Evening star., 1953-04-03

always On .CQS 'front.' page, DuC IN the
back pages: and let the good news be
made manifest, for the sake Of our
youth. If for no other reason.
Mrs. L. G. Holt.
Kid Stuff?
If the news Of police raid on young
high-School boys at the Connecticut
avenue dance studio is shocking, more
shocking is the Indifferent attitude Of
some of the parents, one Of whom re-
portedly dismissed the affair as kid
stuff" Is the viewing of lewd film
and pictures kid STUFF? Suppose some
of the weaker youngsters, melted by
what they had seen, attempted to 90
and do likewise? More "kid STUFF?
And 1t has happened countless times.
just as shocking is the fact that
such films and pictures can be pro-
cured for showing to an audience. The
authorities must know from whom the
film and pictures were obtained. It is
serious offense in any case, but much
more so when juveniles are involved,
since the owner is guilty of con-
tributing to delinquency and crimes.
Shocked.
The scandalous conduct of a small
segment of District white high school
students deserves condemnation and
also constructive remarks from friends
Of education. The obscene movie to
and seems to have been patronized
Oh inF IAxyt t1aA fro
I lay the cause of such success as
the high school fraternity movement
has had to mistaken zeal on the part
Of principals and teachers in the mat
ter OF extra-curricular activities. In one
breath these handlers of our youth will
preach that the school must develop
leaders for the world of tomorrow; in
the next breath teacher may seek ap-
pointment or, without solicitation, be
designated to head some activity-often
an activity for which there has arisen
no student demand. In a high per-
centage Of the eXtra-curricular activi-
ties in the high schools Of today the
teacher-sponSorS smother the emer-
gence of natural leadership and use
the opportunity for themselves to sat-
isfy their own Illustrations. The Spon-
Sor's role consists of responsibility for
the care of the school property, re-
Sponsibility for group adherence to the
rules OF conduct and propriety, and
availability to the students for advice
when asked.
predict that when the scholastic
attainments of these misguided young
sters are analyzed, it will be found
thew In hA rH~ -
academically.
High School Teacher.
An awakening to the hazards of
clandeStine meetings is in order. Ter
rifying as it may appear to the self
ordained. middle-aged and elderly
judges with their caustic righteous
indignation, the action of the teen
aged boys can be summed up as
normal curiosity, brought on by mass
psychology. to view something taboo,
Of which they would have no actual
part. The boys would probably have
experienced revulsion If the film had
been shown.
OF lar more Importance is the reali-
zation that such a large group of
OF what might be termed the upper
middle class, in different localities. felt
constrained to seek relaxation in an
exclusive hideaway. It condemns con-
cluSively the theory that ultra-strict
control OF the dispensation of alcoholic
beverages in public, controls wayward-
ness of youth. They deliver to any
one now.
1t would take a really brilliant moral
list to convince one that a youngster
is old enough to die fighting for his
country at the age of 19- but is not
old enough to drink a glass of beer
before he goes over there.
Timer.
I certainly hope that DR.. Corning and
the Board of Education will take effec-
tive measures against the participants
IN the fraternity party.
AS manager of a neighborhood the
ater 1t is my job to deal constantly with
the teen-age problem. Fraternities and
Sororities from local high school give
me more trouble than any other ele-
ment. The boys and girls who are
members OF these organizations openly
wear jackets designating their frater-
nifty. Often they attend my theater in
group. AS soon as they arrive I know
that the evening will be q constant
headache-seat cutting. loud and bois-
ferrous conversation, and disgraceful
petting. Often have to listen to adult
patrons who rightfully disapprove of
this sort Of conduct.
The rules are on the books against
these organizations. It is up to the
school officials to use them. It is often
said that these fraternities and soror-
tiles exist entirely beyond the limits of
school rules. However, it seems to me
that it is strange coincidence that
members Of these groups all attend the
same school. and often wear their
jackets openly while attending classes.
Certainly something can be done.
Harassed Theater MANAGER.