Evening star., 1935-12-19
SCHOOL BODY BANS
PUBLIC HEARINGS
'ON COMMUNISM
Any Further Discussion of
Teaching Must Be in.
Writing.
RIGHT THEN RESERVED
TO TAKE ACTION OR NOT
Report of Special Committee on
Text Book Review Held
Till Next Meeting.


over the protests of two of its men,
berS.
Any further discussion OF the sub
ject. which has been before the board
at every meeting since mid-October,
will have to be made in writing, but
even then the board reserves the right
whether or not to act.
The action was taken upon receipt
Of the report of its Special Committee
on Text Book Review, which held that
communism is not being taught or ad-
vocated in the schools and that criti-
cism of certain text books in use in the
schools is unwarranted.
Report Held Over.
The report was the result of charges
brought by committee of the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associations, which
cited specific passages from three text
books which, it alleged, advocated
communism. The report was held over
until the next meeting of the board
without any definite action being
| taken.
Henry Giligan, who attended his
first meeting in nearly three months,
moved that public hearings on COM
munism in the public schools be
ended" He was supported by Benjamin
L. Gaskins, who suggested that if any
further consideration on the current
subject is desired that those interested
communicate with the members Of the
board before December 26.
Henry I. Quinn objected, asserting
that to shut the gates to further public
discussion would result in more de-
mands for public hearings.
Advises Against Policy.
Don't attempt to fix any such gen.
eral policy" he said. "To do so will
result in more demands for public
hearings. I am in favor of disposing
of this matter with the committee's s
report, but I don't want to help set
up a policy that know we will have
to rescind when the question Of COM
muniSm is again raised"
Robert A. Maurer, chairman Of the
Text Book Committee, objected to
GaSkins' suggestion that further COM
munications on the subject. be invited
up to December 26.
"If we ask for further communica-
tions does it mean the federation will
file new brief and the committee will
have to reply?" he asked. 81 have
spent great deal of time on this mat
ter and if that is the process to be
followed I would like to know. for I
am not willing to take that response
bility in the future.
Would Send Out Copies.
"Send copies of this report to any
one who is interested. They are en-
titled to it, but why make it a formal
matter? But I object to the Sugges-
ton that we shall enter a procedure
the end of which nobody can see."
With that, Gilligan moved to end
the public hearings and was supported
by Gaskins. When the vote was taken
Quinn and Mrs. Philip Sidney Smith,
a member of the Text Book Commit
tee, voted no.
George E. Sullivan, spokesman for
the federation's committee, attempted
several times to gain the floor. Prior
to the meeting, however, he had been
denied a hearing at the direction of
Mrs. Marion Wade Doyle, president,
and failed to gain recognition.
Sullivan had asked for the hearing
on the ground that he had not been
supplied certain information requested
of DR.. Frank w. Ballou, SuperinGend-
ent, and had not been granted access
to DR.. Ballou's file of correspondence
on the subject of communism in the
schools.
Sullivan issued statement today
announcing the Federation Committee
will meet within the next few days to
consider the report of the Textbook
Committee. He denounced the report
and charged the committee was biased
in favor of Supt. Ballou.
''The public is entitled to protection
and our committee will fight to the
finish to obtain it," he said.
BaIlou Explains Reason.
Later DR.. Ballou reported that he
had refused access to the files on the
grounds that, first, they are confiden-
tial, and, second, that he must Of
necessity keep his files in order for
further use. With permission from the
writer's of letters, he said. certified
copies would be furnished Sullivan and
his committee, but otherwise he would
deny the request.
Without advance notice, DR.. Ballou
asked for the removal from the ap-
proved list of text books Achorn's
European Civilization and Politics"
on the ground that it may be con-
strued as too favorable toward COM
munism."
Used by Embryo Teachers.
The recommendation was made, he
said, at the instance of DR.. E. c. Hig-
bic, president of Wilson Teachers
College; Prof. George j. Jones, head
of the department of history, and DR..
Paul o. Carr, professor of history and
social sciences at Wilson. The book
has been in use in Wilson and Miner
Teachers Colleges. The recommen-
dation was approved.
DR.. Ballou also asked for the ap-
proval of new group of books. the
list mainly representing newer copy
rights Of texts already in use. A his
tory text was included and, because
Gaskins objected to DR.. Ballou ac-
cepting all responsibility hereafter, ap-
proval was withheld until he can read
the book in question.
Quinn advised Gaskins he is look
ing for trouble" if he attempts to go
into every text adopted.
IF you are going to do that you
might as well close your of1ice," he
said. 1--WE are responsible for the SUE
perintendent and we expressed conf
dence In him when we elected him.
We ought TO accept his recommends
ton and then stand by Il. It's our