Inside Story of Little Rock - Page 6

Article in U.S. News and World Report based on excerpts from Hays' book A Southern Moderate Speaks ; Inside Story of Little Rock ."It seemed ironic that the federal courts were forcing a showdown that neither side wanted, when true 'justice' might best have been served by traditional judicial calm and exhaustive deliberation" that the method of integration, starting at the high-school level, was not the most suitable, and suggested that the plan be changed, permitting integration to begin at the first grade. He had a strong desire for conciliation but sought time to soften the adjustment. It seemed ironic that the federal courts were forcing a showdown that neither side wanted, when true "justice" might best have been served by traditional judicial calm and exhaustive deliberation. Governor Faubus also complained of the lack of advance support from the leading 50 businessmen in Little Rock, of what he called the "country club" set, when he appealed to them on behalf of community support for enforcing moderate integration under the court decree. That he was making concessions to the lawful processes of government was shown by his rejecting the idea of calling a conference of Southern Governors to support his present stand. Views of a "Truce" on Integration Sherman Adams took a dim view of the Governor's idea that, if an official or unofficial truce could be arranged, lasting from the opening of the schools to mid-term, integration as originally planned by the school board, or revised along lines he suggested, could then begin. Regardless of this, Sherman was anxious to help the Governor find a solution which would meet the needs of the people of Arkansas and still conform with the law of the land. My own view is stated in my diary citation of Wednesday, September 11: "It seems to me that time, not substance, presents the difficulty. The Governor is not opposed to the school-board decision being carried out, he simply thinks that a delay is essential to the maintenance of peace. If the conference does not produce ...