New-York tribune., 1922-02-03
Anti-EvOlutiOn
Bill IndOrsed
BY Committee
Kentucky Measure to Make
Teaching Of Darwin s
Theory "a Crime Likely
10 Pass Both Houses
Clergy Divided on Issue
Spokesman of Both Sides
Appear at Hearing, While
Educators Wire Protests
saccial Dispatch to The 7ri1,4n :

S3cciG} Disp0fch 10 Ths Tribune
LEXINGTON, KY, Feb. 2 The fight
to instruct tho youth OF Kentucky in
Darwn's idea that man il an evolution
from the tadpolc received its first off
cial blow this afternoon in the stat"
General Assembly. The House of Rep
rcsentatives Ways and Means Commit
tee. which had been considering the
measure. reported favorably on Repre-
sentative c. A. Chambers bill prohib
ting the teaching in state schools Of
evolution as related to the origin of
man.
Senate committee this afternoon
held hearing on the bill Of the same
tenor pending in the upper house. A
large crowd gathered to take part III
the proceedings, including educators,
ministers Of the gospel who believe in
teaching evolution and those who do
not. as we'll AS supporters Of both
sides among the general public. The
Senate committee is expected to report
the measure favorably tomorrow and
it will go through the same procedu
IS the measure in the lower house.
There seems little doubt that the act
prohibiting instructing in evolution
will be passed in both houses The
proposed law reads az follows:
ut shall be unlawful in any school
or college or institution of learning
maintained in whole or in part by thia
state. by funds raised by taxation for
any one to teach any theory Of evolu-
ton that derives man from the brute
or any other form of life or that elm
mates God IS the creator Of man, by
direct creative act No text book con
tanning any such teaching Shall be
adopted for use in any such school or
college or institution of learning main
tanned IN whole or in part by funds
raised by taxation in this state ANY
Of this section shall be fined not less
than $50 nor more than $1,000"
Would Offer New Bill
Should the bill be defeated and tho
teaching of the evolution theory be al
lowed legally to continue, it was re-
ported tonight, another bill will be
offered against such instruction, the
point being made that the evolution
theory would be called atheism. Church
people, as well a educators. are wide
ly apart in the whole matter. If the
question were put to a popular vote
the rural districts would vote against
the Darwin teachings. while the cities
would vote that such instruction 20 on.
President l.. F. McVey Of the Univer-
slty of Kentucky has received the fol-
lowing lf-explanatory telegrams. in
addition to those made public last
night:
Any legislative interference WIFI
freedom to teach truth as teacher sees
1T is highly mischicvous. Prohibiting
teaching evolution is antediiuvian
folly. A. LAWRENCE LOWELL,
President Harvard University."
"Bill to prevent teaching evolution in
public schools or colleges is most pre-
posterous, is far behind the time in
scientic affairs and should be opposeu
by every educated man in the country.
"REV. BURRIs a. JENKINS.
"Linwood Boulevard Christian Church
Kansas City, Mo-"
1T is astounding that bill prohibit
ing teaching Of evolution should be
CONSIDERED at this age. It's passage
would starr. s.entucky as communitv
Of react onarles and would make il the
laughing stock Of ali intelligent per
sons. DR.. .W.s. BAYI,FY
Professor of Geology, University of
illinois,"
Doubts Constitutionality
"A law prohibiting teaching evolu-
ton would be grievous mistake an:
1oubtless unconstitutional. For the
State Of Kentucky's fair reputation as
modern, enlightened, intelligent COM
munlty, the law must not pass; to pass
It would place a stamp of public an
proval on ignorance, stupidity and
cause dorsion from outside
"DR. CHARLES A. SKULL.
Department of Botany, University
Of Chicago"
"understand legislation is pending
limiting freedom of scientific research.
Can hardly believe great State OF Ken
lucky would authorize such limitations
on scientific freedom. Truth mus
stand or fall on its own merit, not on
preconceved opnion.
"HARRY PRATT JUDSON,
President University of Chicago"