Evening star., 1925-01-22
LIBBY BARRED FROM SCHOOLS
FOR E'EXTREME" PACIFIST VIEWS
Board OF Education Holds Speeches Are of COntrO-
rersiaI Nature and Too Complex for Children.
Decision Ends Long Fight


The doors of the District public
schools were closed on Frederick J.
Libby, executive secretary of the Ma
tional Council for Prevention of War,
by the Board Of Education yesterday
afternoon, on the ground that he
enteItains extreme paCifist views.
The action was taken on recon-
mendation of a special committee
headed by Edwin c. Graham, which
delved deeply into the charges of
the Military order of the Loyal
Legion that Libby would poison the
inpressionable minds of school chill
dren with anti-war sentiments.
The committees report pointed out
that the American people expect
patriotism and love to be taught in
the public schools, and that hbby's
addresses are of a far-reaching con
troversiaI political nature, much too
deep for the average school child to
fathom. 1t also emphasized that
there is an unusual degree of opposi-
tion to the alleged pacifists appear
auce before Washington school chill
dren, and for this reason alone he
should be barred from the schools
Sought to SLdestcp.
When the Loyal Legion first launch
cd its hroadside against Libby and
demanded that he be prevented from
speaking in the public schools of the
National Capital, the board eudeavor-
cd TO sidcstep the 'rsuc. But when
Libby appeared 'u1lly before
the board and reqU permission to
speak in the sChUJ investigation
Of the charges INST him was
started. which had ,ts sequel in a
public hearing December is.
Referring to this hearing, the COM
mittee's report said: Some. of the
speakers appeared before the COM
mittee to present their individual
views. Others spoke as representa-
ttves Of organizations. 1t was evident
that there was considerable opposition
from citizens and bodies of citizens
to Mr. Libby's request for permission
TO speak in the schools. All persons
who participated at the hearing were
requested to submit briefs to the COM
mittee setting forth IN writing their
reasons for or against Mr.. Libby be-
ing granted the privilege to speak In
the schools. The request was freely
complied with, and a great quantity
of printed circulars, typed memo
randa and briefs were submitted.
Your committee has reviewed the evi-
dence presented at the hearing, and
after giving consideration to the state
ment submitted for the information
of the committee, desires to present
to the Board of Education the fol-
lowing conclusions and recommends
tionS:
Extreme Views Held.
81. The discussion Of the issues
underlying the questions before the
committee became more or less acri-
monious the opposing views We're
presented by the contending parties.
1t became evident as the hearing pro-
gressed that extreme views wre be-
ing expressed on both sides Your
committee was impressed with the
fact that important national and in
ternational political issues were be-
ing debated that far-reaching prin-
ciples of political economy involving
the friendly relations of world pow
ers were under consideration: per-
picking questions of such magnitude
and Complexity that even statesmen
of international repute were in doubt
as to their best solution. The COM
mittee is of the opinion that the dis
cussion of such important political
issues in assemblies of high school
pupils made up mainly of boys and
girls only IA or Is years Of age must
undoubtedly be confusing to young
minds. When they acquire more ma
tuTe judgment our young people nave
q. better basis in thinking for them
selves and thus to arrive at opinions
on vital public questions. Political
science, however, is a subject for the
university, more than for the high
school The average boy or girl of
high school age has difficulty in exer-
cising sound judgment on the merits
Of d. discussion that presents an ex-
treme view on the national defense
nof - I,,a 1S,.iz. e
paredness or a partisan view OF the
League of Nations.
Religious Issue Seen.
80. Not only should II be deemed
unwise to permit the eXpounding of
big national political issues from d
partisan point Of view i'm our high