The Washington times., 1916-04-12


Sunday afternoon. MIR. Focht asked
" u were not proposed 10 have a
political discussion there.
Il do not know that would vosc
To turn over rchcol buildings for
political discussions" frankly said
II do not know that II applies to
this board" replied Miss Wilson. but
some boards Of education who have re-
fused use OF school buildings elsewhere
are afraid OF public discussions Tint ls
ell the more reason why there should be
public discussions" ~.
Loud applause from the hundred-odd
women eathcrcd I'm the committee room
greeted this statement
II think n discussion OF any public
question on Sunday afternon II worthy
Of tho Sahbuth or any other day con-,
wouIJ IJ tb,nS INK had done s,m scsf.sanr,tcma
thing by attending such discussion in
stead OF going 10 ride. These discua-
sions NAV be about any public question
mot necessarily devoted to school mat
"ISut the people Of the District Of Co
luubla hnvN no voic; why should they
disct 80 poliiics and such things?" sug-
gested Con3lesHInsn Focht.
Care for Citizens.
''l had surr6red that Congress carsd
a little something about the opinion of
tho people OF the District of Columbia
whether they voted or not" retorted
Miss Wilson. witl smile. and there
WAS more applnuse.
Miss Wilson sald that while under the
existing law the Board II Education had
authority to permit the use Of school
buildings rs social centers, II had turned
down the very first request made for
such ise-that coming from the Grover
Cleveland School forum.
S;he asked that the LEGISLATION be
made more mandatory, SO that the adult
board should have control over the
Consressman Ragsdale injected the
race Issue by saying that he observed
lines only in establishing the several
community centers and did not stipu-
late how the school buildings were to
be used as between the races.
Suppose there are two races within
a community center, what are you go
Ing to do?" Mr. Ragsdale asked Miss
II think that question would settle
itself" said Miss Wilson, after hesi-
Chairman Lloyd interposed with the
statement that II was already settled.
because there are now white and col
ored school buildings.
Not Covered Here.
"Yes. but the matter is not specifically
covered here" said Mr.. Ragsdale. and
there might be mixed audiences"
IT think u should be regulated In the
way Mr.. Lloyd suggests" said Miss
Edward j. Ward, interested in the
forum movement, interposed. saying
that the matter had been brought To the
attention Of the president Of tho Board
Of Commissioners and the president OF
the question could be cared for In an
administrative way and without treat
ing II in the law.
SHOULD the color line be drawn in
Mr.. Ward said that there would be no
confusion In the color line because
would take care Of itself
Congressman Mapes suggested that
Community forum law ought tobe
model; therefore, he asked what q
sen. :, ;.
can be avoided said Mr.. Ward. 1T
10 an Administrative question"
When Miss Wilson resumed her tes-
timonY, CCngressmen Ragsdale ana
Focht again pressed her for a state
ment. on the color question.
to decide" she said. II think 1t viii
decide itself by the designation of
colored schools FOR colored community
forums and white schools for white
Community forums. personally. DO
not think II ought to be put In the
make the color distinction. I think
each community can and will solve
that question for itself"
Then you do not think the color
question should be in this biil?'' said
Mr.. Fooht.
Community Issue.
NO" frankly responded Miss Wilson,
Il think IL should be handled by the
community"
Miss Wilson told the committee at the
outoutset that the community forum
legislation enacted here would have an
influence upon the movement over the
country. This movement. she said. was
Ito bring about organization OF theI
citixenschip Of the whole country into
deliberative bodies to promote the gem
cral welfare through common counsel
and action"
This could be done. Miss Wilson said.
only under the old town meeting plan,
which served to create sound sentiment
and education among the people.
Referring to the proposition to make
the principals of schools the secretaries
of the community forums. Miss Wilson
said the educational system of the
District apears somewhat antiquated
and that the principals have more work
to do than they should do.
She said she hoped for an Improvement
In the District educational system, 80
that we will not stay behind and the
princlpals will be made executive Of
f1cers. and not be burdened with teach
ing. which should be done by teachers.
The PRINCIPAL should be tho executive
onicer over the children and under the
community forum"
Concerning the community forum
movement Miss Wilson said that I'VE
are trying to set up n machinery of
democracy. and these organizations are
going to be units In the self government
system of this country"
The Presidents daughter recon-
mended that the bill provide that the
eXDenaes of the community meetings,
such as heat, light. ianitor service. be
paid from the Treasury. Otherwise. she
said the meetings would be private al
fairs and lose their public character.
The people, she argued. have Just as
much right to meet at public expense as
their representatives in Congress have.
MIss rairley, principal OF the Grover
Cleveland School. began her testimony
before the luncheon recess. Chairman
Lloyd announced that the hearings
would 20 on this afternoon and proba-
bly, tomorrow. Mrs. Champ Clark,
commissioner Brownlow, Corporation
Counse. Syme, President Blair, ~ the
hoard OF Education. and other promi-
rent persons attended the hearings to-
day.
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