The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-12

At a meeting of the Mount Pleasan
Citizens Association, held at the STRAIT
ford Hotel last night. the public schoc
scandal was again given an airing, tn
most vigorous speaker upon this inter
esting topic being 4. B. Stocking, who
once before, created a sensation by tn
position he took in the matter and tn
boldness with which he expressed hi
views. He assailed mercilessly tn,
Commissioners and the Evening Star,
and the statement of the Commissioner.
made on Tuesday in response TO tn,
Morrel resolution
Some weeks ago at a regular meetin:
Mr.. Stocking introduced a resolution
calling for the appointment OF a COM
mittee OF members of the association to
investigate the public school scandal.
This committee was duly appointed and
last night made its report. The read
ing of the report brought the whole
question up before the meeting.
Confidential Document.
Before reading the report A. 3. Chat
field. chairman of the school commit
tee, said that the report had been writ
ten 10 be sent to the executive commits
tee Of the association. as a confidential
document. and that, as such, il had
been signed by all the members of the
committee. except J. A. Watson, who
offered an amendment 10 it. The eXecu-
tive committee returned 1t untouched,
whereupon Mr.. Watson declined to sign
it before it was laid before the whole
society. because he dissented from the
views of the other members. The others
on the committee were G. II. Zellers
and DR.. ". II. H Warman.
Because Mr.. Watson had declined to
sign the report the other members of
the committee struck theirs off also.
The report was as follows:
IN considering the resolutions. which
are indefinite and without specific per-
sonal charges. the committee felt the
great responsibility upon them, and with
no motive but TO learn the facts. and
be prepared TO make an intelligent re-
port, we entered upon the duties as
signed US.
Spent Much Time.
we have given the matter a great
deal of time and consideration. and held
a number of meetings, but we are OBJ
liged TO admit that the committee labor
ed under disadvantage. for whether
there are or are not rumors and Cos
sip of demoralizing character in the
public schools OF the District. the com
mittee is not a competent body to COM
pei individuals TO give evidence of a
positive character. 10 sustain or refute
the alleged charges set forth in the
resolutions
And. therefore, we respectfully refer,
without comment. the matter to you for
consideration and disposal believing,
however. that the proper place for con-
sideratiOn OF matters Of this kind is
with the Board Of Education.
we believe that said board is emil
nently qualified to care for the affairs
OF the public schools, and we do not
believe that they or any OF them. in any
respect Wha tsOeVer, viii disa ppoint the |
public IN the great trust imposed upon
mem. or permit condition to exist
which hazards the moral or intellectual 4
standard OF our children or teachers. !
whenever convinced that such is put In (
jeopardy.
Mr. Chatfieid. chairman Of the commit /
tee, stated that as one school official /
said. there are now demOraiizing rumors I
ana gossip. the committee could not say
that such rumors did not exist Mr. Wat ]
son made motion to table the report /
which was not seconded. but a motion 3
TO accept the report was unanimously i
carried and action upon the same will I
be taken at the next meeting. which 4
viii not be held until the second week .
m October. the usual summer susDen-
ssilon OF the meetings beginning at this I
Mr.. Watson Explains.
When Chairman ChatheId had finished I
reading the report. Mr. Watson said il 1
vas due TO himself that he offer an ex- 1
PLANTATION Of his failure TO sign il.
When I signed the report t. il went 1
TO the executive committee il was with /
The idea that I would be allowed 70 offer 4
IN amendment" said Mr.. Watson. /
This I did. but my amendment was not /
adopted I was IN favor of laying the
school scandal matter on the table. by
which / meant dropping il, being con- /
'iacea there is nothing IN il. and that /
We should not consider vague charges
made to arouse an old scandal"
Mr.. Stocking arose as soon as Mr..
Watson sat down
As the intrOducer of the resolution
referred 70 in this report I think I may
pc hearc 4 have no criticism of the
committee The subject they worked
lpou is one peculiar in character and
elleate 10 handle. The committee has
been arouous. energetic. and discreet
It's members have interviewed Commits
sioners West and Mcfarland General
oOyntou and others. IL was difficult 90
1nd teachers, with one exception who /
would talk. There is gossip today in
nc public schools. Children OF mem
-tt' '-tAt+"a Afhftt4A frtAAtt NOME NOT
thirty Gays ago and talked to their
mother about H.
Teachers in Sympathy.
Teachers have said 10 me. Let moth
ne swerve you from this fight. All the
teachers are back OF you
You have my word. which you may
discard as worthless, and the word of
General Boynton. who everybody be-
ieves knows what he Is talking about
The matter viii not rest here.
Public opinion has al last forced the /
Evening star and its protege. Commits
10ner Macfarland cut OF the secret
chambers Of the District Building, I
where. by suppression Of all informa-
ion, and noisesOme silence regarding
chool matters. they had hoped 20 hood
Wink the intelligent people of Washing
we have had here for thirty years
! local gov ernnlent, possessing the eX- /
raordinary combination of legislative |
nd executive functions in one and the
anne set OF officials. As IL this were !
Tot sufficiently tyrannical, Congress re-
.ently added 10 that same set Of men I
he sacred and most highly important
judicial function.
in the report Of the Commissioners.
yesterday in The Times and /
star. which was evidently furnished 10 I
lie star several days in advance of its !
.eing given 10 the other papers IN order
hat the editor o. the Evening Flicker /
0frbf . 4 nd erFt f.a AR, "a fros.l Fofot, {