Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-29

gartens to be present. Until that time,
1t does not seem to me to be wise to
discuss further a matter that has been
so thoroughly discussed in connection
with the appropriation bill for 1881.
Moreover, no action that the Board of
Education or the school officials may
take at this time could effect in any
way the provisions Of the appropriation
bill for 1881, now pending in Congress.
Accordingly, I am not forwarding your
letter to President Carusi. shall, how
ever, take the earliest opportunity to
advise him of your wish to discuss the
matter OF under-age kindergarten when
1t seems appropriate for the board to
consider that subject"
Gilligan Says Violation.
After reading a copy of this letter
this morning, Mr.. Gilligan picked out
the sentence: Accordingly, I am not
forwarding your letter to President
Carusi," as evidence that Dr. Ballou had
violated the boards rule calling for the
transmittal of "all communications" adj
dressed to that body to the Board of
Education itself. Gilligan, however, had
NOT mentioned the board rule in yes
terday's meeting.
There Ballou says definitely he will
not transmit Miss Watkins letter to
CaruSl. can't apologize on the
strength OF evidence like that" Gilligan
said today.
He told The Star, further, that. in
his opinion, the Board of Education
bears responsibility to the people of
the District to give every school matter
It's most careful study. In making such
studies, he insisted that the board has
q right to hear the views Of the special
ISIS IN the various activities in the
nd aAk e.
upon the views which the suLerintend-
ent OF schools may have. he said that
as long as the teachers and officers
entertain a fear Of the superintendent
the school board is being deprived of
the best thought on most moot cues
lions. At the same time Gilligan took
occasion to declare he did not relish
his activity in yesterdays meeting.
1 know there are people who believe
am a Ballou hater," Gilligan said.
That Is not true and do not enjoy
olnering with him in these Important
matters. am not ready to say, for
instance, that our kindergartens should
not be reorganized with one teacher to
claSS-Ballou may be right-but I am
concerned over the fact that we board
members haven't been given an oppor-
tuntty to study the situation, hear EVIL
dence upon it, and to frame our own
opinions. That's the crux of the whole
af1air so far as I am concerned"
Row Follows Petition.
The row in yesterdays meeting of the
school board broke out when the board
read a communication from the
teachers union deploring "any SEM
blance of an attempt" to curtail the
right of American citizens to petition
Congress. The teachers union was
addressing itself to the boards ordered
investigation of the presence of certain
teachers at the hearings on the appro-
pr1ation bill in the face of its rule
which says the board would look with
disfavor" upon teachers agitating In the
interest Of legislation.
CaruSi explained that the purpose
OF the rule was merely to prevent the
crossing Of purposes between teachers
or any employees and the school board
on matters of policy which had been
adopted by the board.
The board president expressed Sur
prise" at Senator Blaine's bill amend
ing the school law Of 1906 by prevent
ing the school board from restraining bv
rule school teachers from petitioninT
Congress, but insisted he is in com.
plete sympathy with the rights of citi-
zens TO address Congress. He said he
Is not In sympathy with the Teachers
Union, however, which, in his opinion.
goes too far" by attempting to set up
policies which the law Of 1906 specifi-
cally authorized the board to control.
Says Rule "SilIy."
Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle character
lied the boards rule concerning
teachers appearance before Congress
as silly" It says absolutely nothing,
she contended, but merely expresses
the boards "disfavor." Mrs. Philip
Sidney Smith, another board member.
favored such a rule.
Mrs. Doyle moved that the CUES
ton Of the rule be referred to the
boards committee on rules, with the
frank assertion that real consideration
of the rule probably would eliminate It
entirely. ~
las you members know" Mrs. DOYLE
declared, II feel pretty keenly the Dis
trict's lack Of voice in its own affairs
and If the teachers believe they cam
not be heard or given any considera-
ton, for one, would feel very badly
over It,"
Mr.. Gilligan's query concerning DIR
Ballou's letter to Miss Watkins was
made at this point in the meeting and
the dispute followed and ended with
the adoption OF Mrs. Doyle's motion.