The School Board Has 'Clean Hands'

In a court action the good faith of the defendants always is taken into consideration.

The Federal Court which hears the suit of local Negro's demanding the end of segregation in Atlanta city schools will weigh the steps that have been taken toward equalizing school facilities for Negroes.

In this respect the Atlanta school system will come into court with what the legal profession calls "clean hands."

The record is enlightening. In 1944, the year before Miss Ira Jarrell became School Superintendent, Atlanta had 258 teachers for 18,890 Negro children. Now there are 600 Negro teachers for 18,664 children.

In 1944 Negro teachers' salaries ranged between $90 and $231 per month. Consistent increases have brought that range upward to from $174 to $340 per month.

There were no Negro kindergartens in 1944. This year there are 18.

Six years ago the Negro teacher load in elementary schools was 65 pupils per teacher. This year it is about 35. In the high schools six years ago each teacher averaged 40 pupils. Now the average is about 28.

Double sessions, which once existed in practically every Negro school, have been eliminated at all but four Negro schools. They are scheduled to be cut out of three of those as soon as buildings now under way are completed.

No teachers have double sessions now. Six years ago 100 Negro teachers taught double sessions.

The number of Negro cafeterias has been quadrupled. Library facilities have been doubled.

In 1944 there were no visiting teachers or counselors. Now each Negro high school has its counselors, and there are four fulltime Negro visiting teachers.

School officials said several months ago that courses of study for white and Negro children are identical.

The value of Negro school property was estimated in 1944 at slightly less than $2,000,000. This year it is valued at close to $8,000,000.

The School Board is particularly proud of a Negro vocational high school recently built which is one of the most modern in the country.

Such is the progress made in only six years. The School Board repeatedly has said its ultimately aim is full equalization of facilities for white and Negro pupils. The record shows this is not an idle announcement or one voiced to placate the Negroes. It is being carried out as fast financial conditions will permit. There can be no question of the Atlanta School Board's good faith.

By filing the suit in the face of such a record the Negroes have succeeded in alienating the support of a great many who have worked continuously through the years for equal schooling opportunities.