The Washington times., 1916-04-14
Head Of Franklin Thomson
School Has Lively ColIoquy
With Congressman RagsdaIe
WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS
Community Centers Shown to
Discuss Religious Education
In China, Also Dancers.

Mrs. N, II. Darton. president Of the
Franklin Thomson Home ana schooi
Association, who described herself as
"iust a plain little mother" was the
etar witness at the hearing today on
the community forum BILL
Mrs. Darton IL n rather young woman.
She wore a iaunty red hat, and proved
n pastmistress at the art OF repartee.
While she was talking. Congressman
RaRsdale, who has questioned
many of the advocates of the bill, en-
tered the room, and she dared him to
ask her some questions. -
CONGRESSMAN Rsgsdale took the dare
and the colloquy became 30 interesting
that the i,ews spread around the corri-
oors and other Congressman and news
paper correspondents dropped In to hear
the debate.
Wide Range Of Forum.
The hearing today demonstrated how
wide a range a forum may be expected
10 take. 1t included the question Of re-
llgious education in China, whether
smoking should be permitted in citizens
association, the trend of modern jour-
nalism, and the advisability Of permit
ting classic dancers to appear in WASH
ington on Sunday.
Arthur Minnick, president of the
Rhode Island Avenue Suburban Clti-
kens' Association, was the first speak
er. He tried to show that there is a
demand for the forum. and cited reso-
1utions passed by about dozen civic
associations and clubs favoring the
johnson bill.
Evan H. Tucker. president of the
Northeast washington Citizens Asso-
citation, said 1t was a question In his
NH Nha mil
rather than promote the use of the
schools, on account or the provision
which authorizes a limited number OF
kordms to start with.
Mrs. Susie Root Rhodes, paid trib-
nte to Miss Margaret Wilson for her
efforts in behalf of the community CEN
ter at the Grover Cleveland School. She
defended z. ]. Ward, who has been
criticised. she said. for speaking be-
ferc many women's clubs, at which men
seldom appeared.
Denies Gag on Discussion.
A. ]. Driscoll. president of the Grow
er Cleveland forum. denied that there
was not free discussion permitted at
the forum, "as had been stated in the
newspapers"
Thereupon Congressman Ben johnson
raised his eyes from q newspaper he
had been reading and remarked:
papers have to. publish something yell
dow every day"
Mr.. Drlscoll said that many of the
citizens associations do not wish to
members could not smoke there. Com
gressman Mapes asked whether Mr..
Driscoll thought the members should
be permitted to smoke, and Mr.. Driscoil
replied that he did not think SO.
AS a part Of his address DR.. Henry T..
j ackson, introduced into the record a
portion of the Constitution of the United
States and also sought permission to
have included a chapter from a book
by Walter Bagehot on the advantages
Cf open discussion.
DIR. Jackson then launched upon a dis
cussion of foreign missionary work in
China, and said he intended to intro
duce the Sunday afternoon forums over
there.
He and Congressman Lloyd enga ged
in an argument as to how many days a
week churches were used, and when DR..
jackson came to the Sunday feature OF
the forum bill. jackson asserted that
Jesus Christ used to attend open forums
every Sabbath day in Nazareth. and
that one Of these had ended in riot.
Avoid Riot Only in Cemetery.
THE only place you can be assured
OF avoiding a riot" said DIR. Jackson.
els in a cemetery"
Are you a member of the Grover
Cleveland Forum" the speaker was
asked.
do you live Within a radius which
would allow you to be a member?
Miss Margaret Wilson sat on one side
of the room with advocates OF the
meaure and frequently led in vigorous
applause.
Ciergymen and Janitors. gathered In
a group on the other side of the room.
hpplauded frequently when points were
made against the bill,
Mrs. Darton said at one point that
the forum should be allowed on Sundays
'as long as Ruth st. Denis is per-
anitteu to dance in scandalous attire in
our theaters on Sunday"
Paying q tribute to the janitors. she
said: AT our school the janitor has
been just lovely to us, and l believe
theirs Is a noble calling"
During her cross-examination by Con.
gresham Ragsdale, he remarked that
he was only asking these questions be-
cause she had dared him to do so.
GO right ahead. just love to have
you ask them" she retorted.
Congressman Ragsdale said that notlr
ing pleased him better than to comply
with the ladys wishes, and then Hrs
Darton asked that the stenographer bC
sure to take down that remark.
In speaking about the point that the
forums would be additional expense
Mrs. barton said:
when II comes to talking economy
should like to know why 1t cost
SlO.OO0 a room to build our schools II
Washington and would like to have ar
investigation on that line"
volunteer" Witnesses.
Concluding arguments for and against
the bill, so far as the regular program
was concerned. were made late yester
day. but the subcommittee agreed tC
hear a number Of volunteer witnesses
Miss Wilson has been In close attend
Rnce upon the hearings. and closed
for the proponents OF the bill in an argu
ment rebutting those advanced by Pres
ident Henry =. Blair, of the Board o.
Education, and others.
The Rev. Wilbur f. Crafts was amonl
The witnesses heard late yesterday. II,
devoted himself mainly to the propose
of the Grover Cleveland School forum
10 use school buildings as public meet
ing places on Sunday afternoons.
IF you allow the use OF school build
ings on Sunday afternoon" he said
you are putting Just one more difficu.l,
In the way Of the church In the bringinI
pp OF good citizens" Mr.. Crafts sail
"us have now baseball games. tn,