Evening star., 1937-01-03
Red Rider
Continued From Page B-l.)

E. Barrett Prettyman permitted teach
ers to teach the facts of the form of
government in Communistic Russia.
but they are not doing it for fear
of criticism" and because they have
to make affidavit, before drawing sal
ary, that did not at any time
teach or advocate Communism"
1T is an unfortunate situation" he
said Il feared it. and it has come
true"
AS for the School Board, 1t has
placed repeal Of the red rider" as one
of the three most important items IN
its program for the new year. Mrs.
Henry Grattan Doyle. president of the
board is particularly anxious that the
school system be relieved this year Of
the waves of Misrepresentation, ig-
norance, bigotry and prejudice" that
harassed both teachers and officers
in 1896.
Views Year in Retrospect.
1.-THE year 1896 in retrospect" she
said, brings to my mind picture of
some 5000 earnest, honest, patriotic
people-the public school teachers Of
hington-faithfully carrying on
their appointed tasks. moving steadily
on their chosen path, while all around
them we're rockets red glare of false
accusations of communism, and
bombs bursting in air filled with the
poison gas Of Misrepresentation, igno-
rance. bigotry and prejudice.
But all the bluster, threats, unsup-
ported accusations and unconstitu-
tional questionnaires have only served
to give proof through the night that
our flag was still there'-the flag Of
genuine Americanism, the American
ism for which the founders of this
great and enduring Nation gave their
lives. And that flag still flies, as it
always has and always will. over the
heads and in the hearts of the teach
ers, pupils and administrative staff of
the District of Columbia public schools.
Let it not be forgotten that not
one single instance of any employe Of
the Board of Education advocating
anti-American doctrines has been
found. But the un-American rider, in
spite of the splendid reports by COM
mittees by both Houses of Congress.
is still with U.S."
Mrs. Doyle, however, predicts re-
peal of the rider, because, she said,
she still has faith in the ultimate
victory of real American principles
oyor iy,,itot finn onps
Commissioners Pledge Aid.
All three Commissioners-Melvin G.
Hazen, George E. Allen and Col. Dan
1: Sultan-have pledged their sup
port to the School Board in the i'm
pending "red-rider" fight. The Com
missioners take the position there is
no need to require teachers to sign
an afidavit each month that they
have not advocated communism-a
requirement based on a ruling of
former Controller General McCarl.
Allen branded the "red rider" as
ridiculous while Sultan believes
there is "too much obscuring of facts"
because OF the effect it has had on
the school system.
The attitude OF the commissioners,
however, Is not really new. While
they were not called on at the last
session to make a report on Sisson's
bill, it was pointed out, they did ap-
prove Prettyman's opinion, which
held that teachers could teach the
facts of communism, as long as they
did not advocate it as form of gov
ernment.
In effect, the Commissioners in ap-
proving Prettyman's opinion, held
there is distinct difference between
advocating communism and teaching
the facts about it. Because of the
acts ambiguous phraseology. however,
the Controller General chose the oath
by school employees that they did not
teach or advocate communism as the
most expedient method Of assuring
himself that the acts provisions had
not been violated.