Evening star., 1916-04-12
Color Question Arises EARLY.

Color Question Arises Early.
The color question arose early in the
hearing. Miss Wilson outlined the pur-
poses of the school forum bill, reciting
many of the facts which she has used in
argum ents before associations all over
the District of Columbia. She said that
the bill is model for the states of
the Union. and that she believed the
school buildings should be capitol for
the little democracy surrounding them
Also that the school forum idea tends
toward the ultimate pure democracy
where the people rule themselves.
Representative Ragsdale here asked
what provisions are in the bill to pre-
vent colored residents near white
school from using it along with white
residents.
L don't think that ought to be in
the law" replied Miss Wilson. Il
ITSELF
Edward J. Ward. a member of the
forum, endeavored to add also that it
would settle itself
1T will have to be settled before this
committee does anything about it, re-
piled Representative Ragsdale.
Emphasizes the Color Line.
Should the color line be drawn, a I
all:" asked Representative Focht of
Pennsylvania.
There are separate school systems
here" said Mr.. Ward. "and l believe
the question would not require con-
gressional action for settlement
SHOULD coiored people anywhere or
everywhere in the United States be al
Of e1l,< ,l.,D
sued Representative Focht.
That always takes care of itself
DO you think we ought to meet the
question in this bill"" asked Represen-
tative Mapes of Michigan.
Not unless absolutely necessary
Mr.. Ward.
Miss Wilson then went on:
The District of Columbia is benigh:-
ed and antiquated in some respects"
she said. land the school principals
vides that while these principals
should be the center of the forum idea
in each community, they could nomi-
nate some one else to do the work for
them"
Miss Wilson Explains Further.
In further explanation. she said later
on:
We are supposed to have caused
the introduction of an iniquitous and
shocking bill, that. that permits school
meetings Sunday afternoons. Now the
bill has nothing at all about Sunday af-
ternoons in it. 1t merely allows the
people of the District of Columbia to
have the determination as to when
school buildings should be used. Per-
sonally believe Sunday afternoon
meetings are a good thing. but that is
not matter for Congress to decide
Representative Focht. pointing out
the section of the bill which gives the
superintendents considerable
power in the forum idea, said that in
his opinion this section created a lit
tie car rather than pure democracy.
Miss Farley. principal of the Grover
Cleveland School, related manY in
cidents TO show the good of community
meetings in schools
DO you believe it is wise" asked
Ragsdale. ito allow any
twerty adults regardless of their char
acter or race to take over any school
building and actually run it regardless
of the board of education or the Com
Il don't believe the board or the Com
missioners lose any authority under
this bill answered Miss Farley.
Miss Wilson interjected the remark
hat she believed the buildings. which
ire paid for by the people. should be
entirely in the hands of the people for
adult purposes.
Compared to Town Meetings.
Then twenty negroes could hold
meetings in a white school, suggested
Ragsdale.
1T would be just like town meet
ne" responded Miss Wilson. where |
he people go freely to express their |
Jews on their town affairs |
Yes. but they assemble there under |
he town officials as a matter Of privi- !
eue not as right. and the officials |
ave the right to disperse the meet
Towara the end of the morning ses-
ion Representative Focht of Pennsyl-
.ania asked Miss Wilson if she be-
ieyed in a pure democracy, where the
,eople rule absolutely. without gov
rning officials.
NO" answered Miss Wilson. mot
ct. but perhaps so after a long time,
mt | do believe in a system whereby
he representatives of the people know
,hat the people want and have some
,ay of expressing themselves. AS for
tiles. I believe in small commission.
lected by the people and having all
overs of boards and city functions
entered in that commiSSion"