Revival of Oath Bill Repeal Brings Flavor of Struggle

At a public hearing which in former years has been a storm center of passion and political rivalry the famous Teachers' Oath repeal measure will be debated by liberal and conservative organizations for the third consecutive year today.

On the eve of a battle, fought periodically ever since the law was enacted under the Curley regime, opposing forces led chiefly by educators and labor leaders, are not confident of victory. Led by President Conant and prominent members of the faculties of Harvard and almost every college in the State, the drive was checked by the veto of Governor Hurley last year.

Hope To Force Governor

However the Massachusetts Teachers' Union and the Society for Freedom in Teaching will attempt to bring the issue into public attention by forcing the Governor to take his stand once again. In the event of failure in this session they assert that the item will be of considerable importance in the elections for State positions in November.

President Conant, who may speak in behalf of repeal today, said last year, "I do not believe it a step in the path of freedom and of liberty but inspired by an atmosphere of fear."

Holmes Opposes

Legislative agent for the Massachusetts Council of Teacher's Unions, John B. Reynolds, will read statements of Dean Holmes of the Graduate School of Education, who last February told Senator Cole's committee on education that the "law creates a bad attitude" in the classroom.

McLaughlin Speaks Again

Igniting a powderhouse of mob prejudice when he voiced first public opposition to the bill, James A. McLaughlin threw the 1936 hearing into a turmoil, which resulted in personal insults to President Conant himself. Yesterday, he said he was interested in repeal but claimed it was a question of practical politics should he renew his activities this year.

Young Conservatives Uphold

A delegation from the Young Conservative group will send a dozen representatives to urge retention of the statute, according to leaders of the organization last night. Their argument will be that the oath bill is an inoffensive piece of legislation, aimed to assure loyalty among the teachers of the Commonwealth.

Student Union Rests

The Student Union which in former years has lobbied for repeal of the measure, gave indication yesterday that they would not renew their fight until there was more promise of success.

Morison Won't Attend

Samuel E. Morison '08, professor of History, who with Kirtley F. Mather, professor of Geology, fought the issue last year, will not be present at the hearing tomorrow. He once told the committee on education that the teachers who had aided curing of the depression "were entitled to a vote of thanks; instead they were told in the cold voice of the ghost in Hamlet: 'swear, swear, swear'."