take out a clause which said:
“. . . Federal aid to education is an
other in the current series of insidious
measures and actions on the part of the
federal government which . . . can fur
ther encroach upon the constitutional
rights of the states.”
Would Aid Be Accepted?
Rep. E. J. Grizzaffi of St. Mary Parish,
asked Rep. Parey P. Branton of Webster
Parish, one of the co-sponsors of the
resolution, if the Legislature would be
on record as not accepting federal aid
to education if the Congressional pro
posal became law.
“There’s nothing here that says that
Louisiana cannot accept,” Branton re
plied.
The Senate also passed the resolu
tion.
Judge Wright Opposed
In a new outburst against U.S. Dist.
Judge J. Skelly Wright, the House
adopted another resolution which op
poses any promotion for the jurist.
Judge Wright, who ordered the de
segregation of New Orleans schools at
the first-grade level in November, is
rumored as the choice for a seat on the
U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Rep. Wellborn Jack of Caddo Parish
sponsored the resolution which will be
sent to the Louisiana Congressional
delegation if passed by the Senate.
Blamed For Heart Attack
Jack accused Judge Wright of being
directly responsible for the heart attack
suffered by Louisiana education Supt.
Shelby M. Jackson, who was hospital
ized immediately before he was to face
Judge Wright on a contempt action
arising out of the prolonged fight against
desegregation.
“He (Judge Wright) had utter disre
gard for the sovereignty of the state of
Louisiana,” Jack said. “He is directly
responsible for the ruining of the health
of Mr. Jackson.”
Jack accused Judge Wright of having
announced in advance to the Wall Street
Journal how he would rule on the
school case in New Orleans.
“For this alone he should be taken
out of office,” Jack said.
Only a few voices tried to tone down
the resolution, which said Judge Wright
should not be given any position of
trust.
Funds For St. Bernard
The state administration approved the
placement in the general appropriations
bill of $300,000 extra for the St. Bernard
Parish school board, which operated a
school for the white children who boy
cotted desegregated McDonough No. 19
and William Frantz schools in New Or
leans.
Members of the school board of the
parish, which adjoins New Orleans near
the site of the two schools, asked the
money on grounds that the expendi
ture should be borne by the state rather
than the parish.
Originally the school begun in St.
Bernard was to be a private school, but
the operating cost was taken over by
the school board even though the pu
pils were transported by bus from New
Orleans.
Campaign For Funds
The sponsors of the St. Bernard
School, headed by Armand Duvio of
New Orleans, have since early April
been attempting to raise $350,000 for
construction of a 1000-pupil school in
the Ninth Ward of New Orleans to
house the boycotters of McDonogh and
Frantz.
O. Perry Walker
To succeed Dr. James F. Redmond as
New Orleans superintendent.
Duvio said the returns have been en
couraging and that construction may
begin in June. But, he said, parents
might have to appeal to the school board
to operate the St. Bernard facility again
for a period in the fall so that hundreds
of children will not miss the opening
of school.
Schoolmen
Former Assistant
Succeeds Redmond
As Superintendent
O . Perry Walker, first assistant
superintendent of Orleans
parish public schools for eight
years, was named superintendent
to succeed Dr. James F. Redmond.
Walker’s appointment by the board
May 8 was greeted with enthusiasm by
the majority of school employes in New
Orleans. He is a career educator in the
city’s public school system.
The new superintendent also served
as acting superintendent during the
1951-53 period in the wake of a turbu
lent upheaval during the administra
tion of the late superintendent Lionel
J. Bourgeois.
A quiet, retiring man, Walker said he
was encouraged that the state and city
during the coming year would begin to
work together as they did before the
desegregation of two public schools in
New Orleans on Nov. 14.
The state still refuses to recognize
Redmond as superintendent or the
board as the official governing body of
the city’s schools.
Four-Year Contract
Walker, by a three-to-one vote, re
ceived a four-year contract at $20,000
a year, with provisions for a $1,000 an
nual raise for the duration of the con
tract.
Lloyd J. Rittiner, immediate past
president of the school board, voted
against Walker’s appointment. He said
he did not think the board had spent
enough time looking for a new superin
tendent to replace Dr. Redmond, who
resigned effective June 30 to work for
a New York firm as an educational
consultant.
Dr. Redmond’s resignation followed
repeated attempts by the Legislature to
remove him during the desegregation
fight. He had incurred the wrath of
many legislators because he executed
the desegregation plan under the orders
of his board and the federal court and
to some degree because he was a Chi
cago “outsider.” He came to New Or
leans eight years ago from Chicago.
One of Dr. Redmond’s principal critics
—board member Emile A. Wagner Jr.
—was not present at the meeting at
which Walker was given the job of su
perintendent.
Native of Orleans
Walker is a native of New Orleans;
graduate of New Orleans public schools;
holds a bachelor of science degree from
Tulane University and a master’s degree
from Louisiana State University. He
taught in public schools from 1922 to
1937; was moved up to elementary
school principal in 1937; to high school
principal in 1942; and to acting superin
tendent in 1951. One daughter is a
teacher and the other plans to be one.
One of Walker’s immediate problems
will be the solving of a teacher short
age brought on by the school desegrega
tion crisis in New Orleans.
Alfred B. Hebeisen, director of per
sonnel, reported to the board in May
that recruitment of teachers for pub
lic schools is down 30 per cent over
previous years.
Main Factor
He said school desegregation problems
were the main factor in the dropoff.
“The number of teachers,” he report
ed to the board, “went down last fall
when this school trouble first started.
We lost 90 last summer who had been
hired but dropped out before school
started.
“Merely the fact that we went with
out paydays for a while has had an ef
fect on the school employes.”
Money Was Shut Off
During the most heated moments of
the state battle against desegregation,
Louisiana officials and the state’s legis
lature took actions which deprived the
Orleans board of its normal monies to
meet school salaries. Ultimately all per
sons were paid.
Hebeisen’s report came after Rittiner
said he had heard that key personnel
(See LOUISIANA, Page 10)