Evening star., 1936-03-09
SCHOOL NEGLECT
QU|ZZ|NG BARRED
BY MRS. JENCKES
Indianan Declines Second
Time to Be Examined
on Charges.
RECORD OF BLANTON
HEARING PRESENTED
Brief Is Filed Before Kennedy
Subcommittee in Support Of
Accusations.
BY IOHN L. HACKNEY.

Il
Representative Virginia Jenckes,
Democrat, of Indiana, who last week
accused the District School Board of
inefficiency and neglect of duty, de-
clined today, for the second time, to
be cross examined on her charges.
She filed a brief before the Ken
nedy Subcommittee on Education.
conducting hearings on the Sisson bill,
to repeal the rider banning the teach
ing of communism, which, she said,
substantiated her charges.
AS evidence, she placed in the
record more than 200 pages from the
recent Blanton Subcommittee hearings
on the District supply bill, containing
her own and DR.. Frank w. Ballou's
testimony.
Seeks to Quizz Serkovitch.
Representative Sisson. Democrat. of
New York, author of the bill, pointed
out that H. Serkovitch, a clerk for
Mrs. Jenckes, had testified for her,
and he asked that Serkovitch be
called for croSS-eXamination.
Serkovitch had left the room.
Chairman Kennedy agreed to call
members of the school board later to
reply to Mrs Jenckes.
Failure to lease or sell the aban-
doned Tenley School. on Wisconsin
avenue. Mrs. Jenckes declared, con-
stituted inefficiency in handling of
school funds.
At one point during the hearing.
Chairman Kennedy threatened to
clear the caucus room because of
outbreaks of applause. When Mrs
Jenckes refused to be questioned, he
again raped for order when the
crowd booed.
The red rider was likened to the
inquisition by Representative Brewster,
Republican, of Maine in cross-exam
lining E. Brooke Fetty of the Amer
ican Legion. who appeared to oppose
its repeal at today's hearing.
Fetty blamed Objectionable condi-
tions here on DR. Ballou and George
H. Jones, head Of the history depart
ment of the schools.
Under questioning, Fetty said he did
not believe Ballou and Jones are Com
munists, but he accused them of teach
ing "half-truths' on the subject of
communism.
Lewis First Witness.
Representative Lewis, Democrat. of
Maryland was the first witness when
the hearing was resumed today in the
House caucus room.
Il came here" he said, ito express
my opinion on the lack of merit in the
red rider. Those who rushed in with
mandates affecting our high schools
generally are i'll advised and act harm
fully"
Lewis, who never attended high
school, argued for the right to read
'all' literature. He complimented the
thoroughness of high school text books
generally, particularly lauding the
curriculum of the District schools. He
cited Government documents advo-
eating mo inhibitions or prohibitions"
on teaching in State schools.
Judge the merits of bill" he said,
'by what can be done Under it." He
also condemned teachers oaths.
When he had finished, Chairman
Kennedy recalled Fetty, whose testi-
mony was being taken when the last
session adjourned.
The School Board" Fetty said, sis
playing into the hands of the Com
munists by opposing the rider. The
Communists also are against the
Tider.''
Objects to EllenbOgen.
When Representative Ellenbogen, a
member of the District Committee,
objected to "hearsay" testimony, Mrs.
Jenckes objected to Ellenbogen on the
ground he is not member of the
subcommittee conducting the hear
ing. Kennedy sustained Mrs. Jenckes.
The Pennsylvania had attempted
to question Mrs, Jenckes last week
when she made her charges against
the School Board.
Fetty discussed what he believed
the Board of Education would teach, :"
and Representative Sisson interrupted
(see RIDER, Page A-20
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