Evening star., 1936-03-06

explain the bill. he devoted nearly all
his time to criticism of the tax pay
ments of a number of the leading
citizens of Washington He men,
toned them by name. Some of them
are newspaper executives. He con-
tended the newspapers were after
him" because he was in their way"
After repeating his time-worn story
that Washington is great place in
which to live because of its ST so real
estate tax and the lack of income,
gift and sales taxes, etc, he suddenly
turned on Thomas Minehan's book,
Boy and Girl Tramps of America, I"
describing it as the most indecent.
vilest, most blasphemous ever pub
lished." The book, he said, can be
found in all branches of the public
library in Washington, but it should
he run out" of the country. The
copy is the book in the northeast
branch of the library, he said, has
been handled so much it had to be
rebound
Free Advertising Hit.
''The gentleman shouldn't put that
in the Record" remarked Representa-,
tive Cochran. Democrat. of Missouri
Hes just givinga the book $50O,000
worth of free advertising"
Another effort to amend the bill
was made by Representative Bland,
Democrat, of Virginia. He wanted the
item for repair Of wharves along the
Potomac waterfront increased from
$1,000 to $4,000. The House, of
course, voted that down.
Much was said during the debate
about communism in the public
schools and the so-called little red
rider" that prevents teachers from
talking about it. At one point there
was brief exchange between Blanton
and Mrs. Norton
1t was pointed out by Mrs. Norton
that she had not heard single COM
plaint from a parent about a Wash
ington teacher discussing communism
or overthrow of the Government.
Blanton, however, declared he had a
bundle OF such complaints, and then
by implication, suggested that COM
munism would never be wiped out of
the schools until DR.. Frank w. Ballou,
superintendent, is removed.
you're going to have to begin at
the apex of the school system in fight
ing this thing" he declared. We'll
have to put into the bosom of the
superintendent new philosophy Of
education" ,
I Trafic Lights Retained.
About this time, Zioncheck made
another effort to amend the bill. He
wanted to elimipate an item for the
purchase Of additional traffic lights
He argued that the lights now In
operation were "insanely" operated
but the House thought otherwise, and
allowed the $4,000 item for new
lights to remain in the bill.
The last several hours of general
debate on the measure showed rather
conclusiyely that the House was in q
frame Of mind to support Blanton
and his committee. Representative
Taber of New York, ranking Repub-
lican member of the Appropriations
Committee, opened the discussion with
an appeal for support Of the subcom-
mfttee's recommendations.
Representative Smell Of New York.
minority leader. interrupted to ex-
plain he had been impressed by COM
plants raised against the reduction in
appropriations for the protection of
public health. Those are things the
people Of the District have to pay for"
he declared. why can't you give 1t
to them?" s.+--r
The principal argument in favor
of the bill. however. was made by
Representative Otter, Republican, Of
Pennsylvania, q member of. the sub
committee which framed the measure.
He touched on various features of the
measure, but emphasized particularly
the steps that had been taken to
protect the school children against
communism. He also attacked the
"dilatory' tactics of the Commissioners
for not recommending legislation to