Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-26
Eastern High School Contro-
versy in Limelight.
BUSINESS MEN ACT
CIRCULATING PETITIONS FOR
AND AGAINST RETENTION.
Paper Signed by Alumni Cause for
Some Disoussion-Ouestio of
MI. Swartzell's Resignation.

Controversy over tho continuance Of ~.
( +. + Swartzell as principal 2t the Eastern
High School grows more vigorous daily
The business men have taken the matter
up. petitions Tor and against THE principal
are being circulated ANA IL ls understood
that many Interested On the welfare OF tie
/ institution are collecting evidence to sub
NIT 10 the citizens investigating .nmlt-
tees. What the outcome may be is beyond
conjecture.
y special war IS being wagcd in r'nnec-
ton with the petition circulated and sout
In to the board by certain young men which
Is thought TO have done much 70 AID Mr..
SwartzelL The statement that an under
standing existed between the principal and
his defenders that II continued he would
resign Is denied, # is said by both Mr..
Swartzell and the young men. The latter
have sent in the following letter to The
Star:
The promoters OF the petition defending
Mr.. Swart2ell have been approached 10y
several of the signers who claim to have
dtnNed their signatures on the suppnsltion
that Mr.. Swartzell would resign II rein
stated The young men having the petition
IN charge call attention 10 the fact that
no mention of a resignation was made on
the petition. Any misunderstanding that
mas arisen could be due only TO rumors
that Mr. Swartzel would resign # an on
portunty To do so gracefully We're IL pre-
\ sent itself There was no agreement he
tween them and Mr.. Swartzel as to his
course In the future and 10 the proha-
ollity OF MS feSignng if rciustatcd IL is
unfortunate that any misunders landing
should have arisen. and IL was felt that i'm
justice TO all concerned a statement ehould
be made. R. y. SULLIVAN 1891
&c. w. NINAI.. 1872
III. +. BARNES 1902
w. s. NICHOLSON 1903
ne trouble, says one Of the signers OF
me letter, about Mr. Swarjzell's resign
! Ing, If retained. has been caused in mart
we have discovered. by the confidential lit
tie talks had 10y one OF our co-workers as
he carried the petition around.
IN acdltion there has been a well-dednad
rumor that Mr., SwartzcU would NOT sta,
at Eastern. even though continued hero
ana IL Is proba hie some of the signcrs might
nave associated our petition with snrh ru-
mors. our petition was intended To stand
Tor itself at its face value The nm nlieatio,
of the names Of the petition sfeue,s made II
7 necessary for them to cNuIain Their rnsifion
and some may have fallen back ON the only
possible excuse. We'll. / understood he
would resign
There was no such understanding and
an honest statement of affairs would not
confuse our effort with private coniectures
ana general rumors."
MIR. Swartzell's Denial.
Mr.. Swartzell. it is understood indignant
~ denies that any idea OF Il resignation
| could possibly have emanated from him.
On the other hand. It IS reported the
rumor was based on clear understanding
that the retirement would occur
The second meeting of the committee APP
! pointed by President James f Oyster OF
| the Business Mems Association to look into
the Eastern trouble took place last night
Chairman Fred. G, Coldren declined to give
out for publication the proceedings ND to
the present time, but ii is stated all who
are IN possession of first-hand knowledge
are invited to attend the session of the
committee.
Percy NJ. Hughes, director of the high
schools, was present upon invitation of the
committee to give the members any in
formation he might have concerning the
matter under investigation 1t is under
stood that Mr.. Swartzell has been invited
TO attend and that a number Of ex-high
school students have given testimony.
After All Evidence.
A report of the Investigation will not be
made until all possible evidence is procured
and both sides of the case are weighted
carefully.
Grave apprehension is entertained by
many teachers that the recent disciplinary
troubles at the Western and Eastern High
Schools may result in unruly conditions
during the coming year. 1t Is Anticipated
that the attention given TO general clamor
against the lawfully constituted authorities
may seriously impair the efficiency OF the
! service. The teachers are reported TO feel
that the Office of the teacher or principal
must be maintained not by the personality
of the individual, which may be assailed by
pupil and parent insurrection or promoted
by wave of unwilling appreciation. but
made secure by the discrimination Of
beard well able to stand for law and order
and to inquire into the efficiency OF It's en-
ployes.
President Thomas ]. Smith of the East
Washington Citizens Association is ex-
| pected to return TO the city Thursday night.
when meeting of the executive committee
will be held. The trouble at the Eastern
High School Will be considered