Evening star., 1936-03-03


I'VE are conducting our own hear
ing. We are conducting it in our own
way. We do not want you to take
charge of it," Blanton told Ballou.
Ballou by inference was charged
with dominating the Board of Educa-
ton and forcing the members to carry
out his bidding.
When the superintendent sought to
cite an instance where his recon-
mendation was rejected, he was cut
of by the chairman who brought up
another subject.
The tenor of the questioning
throughout the lengthy examination
was hostile to Ballou.
Questioned on Text Books.
Most of the examination of DR..
Ballou was confined to text books
and periodicals that have been ques-
toned by George E. Sullivan of the
Federation of Citizens Associations
and to the background Of the char
acter education experiment.
Blanton attempted to trace the
character education experiment to
Charters, Beard and Counts. In the
end the subcommittee eliminated the
1000 appropriation approved by the
Budget Bureau for continuing that
work.
The same situation arose last year
and resulted in the Red rider being
written into the measure in confer
ence. 1t was a compromise between
House and Senate that placed both
the character appropriation and the
rider in the bill.
When Mrs. Marion Wade Doyle,
president of the school board, testi-
fed, she was questioned as to the
responsibility for the questioned texts
and periodicals, and charges that
school "ofiicials have been associating
with left-wingers."
Blanton Sees Red Influences.
II believe that all members Of our
committee" Blanton said, have
reached the unanimous conclusion
that there has been a deliberate at
tempt on the part of communistic in
fuences to Sovietize not only the
schools of Washington, but the schools
of this Nation"
What is the Communist or Soviet
influence?" Mrs. Doyle asked.
There is serious situation here, a
most serious situation. Our officials
have been associating with left-wing
ers."
"You are referring to the Com
mission on Social Studies?"
"Yes. madam"
Il personally do not agree with
what understand is the general
opinion of that commission" Mrs.
Doyle answered. But what has that
to do with the Washington schools?''
Some of those insiduous matters
are in the schools" Blanton answered.
They are so closely allied and identi-
fed here that 1t makes it a serious
question that think the board men,
bers ought to go into carefully"
Sullivan, Fries Charges
Sullivan and Gen. Amos A. Fries
also appeared before the committee
and repeated in general the state
ments they previously had made be-
fore the School Board and before the
Kennedy Committee yesterday hear
ing evidence on the Sisson bill to repeal
the red rider.
H. Serkowich, clerk to Representa-
tive Jenckes, Democrat, of Indiana,
submitted q series of documents to
show a tie-up between communist ac-
tivities in washington and the Soviet
government. He was supported in the
testimony by Lieut.. Horace Lineburg
Of the Police Department.
They testified there Is school in
Washington where communism is be-
ing taught. but failed to tell where
it is located
Clippings told of charges against
Communist activities at Howard Uni
versity that for some time were in
vestigated by Secretary Ickes OF the
Department.
Describes Soviet Conditions.
Fred G. Lange, editor on industrial
1349 Euclid street, who said
he had lived two years and nine
months in Soviet Russia, described
conditions in that county, but he did
not testify regarding the Washington
schools.
Maurice r. Robinson Of Pittsburgh.
editor of Scholastic, magazine under
fire from Sullivan and Fries, defended
the publication and its use in schools
In many cities of the country.
Mrs. Edward Chaplin, representing
the American Association Of University
Women, appeared and testified that
she favored the teaching Of all forms
Of government, including Russia. in
the schools.