THE NEO-ARKANSAS MAN

Arkansas follows Tennessee on the monkey-trial subject. Apparently a proposed anti-evolution teaching law is to be voted on there next month. But at Little Rock a day or so ago, Charles Smith, President of the American Association for the Advancement of Atheism, agitating against that law, was arrested for violating a city ordinance prohibiting the use of the name of the diety except in "veneration or worship". He was tried on the different charge of disturbing the peace, and fined for distributing printed material "calculated to provoke a breach of the peace". Rather than pay the fine, he is now in jail serving out $26.40 at the rate of $1.00 a day. And to cap the climax, the mayor of Little Rock answers a telegram of protest. "No atheist will be permitted to maintain headquarters in Little Rock, Ark., if I can prevent it."

There was a tremendous revelation of the degree of intolerance, the unscientific absolutist dictatorship of religious feeling, of the legislators and people of Tennessee in the Scopes Trial. It was an example of unassailable belief which seemed inconceivable in this United States of today; and hopefully it was thought confined to Tennessee. A similar anti-evolution bill failed of passage in Florida. But Arkansas has gone further than to place an anti-evolution bill on the ballot for referendum. The municipal government of Little Rock has given unimpeachable evidence that agitation against such a measure is not there the inalienable right of any citizen of the United States. The Atheism Association may be wrong and intolerant themselves in the beliefs they hold. But amazing and munificent publicity, that second wealth of America, has been given them for $26.40.