The Indianapolis times., 1936-02-25
Congress of School 16 Really Works;
There's No Place for Thumb -Twiddlers
Teachers, Pupils Enthuse
Over Novel Project
of Group.
BY JOE COLLIER

Two laws have been passed by the
Congress of the assembled states"
of School Is at 1402 w. Market-st,
and the representatives are antici-
pating a little political trouble with
their constituencies.
One of the laws provides that no
pupil shall arrive on the school yard
before in the morning or / In the
afternoon; the other that no pupil
living within 10 blocks of the school
shall have luncheon at the school
unless through special dispensation.
Because pupils are fond of arriv-
ing before class time and playing
in the school yard-sometimes to
their own harm-it is probable that
the representative may have more
than they can do to repair their
political fences before another elec-
ton.
Court May Get Question
Or some one is likely TO appeal
the law to the Supreme Court, COM
posed of four teachers. There are
two lower judicial bodies-the jun
ior and senior courts, each COM
posed of three pupils and two teach
ers.
If the courts rule that the law
is unconstitutional, that's all there
is to it. The pupils govern them
selves at School 16, through sys-
tenn as nearly like that of the state
and Federal governments as 1T has
been possible to devise.
Principal L. E. Hall, believing that
the pupils should be represented in
their government, appointed COM
mittee of teachers to draw up a
constitution. This was done. There
was constitutional convention,
composed of two pupil-delegates
from each room. Under the guild
ance of Mrs. Era Kinney, social
studies teacher, the constitution was
adopted. :.
Glasses Choose Names
Glasses then voted on what name
they would adopt and be known by
in the government. They could pick
any state name not already chosen.
The constitution provides for
election by ballot of president and
vice president and the election by
states of two senators and three
representatives each. The president
picks cabinet, and its members
are chairmen of various committees.
Before a charge of misdemeanor
can be brought before the courts,
the committee qualified to rule on it
must hear the evidence.
There are no humb-twiddlers as
in the Congress of the United States
because the school group is busy
every time it meets passing laws
and setting the plan into operation.
Pupils Are Interested
Already, Mr. Hall says, there is
genuine interest in the project, and
the courts are little restless to get
into session. Teachers, too, are con-
vinced the program is for the best
interests of the school and will help
fit the pupils for life in organized
society more than any other single
school project.
Each room has studied state gov
ernment and has organized on that
pattern. And while the congress
of School 16 will not have to wres-
tie with bonus, relief and imitation
airy problems, it will have its stormy
sessions.
The Supreme Court never will
have to solve a IVA decision, but
in its way it will have some hair
line problems. Mr.. Hall says it has
put a new zest in school life for
most of the pupils.
Article seven of the Constitution
says the Constitution can be amend
ed by a majority vote of both
houses. Wait till that comes up!