The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-07-18
Majority of indianapolis
School Board Members
Say They Would Not Sup
port Movement to Stop
Teaching of Theory.
WON'T ORDER BAN LIKE
BLACKFORD COUNTY ONE
Township Trustees Also
Steer Clear of Conflict
Declare Question Tempest
in Teapot = Not Opposed
to Science Classes.

Arguments on the theory of
evolution which have rocked
the nation will not be permit
ted to interfere with the
smooth course of education In
indianapolis and Marion Coun-
ty outside the city.
The Indianapolis school board and
township trustees will not emulate
Blackford County trustees, all OF
whom have announced they will dis
charge teachers who teach evolu-
ton, a check showed today.
One township trustee at Gary
woman, is bitterly opposed to the
teaching of evolution. Trustees there
may issue a ban similar to that at
Hartford City. other counties in
the State will avoid an evolution
conflict, according to dispatches.
The Indianapolis school board is
not opposed to the idea of science
instructors teaching science. and the
township trustees aren't going to
expurgate the textbooks prescribed
| by the State for their schools.
Tempest in Teapot
The school heads, IN short. declare
the whole evolution argument is
foolish. and a tempest in teapot.
A majority of the members OF
the indianapolis school board said
they were not opposed to the idea
and that il a movement were
started to place a ban on the
teaching of evolution they would
not support 1t.
1.-THE question is too silly to dis
cuss," said Fred Bates johnson,
board member. Science teachers
should teach according to their own
beliefs. That's what they are hired
for.
IT would certainly not support a
movement to ban the teaching OF
evolution in Indianapolis schools. 1
am not a scientist, I'm not a biolo-
gist, and I'm not a preacher"
Bible Secure
"If evolution is the truth 1t should
be taught" declared DR.. Marie Has
lep. mo truth is contrary to Chris
tianity and no proved science can
harm the teachings of Christ.
''I would not support a movement
to ban the teaching Of evolution In
Indianapolis schools. The theory
cannot be proved absolutely, 1t seems
to me. but 1t is just as well not
to bring up the question. AS to
whether man descended from a mon
key. l don't know and don't care"
Evolution is very interesting"
said AdOIph G.. Emhardt. Learned
peopIe have thought about IL and
studied it and the children should
be given the benefit Of that
thought. The theory is lot more
important than some of the things
that are taught, and 1t does not
interfere with the moral teach
ings.
Better Than Crochet
Personally, ! think there should
be more teaching Of such ideas and
less of teaching boys how to
crochet" said Emhardt.
Superintendent r. U. Graft de-
clined to make an exact statement Of
his position because Of the lack Of
a clear-cut issue and a definition Of
what evolution Is.
"There is too much loose talk run
ming around" said Graf. THE ques-
ton is hypothetical and l wouldn't
care to take a position unless a spe-
cific case were involved.
There is no conflict between diff
ferent kinds Of truth. OF course,
the teaching of science should be
in accordance with the best ideas"
said Graft.
Graft was a member Of the State
board which approved the textbooks
now in use in Indianapolis and other
State high schools. These books
teach the theory Of evolution, ac-
cording to d. T. Weir, assistant
superintendent OF schools.
No Monkey Business
Certainly we teach evolution"
said Weir, recently. 1--WE don't
say man was descended from a
monkey, however. We teach that
there has been a great evolution
of animal life from a much lower
form to higher FORM"
There Is no essential conflict be-
tween Christianity and the theory
of evolution" said George Buck,
principal Of Shorthdge High 5 '1ool.
Christianity is not on trial nor is
science"
You can't make a man good
through laws. and you can't keep
them from learning the truth by
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