Evening star., 1947-02-06
Board Approves
Symphony Fund
Drive in Schools
Police Boys Club
Solicitation PIed
is Turned Down

Workers for the National SYM
phony Orchestra fund campaign to-
day have the approval of the Board
of Education to solicit public school
employees for contributions - but,
representatives of the Metropolitan
Police Boys Club do not.
In a meeting yesterday marked
by sharp exchanges on several sub
jects, the board voted approval of
the campaign for contributions to
the National Symphony Orchestra,
so public school employees may be
solicited for contributions as in
other years.
The resolution passed regarding
the Metropolitan Police Boys Club,
however, read simply:
"The board commends the mem
bership drive of the Boys Club of
Metropolitan Police, D. c., in order
that public school employees may be
acquainted with the membership
drive" n
Discussion on Boys Drive.
When the Boys Club drive came
UP for action, Adelbert w. Lee,
board member, said there was no
harm in giving information out but
no solicitation should be allowed.
When it was pointed out that the
orchestra drive already had been
approved, DR.. Carroll r. Reed, as
sistant superintendent, assured the
board members every one was in
terested in the juvenile delinquency
problem and was backing Attorney
General Clark in every way in
his fight to help the country's
youngsters. Mr.. Clark had Endorsed
the Boys Club drive previously.
Another board member, DR.. James
A. Cannon, said the board two
years ago had taken action to keep
teachers from being imposed on by
so many drives. He suggested that
the Boys Club drive information be
posted on the school bulletin boards
and box be placed in convenient
place for contributions.
Mr.. Lee declared solicitation
should be not permitted in the
schools. He said the orchestra
came in a slightly different category
as it had "quasi-educational value"
Air Scholarships Approved.
Flight training scholarships for
students enrolled III aviation classes
at the Districts high schools were
approved by the board in another
action.
These scholarships, offered by
four aviation organizations in the
District area, were approved with
the provision that the board have
no supervision over the awards and
the instruction and that no re-
sponsibility is assumed by the board
for any injury that might result
from accidents.
The conditions were set up by
Corporation Counsel Vernon E. West
at the request of the board.
A request from the principal Of
the Park View School that protests
be entered against granting an off,
sale beer license to the B. 81 w.
Market, 1888 Warder street NV,
which is across the street from the
school, brought immediate objec-
tions from DR.. Cannon.
1--WE are beseiged by well-meaning
but prejudiced people who are
against any one making living by
selling beer" he declared. IF the
280 CT students who hold classes
there want beer, they will get 1t
before they 60 to school or after"
DR.. Cannon claimed the school
officials misrepresented the distance
of the store from the school in the
report made to the board.
1.-The way the matter was pre-
sented Is an insult to the hoard"
he said.
Mr.. Lee answered: "It is the duty
of the board to protect children, not
businessmen"
The board postponed action until
DR.. Gannon's protests of misrepre-
sentation were investigated.
Other Actions Taken.
Among the other actions taken
by the board were:
/. Authorization of the installa-
tion of a plaque in Franklin School
Building by the Alexander Graham
Bell Chapter of the Telephone
Pioneers of America on March 3.
The plaque will commemorate the
first message sent by wireless tele-
phone in the world, which travelled
from the top floor of the Franklin
building on June 8, 1880, to 1925 L
street NV. March 3 will mark the
centennial of the birthday of the
inventor. 4
Q. The sale of the Booker T.
Washington commemorative half
dollar in the schools was forbidden
as a matter of policy. Full cooper
alton in spreading the information
concerning the campaign was prom
ised, however.
3. Establishment Of a salary of
$40 per session for special instruc-
tors who are employed in the voca-
tional high schools for intensive
courses in subjects such as restau-
rant managers, hotel management
and other courses requested by busi-s
ness firms. Previous pay was $2.25
for a three-hour class.
4. Approval of the retirements of
Harry P. Cliff, laborer, Western
High School, for disability, effec-
tive January 81, and John Stecklein,
watchman, Mckinley High School,
for disability, effective March 81.
5. Approval of the application of
the st. Joseph's Home and School
for participation in the national
school lunch program.