Evening star., 1923-12-06
Pupils Smoking to Be Probed
Upon Order of School Board
Charge Made That Boys Use Cigarettes
in Central Stadiun1-Girls Men,
toned in Report.

Sweeping investigation of charges
that cigarette smoking Is INDUCED In
by schoolboys in the vicinity Of the
public schools. In violation of school
regulations was ordered by the board
of education yesterday afternoon. The
charges were filed with the board ver-
bally by Rev. L. H. Butler, representa-
tive of the Boys Anti-Cigarette League
Of the District.
DR. Butler criticized especially smok-
ing in the Central High School Stadium
during interscholastic games. and de-
clared that he had been informed that
two Central students had been OBJ
served smoking in classrooms. He also
said that smoking in the Coliseum dur
ing interscholastic basket ball contests
created a fire hazard.
William v. Mahoney, who headed
r. delegation of representatives from
the league, told the board that the
organization sought two things-to
make q survey of smoking In the
schools and to determine its magni-
tude, and to ascertain what school
officials are doing to curb the smok-
ing evil among the pupils. Boys are
the chief Offenders" said Mr.. Ma
honey. although there are some girls
who smoke"
Marion r. Malone, secretary of the
league. read a letter from DR.. Harvey
w. Wiley. In which he said he sym
pathized with the movement. At the
request of the representatives the
board granted permission to DR.. d. H.
kress. superintendent of the Wash
ington Asylum Hospital. in Takoma
Park, to give an illustrated lecture
to school children on the harmful
effects of tobacco.
Peyser Makes Motion.
The motion calling for the investi-
CATION of DR.. Buffers charges was
made by Capt julius l. Peyser, who
shortly before had been sworn in as
member of the board by Secretary
Harry o. Hine as successor to Daniel
J. Callahan, who resigned several
weeks ago. The committee appoint
ca to conduct the inquiry is composed
of Capt. Peyser: Edwin c. Graham
and Mrs. HoWard L. Hodgkins.
Election of a president was de-
ferred by the board due to the alb
sence of its vice president. Ernest
Greenwood. A motion by Mr.. Gra-
defeated by a. vote of to 3. James
T. Lloyd was chosen to preside at
the meeting.
Adoption of the final draft of the
proposed new teachers salary bill
was postponed by the board until
Monday night at the insistent demand
of Capt. Peyser. who said he desired
more time to examine the measure.
A hasty perusal of the completed
bill. Capt. Peyser said. led him to be-
lieve that there were some features
in 1t that are not entirely satisfac-
tory to the teachers.
The North Capitol and lexington
Citizens Association was granted
permission to participate in the dedi-
cation exercises of the new Langley
Junior High School. which is nearing
completion.
Play Rooms Sought.
A petition signed by 128 patrons of
the John Burroughs School, appealing
to the board for the esta ablishment Of
giayrooms for the pupils. was re-
ferred to Supt. Frank W. BallOu DR..
Ballou advised the board, however,
that previous investigation had shown
School have neither windows nor ven
tilation and that the project could be
carried out only at great expense
:. a resolution from the District Pub
lie School Association urging the re-
tention of married teachers in the
schools was ordered laid on the table,
10 be considered when the board
takes action on the resolution de-
signed to preclude the appointment of
married women to teaching positions.
il was held in the associations reso-
luton that the efficiency of the indi-
Nidual should be the basis of deter
mining appointments.
a plea from the Columbia Heights,
tItllens Association to stop the sale
Of Christmas seals and the Junior Red
cross magazine in the schools was
Ignored by the board, when it voted
regarding the collection Of funds in
the schools. DIR. Ballou pointed ont