The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-17
SCHOOL BOARD WRATHY
SUPERVISOR OF WRITING CHARGED
WITH BEING TOO THRIFTY.
Copyrights "a Pad and school Chill
dren Are Forced to
Buy Them.

The School Board last evening varied an
otherwise monotonous session by vigorous
denunciation of ]. II. Woodruff, supervisor
of writing, if charges brought against him
should prove true. A letter was read from
F. E. Walcott in which he stated that a
writing tablet had been issued and copy
righted by Mr.. Woodruff which the children
are compelled to buy, and that no other will
be accepted. He further complained about
a singing tablet issued by Mr.. Wulschner,
but it was the former that precipitated the
row. Mr.. Sloan was promptly on his feet,
and, unwrapping three tablets held them
up to the board. He said that two of them
were made by different firms in this city
and the third was the Woodruff tablet.
The two former ones were cents cheaper
than the Woodruff tablet, he stated, and on
investigation he had found that the chill
dren were compelled to buy the Woodruff
tablet No 8. He said he did not know
where the orders came from, but he did
know that the teachers told the children to
buy that tablet and when they did not had
them get it. He further said that he did
not think a man holding a position in the
school had any right to copyright g. tablet
and then compel the children to use it. Both
other tablets were made in this city, and
each, as well as the spacing and paper He
asked that the communication be referred
to the committee on furniture and supplies
for investigation, and this action was at
once taken.
Mr.. KOthe then said that it was very
wrong for Woodruff to have taken any such
action He expressed himself most forcibly
against such a thing. Mr.. Scott said that
bo Lott 4bo ha baI r1 Of
matter and that in his opinion it was ex-
tremely improper He considered it a great
wrong that any employee should be inter
ested in the sale of any goods to the schools
and that it should be made compulsory that
anything should ne purchased. in which an
employe is interested, is a greater wrong
He said that if ii should be proven that the
charge is true, Mr.. Woodruff should be
brought up with a round turn. He moved
that pending the investigation by the COM
mittee the pupils should purchase and use
any tablets they desire. He further wanted
the order to this effect sent out at once
and the other members agreed with him, so
there was not a dissenting vote. Superin-
tendent Goss said after the meeting that
he knew nothing of the of Woodruff
tablets being compulsory until the matter
was brought up last evening.
The members also started after an un-
known offender. AT the time of the Thanks
giving recess, large number of plants in
the Industrial Training School were frozen
ana dled A resolution was adopted last
evening instructing the heating committee
to investigate this matter, fix the RESPONSE
bility and compel the one responsible to
either pay for the flowers or be discharged.
This vote was also unanimous.
The High School will have it's printing
press and equipment. The proposition was
made by the faculty of the school that if
the board would pay $3.50 towards such an
outfit they would pay $3.50 and the property
is to belong to the school. The amount was
appropriated with the understanding that
no outside work is to be solicited or done
The thermostats in No. As were ordered
rectlhed and the Vcntilating apparatus in
NO. 10 was ordered repaired at once at a
cost of not more than $110
Mary Knowlton and Jane Bass were
elected supervising principals at a salary of
$1,000 each, to become effective at the be-
ginning of the second term, and Addie
Wright teacher at the day and night school
in the Boys Club at $50 per month.
The Citizens Educational Society re-
ported on the success of the last arts and
crafts exhibit and requested the use of the
High School building for another one The
request was granted and the society was
given the use of the building from the Fri
day at the close of the week of the spring
vacation until the Saturday of the next
week, and it was ordered that the vacation
OF the High School be given at that time
Bills amounting to $24.S4929 were approved.