The Washington times., 1916-03-09
WALSH
CHAMPIONS FORUM
Says 1t Points Way to 0rgani-
zation Under Peoples Con-
troll Of Nations Resources.

The community forum bill now before
Congress has received the unqualified
support OF Chairman frank T. Walsh,
of the national commission on indus
trial relations. who stated today that he
regarded the bill as one OF the most
important matters before Congress.
The bill should have the Endorsement
of every citizen and particularly OF
every working nan and woman In the
country, Mr.. Walsh said.
This bill provides fer n definite and
Systematic beghlning. here in the Ma
tior's Ctpital. of the Use OF the publlc
sohoolhouses for the organization of
democracy; as the cren forums Of the
Vides also for the lee Of these buildings
as centers OF recreation and training in
self-governmcnt where Older boys and
girls can have good times with no risk
of depravity or exploitation and with
out being subjected to charity.
A Measure of Preparedness.
That Is fine. But the forum Is the
important thing. In it's influence OH
the rest OF tho country. tho enactment
OF this measure. which secures the
right. by establishing the means. OF
'peaceablc assembly to consult for the
common good will tc of vital iripor-
lance to the whole nation.
1T is a measure of fundamental pre-
paredness. 1t Joints the way to the
unified organization under genuinely
democratic control OF all the nations
resources for tho public school system
furnishes the one adequate machinery
by which we may hoSe to secure the d.
rect participation NJ all the people in
Government and the control OF Indus
try.
1.-THE passage Of this bill means ad-
vantage to every citizen. II is espe-
cially vital to the workers. In business
IN social life. almost everywhere today
the measure OF mans influence and
opportunity for expression Is not his In
tclligence OF his inherent worth. bu,
the amount OF money he has. regardless
OF how he got II. In the public school.
house forum. every man counts for what
he is. not for what he has.
Fair Show For Labor.
This means n fair show for labor
which labor does not get today. This II
why the American Federation Of Labor
and organized labor generally through.
out the country. Is unanimously urginl
the opening OF the public schoolhouses
as community forums.
THE finest thing about this bill is III
provision, not only for paying the JAM
tors. which Ia important, but for en-
ploylng tn, executive secretary in eqcl
! community. which is essential. The
main reason why the schoolhouses hav,
not been used all along for organized
discissIcn ri public questions is simply
that What's everybodys business 4,
nobodys'
This bill makes II somebody's officia
and proper business to serve the peopi,
In the forum Use OF the schoolhouse
Where the principal does this work III
should be paid. Where somebody asso
ciated with the principal does II. h,
should BE- paid. This is vital publ,
service. There is none that is more i'm
portant or more truly educational. witt
this problem the citizens will assemble
and learn the common sense and fairness
TO Nhlch discussion leads.
IF this bill Is passed. as L earnestly
hope Il will be. a most important steI
Will be taken toward Washington
equipment for self-government, and tn,
Capital of the United States will b,
placed second to no other community
In that most magnificent and worthy
form OF Ell Ication In democracy whlcl
consists in organized frank and homes
public discussion"