Evening star., 1936-02-25
MRS. O'DAY FIGHTS
D. c. RED RIDER AS
FREEDOM THREAT.
Representative Appears as
Surprise Witness to De-
fend Schools.
SEES SMALL MINORITY
AS DESTROYER OF RIGHTS
Ballou Offers kilograms From
Educators Over U. S. to Prove
Nation Watching Outcome.
BY JOHN L. HACKNEY.

Ia OoAAN AAhSHAN6As
Washington's red teaching ban Is
not District of Columbia question,
but national problem involving the
whole issue of freedom of speech,
thought and assembly, Representative
O'Day, Democrat, of New York de-
clared today.
She made the statement before the
Education Subcommittee of the House
District Committee as the hearing
opened on the Sisson bill to repeal
the present rider banning the teaeh-
ing of communism in the public
schools here. .....
Mrs. O'Day, who appeared as a
surprise witness, interrupted the pro-
ceedings as local school officials wers
presenting their case.
Later, she was supported In her
statement by DR.. Frank w. Ballou,
superintendent of schools, who offered
a number of kilograms from leading
educators in many parts of the coun-
try. The wires finally were barred
from the record, but their gist was
presented to the committee.
All U. S. Watching.
IT want to impress on you gentle
men," Ballou said, that what we
are doing here is being watched by
the educational system of America"
Mrs. O'Day earlier declared:
This is an opportunity to rescue
the right of freedom of thought. The
Supreme Court has recently rescued
the freedom of the press, but we are
faced with constant threat to lose
all our liberties.
II am not afraid of what the Com
munists will do to us, but am afraid
of that small minority. supporting this
proposition, who would destroy our
rights" ........
The rider banning the teaching OF
communism has conferred an unde-
served honor on Russia and its teach
ings by concentrating too much at
tention on the subject, Mrs. Henry
G. Doyle. president of the Board of
Education told the subcommittee.
THE Communists should be pleased
with the results" she declared.
Cites Harmful Effects.
All results of the rider have been
harmful, rather than helpful, she
added.
Throughout her testimony, Mrs.
Doyle was forced to stand while the
committee members, Representative
Sisson, author of the proposed rider.
and other members of the Board Of
fioy, konf fhoir saafs
The hearing room was filled to over
flowing, with large number of teach
ers present.
Also present were many supporters
of the present rider, who have ap-
peared before in the long -drawn-out
controversy.
Sisson Defers Statement.
Sisson was the first witness called.
but declined to make a statement
until later.
He introduced Mrs. Doyle as the
first spokesman for his repeater. Both
the amendment to clarity the rider
and the repeater were called up by
Chairman Kennedy, but Sission asked
that the repeater be considered.
Organic law of the District, Mrs.
Doyle said sets up system of edu-
cation free of politics and all employees
are required to take an oath to uphold
and support the Constitution. ..~
"The Board of Education would not
tolerate for one minute any one ad-
vocating communism" she said, "and
the machinery exists to remove any
teacher violating his or her oath" '
No violation of the oath has ever
come before the board.
Control of the schools Is vested
wholly in the board without outside
interference. $3.50,
This rider is both unwarranted and
unnecessary" she said.
Effect on the children Of the com.
munism ban also was stressed by
Mrs. Doyle.
Il want to stress that there has
never been a course in communism in
the schools" she said. 1T Is only
incidental in the teaching of the his
tory of the world that communism
is mentioned" ...
Questioned on Safeguards.
Mrs. Doyle was questioned by Chair
man Kennedy as to present safe.
guards against the teaching Of com.
munism. ..
"The teachers oath and their own
Americanism. along with the pre-
scribed course of study, are the best
safeguards" she said, ~.
Representative Schultz, Democrat,
(See REDS, Page -