Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-01-20
Hearsdy Behind
LUrid VteW of
School Morals
The Req. T. ". Grafton Claims
No FirSt-HGnd Information
on Conditions.

Lurid pictures, which he admits were
based entirely upon hearsay evidence, of
revolving moral conditions in Indianap-
oils high schools were painted by the
Rev. Thomas w Grafton. pastor Of the
Third Christian Church, at a meeting of
the Mothers Club and Parent Teacher
Association at the Oliver p. Morton
School yesterday.
As a remedy for these terrible condi-
tions the Rev. Grafton suggested that
Bible study and religious instruction in
the public schools be made compulsory
upon the pupil if the parents SO elected.
When asked by a representative of
The Times of just what these terrible
moral conditions" consisted and upon
what Information he based his promise
that they actually do exist, he fell back
upon Il am told by men connected with
the Schools I have been informed"
Parents have told me-" and admitted
that he had no frst-hand information,
but had depended upon hearsay and in
formation from other persons entirely.
GIVES NO NAMES
OF INFORMANTS.
When asked the names Of informants
he said Il am not at liberty to give the
names of persons giving me information
Of the conditions of which 1 complain,
but have every reason to believe they
have told me the truth"
AT Shortridge High School" he con-
tinued. Il am told that number Of
students have been obtaining liquor from
a colored men who lives in an alley
located very close to the school and that
a patrolman whose beat is in the neigh.
borbOod of the school has also been
students.
THE conditions in our high schools
are simply terrific, not only in Indian.
apOlis, hut all over the country. In
fact, I DO not believe that local con
ditions are as bad ss in some other
cities. For example, I recently saw fig
ures stating that 125 high school girls
Of Denver, Colo, had confessed to bav.
ing committed immoral acts. Sexual i'm
morality is a serious problem In our
high schools, and modern dancing. such
as was banned By superintendent Buck
of Shortridge, only leads to the things
of which I complain. When I was in
Anderson eleven years ago l know that
high school moral conditions In that city
were frightfuL"
SCHOOLS
NOT so BAD.
The Rev. Mr.. Grafton exonerated the
grade schools from a general charge Of
immortality, saying that pupils in the
lower grades were far more under the
direct influence OF their parents and
home surroundings than the high school
pupilA
AS a cure for all this terrific I'M
morality he proposes that parents Of
pupils be permitted to elect whether their
children shall be compelled to take re-
iigioUs Instruction. He say that there
is a prov ion of the State board OF edu-
ession WHICH permits schools TO 30 this
and that it has been dSne in many towns
throughout the State, but that the In
dianapOlis board Of school commission
ers refused to put it in force in this
city.
When asked IL there was an orga-
niZed movement on foot to obtain com
pulsory religious instruction in the pub
lie schools the Rev. Mr.. Grafton said
that there is a general movement Of
educators throughout the country, par
ticularly in New York, Philadelphia and
other Eastern cities to make religious in
structiOn compulsory for children Of
parents so electing" He denied that any
organization was in existence with this
definite object in view.