HOUSE VOTES TO DOWN OATH BILL BY 120-112

Advocates of repeal of the much publicized Teachers' Oath Law won a major victory yesterday when, in complete disregard of party lines, the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted, 120-112, to send to the Senate the bill urging its abolishment.

Well informed political observers at the Capitol and Samuel E. Morison '06, professor of History and leader of the opposition to the statute for the Teachers' Association, were confident that the proposal would be passed by the higher body by an overwhelming vote and subsequently signed by the governor.

First indication as to the attitude of Charles E. Hurley, whose stand on the matter has remained in absolute obscurity ever since the law was passed two years ago under the Curley regime, were revealed when, during the debate before the roll call, Representative Russell intimated that pressure had been put on him from the gubernatorial office to fight for the retention of the bill. Because he was ordered to his seat by the Speaker, Russell had no time to present his arguments.

Much more lengthy and fiery was the discussion than that of two days before when the legislature voted, 111-102, to accept the Committee's report which advocated that the bill be erased from the ledgers. During the recording of the ballots, yeas and nays ran neck and neck, and the last fifteen members voiced the deciding vote.