The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-03-08


THE citizens who gathered to protest against the
III | change of a site for the Shortridge High
- School on Saturday gave most magnlhcent
exhibition of real patriotism.
1t would have been magnificent even IT they hao
made their demonstration in behalf Of q mistaken
cause.
Il was more emphatic because their cause rests
upon a basis which should appeal to every tatner
and mother in this city, taxpayer, every citizen
who has love of indianapolis in his heart anu rs
gard for It's future in his mind
It was magnificent because it demonstrated that
The spirit which made this Nation what it is has
not died.
We have not become too much engrossed in our
own affairs That furnishes interest in any action
Of our public servants which affects the public well
fare Public interest in public affairs IS patriotism
in action.
It is unfortunate that can not be recorded that
the majority members of the school board showed the
same regard for our traditions and for their own
oaths of Office
The Times would have been happy to announce
to the people of this city that the delegation was
given a courteous and respectful hearing that the
members we're eager for advice and counsel
The Times would have rejoiced and applauded
an attitude on the part of those in charge OF the
schools which revealed so deep an interest IN all
pupils that no argument is considered trivial or I'M
important
=1HE Times is very unhappy in being compelled
| to warn the citizens who are directly anected
- that the majority exhibited a disposition to
defy and disregard the will and wishes of the earnest
men and women who pleaded for hearing
1t laments, deeply laments that any public serv
ant, once in office, considers himself endowed with
nfallibe Judgment or exercises autocratc power
It laments quite as deeply that any public body
considers itself the ruler, not the servant of the
people and by its acts places its own judgment and
decisions above those of the men and women who
placed it in power.
Once more The Times wishes to call attention
to the fact that the selection of this site may mean
the difference between education and the lack
of one for very many boys and girls
Once more it urges the members Of this board
to survey the situation and to make its final decision
on the question of how much carfare can be saved
each and every year to parents who anxious that
their boys and girls have advantage of the complete
educational system of the State.
To place school at a point where 1t is I'M
possible for many families to send their children
cept at tremendous sacrifice is practically expulsion
from that school of those boys and girls.
If any teacher superintendent should expel
five hundred boys and girls from any school on the
ground that their fathers and mothers unable
to furnish carfare there would be riot in this and
every other American city.
That The Times believes is the practical result
of the decisions to change the site.
The Times has opposed this change from the
start 1t fought when every other voice was silent 1t
appealed when no other weapon Of defense against
mistake went into action.
1t started this movement to protect these boys
and girls who may be denied education because
of this mistake in Judgment.
A survey of the city shows beyond doubt, that
Is mi akp m
And The Times will keep fighting and
always against expulsion from the public schools of
any boy or any girl because they cannot afford the
means Of getting to the schoolrooms.
It protests in the name of every one Of these
boys and In the name of every family in which the
item of carfare means sacrifice against any decision
which bars these boys and girls from education.
And it suggests to the parents of all boys and
girls that they continue their campaign Of education
Of the school board.
The members Of this board must be shown their
mistake. When they see it as plainly the parents
it, they will unquestionably be willing to change
their minds and open that new school to the boys
and girls who bring the best of American traditions
as background for their ambitions and their search
for knowledge.
Let there be more mass meetings Let there
be more delegations. Let there be more argument
and persuasion.
For these members of the board, in their hearts,
must love indianapolis, must wish it to grow,
desire the best school system in the world
A delegation Of citizens at every meeting may be
the 1t should be the answer until the
members have definitely demonstrated that they will
not listen to