Evening star., 1936-06-19

pIOpTldJlOlS NUHiitllttce 10 HuIIlOT1ZeQ
to make investigations"
do you know whether. there was
any authority for sending out the
questionnaire?" asked Keller.
L know that under the practices
Of the House committees are author
lied to investigate any matter they
see fit" responded Cannon.
Does the gentleman hold that this
House would have the right to apply
any test to the teachers?' asked
Keller.
NO" replied Cannon. There has
been no test applied"
do other members on tie Subcom-
mittee on Appropriations approve of
the questionnaire?" Keller next asked.
Il don't believe they would take
position in opposition to the chair
man." said Cannon.
Constitution Cited.
At that point Sisson arose and
pointed out that the Constitution OF
the United States provides that no
religious test shall be applied in the
appointment Of public officers, which
includes school teachers.
mo religious test is being applied"
said Cannon This is a matter of
character education"
Taber congratulated Blanton on
the fight he has made against COM
munism and declared: Il am op-
posed to the teaching Of communism
in the public schools"
Representative Fish, Republican, of
New York also congratulated Blan-
ton and said that "at least one men,
Der Of the House is trying to expose
the activities and propaganda of
Communists in our public schools"
do you know of any instance
where communism is taught in the
schools of the District" interrupted
Mrs. Norton.
None whatever" Fish answered.
There is only one way to fight
communism" Fish resumed. do
what the gentleman from Texas is
doing - expose what communism
stands for All that is needed Is to
show what they are trying to do"
Keller Is Criticized.
Rankin criticized Keller for offering
resolution calling on the House to
censure Blanton. THE gentleman
from Illinois went out Of his way to
capitulate to bunch Of propaganda
put out by the newspapers Of WASH
ington," he shouted
Rankin predicted that If the House
had voted on Keller's resolution the
outcome would have shown that the
members have not lost confidence in
Blanton.
Blanton. in closing the arguments,
again told of the tax situation in
Washington and declared that some
day the people of the United States
are going to wake up" and discover
conditions here He also charged that
Washington money is being used In
his congressional district to hire brass
bands and for other purposes to fight
his reelection.
Keller yesterday sought to have Blan-
ground that the QUESTIONABLE reflected
upon the dignity Of the House. Failing
in that move, on a technicality, he later
appeared before the Board of Educa-
ton at a special meeting called to con-
slider the teacher investigation and
promised to give Blanton the fight Of
his life"
Keller also advised teachers at the
School Board meeting to refuse to
answer.
Promises House Injunctions.
"If Blanton starts anything" and
subpoenas any teacher "the House will
stop him." Keller declared. Just let
me know" he said, land I promise
you an injunction from the House that
will keep him in his place"
Keller's statement preceded action
by the board at which it oficially in
formed the teachers to use their own
discretion in answering the Blanton
questionnaire. Regardless of decision
Of the teachers, the board ruled their
status and records would not be i'm
paired in any way.
After the attack by Keller and
members of the Senate, Blanton told
newspaper men after the House ad-
journed last night he would answer
the criticism at the first opportunity
on the floor of the House.
Says He viii Reply.
II am going to reply to Mr.. Keller"
declared Blanton, but I am not going
to treat him as dirty as he treated me.
am going to invite him to be present
In the House when make my speech
about him."
Blanton was attending District bill
conference when Keller introduced the
resolution to censure him for sending
out the questionnaire. He rushed into
the House almost breathlessly after