Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-06-08
CONTROVERSY BETWEEN PROT.
EsrANTs AND CATHOLICS
GETS INTO HIGH COURT.
CARROLL COUNTY DISTRICT
AIDED PAROchlAL SCHOOL
Had No Building and Rented Room, in
Church School--Lower Court En-
Joined Continuance Of Agreement
and Board Of Directors Now Appeals
to Supreme Court.

Des Moines, June S.-That reading
the bible, repeating the Lords prayer
and singing religious songs in schools
are not prohibited and can rot be en-
Joined under the constitution and stat
utes Of the state of Iowa, Is the con-
tention of the appellants in arguments
.iled in the supreme court yesterday
in the case Of Sheldon knowlton vs..
directors OF Maple River school district
of Carroll county, appellants.
Thes chool authorities are trying to
have removed an injunction granted
by the district court TO prevent them
from using funds to pay teacher and
rent a room in Catholic school build
ing The order was secured on the
ground that public funds are being
used to support a parochial school.
The case stirred up great interest in
Carroll county and is being watched
by school officials all over the state,
According to the facts in the case as
certified TO the supreme court. Maple
River school district has not had q
school building since 1905. At that time
it became necessary either to build a
new school house, or rent a room in q
school building, maintained by St.
Francis church. 1t was cheaper to
rent a room in the church building.
This proved satisfactorily until 1913
when this action was begun. The lower
court declared that the public funds
could not be used TO support the
parochial school.
Ask Ruling on Several Matters.
The school authorities are asking
the supreme court 10 rev erse the
lower court on the following grounds:
That employment of teacher who
is sister of charity and who wears
the garb of that order is not pro-
hibited by any law and does not con-
stitute a sectarian school.
That the reading Of the bible ana
reading the Lords PRAYER and singing
religious hymns in school does not rem
DER the school so conducted as under
ecclesiastical or sectarian manage
ment.
That teaching the catechism is con-
ceded to be sectarian, and was discon-
tinued IL this school six months be-
fore this action was commenced,
That no school building has existed
in the districts ince 1905. attic there
are thirty-six children in the district
of school age.
That the district has the right 10 rent
room in a building owned BY
church corporation.
Answers Appelee's Charges.
The appellants answer tie charges
made by the appellee that the school
district supplied the fuel. cut the weeds
and shove,ed the snow from the entire
building, altho public school sessions
were held in one room only They
claim authority 10 DO so. Rega riding
the statement that the pictures of the
crucifxion. the Virgin Mary and other
religious subjects hung on the walls.
the appellants state that the matter Of
pictures in a school room is largely a
matter Of choice with the teachers,
They say that it is proper that re-
ligious pictures hang in school rooms.
That $40 a month is not an excessive
salary TO pay a teacher IS the claim
of the authorities. They assert there
was no testimony TO substantiate the
charges that the district paid the
teacher an excessive salary in order
that a part OF 1t should go into the
church t-ea Sury.