If he does, it will reflect a significant change of pace for the governor whose reluctance to approve segregation bills in the past has brought him widespread criticism and contributed, perhaps, to a major political defeat.

Of the segregation measures written into law in the past two years, Folsom has seen fit to sign only one - an enabling act supplementing the recently adopted "Freedom of Choice" school amendment.

He approved that bill - designed to give parents the right to say whether their children attend segregated or integrated classes - because, he said, it was based on permissive rather than compulsory authority.

But the governor previously had refused to sign the school placement bill which gives local school boards almost unlimited authority to say where individual pupils attend school as a means of keeping Negroes out of white classrooms.

That measure became law without the governor's approval when he let it lie on his desk until the time limit expired without taking any action.

Incidentally, a similar law in Virginia was held unconstitutional this week by a federal judge who ruled that the legislature in writing the law, "adopted procedures to defeat" the Supreme Court's school integration decree.

Half a dozen other segregation bills also became law without Folsom's signature. They were local in nature, requiring the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People to pay an organizational fee in Wilcox County and authorizing school boards in some other counties to fire teachers who advocate integration.

Since then, Folsom has been defeated in a race for Democratic national committeeman, a campaign in which his stand on segregation was the chief issue. Young state Rep. Charles W. McKay, Jr., of Sylacauga, a White Citizens Council leader, won the party office by beating Folsom and a second opponent, Roy D. McCord, without a runoff.

'SOFT' LABEL

Critics accused the governor of being "soft" toward segregation. He insisted he has always opposed integration and promised that no Negroes would be enrolled in white public schools during his administration.

With another legislative session approaching, friends of the governor say he may take a different approach, probably urging the Legislature to enact new laws to safeguard the remaining racial barriers.

One administration leader said "I've heard him make the statement several times that apparently a great majority of the people are for segregation, period." He predicted Folsom will include a segregation recommendation in his message to the Legislature when it convenes May 6.

PROPOSAL EXPECTED

Another pro-Folsom legislator agreed that he, too, looks for some recommendation of that nature.

One indication of Folsom's intentions perhaps was his appointment of former Rep. E. C. (Bud) Boswell as his legal adviser.

Boswell is recognized by many as an authority on constitutional law and is an ardent segregationist. He authored the famed "Boswell Amendment" which was written into the state constitution as a means of preventing mass Negro voter registration but later declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The veteran Geneva County political figure undoubtedly would suggest a strong segregation stand if the governor asked him.