The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-03-16
Congress To Be Asked. to Ap-
prove Bill to Open Ten
Schools on Sundays.
PAID SECRETARY PROVIDED
Other Associations Join in
Campaign to Have Citizens
Use Buildings for Meetings.

Sunday. members OF the community
forum OF Grover Cleveland School Will
now urge the passage OF the johnson
bill by Congress. which throws open
tho schools for community use.
a. J. Driscoll. president OF the Grover
Cleveland school forum. which IL de-
MED the use of that school building
Sundays by the boards action ye ,ter-
day. today said every eort will b6 made
to urge upon Congress the passage OF
the johnson BILL,
This measure provides for the openinf
OF ten forums in school buildings the
first year. and after that the number OF
the forums II to be regulated by de-
nands from the communities where the
schools are located.
A paid secretary IL provided for each
forum In the bill. and these secretaries
are 1910 20 De employed under the Board or
Wide publicity has been given to op-
position to the gunday forum. Mr.. Drfs-
coIl said today, but the Board of Edu-
cation also is In receipt OF resolutions
from the Thompson Home and School
Association, the Northeast Citizens As
sociations, the Fetworth Citizens AS
ISOLATION. and the Mid-City Citizens
Mr.. Driscoll said many other civic
bodies are nov considering the bun-
day forum plans, and they will DO
heard later.
The johnson bill has not yet been re-
ported out OF the District Committee.
Following a three-and- half hour de-
bate between opponents and advocates
OF the Sunday use OF the schools for
community forum meetings before the
Board OF Education. that body finally
voted AGAINST the use OF the schools on
the Sabbath.
The hearing was hsald at the Frank
hal A. D,aN
Edward j. Ward. OF the Bureau OF
Education; A. j. Driscoli. president OF
the Grover Cleveland Community For
rm, and the Rev. Henry z jackson. OF
OF the schools on sundays. They were
OF the Union Methodist Episcopal
church; the Rev. W. r. wsddsrspoon.
H. L. Bobby. general secretary OF the
Lords Day Alliance, and the Rev. II.
r, worley, OF the Christian Endeavor
Union Of the District.
ttrst tor speak. He announced that he
and his fellow clergymen were not OPP
posed TO the community forums. but
We're present to prevent. " possible. the
"seculartzation of the Sabbath"
Wants to Know Reason.
What we want to know frst. IL why
these community forum leaders wish to
hold their meetings on Sundays?" he
said.
Prof. Ward arose at this juncture
and gave an academic outline of the
community forum. it's aims and pur-
poses. He declared he saw In the
on Sundays nothing whatever which
tended to mar the sanctity OF the
Surely there is nothing more
sacred than man himaelf and IL Won
ministers admit that you favor these
community meetings why, not have
them on Sso sSnSa Ysof a. wall %s as other
DR.. Wedderspoon interrupted: DO
you think II IL fair to us who attend
several services on Sunday and want
70 Re- air out to A Expect US o to attend
community meeting on the same day."
he asked. why could this meeting
net be held At smother another time
tion of the community forum move
ment declaring IL was In tho interest
of the state and the people them
slV the me IN sHe
other places.
Would Save Time.
II appreciate that the gentlemen Of
the board have not all night to spend
here" said DR.. MacMurray. what
cussion OF the merits of the forum.
We admit that II Is a good thing.
Why not make the gentleman on the
other side confine his remarks to the
use of the public schools of this Dis
trict on Sundays"
I'VE are willing to listen to everyone.
We will give each ample time" an
nounced President Blair of the board.
Prof. Ward then arose and declared
that "the best reason that can be given
for wanting to use the schools ON sun
day Is that the people themselves have
voted TO hold their community meeting
or Sunday"
land Community Forum, which Miss
Margaret Wilson was instrumental in
launching, and the request OF which
for permission to use the Grover Cleve-
land School on Sunday precipiteted the
question as to the use OF the schools in
general on that day. had voted to hold
RS meetings on the Sabbath.
Would Limit Members.
During his remarks Prof. Ward
dwelt on the Johnson bill. providing
that the District Commissioners deslg.
nate ten public school buildings for the
use of forums on Sundays. He ex.
plained the bill would give the Commits
sicners Jurisdiction to permit the use
OF tine schools ir the education OF the
AUultnOOu OF tue l'lslIICl, Wnlle not ems
CroachinR on the rights OF the Board OF
Education relating to tho education Of
the children"
Finest H. Daniels. member of the
board interrupted at this Juncture by
questioning Mr., Ward as to whether
the Johnson bill did not aim to dis
organize"
why is this measure necessary ?"
asked President Blair. Has not tho
Board OF Education authority TO act
In such measures Why should the
authority be delegated to the Com
missioners?
Would Limit Remarks.
DR., MacMurray here reiterated that
Prof. Ward should be asked to con-
fine HIS remarks to the question OF
why the schools should be used on
sundays, Prof. Ward in different
Rra%e "'!te-ntel his opinion that
tho question should be settled by. n
eli. q. the people In the community
whe-c the school In question is To-
"oted. Dr. Wedderspoon asked wheth-
or or not the Grover Cleveland Com
munIty Forum repreaanlad the ma.