Evening star., 1922-03-16

Revocation of the>clause in its reso-
luton Of February 4 permitting the
indiscriminate use of the branch IL
brarIes to be placed in the public
schools was made by the board of ed
ucation at a meeting yesterday after
noon In the Franklin school. Wide
spread opposition to the ruling caused
the board to take this.
That part of the resolution which
was rescinded provided that the same
policy that now obtains In the Central
Public Library be observed in the
proposed school branch libraries
"that Is. that persons shall have ac-
cess to and use of the branch libraries
without regard to race or color. The
remainder Of the ruling, which stipu-
lates that employees OF the branch
libraries to be established in the white
schools shall be Of the white race and
those employed in the libraries to be
placed in the cOlored schools be OF the
Colored race, was left valid.
The motion to rescind the clause in
the resolution allowing indiscriminate
use of the libraries was made by
James T. Lloyd Immediately after Sec
retary Harry 0. liinc had called the
attention OF the board to the fact that
he had received IL dozen resolutions
from civic organizations and clubs
protesting against the ruling. 1t was
seconded by Mrs. Susie Root Rhodes.
Objects to Motion. ,t
William L. Houston, father of the
resolution. objected to the motion. de-
claring that equality Of opportunity
and not social relationship was the
only motive that promoted the intro
duction and passage of the ruling.
Il regret that the public was mis-.
led in the matter of the resolution.
said Mr.. Houston, land that some per-
son or persons saw fit to represent
that the ultimate purpose OF the reso-
luton was to destroy the autonomy
of the respective school systems.
"The libraries are presumed 70
serve the convenience of the pupils
and the community. and II patrons
go into the public library to receive
books without regard to color. why
should the board assume there would
be any friction or conflict in recelv-
Ing similar service at branch IL
brary?
my position primarily Is a desire
that the children shall have an equal
ity of opportunity. 1t would be moro
economical to have one library serv-
ing d section of a city than two In
the same vicinity.
"There is not and has never been
any friction attendant upon children
Of the two races standing at the
counter of the central library to re-
ccive books, nor is there any record
of amy friction where children of the
two races go to bookstore to pur-
chase books.
"No member of the board wants to
See any plan in operation which VIII
not satisfy the community If another
plan will work to the satisfaction and
accomplish the real object intended.
1.-THE atmosphere would be cleared
and better feeling prevail If certain
individuals stopped all this agitation
about social equality.
NO self-respecti1g colored person
wants to associate with anybody OF
any race who does not want to as
sociate socially with him."
Reports ON Conditions in school.
Burning of asphalt in the yard of
the Monroe School and not coal gas
in the building caused recent con-
ditions at the school. Supt. Frank w.
Ballou reported to the board. in re-
plying to resolution from the Co
lumbia Heights Citizens Association
demanding that the building be closed
until a new furnace is installed The
superintendent said that health de-
partment officers had made a chem
ical analysis of the air in the school
and found no traces of coal gas. He
opposed the closing of the building.
Answering a resolution from the
Rhode Island Avenue Citizens Asso-
citation protesting the too frequent
closing of the schools for the Teach
ers' Institute" DR.. Ballou said that
it has been his persistent policy to
keep the schools open at all times