New-York tribune., 1899-06-22
MRS. ALGER OUT OF OFFICE
SHE is NO LONGER SUPERVISOR OF
TRUANCY.
A MAN APPOINTED IN HER PLACE BY THE BOARD
OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. or HER WORK
IN THE SCHOOL

| OF EDUCATION-HIsTORY or HER WORK
IN THE School
| After an exceptionally stormy debate yesterday
afternoon. al the regular meeting Of the Board OF
Education the office OF Supervisor OF Truancy, so
| admirably filed during the last fourteen months
| by Mrs NJ. F. r. Alger, manager of the Truant
School, No. 2l5 East Twenty y-frst-st., was awarded
to Valentine y. Collins, at a salary Of 1900.
In recommending Mr. Collins for this place Miles
| O'Brien chairman Of the Committee on Special
Schools declared that more than ordinary quai-
hcations were needed for this office
The incumbent" he said, must have kindly
heart a certain knowledge Of the work TO be done
a patient disposition and a realization that he Is
doing than work for pay"
IAN this and more" whispered n woman pres
ent. has Mrs Alger done but that didn't keep
her in her place"
While no fault has been found with Mrs. Aiger
as Acting Supervisor Of TrIancy. the matter, IN
nutshell. expressed by Superintendent Jasper
who emphatically said: Il will not ask woman
to be at the head Of nineteen men"
WHAT MRS. ALGER THINKS.
When seen after the meeting Mrs. Ager declared
that she felt the disappointment keenly.
Il did not seek the Office in the first place she
said. but after my promotion by Superintendent
Jasper l gave my whole SELF the work. taking no
vacation. Not a complaint has ever come to me IN
any way and / can but feel that political reasons
are the sole cause Of my retirement which Will open
places for two at large salaries.
Mrs Alger was promoted by Superintendent Jas
per TO the position Of supervisor in May, 1895 when
the man then In charge vas dismissed for general
neficiency At that time the house. from sani-
tary point OF view considered to be unft for
occupancy and the best efforts OF the faithful
teachers rendered useless by the lax manage
ment Of the boys out OF school hours.
A short time after Mrs. Alger took the work IN
hand the school was given a thorough cleansing
and disinfectng. baths fitted up. toilet neces-
stiles provided. useless help was dispensed
with. and trustworthy people secured TO look after
the welfare OF the children The city was care
fully dlstricted and the discipline OF the boys out
OF school hours thoroughly looked after.
In accordance with the provisions OF the Compul-
sorry Education act twenty attendant officers stahd
ready to investigate every case Of truancy. AS
organized by Mrs. Alger one OF these officers hav-
Ing investigated a case reported 10 him by the
principal OF a school by the police. as found in
the streets without the Boys Permit card brings
the delinquent to the Office OF the Truant school
A summons is then sent TO q parent legai guar
dian CT the boy asking him 10 attend and MAKE an
ing away from school This hearing is private. II
amendment he is paroled. and receives card wnlch
anu which bic eona8s B record u school attendance
and conduct He must also report a! stated Z inIet
walls at the Truant School until continued reports P
OF excellence permit his being restored TO schooi
citizenship without surveillance. ,,o
IT, on the other hand, the reports are unfavorabe
10 conduct and the boy proves ncorrel lo'e ne j.
main for the balance Of the school year or until ne
proves himself worthy Of reinsta tement. The hrst
thing that happens 20 the small offender after DC
saws goodby to father mother or guardian VINO mas
brought him Is thorough bath from head 10 foOt.
furnished him. and his own clothing. usually reeH-
Ing with dirt Is bundled up and sent home. From
the first the small prisoner Is made 10 understand
that he Is undergoing a deserved punishment. yet
he : treated a criminal
While the superintendents method Is summary
dealing with wrongdoing, encouragement and com
mendation reward the slightest attempt toward
goodness Mrs. Alger has warm heart for her