Evening star., 1922-05-18

Despite indignant protests against
the informal daylight-saving plan
from Representative Free of Califor
Mothers and Parent-Teachers' Asso-
Citations, the board of education yes
terday afternoon went on record as
favoring the o'clock opening in the
public schools. The board also modi
fed the course of study in the high
schools and adopted several new text
books made necessary by this change.
The letter from Representative Free
protesting the early opening OF the
schools was directed to Supt Frank
w. Ballou. 1t declared that the 8
o'clock opening was nothing short
of crime" and pointed out that it is
virtually impossible for children to
reach their classes at this time. The
mothers and children" said the COM
munication, should receive more con-
sideration than the f1appers who want
to parade F street earlier"
Mrs. j. G. Byler. representing the
District Congress of Mothers and
Parent-Teachers' Associations. pre-
sented to the board a resolution
adopted by that organization at its
! meeting Tuesday. which demanded an
immediate return to the o'clock
After the board had adopted a reso-
luton presented by Edwin c. Gra-
ham favoring the 8 o'clock opening.
Mrs. Byler left the boards chambers.
remarking as she went out the door ::
II wish President Harding had to get
up and prepare his own beakfast."
Duty Of School Omcials.
Supt. Bailou emphasized that it was
the duty of the school officials TO
open the school at an hour that would
be most convenient to the largest
number of persons. Mr.. Graham also
supported the early opening.
In modifying the course of study in
the high schools the board made sew
eral changes in the requirements for
graduation from~the senior institu-
tions. These changes make compul-
sorry the following courses of study:
English, four years; foreign Ian
guage. two years: mathematics. one
chemistry or biology. one year; Amer
lean history. one year; physical train
ing. which includes military drill.
four years: music, four years, and
drawing. two years: Compulsory
physical training. music and drawing
are the subjects added to the high
school course of study.
Supt. Ballou, in recommending the
adoption of the changes in the course of
study, declared that there is growing
being given to ancient and medieval his
tory and too little attention to modern
European and American history.
Under reorganized program of
courses of study, the superintendent
made it clear that special emphasis will
be laid on the study Of American his
tory. ~-.-'
Budget to BE Planned.
After considerable discussion the board
voted to meet as q committee of. the
whole next Wednesday night to begin
the preparation of the school budget for
the next fiscal year. The discussion was
precipitated when Mrs. Howard L.
Hodgkins, acting president, made a vain
effort to revive the, defunct committee on
ways and means of the board for the
purpose of considering the forthcoming
estimates WITH the superintendent. Mr..
Graham, however. moved that a special
committee be appointed for this pur-
pose. This motion was amended by DR..
Abram Simon so as to provide for the
appointment of a committee of nine
the entire personnel of the board. Will
liam L. Houston then took the floor,
pointing out that such a committee
would be illegal in that it would usurp
the duties of the extinct standing COM
mittee, and recommended that the
board act as committee Of the whole
while considering the budget. This was
agreed to ultimately. Incidentally it
Ballou, who is opposing the revival of
standing committees Of the BOARD.
Acting President Hodgkins an
nounced at the close of the meeting
that the org.nic act of 1906 would be
adhered to strictly in the holding of
future meetings. of the board, and
that the star chamber proceedings
would be called only when the su-
perintndent informed her that he had
some matters that could legally be
II NJ n he ind al
doors.
s, Community Center Protest.
A protest against the change in the
rules of the community center depart
ment relative to the appointment Of
community secretaries was made be-
fore The board by DR.. c. NJ Emmons,
president Of the East Washington
declared that the new rules took from
the community the power to elect by
popular ballot it's secretary. The
board advised him to confer with DR..
Ballou in an effort to iron out the
grivance, but agreed to take up the
The board reafirmed it's stand
against the collection of funds from
school children when communica-
tion from the District Commissioners
inquiring whether a voluntary sub
scription for floral tributes to be
placed on the soldiers graves on Me-
mortal day would be permitted. DR.,
Ballou said that he was unalterabIy
opposed to the soliciting Of funds from
the children for any purpose.
The board in acknowledging receipt
of a letter from J. C. Wright urging
that 1t become active in furthering
the half-fare rate for school children
legislation now before Congress
pointed out it, already had gone ON
record as favoring the reduced fare.
"A comprehensive statement from
the Piney Branch Citizens Associa- :
tion protesting against the use OF
MNzzey's American History in the
high schools was read. The board
deferred action.
New School Urged.