The Washington times., 1922-06-10

MOTHERS .
TO FIGHT
OFFICIALS
Mrs. Giles Scott Rafter De-
oiarss Citizens Are Tired Of
( Continual Buck Passing

Warrington mothers repre-
| sented in the Congress Of Moth
ers and Parent-Teachers Asso-
citation viii carry into court the
Wisconsin Avenue Industrial
! Home School affair, If the Board
n Childrsp's Guardians persists
In its efforts TO close the school
by July I.
Mrs. Rafter Threatens Action.
This declaration was made today
by Mrs. Giles Scott Rafter, who.
with other officials Of the mothsrs
organization, In preparing data pre-
hminaSy to the proposed court nc
| ton.
The mothers Of the city are
united in the effort to keep open
this splendid institution" said Mrs.
Rafter. They are more strongly
| united than ever. The children at
| the school are not those Of Europe
or Asia-they are our own District
Of Columbia little ones! Their well
fare Ii at stake, and We are going
| to protect them! -
The mothers are tired-have
been tired for years OF this eternal
passing the buck in the District
government. No one win admit
authority over the actions Of the
responsible body. and I think that
q test case win serve to Fix this
authority"
Authority 10 Be Determined.
Many agencies are now endeavor-
ing to determine the relative powers
of the District Commissioners, the
Board of Charities and the Board Of
Children's Guardians over child
wards Of the District. The fight CEN
| ters on the point that minors cannot
be prosecuted in criminal court 40
ton, as they are not legally respon-
sible. The Mothers Congress has
been striving for years to remove
District children from the category
representatives of the women's
organisations are today meeting
with Judge Willis Brown, well-known
authority on Juvenile court laws. and
with other legal advisors.
| A decision which In expected to
have important bearing on the case
was made today by District Corpora
| ton Counsel Francis II. Stephens,
who stated In an opinion, that the
District Commissioners should be
given the power Of appointment Of
members Of the Board Of Chfldren's
Guardians. ..r *.
Judges Appoint Board. y
Under the present law, the board
Is appointed by judges Of the local
criminal courts. These officials,
however. when questioned by MEM
bers OF the Mothers Congress, gave
the impression that they were not
responsible for the actions OF the
guardians' board. Az the same re-
ply had been afforded by the Com
missioners and by the Board Of
Charities. the conciusion was that
the Board Of Chiidren's Guardians.
while subject to appointment by q
well l-defined force. was not to be hold
accountable for its- activities by any.
one. w.. ~ u..a..-.. ~ ~
Mr.. stephens pointed out that the
Commissioners have authority to or
der the Board OF Charities TO In
vestigate the Guarian Boards
work, but .'are clothed with no su-
thortty to take any action upon any
such Investigation nor with au-
| thority to correct any, conditions
that they may find existing"
Mr.. stephens also declared that
the Commissioners should be vested
with power Of appointment OF meyn-
berk of the Board OF Charities, He
stated that the President should not
be expected or asked 20 devote any
Of his time TO q purely local mat
i ter OF this character.
In his report Of what control the
Distrtct cammissionsrs have over