Atlanta Daily World

Most of School
Bill Is Passed
By Ga. Assembly

By AL ROSSITER JR.
United Press International

Three fourth of Gov. Ernest Vandiver's plans for open schools and token integration overcame scattered opposition in the General Assembly Tuesday to score overwhelming victories.

The fourth measure, a Senate bill providing an appellate structure placing emphasis on local school board action, was delayed until Wednesday because of a long floor debate on a tuition grant proposal before it was passed 48-2.

Both House proposals, a local option bill permitting opening or closing of schools and a constitutional referendum resolution guaranteeing freedom of assembly, were passed by about an eight to one majority. The vote on local option was 171-22 and the resolution 162-23.

The Senate grant-in-aid measure was the target of three amendment proposals by Sen. Willis Conger of Bainbridge designed to provide "safeguards" in the bill, But administration leaders said the addition of two of the amendments, which were rejected, could prove "disastrous" and provide a basis for possible court actions. Another Conger amendment was approved.

APPROVAL EXPECTED
WEDNESDAY

The fourth part of the child protection defense package, the appeals measure, was expected to meet quick and easy approval in the Senate Wednesday.

Senate President Pro-tem Carl Sanders said it was "less controversial" than the private school grant measure.

The only other major action taken by the General Assembly Tuesday was the near unanimous approval in the Senate of two bills implementing the federal medical aid to the aged program. The measures authored by Sanders, set up machinery for distributing the funds to 230,000 persons over 65 in the state and calls for state funds to match federal money.

The upper chamber indefinitely postponed action on a resolution commending a "students for passive resistance" group at the University of Georgia after its author Sen. Mark Fitzpatrick of Jeffersonville first asked that it be withdrawn and then called for its reinstatement.

Another resolution pertaining to the Athens integration situation, originating in the House, was defeated in the House Rules Committee. The proposal, sponsored by
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Rep. H. W. Parker of Screven County, urged that freedom of speech and assembly be permitted at the university.

AGREES TO REQUEST

Sen. Jimmy Dykes of Cochran agreed to an administration request that the Senate delay action on his $400 teacher pay raise bill until after the 1961 General Appropriations Measure reaches the Senate from the House.

"THE TIMES ARE TOO SERIOUS"

House Floor Leader Frank Twitty said in debate on the House school measures. "to pay heed to those who can only counsel defiance of lawful processes, violence or the subjection of children of this state to bodily harm."

The bill providing for a referendum for opening and closing public school systems and the freedom of association resolution received quick, overwhelming approval. The only House speech against the proposal came from Rep. A'Delbert Bowen of Cuthbert who accused the Legislature of running up the "white flag of surrender" in the integration crisis.

One of Conger's amendments to the Senate tuition grant bill raising the age limit from 15 to 19 - was unanimously adopted but the other two amendments were rejected. One called for a grand jury to implement the distribution of grants and the other provided for a special committee of grand jurors to approve educational requirements for each private school for which the funds would be used.

BASIS FOR ACTION

Sanders said that local control cannot be tied in with the grant bill because it would provide a basis for a court to declare it unconstitutional. Senate Floor Leader Gordon Knox emphasized that point, saying the amendments 'would place the bill in danger of being struck down as unconstitutional.'