Evening star., 1936-01-21
B[ANTON PROBES
bALL0U ACTIVITY
SCHOOLS HEAD
Sisson Introduces Measure
to Permit Teaching of
Communist Facts.
TEXAN SEEKS COPIES
OF ALL COMPLAINTS
Calls for Transcript of 1ndorse-
ments of superintendent When
Named and Reelected.

ments OF superintendent When
Named and Reelected.
The long -drawn-out controversy
over communism In the District pub
lie schools has suddenly taken two
new turns:
/. Representative Blanton. Demo-
crat. Of Texas. member of the HOUSE
Subcommittee on Appropriations in
charge Of the District supply bill,
started an investigation Of the activi
ties of Supt. Of Schools Frank w
Ballou.
2. Representative Sisson, Democrat
OF New York introduced a bill designe
to give District school teachers th-
privilege of teaching, without fear. t,
facts of communism and the politica
economical and social systems OF an5
country.
Asks Copies Of All Complaints.
Blanton's plans were revealed to the
Board Of Education late yesterday.
when he asked for copies of all in
dorsements given DR.. Ballou at the
time Of his appointment and any
given at the time Of his reelection.
He also asked for copies of all COM
plants that have been filed with DR..
Frank w. Ballou or other officials or
teachers under him. or with the Board
OF Education, against any text books
or study magazines or methods OF
teaching since July /, 1920"
SlSson's bill is intended to modify
and clarity the so-called anti-com-
munism rider on the 1886 District
appropriation act, which forbids school
employees from teaching or advocat-
ing communism. The measure, how
ever, will hold to strict accountability
teachers who advocate overthrowing
or changing the form of the Gov
ernment Of the United States by
force or violence.
Rider Passage Condemned.
simultaneously with introduction Of
the bill, Sisson. who, incidentally, was
a member of the Board Of Education
OF Whitesboro. N. Y, for nine years,
AacdSd . SSdOClIlCIll SCNclSIy
ing the method by which the anti
communism rider was "sneaked" into
the appropriation act.
This rider was slipped through
without debate in either the House OF
j Representatives or the Senate and
went through only because it came to
the attention of only a few members
of either body of Congress, the state
| ment said in part. 1T is somewhat
significant that it follows a provision
in the appropriation act providing
for the furnishing of free tuition to
the children Of Army and Navy OIL
GERS in the District of Columbia. It
might be inferred from this that it
was inspired by some of the repres-
sionists and restrictionists who are
representing the Army and Navy and
are constantly sticking their noses into
legislation.
Henry l. Quinn, board member. de-
clared upon receipt of Blanton's re-
quest, that it would take considerable
time to produce the information BE-
cause of the long period it will cover
Fifteen and One half Years.
Robert A. Maurer pointed out tha'
the period covered is l5l2 years and
that "a teacher would have to have
good memory and complete files" to
comply with the request.
DR.. Ballou reported, however. that
he is circularizing the school system
asking for the dates Of such COM
plants, the name of the complainant,
the person who received the complaint
and the nature Of the complaint.
The other data, covering DR.. Ballou's
Endorsements, are to be supplied from
the minutes by Charles B. Degges. sec
retary. Degges also was instructed
to point out that no opposition had
been offered to DR.. Ballou at his orig
inal or subsequent elections.
Representative Blanton did no
specifically mention the present ant
communism agitation. but said ths!
as chairman Of the Appropriation
Subcommittee Il have received frol-
substantial citizens of Washingto~
complaints regarding certain matter
connected with the public schools.
Blanton is one of the original sponsor
of the ban on communism
Another letter from Senator Royal
S. Copeland, Democrat. of New York.
inquired what consideration has been
given" to criticisms George E. Sullivan.
chairman of special committee of the
Federation Of Citizens Association,
has passed upon the teaching in the
schools"
Report on Periodicals.
Meanwhile. Dr. Ballou submitted hi
first report from committees Of officers
and teachers named to study periodl-
Gals used In the schools. Forty-seven
magazines and papers we're approved
for general use and a reason for the
selection of each was given. The ques-
toned NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. not
included in the list. The superintend-
net said subsequent reports on other
publications will be made as soon as
the committees can complete their
work.
A number of communications COM
mending the board for its stand and
opposing a congressional investigation
as proposed by the Sullivan committee
were presented by DR.. Bxllou and Sec
retary Degges.