Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-03
THREE STUDENTS
TELL RED ACTIVITY
School Board Hears Boys
kindergarten Reorganiza-
ton Discussed.

Three high school students, the star
witnesses of a group of patriotic and
civic organization representatives who
were present to give facts concerning
Communism in the public schools, tes-
titled before the Board of Education late
yesterday that they had found Com
munistic literature on school property
and that they had been invited to join
a young Communists organization.
Besides the testimony of these three
boys. two of whom expressed contempt
for the Communist movement, evidence
of Communism in the schools was pre-
sented by four adults. who submitted
tracts and pamphlets which they said
were being placed in the schools here
and elsewhere by Communists ambitious
to spread their doctrine.
At the same protracted meeting Mrs.
Giles Scott Rafter, president of the
District of Columbia Congress of Par
ent-Teacher Associations, whose resig-
nation from that Office becomes eff
fective April "a, protested against the
school boards failure to oppose the
House legislative provision calling for
reorganization of the kindergarten sys-
tenn In response to the direct inquiry
of DR.. Charles F. Carusi, president of
the board, Mrs. Rafter, however, de-
clared in the public meeting that, de-
spite rumors to the contrary, in her
opinion the reorganization was not in
spired by the school authorities. She
appealed to the board to seek the
elimination of that provision from the
1881 appropriation bill, but Henry Gill
ligan's motion to send school board
committee to the Senate seeking that
end was lost in tie vote.
Evidence Invited by Board.
The evidence against Communism was
presented to the board in response 10 us
invitation of two weeks ago that per-
sons or organizations having knowl-
edge of facts in connection with Com
munistic activities in District Schools
present them at yesterdays meeting.
Harry N. Stull representative OF the
Stanton Park Citizens Association, ap-
peared as general consul for the anti
Communist forces and presented his wit
nesses in orderly and effective fashion.
He declared he and his associates were
not concerned over the effects OF Com
munism on adult American minds, but
that they did fear the consequences OF
the appeal to youthful imagination. That
there could be no doubt as to what he
meant by Communists and the Etera-
ture in support of it which he and his
friends were presenting to the board,
Mr. Stull declared:
1T mean this damnable doctrine that
has been brought here from Russia that
abolishes home life and substitutes an
internationalism for nationaliSm."
He declared there is popular belief
that some Washington public school
teachers are Communists and atheists,
which, he commended. is an integral part
of Communism. Mr.. Stull introduced
Mrs. Albert Bags, representing the
Daughters of the American Revolution
and the Parent-Teacher movement.
Mrs. Baggs presented literature which
she said had been put into Washington
schools and introduced the three high
school students. The first youngster.
student OF Central High School, with
held his name because his mother
feared bodily harm for him at the
hands of Communist youths. He de-
clared he found in Central High School
tracts denouncing the Kellogg peace
pact and said that he was asked yester-
day morning by high school youth
If he was interested in Communism.
He said he had seen the same boy at a
Communist meeting he attended out OF
curiosity.
Tells of Meetings.
Miner Buell. of Western High School
was the second student to testify. He
said that no communiStic talk or litera-
ture ever had made its appearance at
Western and added that If any disciples
of Communism did act there, they would
be taken out and thrashed. He said
he had attended communistic meetings
at 1905 M street and at 1887 Seventh
street. At the latter establishment he
said he saw 100 persons from Is to
so" years of age. He presented tracts
he had found at the meeting place.
David Oliver of Central was the third
student to talk. He said he had seen
boys of high scholl age distributing
literature outside of Central and he
presented a copy of this communistic
literature to the board.
Others who testified included Mrs.
H. B. Mayhem, vice president of Co
lumbia Junior High School Parent
Teacher Association, and Mrs. Winston
Holt of the D. A. r. When this testi-
mony was presented Mr.. Stu!l proposed
a secret meeting of the board so that
more detailed evidence against Com
muniSm could be presented. SUCH
session will be called later.
Mrs. Rafter'S appeal to the board
for its opposition to the kindergarten
reorganization was preceded by the
reading of statement by DR.. Carusi,
which made the boards position plain.
He pointed out that the hearings on
the bill before the House subcommittee
show that the reorganization of the
Undertakes schools was inspired by