Evening star., 1946-09-21
Letters to The Star
Sees Need for Education
Asainst Determination


pointing out in his letter Of September
that "it is religious liberty. not tolera-
tion, that Is peculiarly American" His
keen analysis and fortnight statement
Is IN the direct tradition of the trainers
Of our Constitution and the builders Of
our American way Of life. wish he
could have sat in at the meetings of the
Religious Relations Committee Of the
Social Survey. For 1t was that spirit
of American liberty and equality that
animated those Protestant, Catholic and
Jewish citizens of Washington as they
wrestled with the difficult problem Of
religious tensions in the community. 1t
was that tradition and that way OF life
that the committee sought to protect
and to perpetuate.
The committee however, also had q
practical job to do. It was faced with
situation made dithcult by extraordi-.
nary events. For a dozen years the
United States had been subjected to an
intensive propaganda campaign by Nazi
Germany. Anti-Semitism was the chief
motivation of this effort. Allied mill
tary victory ended this enemy propa-
ganda campaign, but its effects still are
being felt. Nor will the effect die out
for many years.
The committee found that in WASH
ington there have been within the last
year manifestations covert incidents Of
religious discriminatory largely in the
public schools, in real estate ownership
and residence restrictions, in employ
ment discrimination, in individual un-
disciplined religious instruction, and In
sporadic organized movements
Education Is an important means of
overcoming the lies, the prejudice and
the group hatred spread by the enc
mics Of American freedom and equality
Education is an invaluable instrument
for the realization of that ideal of per-
feet equality and full liberty for which
Mr.. Haynes argues. But the success Of
educational effort depends on the crea-
ton Of attitudes and the development Of
understanding through knowledge.
Techniques have been developed in the
past few years, such rs the various plans
OF intercultural and interfaith pro-
grams. These foster proper attitudes
and impart 4 knowledge of the true
facts and Of the contributions Of the
different groups and faiths to the max
ing Of America. Such education pro-
notes an attitude of tolerance to sup
plant the dislike Of the unlike"
BY tolerance is meant not grudgingly
refraining from destroying that which
Is unlike" but an intellectual and an
emotional open-mindedness BY toler-
ance is meant a willingness to under
stand the other fellow. a willingness
to undertake living with him as men,
bers OF one community. Only when such
an attitude has been created is it pos
sible for the community 80 to live and
to grow that the ideals of equality and
freedom become possible of realization.
The aim OF the committee was to pro-
mote and maintain the American ira
dition. So it was neither its recon-
mendation, nor its intention, that the
teaching Of religion - such be intro
duced IN the schools. Rather that there
be presented the principles which are
basic TO al religions, such as the Faith
erhood Of God and the Brotherhood OF
Man, and the contributions Of all re-
lisious faiths to American culture.
We are living in An era Of upheaval.
In Warrington, as elsewhere, We need
to keep clearly in sight the ideals of
liberty and equality which have made
America great. But We need also to 20
about actively and practically building
With the bricks of education a communal
structure In which those ideals will be
able TO reside. ELI LOUIS COOPER.
Defends Horn Blowing
10 the Hdtor Of The Star:
The occasional blowing Of auto horns
apparently is a problem that unduly
excites few Washington citizens and
oficials. A large number of nervous
citizens and = very large number Of
our District Of Columbia police and
judges take great offense At any auto
horn blowing.
Washington is without question the
most beautiful city in America and con-
siderjng the frightful handling of the
trafnc problem In the past, the Districts
auto movement is handled with less
unnecessary noise than any other me-
tropolis in the United States. However
trafnc cannot be controlled with the
silence of Yellowstone National Park
or some oasis In the Sahara Desert.
Any conception to the contrary is
ridiculous.
Some years ago a poor Washington
citizen auto driver had the timerity to
blow his horn at the bad driving OF
. former Commissioner. He got him.
self . ticket and . few days later an
ordinance was on the books that almost
would hang 4 motorist who would dare
to use his horn, after all, an auto
accessory that il built into all cars by
the manufacturers and part of the
motorists equipment. 1t is against the
law to b without horn and also 1t
must be in good condition.
The taxt driver of washington, driv-
ing perhaps 1000 miles q week a ma
chine which, when loaded, weighs in
excess Of 1000 pounds and propelled
through the streets from rs miles to
80 miles an hour, knows he is master
Of a very dangerous weapon. Daily
and almost every hour, he saves lives
by blowing his auto horn at pedestrians
who refuse to look where they are
walking and motorists who never should
be allowed to drive even a wheel barrow.
II the District Of Columbia wants to
cut down the horrible auto trafac kill
ings, let's instruct our officials. police and