Evening star., 1937-01-05
RED RIDER FIGHT
.ENLWENS MEETING
7 wo designations, Abrupt
Adjournment Mark Takoma,
D. C., Citizens Session.

Az the result of q lengthy discus
sion of the "red rider" at one Of the
most tense meetings held in the his
tbry of the Citizens Association Of
Iakoma, d. c., last night, two promi-
nent members Of the association re-
q slgned membership on committees and
the meeting abruptly adjourned.
The exciting moments came when
william M. Green, chairman Of the
School Committee, presented reso-
luton reaffirming the action Of the
association last March, favoring re-
zeal of the so-called red rider"
President Wallace c. Magathan
ruled that the resolution was out Of
order, as the association had already
passed on the subject at special
meeting of the association. Jesse c..
sSuter, member of the Executive
Committee of the association, quickly
appealed from the decision of the
chair, stating that the resolution was
regular, that action was timely and
there was no reason for ruling the
resolution out of order. The chair
was overridden by standing vote OF
II to 7, although many present did
mot vote.
Debate Extended.
George E. Sullivan, chairman OF
the Laws and Legislation Committee,
then took the floor and reviewed the
history of the "red rider" and his
part in the activities not only from
the standpoint of a delegate to the
Federation of Citizens Association,
but as representative and chairman
bf that organization having the mat
ter in charge. He said that he con-
sidered it a direct slap in the face
and after discussing the matter at
some length, moved that the resolution
be referred to the Executive Commit
tee of the association, with power to
act. Adoption of the resolution, ne
said, would bring the association into
bad repute, which brought a denial
from Suter. Time was called on both
Sullivan and Suter, but extensions
were granted to continue the debate.
At this point In the meeting
Magathan called First Vice President
r. H. Fielder to the chair and STEP
ping to the floor Magathan made a
direct appeal to decide the issue once
and for all. After serving FIVE years
as president, he said, he did not want
anything to happen that would hurt
the association. He explained that
he did not want to act arbitrarily In
the matter and pleaded for harmony.
When he returned to the chair d.
Stewart Patterson moved that the
resolution be tabled. The motion
won II to z.
When the vote was announced,
Green took the floor and resigned as
chairman of the School Committee.
Immediately followed by Suter pre-
senting his resignation as a member
OF the Executive Committee. He de-
plored the tabling Of the resolution.
Resolutions Provisions.
Main provisions Of the resolution
were:
81. That we reaffirm our action OF
March 8, 1896, fayoring the repeal OF
the so-called red rider attached to
the District appropriation act for the
fiscal year 1885.
"As q general proposition, We are
opposed to legislation on appropria-
ton bills and regard the said red
rider as an especially obnoxious ex-
ample Of such irregular legislative
procedure. This association has no
sympathy with communism and Is
%1 ottnynntnd ind0ctrin-
alton of the pupils of our schools with
that or any other un-American doc
trines. Any persons in the school
system guilty of such reprehensible
conduct should be singled out and
suitably punished rather than the
slurring as unpatriotic and disloyal
our fine body Of teachers and school
officials.
"2. That we express it as our belief
that If the pupils of our schools are
to receive q well-rounded education
which, among other things, will equip
them for an understanding of the
fallacies and pitfalls and dangers of
communism and other foreign 'isnls,
they must get unbiased instruction
regarding such subjects in our schools
rather than from propagandists or
.crack-pot' advocates of such theories.
80. That this association disclaims
any sympathy with or approval of
the attitude and activities Of the
Federation of Citizens Associations
and its Special Committee on Com
muniSm in the schools upon this
subject.
-. That our delegates to tine Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associations be
and they sre hereby instructed to
support in that body any proposals
for the repeal of the said red rider
and the discharge Of the said Special
Committee on Communism in the
Schools"
After the meeting adjourned Presi-
dent Magathan called the Executive
Committee together and it was de-
cided to take the matter up at an
early meeting of the committee for
future action.
The association adopted resolutions
conrAending the recent refusal of the
District Commissioners to favorably
recommend legislation to permit SUM-
day sales of alcoholic beverages; IA
voring early passage of a bill to
strengthen the law against gambling
in the District and favoring estab-
lishment Of an inebriate farm.
Marriage Licenses.
Prank O. Ballodorsch. 81. and Ida May