Evening star., 1947-07-17
'Maurer Defends
School Textbook
Attacked by Lee
Speaks at Meeting Of.
VFWs S Un-Americun
Activities Committee

A history textbook used in District
public schools. which is being dis
cussed at meetings of the Un-Anfer.
ican Activities Committee of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars, last night
was defended as wholesome" by
DR.. Robert A. Maurer, vice president
of the Board Of Education.
Board of Education Member Adel-
bert w. Lee has blasted the book as
"subversive." and at meeting of
the committee last week the volume
was taken up. 1t is used by ga
students.
Mr.. Lee said it contains a refer
ence to religion that is "derogatory.
He also declared the book has a
derogatory effect in that it suggests
that more than one political party
in the United States should not be
Also pointed out was
that picture of Stain is in the
book, whereas it contains no pic
lures of American generals or
admirals.
Explaining during last nights
meeting in the Willard Hotel that
he was acting in an individual
DR.. Maurer said he was
willing to concede there were some
things he would change" in the book
but I insist on the whole the book
is wholesome.
"As to being subversive or COM
that is way wide of the
mark" he added.
Relatively Minor" Place.
After explaining the makeup Of
the history and geography classes
given in the schools, he said the
book in question, Building Citizen
ship" by R. o. Hughes, is used only
in the ga class in teaching civics.
He declared it is one of two books
for the elective class.
DR.. Maurer then took up each of
the points referred to at the last
after explaining that the
book by Mr.. Hughes has rela-
lively minor place in our school
system
1t was pointed out that the pic
ture of Premier Stain, which is in
cluded in war edition of the book.
is captioned: stain, Russian
leader and hero. Only recently has
he met with the leaders of other
countries"
DR.. Maurer emphasized, however.
the book contains a specific refer
ence to the effect that Russia first
was under one dictator, Lenin, and
then under a second dictator,
Stain.
Encouragement Questioned.
Does this encourage commu-
nism?" he asked. How can boy
or girl read that and become en-
thusiastic about communism or
Stain? I ask you in all fairness.
Let's look at this thing from the
reasonable effect it has on a boy
or a girl"
A question posed by COMMITTEES
Chairman Charles s. Sullivan, jr..
was that there is nothing in the
book which states that revolution
is contrary to our laws.
In reply, DR.. Maurer contended,
Don't you think the boy or girl
would put that in its proper place9"
when I read the part on revolu-
ton. I thought of the American
and George III. And I
don't think there is boy or girl
who wouldn't think of it that way"
He pointed out the book empha-
sizes the contention that evolution
now brings about the proper results,
as differentiated from revolution.
Quotation on Religion.
A portion of the book which refers
to religion and which had been
termed "derogatory" is as follows:
Another phase of religious belief
which we find among a great many
people is the thought of a spirit
world or a future life. If there is
another world in which man will
be punished or rewarded for the
way he lives here, there is strong
force to make him live better than
he otherwise would. Perhaps this
is a comparatively low motive, but 1t
works with a great many people
Mr.. Sullivan. in his capacity as
chairman, pointed out that boys and
girls might pay particular attention
to this passage.
Mr.. Maurer replied that the book
contained many additional passages,
on religion which would fully
counteract such a belief He pointed
out some of these passages as fol-
lows:
Religion and the church play
great part in forming peoples
ideals" IF person is truly reli-
gious, he will have good morals as
WELL Not only do churches try
to give help, comfort and compan-
ionship to their own members, but
most of our so-called social service
work began with the church" "An
our religious denominations seek to
inspire in their members q desire
for right living"
Children Keen, Maurer Says.
Regarding passage in the book
which was said to imply that more
than one political party in the
United States should not be en-
couraged. Mr. Maurer replied: u
don't agree with you there. If you
read everything the, book contains
on political parties. I don't see any
thing unwholesome.
That this book is subversive Is
rather far-fetched," he commented.
do you think that children reading
it would strive to overthrow the
Government? Our children are
keen. If you sat in the classes, you
would be treasured.
The meetings. which will continue
throughout the summer, are held at
3 pm. Wednesdays in the Willard
Hotel. Representatives of civic and
patriotic organizations will be in
vited to devise ways Of combating
communistic activity. A full report
on the committees findings will be
issued after the series ends, 1t was
said.
.Civitun Club to Present