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Yen, ae PAN otetee Eat ° ° 2 “J 10-6 37 MRS. MURRAY REFUSED ON PLEDGE BID School ‘Board | Says It Has No Authority Over Wording 4 ¢- By GERALD CLARKB ie The School Board yesterday tald| iMrs. Madalyn Murray, a pro-: {essed atheist, that it has no au- thority to drop the Pledge of ' Allegiance’ or delete the words! “under God.” i Mrs. Murray replied that she would appeal the board's decision to Superior Court as soon as her attorney, Leonard J. Kerpelman, could file papers. Before a capacity audience of about 75, Dr. George B. Brain, school superintendent, said he knew of “no other issue [in his tenure as superintendent] that has precipitated the emotion” of Mrs. ‘Murray's request to knock the, | religious reference from the | pledge. . rr ian 56 APR 22's 4 (Mount Clipping in Space Below) ' : del o> ' . Response ‘Tremendous ’ He said the board had received ia “tremendous amount” of corre- ispondence, telegrams’ and tele-, phone calls from all over the ‘world since the request was made; ‘earlier in the week. Mrs. Elizabeth Allen, who! "attended the meeting as head of the Freedom of Prayer group ‘which favors prayers in the schools, said she had collected 2,690 signatures in ‘20 hours" opposing a change in the pledge. No arrangements had been made by the board for a public hearing and neither side was allowed to speak formally. While voling for the resolution disavowing authority, John. J. Sweeney, Jr., asserled that the board should “go on record” as supporting not only the religious phase in the pledge but also “analogous measures” such as the recently signed State law allowing a minute of silent meditation in the schools, ' Mr. Sweeney was ruled out & order by Dr. William D, McEIrer) who presided over the mecting the absence of Eli Frank, J1., board president. Dr. McElroy told him that discussion would be allowed only on the resolution to determine the board's authority. | In advising: the board against; acting on the request, the super- intendent said it “has authority only as it is granted: authority. [t may not act where somebody (C emeTMMTt, Page 29, eCormr ) ’ ie tne { Ar. Mohr. p alr. Casper i Mr. Cslighan ou... | i Mr. Conrad .. .. Me DeLesach { { L ( Tele. Room. Miss l:imes.. uu. Miss Gandy... (Indicate page, name of newspaper, city and state.) “6 THE SUN THE EVENING SUN “DAY SUN — AY a Date: L/10/6h, Edition: FINAL Author: GERALD CLARKE ick. Editor: rap) MADALYN MURRAY Title: Character: or Classification: ~~~ BALTIMORE . Being investigated Submitting Office: OT RECORDED 6 APR 21 1964