Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-30
BALLOU DEFENDS
. LONG SCHOOL DAY
Addresses Columbia Heights
| Citizens, Who Indorse
Present Program.

Three more neighborhood asso
Citations last night lined up with
others which already had voiced oppo
sition to the proposals made to the
Board of Education to lengthen the
period Of school hours with n view
to reducing the necessary amount of
home study for public school pupils
The Columbia Heights Citizens Asso
citation, the Iowa Circle and the
Northeast Business Mems Association
all voted unanimously against longer
school hours.
The resolution adopted by the Co
lumbia Heights Association, was pre-.
sented by ]. c. Hiatt.
DIR. BalIou Speaks.
Supt. Frank w. Ballou of the Board
of Education recited events leading
up to the circulation of a QUESTIONABLE
by the board in an effort to gain the
sentiment Of the citizens on the queS-
ton involved. He read from letters
of Gen. Amos Fries criticizing the
board and Offering suggestions for i'm
provement. DIR. Ballou did not en-
deavor to sway the vote of the asso-
citation in either direction, stating that
1t was the sentiment of the people
as whole which would govern what
ever action is ultimately taken, but
he said that if it is desired that chill
dren be fitted for college work. and
home work is abolished the only pos
Sible solution would be to lengthen
the hours to be spent in school. He
said the periods assigned for home
work vary from IS to 80 minutes,
according to grade, and these periods
do not work hardships.
Gen. Fries objection to having the
newly appointed and inexperienced
teachers assigned to the lower grades
has been corrected, DR.. Ballou said
No comment was made on the pro-
pOSal of Gen. Fries to have a session
of school on Saturday. except to bring
out that this point was not contained
In the published letters of Gen. Fries.
Teachers are not Sinking duties in as
signing home work. he declared, the
object being to prepare the children
to take care Of themselves. Conclud
ing, he stressed the fact that If the
same amount of study is wanted with
out home work a heightened school
day is the only solution.
A vote of thanks was given to Supt.
Ballou. Alton +. Carly, president of
the association. presided.
Iowa Circle Session.
The Iowa Circle Citizens Associa-
ton also unanimously disapproved
all proposals to lengthen the periods
of school attendance at q meeting,
the last of the season, held at the
residence of Mrs. Anna *. EOlk, 1900
Vermont avenue.
Following q brief consideration OF
business the association joined in a
musical and social entertainment,
with Mrs. Ella. NJ. Thompson, presi-
dent, presiding. Among those who
participated were Mrs. Thompson,
Mrs. Volk, Mrs. Duff Lewis, Miss
Ella Thompson, Mrs. Burieigh, Miss
Mary Thibadeau. Miss Stella. Lippman
and Mrs. Florence X. Copeland.
The action of the Northeast Bust
ness Mems Association was taken at
q meeting at the Northeast Masonic
Temple, Eighth and + streets north
east. The vote was unanimous Oh all
proposals.
Following a lengthy debate the as
sociation Endorsed a motion presented
by DIR. r. W. Mccullough, that n
letter be transmitted TO Commissioner
Fenning and Supt. of Police Hesse
commencing the activities of Sergt.
John A. WittSack of the ninth pre-
cinct. A motion introduced by Il. {.
Poston, calling on the association to
ask for Wittsack's appointment as
lieutenant in he new thirteenth pre-
cinct soon to he formed, was lost by
a narrow margin, on the ground that
the association should not try to in
fiuence appointments.
A committee consisting Of William
Smith and Mr.. PoSton. was appointed
TO wait on Capt. Peck Of the ninth
precinct and ask for leniency in the
charges preferred against those who
park their cars While shopping on
II street northeast. 1t was stated
that there have been more arrests in
the ninth precinct for parking abreast
during the last two months than in
any other section of the city. The
association adjourned for the Sum-
mer at the close of the meeting.