Evening star., 1936-07-12
.B[ANT0N IS AGAIN
WARNED AGAINST
''BULLDOz|NG' ACTS
Representative Keller Ex-
tends Remarks Criticizing
Texan in Record.
SERVES NOTICE THAT
"RED RIDER" MUST GO
Declares Colleague Shall Not In.
sinuate a Charge Against Teach.
ers and School Board.

Representative Thomas l.. Blanton
yesterday received q second warning
against further attempts to bluff and
bulldoZe" District school teachers.
This stand was taken by Represen-
tative Kent E. Keller of Illinois, in
an extension of remarks published in
the Congressional Record.
After serving notice on Blanton
that the red rider" must go, and
that there shall be no more "ques.
tionnaires. Keller said:
He CBlanton) shall not insinuate
a charge against the teachers or men,
bers Of the School Board without
stating 1t clearly, 50 the truthfulness
may be put to the test.
He shall not establish any inquisi-
ton before which to bring any school
teacher without the full authority Of
this House legally granted.
Bulldozins to Be Halted.
'He shall not be permitted to fur
ther bluff and bulldoze the teachers
under the pretense that his member
ship in this body gives him any right.
power or authority further to perse-
cute them, without denunciation Of
his pretension on the floor of this
House.
HE shall not apply any religious
test without challenge Of his right
or any mans right to do that thing
forbidden by the Constitution"
Keller's criticism printed in the
Record was an elaboration OF the
singing rebuke he administered to
Blanton on the floor of the House
early last month, when Keller first
learned the Texan had addressed a
QUESTIONABLE to all District school
teachers probing their religious and
political beliefs.
The Illinois Representative intro
duced a resolution which would have
placed the House on record as de-
ploring Blanton's action, but techni-
cal objections were raised to keep It
from reaching vote.
Appeared As Official Act.
"Let us note that Mr.. Blanton sent
this QUESTIONABLE on his ofdcial con-
gressional paper" said Keller. 1t was
sent in a franked envelope, and .
franked, self addressed envelope for
return of the QUESTIONABLE was in
closed. and attention of the school
teachers called to that fact. Thus 1t
had every outward appearance OF
AN6 io1 ~ intended
to convey that impression to the
teachers. Now read the statement
preceding the questions and note that
Mr.. Blanton stresses the fact that he
is chairman of the subcommittee
handling the District appropriation
bill. Bear in mind that the District
bill carries the money to pay the
salaries of the school teachers Of the
whole District of Columbia.
1.-The implication is clear. Next, note
the concealed threat to save you the
time and inconvenience Of coming be-
fore Us in person. In short, the i'm
plication to the teacher must have
been: Unless you fill out this ques-
tionnaire about your religious beliefs,
your right to teach boys and girls
under you the plain facts Of history,
the political tendencies and develop
ments Of our times, unless you shrive
yourself Of the suspicious Of Mr.. Blan-
ton of Texas, Of any and all knowl-
edge of Russia or the political ideas
of the Russian people, your salary and
your right to teach school In the the
District of Columbia will be jeopar-
died."
Cites Illinois System.
Keller, himself a former school
teacher. then pointed out that the
school system in his State Is independ-
ent of political interference. Declar-
ing there has been no inquisition, in
dctments or suppression there, he
added: I'VE in Southern Illinois would
not stand for that"
The Illinois Representative pointed
out that the public school system OF
Washington is recognized as one OF
the best in the world, and said:
My interest in the schools and the
teachers of my own State has ma
turally led me to observe with ad-
miration the modern and highly EN-
cient school system we have here IN
Washington. To me that is something
In which every member Of Congress
who shares any pride in national edu-
cation ought to rejoice. The Con-
(See BLANTON, Page ~