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16
'9
February, 1932
to join their ranks. And in increasing numbers, fathers — among them, Presi' dent Theodore Roosevelt — began to shoulder their share of the work for children's welfare. Thus, the National Congress of Mothers soon became the National Congress of Parents and Teachers.
Over the years, P.-T. A. activity has faithfully reflected the deepest-rooted anxieties of American parents. Recent' ly, they have become more and more concerned about the "comic-book craze" among their youngsters. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, the P.-T. A. voted an all-out attack on the prob' lem. Angry parents stormed into the city attorney's office and demanded an ordinance banning the comic books from the stands. At the next P.-T. A. meeting, however, a soft-spoken teacher suggested an entirely different offensive.
"Why not," she asked, "show the children that real adventure and humor aren't limited to the cheap pictures and jokes in the comics?"
One member of the chapter, a children's librarian, drew up a list of suitable books for every age. Another member, a school supervisor, organized a "good books" program for the classroom. In each grade, children were asked to read and "review" books and then recommend five "best sellers" every week. The editor of the Grand Rapids evening newspaper joined the drive by publishing book lists and feature stories about children's reading.
Gratifying results came quickly. One group of enthusiastic youngsters began to stage performances of their favorite books for other classes. When
a children's author delivered a talk, more than 6,000 youngsters jammed the auditorium — and demanded a repeat performance. And in a radio broadcast, sixth-graders reported to other children on their startling discovery: Good hoo}{s are actually more fun than comics!
Week after week, the Grand Rapids library has been reporting the heaviest circulation of juvenile books in the city's history. And the proposed ordinance banning the sale of comic books? Reverend Duane Vore, one of the leaders of the parents campaign, explains why it was never passed:
"Our good books program began working so well that we felt the ordinance was no longer necessary. The children themselves were already ban' ning the worst comics!"
Although such community projects are the backbone of the P.-T. A., the national and state congresses also keep a lively hand in poHtics. Using highpressure and propaganda techniques that closely resemble those of lobby ing groups, the P.-T. A.'s wage a continuing legislative battle for more school land, better equipment, higher teacher salaries, anti-child labor laws.