Evening star., 1952-10-12
Metropolitan Scene-
Faulkner on Socialism Provides Fuel
For Fire Raging Around School Board
By John w. Thompson. Jr.

thompson, Jr.
cials indicate the subsidy ac-
tually amounts to q maximum
Of 8 cents on q IS to IS cent
plate.
Whether this is "socialistic"
necessarily depends on how one
views the whole problem of farm
supports and aid to children.
But certainly District schools
are only part Of a national pro-
gram.
Is Phys Ed Red?
AS for physical education. this
program is no innovation. For
many years it played a back
seat to organized athletics. Then
came World War II and the
draft. Many District youths
athletes and ordinary youths
alike-were rejected for physical
defects that could have been
corrected. The schools accept
ed the challenge and stepped up
the tempo Of physical training.
The same Is true Of the dental
clinics. Many of the draft re-
jectionS were for dental defects.
Inspection and treatment-but
primarily inspection - were
stepped up to permit early
treatment by the parents OF de-
fectS discovered that could be
corrected.
The motive behind these two
programs was and is to provide
healthy young citizens capable
OF meeting their private civilian
obligations in time of peace and
their duty to their country in
time Of war. Could this be
"socialistic"?
Even before he started this
controversy Mr.. Faulkner gave
indication of the flavor he ap-
parently is bringing to the
board. After inspecting the new
Spingarn High School, he de-
nounced provision of a suite Of
rooms for housekeeping and
home economics instruction.
He criticized school officials for
pleading lack of classroom space
in some schools while providing
these facilities in others. Such
things were not available when
he went to school, he indicated.
Behind the Times
Looking at these samples Of
Mr.. Faulkner's thinking in the
light Of what is being done here
and elsewhere. there's no deny
ing many will find it behind the
times. If he is truly disap-
pointed because each new school
to enter the system is not the
proverbial little red schoolhouse.
If the test of school methods
and conditions is whether they
match those he knew, then there
may be real doubt as to the con-
tribution he can make on the
board.
1t is unlikely that he will fol-
low the suggestion of the Rev.
Mr.. Williams and quit. It is
unlikely that he will be removed
for views he undoubtedly held
when he was appointed to which,
as a citizen. he is entitled. And
it is unlikely that these incl
dents will induce the community
to support the civilian Commits
sioners in any bid to grab the
appointive power from the
judges. It's been tried before
and each time the community
shouted "No!" Before the turn
of the present century, school
jobs were choice political plulns
with the effect you might ex-
pect on the quality Of the oper-
alton. The citizens called for a
change. In 1905 an independent
school system was created. It's
teachers and employees were to
be paid under a separate act.
The system would be run by cit
izens appointed without pay and
without regard to politics. And
under this system the schools
have flourished to q high ma
tional level.
True, some knotheads have
slipped onto the board In its
long history. A few in recent
years. And each one that does
should be a reminder to the
judges Of their responsibility to
the citizens in this field. Scan
them closely. your honors!