Evening star., 1936-02-01
COMMUNISM BAN
D|SAPPROvED BY
TEACHERS OF CITY
Seek Right to Present Facts
About All Existing Gov
ernmentS.
HOLD AMERICAN FORM
IS BEST YET DEVISED
Believe Information Gives Child
Understanding and Love
for Own System.


For the first time since the begin
ming of the controversy over COM
munism in the public schools here.
the teaching profession of the city has
voiced its disapproval of restrictions
now being advocated" and has asked
for the right to present the facts about
"all existing forms of government IN
order properly to give to the American
child an understanding Of and love
for our own"
The assertions were included In
statement of beliefs" containing five
principles which was approved by the
Education Association Of the District
of Columbia, representing some $500
teachers.
The statement Of beliefs" was pre-
sented by the associations Legislative
Committee after study Of more than
two months and indicates 1.-The posi-
ton of its members In relation to the
problem of freedom of teaching within
the public school classes of the CITY,"
Controversy Is Avoided.
Although the action is q direct re-
suit of the communism controversy,
the statement avoids use Of that word
and no direct reference is made to
the present law prohibiting the teach
ing or advocating of Communism IN
the public schools.
It was learned that the action OF
the teachers, taken at meeting OF
the Delegate Assembly Of the asso-
citation, was done without the knowl-
edge of the Board of Education or
DR.. Frank w. Ballou, superintendent
of schools. As a matter OF fact.
neither the members Of the board nor
DR.. Ballou had BEEN advised Of the
action today.
Nor have the teachers presented
their position to the members OF
Congress who sponsored the legs-
lation that has banned instruction
on all things Russian or commu-
| niStic.
Asked If the statement would be
sent to the members of Congress. DR..
Edgar c. Higbie, president. said:
I'VE haven't presented the state
ment to Congress and don't know
that we will. If members of Con-
gress want to know how we feel on the
subject, then, of course, we will tell
them"
Presides at Session.
DR.. Higbie, who is also president
| of Wilson Teachers College, pre-
sided at the assembly meeting. He
presented three subjects on which he
advised the members to inform them
selves: The proposed elective school
board, the five-year building program,
and "the need for that freedom OF
teaching and learning so necessary
to the development of real citizens
in a democracy"
I'm regard to this latter question, u
DR.. Higbie said, II want to make my
own position perfectly clear. am
heart and soul for the American form
Of government, for our Government
under our Constitution. feel very
definitely that we should not only
teach the origin and growth Of this
form, but that we should go much
further and inculcate respect for and
allegiance to it.
II further believe, however. that
teachers must have q certain freedom
to present it in comparison with
other forms and do not believe II
will in any way be endangered In sc
doing. This is freedom, not license
and under it the individual instructor
may we'll be held responsible for its
wise USE"
Five Principles Approved.
The five principles unanimously ap.
proved by the representatives Of the
teaching profession In Washington are
as follows:
1--WE believe that the American form
Of government Is the best yet devised
for our people and that when changes
are needed, ample provisions are avail.
able for such changes.
I'VE believe that public schoo
teachers in America should teach thi.
American form to all pupils (witt
methods suitably adapted to grade
level of the various groups), incul'
eating them with love for it and fol
our country for which it Is the funda.
mental law.
I'VE believe that the American form
of government gains in the respect
and admiration of people in proper
ton as it is brought into open con-
trast with other world forms.
1--WE believe that the teacher mus
be left free to consider all existini
forms Of government in order prop
erly to give to the American child al
understanding of and love for oul
own. We feel, therefore. that Ger
tain restrictions now being advocated
dangerously encroach upon the right!
Of free men and women guaranteed
under our Constitution.
I'VE believe that the present oatt
Of allegiance to the Constitution O.
the United States b suficient to In.
sure the above and provide an ade.
quate basis for prosecution In case O