Evening star., 1947-05-07
Western Hiqh
Continued From First Page.)

this afternoon regarding the student
demonstration yesterday after what
the students termed too pro-Rus-
sian speech"
Four students walked out Of an
assembly after q talk by Mrs
Lewis, 50, who was born and raised
In Russia. The principal, Nathaniel
A. Danowsky, said Mrs. Lewis spoke
for IS minutes on the Russian
educational system, but "digressed
into some political aspects which
he said he had asked her not to do.
Members to Study Report.
Representative Dirksen said when
DR.. Corning's report had been re-
|ceived 1t would be presented to all
members Of the District COMMITTEES
for study.
The letter Mr.. Dirksen sent to
DR.. Corning was terse. It stated
merely:
"Will you kindly submit q full
statement covering the happenings
at Western High yesterday"
Mr.. Dirksen let it be known he
wanted to know why a lecture
favorable to Communism was given
to the students.
Board Asked About Text.
At the same time Chairman Dirk
sen revealed he had already called
lon the Board Of Education to SUBJ
NIT report on the method used
In the District in the selection OF
school textbooks.
An acknowledgement Of this re-
quest was received today by the
committee.
A further letter was transmitted
to the School Board yesterday ask
ing for a list Of the books which
had been approved during the past
six years. This list, Mr.. Dirksen
said, would be examined by MEM
bers of the District Committee.
Report Already Made.
Mr.. Mundt said the lecture and
surrounding circumstances" al
ready had been thoroughly covered
in report by a committee investi-
gator. He made the announcement
in the absence of Chairman Thomas.
Numerous inquiries have been
made to the Committee on I'm
American, Activities" Mr.. Mundt
said, regarding the pro-Soviet talk
by Mrs. Lewis, wife of former code
clerk in the American Embassy
In Moscow.
Certain phases Of this incident
are worthy of note. Some weeks
ago our committee issued report
dealing with the activities of Com
lmunists in the Nations schools and
colleges through AM organization
known as the American Youth for
Democracy.
This occurrence right In sour Ma.
tion's Capital further emphasizes
the danger of Communist propa.
ganda in our school system and tn.
necessity for alertness in guarding
against 1t. The reaction Of the stu.
dents to this subversive effort Il
tribute to the loyalty and devotion
Of the overwhelming mass Of osu
student body to the principles ol
American democracy.
Interesting, too, is the fact thai
Mrs. Lewis talks In this city ane
elsewhere were arranged through
the Institute of Pacific Relations, q
highly active pressure group in the
field of foreign policy, led by such
individuals as Frederick Vanderbilt
Field, a prolific writer for the (Com-
munist) Daily Worker and the New
Masses.
'The full nature of Mrs. Lewis ae-
tivities in this country, at the pres
ent time, would also bear looking
into. The boldness of this intrusion
into our school system Is truly
astounding"
Rankin Praises Students.
Representative Rankin, Democrat
of Mississippi, and member Of the
committee, told the House:
Those students at Western High
School who revolted against the
communistic lecture yesterday de-
serve the undying gratitude OF
patriotic Americans everywhere
Thox: civ,,y,1r, roicad +to 1;f11a ir.,,