Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-03-05


tion was given. He has seen Prof.
Berlin develop an equation and not
follow it up. The instruction in chem
istry, witness also thought, was not
thorough. He believed that not more
than 10 experiments had been per-
formed in tho laboratory during the
year. He considered Mr.. Berlin un-
reliable; rather apt to change his mind
Mr.. Bird at this point objected to
DIR. Chandler, who is not a member
of the board. having anything to say,
but the objection WAS overruled, DIR.
Shortlidge eXclaining emphatically,
"Oh, let US get at the bottom of this
thing, and not bother with any rules "
In reply to question from Mr.. Ber-
lin the witness Morrow said he did
not think ii was the duty of the
teachers to work out all the problems
in algebra. DIR. Shortlidge also cross
questioned the witness. and the fact
wasdeyeloped that he had passed his
examination in chemistry.
Chairman Pyle of the committee
asked whether il was absolutely neces.
sary for the principal of the school to
have the lessons in chemistry. Mr..
| Berlin replied it was not necessary,
and President Baird SAID il had been
desired to have special teacher for
| that branch, but the board had not
felt able to employ one.
j. Irving Hoffecker who had been
taught by Mr.. Berlin, said the instruc-
tions in algebra had not been satisfac-
tory, and he had seen Mr.. Berlin start
TO work out equations and fail. He
admitted, however, that Mr.. Berlin
would sometimes say that he had not
time to work out difficult equations,
and would work them out later. He
did not consider Mr.. Berlin satisfac.
tory.
The witness was cross examined by
| Mr. Berlin, and said that some of the
members of the class understood the
| difficult problems. He admitted that
| he learned great deal under Mr..
Berlin's instructions, and stated that
he passed good examination in chem
istry.
William +. Taylor, an instructor in
the forge department of the manual
training school, who has been in that
position more than four years, stated
that, according to his judgment, Mr..
Berlin had not always done what he
had expressed an intention OF doing
but he thought there might have been
reasons for such actions.
Mr.. Berlin asked for definite informa-
tion, but the witness could not cite
any particular instance. He acknowl-
edged that he and Mr.. Berlin differed
as to instructing the boys in his de-
partment. He (witness) did not favor
having boys go over tine same course
of instructions twice, when they failed
to pass examinations. He confessed
that he knew nothing of the instruc-
tions in the upper part of the High
School building.
Attorney Bird said, in introducing
DIR. Crumbaugh as witness, that the
doctor was perfectly sincere in making
| the charges and he, Mr.. Bird, would
make the offer to produce professor
from some other high class institution
and put questions to Mr. Berlin, to
ascertain whether or not he could
demonstrate problems in the algebra.
such as he bad been teaching. Mr..
| Bird said he had nobudy in mind and
| would allow the committee to name
the college from which the learned
man should come. He would have the
learned professor to take the book
which Mr.. Berlin is teaching from,
and pick therefrom certain problems,
which Prof Berlin would be called
upon to demonstrate.
Chairman Pyle was in favor OF &C.
cepting the offer
| Dr. Shortlidge said when the proper
time arrives Mr.. Berlin will produce
excellent credentials.
Mr.. Berlin said he was not under
examination. He had been in charge
of the school for some time and he
would prefer that committee of com
petent men should go to the school and
watch the work.
"This goes to the bottom of the
whole thing" said Mr.. Pyle.
Notary Monaghan said that man
who is a member of the board of Edu-
cation could not testify, as afterward
the board will sit in judgment
Mr.. Bird thought DIR. Crumbaugh
could testify, as he bad brought the
charges.
Chairman Pyle thought that if DIR.
Crumbaugh should testify he should
not vote as member of the committee,
upon which he had previously been
appointed.
DIR. Crumbaugh said that he would
take exception 10 being denied vote
either in the committee or in the
board. He was not put on the stand
| bhb bnb untlbTbltlltllue was IHhI nb
might be called later.
| Dr. James Ii. Morgan, an ex-mem-
Der of the board. was the first witness
called by Prof. Berlin, but before he
was sworn the other witnesses, with
the exception Of Superintendent Har-
Ian, were excluded from the room.
DIR. Morgan, was sworn. He stated
that while he was a member of the
teachers committee, when Mr.. Berlin
was appointed principal at the High
School, it was his opinion that Mr..
Berlin's credentials and recommends
tions were of tho best. He also said
that while he was chairman of the
High School committee he found Prof.
Berlin progressive and at the sugges.
ton of the latter several Improvements
were made at the school. In his
opinion Mr.. Berlin's methods of teach
ing chemistry were commendable.
There never had been any friction be
tween the witness and Mr., Berlin in
tho seven years while he was member
Of the High School committee. He
Iolt that Mr.. Berlin had the interest
of the school at heart and was a good
disciplinarian. He had drilled the
pupils SO that there were but few com
plants while he 1.-THE witness) was on
the school committee. 1t was never
expected that the principal shoulu &C
in and prepare the experiments.
Under cross examination by Mr..
Bird, the witness said Mr. Berlin was
thoroughly competent.
When DIR. Morgan had finished testi-
flying. Mr.. Berlin said he was moi
ready TO continue, as he had not his
witnesses at hand On motion of Mr..
Coyle, it was decided to adjourn to