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PRE T SENDS CIVIL RIGHTS PLEA SCHOOL BOARDS ' Continued trom P age 1, Col. , llshlng a F air Emplo ment Practices Com ~ uded youth and the explosive .1itua- in the om~ tlon in many of o reat cl A separate bill ' The Prsldent met ently at a comrnlssion has the White House with represen- proved '1117 another-M tee. all level.a of educa- Mr. Reuther said, llmlll&, Its ' tatlves f tion. H e as at that chances of final passage- would time t o. write nally to be better if it were placed in school board pres nts. the over-all bill. Meanwhile, at a hearing of Mr. Reuther discarded a. prea House Judiciary subcommit- pa red statement and s poke f or tee, Walter P . Reuther urged more than an hour on Negro Congress to create Federal reg- rights, human freedom and the ist rars who would be able to meaning of democracy. At one sign up "millions of Negro vot- point he said: ers In the South." "Each of us must understand Mr. Reuther, the head of the that humBll freedom is indivisUnited Uatomoblle Workers Ible. Every American's freedom Union, said he favored "the ls jeopardized when the free- , wholesale approach to voting dom of any American is denied. ' righ ts r ather than the retail ap~ "We cannot defend freedom I proach taken by President Ken- in Berlin as long as we deny nedy." It .in Birmingham. No one will The Administration's seven- take us seriously. · point civil rights bill Includes a "We must measure progress provision for appointment of in ·the field of civil rights not temporary voting referees to from where we have come, but speed cases brought by Negroes from where we have to go." who charge they are unable to ".I f Con~ess has the constiregister because of racial dis- tuttonal right t? regulate . the crimination. · color of margatme served m a restaui;\bt how can anyone say Would Strengthen Bill ft does rlot Have tile· right to Mr. Reuther praised Mr. Ken- regulate the color of the people nedy's "courageous action" in who will be allowed to enter calling for a sweeping civil that restaurant? rights bill, but said the measure "The central question befor!l should be strengthened in oth- this committee is: Can Amerier ways. can Dem be true to itHe r.l!~l'l!if greater Federal self? d practical autho Institute civil ways o .the . central right and advance school value o 1fNfflc>bH!ffiY - a bedesegregation. He also recom- lief in the dignity and worth mended that a provision estab- of each person?" 1j1.o . -tn~ Lette c:forCoope ation With Biracia Panels and Effort to Cut .Drop-Outs By The Associated Pre•• WASHINGTON, July 19 _ President Kennedy has sent a personal appeal to the presidents of thousands of school boards across the country for "your help in solving the grave civil rights problems faced by this nation." Let ters over Mr. Kennedy's signature were mailed last July 2. They also asked for cooP.eration in a nationwide effor t fthis summer to persuade y oung people to return. to school in September and uee the number of drop-outs. Mr. Kennq urged, school board presid to work active- . ly with b" eommlssions to solve civil 11ghts Issue~. and to press ,f or ~eatlon of such commissions Where there were none. In more general terms the resident voiced t)le hope' tha t they would "discuss this letter th your colJeWes and if possible enlist thelr..mpport ." Asks by Aug. 15 the -,po Turning to the problem of drop-outs, the--J)resident went on : "I urge y to commepce to intensify yo fort immediately in mee this nation problem; and gest tha t yo advise Co oner [ F rancis) Keppel of the Uhited States Office of Educatiob of your pr ogress--I would hope there could be an initial report by Aug. 15 and again by the end of September outlining the progress you have been able achieve. "Whether there is a significant reduction in drop-outs when schools resume in the fall will depend, in great measure, on your efforts in your owrt community. We solicit your' sympathetic support and assistance." Mr. t:rn1'" . emp prob! rights use' bf a diinishmg market for untrained workers Blld the high propor ion of unemployed Negroes. But he told the school board executives that the problem afected both white and Negro tudents. "It is of particular signiflance," Mr. Kennedy said, "because of a lack of job opportunities for inadequately trained , Continued on Page 9, Column 2 1 . 1 �