Daily Kennebec Journal

Hear Arguments In Oregon Compulsory Law on Education.

Washington, March 16.—Oral argument in two cases challenging the constitutionality of the Oregon compulsory education law were begun in the supreme court today and will be concluded tomorrow.

The law, which was adopted by a referendum vote and would compel children between 8 and 16, with few exceptions, to attend public schools of the state after September, 1926, came to the highest court on an appeal from a decision of the federal district court of Oregon enjoining its enforcement pending a final decision on the right of states to enforce such legislation.

The argument was opened by counsel for the Society of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, which operate parochial schools, and the Hill Military Academy. They contended the new law would deprive parochial and private schools of rights guaranteed by the state and federal constitutions which their state had recognized in charters incorporating the schools.

Speaking for the state, Willis S. Moore, assistant attorney general of Oregon, insisted the law was constitutional and that the lower court was in error in holding it deprived those attacking it of their property without due process of law, or that it took away from parents, children or teachers any of their rights or liberties, guaranteed by the constitution.