Atlanta Daily World

Integration Certain
Georgia Education Board Head Predicts

(United Press International)

Chairman James Peters of the Georgia Board of Education predicts "some form of integration is inevitable" and may, indirectly, spell political doom for Sen. Herman Talmadge, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Saturday.

The Journal-Constitution said Peters wrote this view in a letter to arch-segregationist Roy Harris of Augusta, warning that a better solution than closing schools must be found.

Gov. Ernest Vandiver has publicly promised to close public schools in compliance with present Georgia law, if necessary to avoid even token integration.

Peters, contacted later at his home in Manchester, said that in calling some form of integration "inevitable" he had reference to Vandiver's statement last Thursday about the power of federal troops.

VANDIVER COMMENT

Vandiver told reporters at this news conference that he supposed federal troops "in overwhelming numbers" could force token integration against the state's own "sovereign" will.

Peters said he was referring to the probability that the Army would integrate schools in all of the Army camps and they most likely would force integration here through the use of the Army.

Peters wrote Harris that if this is done, it may place "integrationists in control of the state government for decades to come."

Peters predicted former Gov. Ellis Arnall, a moderate on the segregation issue, would seek office on a promise to reopen the schools, the Journal-Constitution said.

Peters, a long-time Talmadge supporter, wrote the letter last Dec. 28 in response to statements contained in Harris' political hand-bill, The Augusta Courier. The letter said in part:

"The issue is headed for the governor's race of 1962 and it will not be the question as to whether the people favor or oppose integration but the question will be more direct:

"Are you in favor of re-opening the schools with Ellis Arnall supporting a program to re-open the closed schools.

NO QUESTION

There is no question in my mind but that Ellis and the proponents of integration are delaying their move to 1961 with the hope and prayer Gov. Vandiver will close the schools once they are integrated by the federal courts.

This would create the issue which they want and know can only be settled in a statewide governor's race.

"Given 12 months with our schools closed to register 600,000 Negroes Ellis will be difficult indeed to defeat and Herman Talmadge could very easily go down with him.

"Thus, we would lose control of the government and entrench Ellis Arnall and the integrationists in the control of the government for decades to come.

"Some form of integration is inevitable and the only question left unanswered today is whether this integration will be under the control of the friends of segregation or the proponents of integration.

"I do not agree with you as to the public sentiments." Harris, as do other Georgia segregationists, believe the public supports them.

"In fact, it is changing and will change much faster between now and September, 1962, unless Herman Talmadge and his friends find a better answer to this problem than closing down the public school system."