The Washington times., 1937-03-23
CLUB WOMEN
HEAR TALKS
ON RIDER
BY MARY PADGETT

Spirited debates on all angles,
pro and con, concerning repeal or
amendment of the ''red rider"
legislation were made yesterday by
members Of the District OF Column
bia Federation Of Women'S CLUBS
at their meeting in the Roosevelt
Hotel.
The women were so eager to un.
derstand this highly controversial
question, in order to express their
honest views on it, that they
brought to the meeting two dis
tinguished men with opposite
views on the existing law which
prohibits teaching OF communism
in the District public schools, and
compels school teachers to sign an
oath each month declaring they
have neither taught nor advocated
communism before they can OBJ
tain their pay.
At a meeting of the Federation,
two months ago, the members
wished to express their views by
vote for or against the legislation,
but such a heated argument en-
sued that they decided to table
the subject and study the queS.
ton further before taking action.
Wording Altered
Yesterday the federation had be-
fore it a resolution indorsing and
approving the proposed McCor-
mack Amendment, a bill called
the "pink rider" which would
amend the existing law so that 1T
would read as follows:
Provided, that hereafter no
part Of any appropriation for
the public schools shall be avail
able for the payment of the sal
ary Of any person advocating
communism, or treating any
such doctrine with favor or sup
port, but no official or teacher
shall be required to make any
special declaration Of nOn-viOla-
ton hereof, as a condition for
payment of salary"
The resolution also suggested
and urged that the words "offi-
cial or teacher" be changed to
person" so as to preclude the pos
sibility Of anyone being required
to make declarations Of non-vio-
lation.
However, after several hours Of
discussion, both at the morning
and afternoon sessions, the reSolu-
ton was again tabled until the
next meeting.
OPINIONS DIFFER
Several members urged complete
elimination of the "red rider"
others were in favor Of the existing
legislation, and another group was
in favor of the pink rider so the
women, who represent 5000 fed.
Grated members, made little head
way.
DR.. T. D. Martin, director Of
membership of the National Edu-
cation Association, who feels the
red rider" is unnecessary and
futile, and Horace w. Lineburg,
department commander Of the Dis
trict American Legion, who be-
neves repeal in its entirety would
leave the door open for teachers
to advocate communism, spoke at
the morning session.
Representative Sol Bloom, Of
New York, and Miss Janet Rich
ards, the well-known traveller and
lecturer. were other speakers be-
fore the federation, but the Red
Rider" was not their message.
Representative Bloom gave q
most interesting discussion on
"The SesQuicentennial of tn e
Constitution and he told the
women that any layman could
understand the Constitution with
a little intelligent study. He also
declared that there would not be
such a ''hallabaloo" over the Su-
preme Court question today if the
people understand the Constitu-
tion better.
Miss Richards spoke principally
on foreign relations. She declared:
eff the United States passes
legislation that would exclude
selling or lending anything ut
all that would help countries in
warfare, it would prevent an
other world war. Personally, I
do not believe we are going to
have another general European
war for the reason that the
whole world stands aghaSt at the
results Of the World War, when
the futility Of war was so hOr-
ribIy illustrated"
Eleven resolutions, arranged by
the various departments Of the
General Federation Of Women'S
Clubs, were brought before this
local group and voted upon, so
When A a