Evening star., 1947-12-09
and similar prejudices might be
trained into children at very early
age through these classes.

trained into children at very early
age through these classes.
Il take it," Justice Rutledge inter-
jected, that the school board does
not permit use of its facilities to
teach atheism?" There was a pos
sibility of that being taught. Mr.
Dodd conceded, on the basis of testi-
mony in the record by the superin-
tendent of schools that classrooms
were open to "all" groups. In fact.
there have been no classes on
atheism.
us there anything in the record" i"
Justice Frankfurter asked, that
shows the schools have any power
over the religious teachers?"
The teachers must be able to
speak good English. Mr. Dodd re-
piled, and their qualifications must
be passed on by the Council of Re-
igious Education.
Sees Humiliation.
Mr.. Dodd was asked by Justice
Burton if the objections he raised
to religious instruction in the Nc
Collum case would apply if the re-
ligion were taught away from the
schools, on released time" as is
done in New York and elsewhere
Mr.. Dodd said he did not so hold.
He contended that the Illinois plan
subjected pupils who did not par
ticipate to embarrassment and hu-
initiation by their fellows.
When John L. Franklin, attorney
for the Champaign School Board,
said all religious groups could par
ticipate in the program If they
chose, Justices Reed and Rutledge
challenged the statement, saying 1t
was not supported by the record.
Justice Frankfurter added that the
Religious Education Council could
not exist without the cooperation
of the school board.
Mr.. Franklin replied that all
groups had been invited to partici-
pate in work of the couhcil, but if
any should be denied participation
the charge of discrimination would
lie against the council, not the
school board, because the record
showed the policy of the schools
was to make its facilities available
to all groups.
Rutledge Raises Point.
Justice Rutledge asked if, in the
view of the school board it would be
all right to carry religious instruc-
ton to the point of using school
buildings to receive children as new
members Of particular church.
Mr.. Franklin disclaimed any such
intended use OF the schools, but
Justice Rutledge said instruction in
religious faith naturally led to the
reception of church members.
Would you 60 so far as to say"
Justice Black asked Mr.. Franklin,
that the State of Illinois can con-
tribute $1,000 900 year to religion,
just so long as all religions are
treated equally?" Illinois did con-
tribute that much and more, Mr..
Franklin said, through tax exemp-
ton on properties held for religious
purposes.
Pursuing the question, Justice
Black asked whether, If the Illinois
practice Of setting aside an hour or
less week for religious instruction
in public schools were constitutional,
would four hours day, six hours a
day, seven and q half hours a day,
be constitutional also? Mr.. Franklin
replied that 1t might be unwise, but
would, he thought, not violate the
Constitution.
Sees Monopoly Forbidden.
As the arguments drew to a close,
Justice jackson asked, with a touch
of irony in his voice, If Mr.. Frank
Inns argument had not been that
the Constitution forbade establish
ment Of religion, but not of reli-
gions. The Illinois lawyer would not
accept that Interpretation, but said
what the Constitution forbade was
a monopoly of one religion.
Suppose all you say about the
place of religion is true" Justice
Frankfurter asked, 'is the public
school the place to introduce it,
when 1t may be source of con-
flict? Is that good or bad?"
Mr.. Franklin replied that the
court was not body of legislative
censors to decide whether the laws
were good or bad, but court to de-
termine whether actions were law
ful and constitutional.
In Burma a picked tea called
sla,aat0 iS aafan lika a uanat hle