The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-07-25
IFIAoo ~ NII u w "A .
Lecturer, Solicitor and
Art=Teacher.
AND WANTS A COMMISSION.
An Eastern Firm to Supply
Schools Here.
DIRECTOR BUTTONS SURPRISE.
Another Sensation for the Board of
Education in the Shape of
Requisition.

Since Director Hyde's recent crusade
against teachers apprOpriating diminu-
tiyes in signing certificates, the School De-
Dartment has remained coDspIcuously un-
obtrusive. In the midst of this unusual
run of tranquility. however, another sem
sation has cropped up. and although the
affair has been nipped in the bud the
board may have occasion to further inves-
tigate into the matter of certain applica-
tions for teachers certificates which were
granted at the recent examination.
The affair was brought to light yester-
day, when Director DuttOn. chairman of
the Supply Committee, received an applca-
ton from Miss Katherine Ball. principal of
the drawing department, for an appropria-
ton of S25S1 for paper to be used by the
scholars in their studies. Mr.. buttons
long connection with the board has served
to prepare him for any ordinary surprise.
but when he read over Miss BalPs schedule
his emotion knew no bounds. He declared
that the demand was preposterous beyond
reason. and that Miss Ball had either made
a mistake in her calculations or considered
the Board of Education a sort of banking
institution for the benefit Of teachers. lie
stated emphatically that the committee
would refuse to consider the matter, and
that unless Miss Ball accepted the supplies
usually allowed her department she would
have 10 content herself with none at all.
The fact of Miss Balls appoln tment has
subsequently given food for considerable
discussion among the Directors. it being
alleged that certain facts regarding her
qualifications for filling the position were
withheld or denied by her in making the
usual application.
1t appears that Miss Ball had been en-
rad for har IF
ing agent for the large printing house OF
Prang 81 Co. of New York. Aside from
her duties as solicitor among retail deal
ers throughout the country her speciality
has been that of introducing a system of
drawing for use in the public schools.
Being endowed with oratorical talent she
has found il quite advantageous 10 lecture
before educational assemblages whenever
the occasion arose, while during the past
two years her efforts have been directed
toward enlighteniDg this coast upon new
theories in the study OF art, OF which she
thought the woolly West was in great
need.
The system expounded by Miss Ball is
known as the "Prang system" aud as
natural consequence the paper and material
best adapted 10 its study are manufactured
by Prang & Co. of New York.
Upon arriving in this city few months
since Miss Ball was seized with a desire
to become an instructress in the public
schools. She accordingly made out an ap-
plication in which she took great pains 10
cite recommendations of high order. When
being considered by the Board Of Educa-
tion the fact became known that certain
relations existed between the applicant
and the firm of Prang Il Co.. but when
called upon for an explanation. 1t is said
that Miss Ball denied that such was the
case, claiming to be entirely indepe ndent
of any house dealing in school supplies.
Upon this statement the application was
carried by "the maj rity" and when the
school term opened on the 7lh inst. Miss
Ball was placed in charge of the drawing
department.
When seen yesterday afternoon at The
old Commercial High School on Powell
street, Miss Ball admitted being in the
employ of Prang d Co. at the time her ap-
Dlcation was filed with the board, but as
sumed that the denial was the result of
mis- Misunderstanding.
ut was not my intention to apply for
position as instructress in the public
schools when l arrived in this city last
srrng." she continued. but as | sd W that
the drawing department was so far be-
hind the times, l was seized with a desire
to introduce Prang's improved system
simply for the sake Of humanity, and it
was with this understanding that ] was
induced to enter the field. No! No! l
wouldn't stay in San Francisco for more
than year under any circumstances; but
you see my intention is 10 Introduce this
system and my successor can take it up
Bundles of colored drawing paper were
lying about on the desks in the room
where the conversation took place. On
the band surrounding each was inscribed
"PraDg's best" A number of small boxes
containing models were similarly branded,
as were also other materials which came
into view.
Miss Ball asserted that the paper in
question had been manufactured in this
city, but in order to establish the Prang
mark as the only standard she had given
instructions that the packages should bear
the name of the Eastern firm.
She stated that this order was simply
small one, and was made up here because
Of the delay caused by the recent tie-up III
forwarding a supply which had been Or
dered in New York.
She maintained that in many of the
large Eastern cities it was customary for
the Board of Education to supply the
schools not only with drawing materials