Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-12-04

a sweeping investigation of the
Charges of the Military Order of the
loyal Legion that Frederick J. Libby.
Executive secretary of the National
Council for Prevention of War, made
nnpatriotic addresses in two District
public schools, will be made by spe-
'cial committee of the Board of Educa-
Iion. appointed at meeting yester-
day afternoon in the Franklin school
The committee consists of Edwin G.
Graham. chairman: Mrs. Howard l..
JIodgkins and Roy. +. |. \. Bennett
The accusations against Libby are
contained in printed pamphlet,
which was distributed to members of
the board and DIR. Frank w. Ballou,
superintende of schools. Accom-
panied by Mrs Laura ID. i. Morgan,
former member Of the school board,
Y no is connected with the council
Mr.. Libby attended the board meeting
and announced that he would welcome
tborougb investigation of the
changes in the ''dastardly' pamphlet
Thomas ]. Sidwell, principal of thu
Sfdwell Friends School, who also wa
tcnSrred by the legion for permitting
AIR Libby to address his student body
made an effort to defend himself be
fore the, board, but was denied the
privilege of speaking. Mr.. Sldwell
however. was allowed to present to
the board Il statement III dIiS" ti ~
the legion's attack and stenographic
copy of Mr.. Libby's speech at the
Friends School
Board Bars S:dweli.
Mr.. Sidwen appealed to the board
for from three to five minutes to de-
fond himself against the legion's at
tack on him. but DR.. Bennett and DR..
: Hayden Johnson strenuousiy op-
uosed it, DR.. Bennett voiced the
opinion that the school board should
not he made the medium of public
expression by Mr.. Sidwell through
the newspapers.
The statement of Mr.. SldWell
pointed out that the first attack on
him was made Immediately after
commencement exercises by one or
the posts of the American Legion in
"a set Of resolutions condemning Libby
aud ceusurinG him for inviting the
alleged ''racitiSt" to speak. Through
its Influences and efforts" the state
m,ar added. the attack was con-
iiuurd by sending copies OF these
resolutions to other military and clNlc
organizations, and Influencing some
,f them to do likewise. the latest
being the report and resolutions of
the activities of Frederick J. Libby
bv the District Of Columbia Com
maudery of the Military Order of the
Loyal Legion. In every instance the
resolutions were offered and passed
in the absence of Mr.. Libby and my
self and no opportunity was offered
either of US for explanation or
defense"
Allow solicitations.
The heretofore ironclad rules of
the board prohibiting the solicitation
of money in the schools were waived
to allow the Washington hospital
radio fund committee to give con-
cert at Central High School, at which
funds will be collected. The com
mittee aims to install radio receiving
sets in every hospital. orphan asylum
and charitable institution in Wash
ington. and the board decided this
movement worthy of cooperation.
At the request of Secretary Of Com
merce Hoover, the board voted to ap-
point delegate to the National Con-
ference on Highway Safety, on De-
cember I 3, II and Is. Ernest Green
wood. vice president of abe board
and an authority on highway traffic,
probably will be named as the boards
representative.
The board acknowledge the receipt
of a resolution from the Petworth
Citizens Association indorsing the
proposed five-year school building
program, which was considered later
by the board IN executive SeSSIoH-
James r. Lloyd, president of the
board explained that the program
had not been completed.
Announcement was made that the
contract for the repairing of the
swimming pool at Central High
School had been let. The work viii
cost $500. The board had allotted
$4,000 for the repairs.
Changes In personnel approved by
the board follow:
Resignations-A A. BarksdaIe.
teacher. class IA. domestic art: E.
l.. Wilson, teacher, class IA, Pierce
Webb School; f. c. Griest. teacher,
class IA, Buchanan School; L. S. Blue,
janitor, Brightwood School; d. P.
DriscoIl, caretaker, Cooke School; ].
II. Scott, laborer, Dunbar High School:
J. H. Burrell, janitor, Cook School;
r. l.. Hanrahan, janitor, Bradley
School.
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