The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-03-13
FORUM NEEDED TO
SAVE DEMOCRACY
Federal Commissioner Of Edu-
cation Points Out Need Of
Discussion. Among People.

Declaring that the community forum
Is the something" needed for the per-
petuation OF the democracy Of the Uni
ted States. DR.. Phliander p. Ciaxton,
commissioner OF education. addressing
the Grover Cleveland Community For
UNI at the Public Library yesterday,
pointed out the need of bringing the
people together for the discussion of
social structure.
Commissioner Oliver p. Newman and
Congressman George Tinkham Of Mas
sachusetts were the other principal
speakers. Both also lauded the COM
munity forum movement.
THE primary necessity for the per-
petuation of America" declared DR..
Claxton. 'is to establish means by
which public opinion purlfles. readjusts.
and expresses itself. No democracy has
ever been known to last more than 100
years. II our democracy is to be an
exception to this general rule. first of
all the people must be educated.
Education only starts with childhood.
and IL far from completed In the high
school or college. 1t only begins to ma
ture In adulthood.
This country needs something to
bring the people together. and the COM
munity forum Is that something. The
school house should not only be the
forum OF the community. but the center
OF civic. Industrial, and social life. The
highest function Of citizenship is voting.
The school house should be the polls
to be used by. the people.
II am speaking not alone for the Dis
trict. but for the entire country"
For Johnson Bill.
Commissioner Newman advocated the
passage OF the johnson bill providing
for the establishment of forums in the
District. He cited the great service
| that would be rendered the Commits
| sioners OF the District by forums.
mainly In furnishing a dependable
means for consulting the desires of the
people. lie declared that this service
might be rendered In three ways al
| least: through aid in the censorship OF
the movies" In acting as an employ
ment. and through acknowledgment. in
Keeping In touch with events OF current
| and vital interest.
Congressman Tinkham told of the
success Of the community forum idea
| In his district during the past three
years. lie advocated the passage OF
| the johnson measure because the COM
| munity forum idea embodies the two
| thH'luineHthl pTnClples OF America, tnt
establishment of right OF assembly and
| the diffusion of education"
THE people shall have the right e
use the schools" he said. for the
schools are owned by the people and are
the logical centers for the discussion Of
| important questions"
An extra session for the purpose o,
correcting certain misconstructtoni
placed on the Johnson bill was held fol
lowing the meeting at the suggestion
of Prof. u. ]. Ward OF the Fedeyal Bu
| reau OF Education"
| Meeting Tonight.
| Another meeting at which the bill will
be explained in detail by Prof. Ware
and others for the benefit OF those whc
are not thoroughly familiar with it viii
TO held this evening in the auditorium
of the Business High School.
William Blmckman. conciliator OF tn,
Department of Labor, will be one O
the principal speakers at the meCtin.
Of the forum next Sunday. The meet
ing will be held in the Grover Cieve
land school providing the Board o
EDUCATION sanctions the use OF tn,
building. In event OF the refusal o
the board to permit the use OF IN,
school the meeting VIII be held at tn
Public Library.