Evening star., 1945-10-12
Transit Official
0pposesChange
In School Hours
Emmons Clashes With
Women on Importance
Of Pupils and Workers

The Importance of a childs health
over a War Department employees
punctual arrival for work, was dis
cussed today as women members OF
the Board of Education clashed with
transit company officials opposing
return to the 9 am. public school
opening hour.
| Samuel Emmons, representing the
Capital Transit Co., told a confer
ence of school and traffic officials at
the Franklin School that the pupils
"are not as important" as War De-
partment and other Government
employees.
Therefore, he thought the schools
should continue the $50 am. open
ing for junior and senior high
schools for some time, rather than
returning to the 8 am. opening
which he declared would force Gov
ernment employees off the buses.
Mother Defends Children.
Mrs. Philip Sidney Smith, boaro
member and mother of three chill.
dren, replied, The children are
more important. They need day
light"
Mrs. Velma Williams, board men,
Der and mother of four children
added, 1--WE are responsible for the
future citizens. Adults should be
nconvenienced first"
The two mothers, along with
school officials, contended that Q
normal 8 am. to 8 pm. day will
give the pupils much more sunshine
and chance for recreation. DR.
Chester w. Holmes and DR.. Gar
nett C. Wilkinson. in charge of high
schools, declared that even an 8:3C
am. opening would be preferable
to the wartime $50 am. to give
time for much-needed athletics.
Transit Firm Gives Stand.
The transit company Office de-
clared that at least SIS buses and Is
streetcars would be needed to han
die pupils at 9 am. His company
has fewer buses and drivers avail
able now than it did when the school
hours were first staggered in March
1912, Mr.. Emmons declared. At the
same time there has been a "a per
cent increase in bus riders since
the change was found necessary, Mr.
Emmons added.
The 9 am. hour is preferred by
most people, Mr.. Emmons said.
Why should the least important
group to be moved take the most de.
sirable hour?" he asked.
Mrs. Arthur C. Watkins, president
of the Congress of Parents ano
Teachers. joined other mothers
present in taking issue with Mr.
Emmons' views on the relative i'm
portance of children.
More Consideration Urged.
II do not grant it is more impor-
tant for War Department employe
to get work" she said. "It IS more
important for children to get the
extra sunshine. / wish you would
consider children more and adults
less
Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Williams,
nAOItS Will ocUIgt T.. u. hayes, an
other board member, asked Mr.. En-
mons why the transit company does
not hire colored drivers to relieve
personnel shortages.
Mr.. Emmons said he did not care
to discuss the matter at this time.
Later, in reply to a question from
Robert L. Haycock, superintendent
of schools, the presiding officer, Mr.
Emmons said plenty of bus drivers
will be returning from the services
soon but the company does not know
when.
w. A. Van Duzer, director of We
hicles and traffic, and Inspector Ar
thur E. Miller, representing the
Police Department, both asked that
the $50 am. hour be kept for a
while to avoid traffic congestion.
The Board of Education will con-
slider changing the hour at its meet
ing next Wednesday.