The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1930-04-19

Gay H11u utBLlV, AAAA AAOEANDA
that the conductors on the Bal
timore cars were more courteous
by far than those on ON own cars.
To my mind the negligence Of
our Two railway companies is In
excuSable in this matter. Our
city has about 100000 less popu-
lation than Baltimore has. 1t is
probable that someone will bob
up with the cry that the Bali
more riders have the benefits
growing out of single company
and that II our two companies
were merged we would see much
better and more courteous service.
Well, let me say right here that
If the traction groups here really
expect to put over q merger On
the people of this city through
such an argument they might as
well drop all their plans in that
direction.
Let them better get busy and
show us all If they are in earnest
with their talk of improved SER
vice after the merger by render
ing decent service at the present
time CAR RIDER.
EDITOR, TIMES,
The action of the Board of
Education in reprimanding a
school teacher for inflicting cor
poral punishment on a child
should be applauded and ap-
proved.
The regarding Of children by
teachers as being just so many
little beasts" and the only way
to deal with them is by severe
chastisement should never be per-
mitted to get a foothold in our
educational system. Such meth
DDS were fit for the cruel, unen-
lighteneo era of the Dark Ages.
Educational methods have prog
ressed too much for Anticipated
and barbarouS ways Of handling
children to be necessary.
Teachers who can not maintain
order in their class rooms with
out hitting the unruly and offend
ing children have either not
learned how to handle them
properly or are lacking in suffi-
Gent personality and force of
character to command the respect
and attention of their pupils.
Such teachers should either resign
from the system or go in for
other forms Of educational work.
The child will have plenty OF
dark moments" when he grows
up and goes out into the world,
and his days in school should be
made as bright and happy as pos
sible. But beating him for such
trivial causes as inattention or
slight attractions Of good conduct
will not make 1t so.
Yours truly-H. M.
Editor, Times:
I am one of those Washing
tonians who are overjoyed at the
rising tide of public opinion
against the prohibitionists as
evinced by the figures for the
District of Columbia in the poll
being conducted by the Literary
Digest.
When the Volstead Act was
passed just a little more than 10
years ago, I was one Of the
many Americans who were firm
in their belief that the law was
not only a just one but also a
necessary one. Personally, I en-
visioned a great reform in drink
ing conditions throughout the
country as the result of the en-
forcement of the new law. ]
just sat back in my chair and
listened approvingly and with
very real pleasure to the praise
that was showered on the act by
those who had been untiring In
their efforts to make it a law.
Well, now that the law has had
plenty Of time in which to oper
ate and to demonstrate to all its
benefits, am sad to have to re
port that I find myself on the
other side of the fence, unalter
ably opposed to it, and to al
other law that. attempts in any
degree whatever to make people
good and righteous by law.
It must seem very foolish here
and at this date to go. into thu
evils that the prohibition law ha!
brought to the country. Certain
ly, legal murder and the gradua
corruption of the Government
and the bar is too dear a price Il
pay for any law. It seems incred
ible to me, who was a Staunct
supporter of this law when it wa.
first passed, that there have beer
hundreds of men and women
and even children, murdered IL
the name of that law. I want tt
say here that I am and have al
ways been a law-abiding citizen
and it<is my purpose to continue
to be so, but ! must observe herr
that surely If the fanatics behinC
the liquor law do not drop theil
horrible methods of enforce
ment." then the people of ou
country will be forced to rise III
in defense. not only Of their lib
erty, but of their lives as we'll.
1t is my ardent wish that thi
law will soon be either modified
or repealed, so that the butcher
ing of helpless citizens under thu
guiSe and protection Of law, Cal
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