Evening star., 1940-05-22
P..T. A. Indorses
Representation:
For District
Resolution CulIinq
For Suffrage Is
Tabled, However

The 9th annual convention of
the District Congress of Parents and
Teachers today voted approval Of
national representation for the Dis
trict, but tabled a resolution calling
for local suffrage.
The resolution favoring national
representation was approved by q
vote OF 236 to 144, while a vote of
265 to 1856 tabled the local suffrage
measure. The Board of Managers
OF the congress had previously in
dorsed both measures.
Many of the delegates objected to
the resolutions on the ground that
they involved politics" and there
fore were not properly subjects of
consideration by parent-teacher or
ganizations.
Il see no relation between this
subject and parent-teacher ac-
tivity," Mrs. Charles Pierce of the
Mckinley High School Parent
Teacher Association, told the group.
Filibuster Threatened.
Mrs. Riley Elgen declared, how
ever, that obtaining the franchise
for children was definitely linked
with PIT. A. interest in youth.
The local suffrage resolution was
tabled on motion of R. T. Haugh,
president of the Mcfarland Parent
Teacher Association, who said he
had been out of the room when the
national representation measure was
adopted. He also moved reconsider
alton of the action on national suf-
frage, but the motion failed. One
delegate threatened a filibuster if
the question was reopened.
The two resolutions were part of
q program of more than 20 present.
ed by Mrs. j. N. Saunders, chair
man Of the Resolutions Committee.
Others called for an increased ap-
preparation for the maintenance and
repair of buildings and grounds in
accordance with the estimates of the
Board Of Education; favored CO.
operation of recreation units pro-
viding that the Board of Education
retained its control of school build
ings and grounds; denounced gam
bling; opposed a race track in the
District; called for strict enforce
ment of liquor laws when the appli-
can't for a license is near school
or church; called for adequate relief
appropriations; opposed any change
In compulsory vaccination regula-
tion, and opposed any legislation
threatening the autonomy of the
Board OF Education or the Juvenile
Court, and favoring wholesome radio
programs.
Junior College Discussed
Earlier the delegates heard DR.. NJ
M. Chambers of the staff of the
American Youth Commission praise
the Districts educational admins
tration. He expressed the hope that
the authority of the Board of Edu-
cation would not be taken away
'piecemeal" and scattered among
other agencies of government.
Pointing out that there are al
ready SIS junior colleges in the
country, he raised the question as to
whether the District should add a
public junior college to its school
system, and if so, how soon. Mrs.
William Kletzer, newly-elected pres
tdent of the National Congress of
Parents and Teachers, who dropped
in on the session, entered the dis
cussion on whether or not suffrage
was fit subject for PIT. A. action.
She said PIT. A. should avoid
partisan politics." but declared "the
science Of Government is its busi-
ness"
Also attending the session was
Alexander Lamour, president of
Puerto Rican Parent Teacher Asso-
Citations.
will Close Tonight.
The convention will close with a
fellowship dinner at the Carlton
Hotel at 7:30 pm. ..
Mrs. Frederick Manglier of the
John Burroughs Parent-Teacher
Association was announced the
winner of the letter contest spon-
sored by WJSV on its University in
the Home series. She and her as
sociation will select high school
student, who will receive a one-year
scholarship to any one of the five
universities participating in the
radio program.