Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan, a member of the Community Relations Commission, has commended the Atlanta Board of Education for taking steps toward a settlement with Negroes.

The board name a Negro, Hillard A. Brown, to a new position as assistant superintendent; agreed to a “reasonable ratio” on assigning white and Negro associate principals; and agreed to meet with officials of a Negro-operated bank about using it for school funds. Negroes had asked that when a school has 60 per cent or more of either race, the principals should be of the same race. The board also was asked to achieve a better Negro-white ratio in the administrative staff.

Archbishop Hallinan commended both the Summit Leadership Conference and the board. “The Negroes because of their vision, insistence on equality in working toward a solution. The school board for taking at least these steps toward a just settlement.”

The archbishop said, “Now our commission moves on to other matters of inequality—housing, jobs, recreational facilities. We are encouraged that we will have the help of these other groups, Negroes, the Chamber of Commerce, the school board and businessmen.”

Negro leaders said they would discuss the proposals made by the school board.