New Britain herald., 1925-07-03
SCOPES MAY ASK
 CHANCE OF VENUE
Will Then Argue Evolution Law
 Is Not Constitutional

New York, July 3 Pl--While Dayton, Tennn IS making prepara, tons 10 handle crowds at the forth. coming trial Of John T, Scopes for teaching evolution there is possi- bility that the trial will not be in Dayton at all.
 Counsel for the defense al con ference in New York are reported 10 have agreed to seek indefinite post ponement of the Dayton trial in the state courts and seek in the federal court at Knoxville, an injunction against enforcement of the law. Instead of marshalling an array oi legal, scientific and theological tai. cnt at the contemplated trial In Dayton a week from today, defense counsel, these reports saN will seek 10 prove in the federal court that the law is unconstitutional
 Reports of the sudden change Of plans arose after secret conferences by John R. Neal. chief defense coun- sel and associates. Bainbrdge Col by. Clarence Darrow. Dudley Field Malone and Arthur Garfield Hays, Mir. Darrow and Judge Neal started home after yesterdays meeting in Mr. Colhy's office.
 The lawyers declined to reveal any strategy they may have decided upon,
 Mir. Colby who has dccried the t"Rallyhoo" of publicity in connection with the case would not talk at all
 Mir. Malone would neither confirm or deny suggestions as to a chah-; of venue. saying: You will have |" see Mir. Colby. have nothing 'o say about any procedure"
 Mir. Darrow issued statement which referred 10 the possibility or shift of counsel, but did not deny plans involving federal court action
 At Dayton. however. State Attor' nev General A. T. Stewart sad ne saw no reason why the trial in stare courts could not proceed next er' day.
 Mir, Darrop' g statement follows;
 "There is nothing new 10 give on' in the Scopes case. except that the attorneys for the defense have oe"1 in conference discussing plans to' inc conduct of the trial. We are much exercised over the tact thai so many of the public do not ap' rrecjatc the importance of this pro secution. The freakishness or the law and the campaign for its enarN- mcnt caused general feeling tna' the case was absurd. Every educa- tional institution of importance Tn the United States teaches evolution. Scienc. cannot he taught without II. This is especially true in medical ana aericu)tnral schools, It is true 'n geology. astronomy. zoology ana tomy, biology and psychology.
 "The nni> ersally accepted hno"i' edgc of inc world as 10 astronomy the age and construction or the aarth and of all living things are challenged in this case. All of the great mass of science no" uniNef- sally taught on these subjects mas met the same opposition by punnc oninion and laws that evolution IS now meeting. Three states have already passed laws against teaching evoluton' two have been beaten by the narrower ma iorities. In some 20 others oiils have been introduced and a we'll organized body of propagandist pig otrv is using every means to make it unlawful to teach eyolutlon' anu if successful will follow it up by a'- lacking other sciences in turn IT education is of value and the un- hampered uest of truth then notn- ing can be more important than l this case.
 Tt is 10 be remembered that the enemies of evolution are honest and sincere: they believe that evolution threatens the bodies and souls ot men, and are determined to end its teaching. It is short-sighted and suicidal for those who believe in the freedom of education to sit quietly by and treat the matter with h. difference.
 "I am perfectly certain that there Is not single lawyer for the defense in this case that would not gladly withdraw 10 make room for any lawyers that the scientists or friends Of education should choose. am sure that would only be too glad to have some one else take up the fight.
 There is plenty of lime before trial for the work to be taken up by others. Still, the case is on the docket. the movement against edu- cation is in full force, and every one interested in science should ap-
 prcciate the gravity Of the situation, l If imagination Is not enough to
 bring intelligent people to a real
 izing sense. it might be well to take swift glance at history and see
 what has been done to stif'e thought and Pducation in the past"
 Miss Lcla Y. Scopes. who hke her brother, is an cvolutionist and failed to get a iob as teacher in the Padu- cah, Ky" high school, has been of- | fered a nosjtinn In Cleveland Su