Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-13
Investigation of Charges.

Investigation of Charges.
1t has been generally represented that the
board. now engaged in the inquiry into the
Eastern High School trouble, will take up
the charges against other high schools as
soon as the present investigation is con-
Guided First on the list is said to come
the NJ Street High School, the principal of
which. Mrs. A. j. Cooper, has been charged
with general incompetency. The inyeStiga-
ton of the school has already occupied the
attention of the board more than a year.
mo condition of the schools in recent
years. says colored member of the super
ViSing corps, has been more deplorable
than the NJ street affair. 1t is difficult to
determine what the trouble is, jealousy per-
haps, right and wrong on both sides, but a
deplorable condition has resulted"
Mr.. Percy NJ Hughes, director of High
Schools when asked what is the condition
of the NJ Street High School said:
The matter Is now in the hands of the
board of education. before whom l have
laid my report. Until the board acts upon
the report | have nothing TO say"
Specific Allegations.
II is stated on the one hand that the fight
at the NJ Street High School is merely an
attack upon the policy of appointing women
to positions of authority. Many excellent
and capable women in both the white and
the colored schools who have risen to the
to advance to positions of principal of grade
and high school buildings, Normal Schools,
the supervising corps and even the super
intendency, as in other cities.
On the other hand specific charges are
said to have been brought before the board
of gross tncOmpetency in the direction of
the NJ street school, going so far to
charge teachers and pupils with having been
intoxicated during school hours.
The statement is made at the Franklin
building today that the board of education
as committee of the whole will resume the
investigation at the earliest possible time
and endeavor to make u decision before
Monday, September IS.
Ministers Union Adopts Resolutions
The A. NJ. E Ministerial Union of the
District today adopted resolutions heartily
indorsng the management of the NJ Street
High School 80 far as it reflects the poll
cies and spirit of it's ideal principal, Mrs.
Anna ]. Cooper, who is everywhere recog-
nized as master in the principles and art
of her chosen profession, and whose ripe
experience not only puts her in the front
rank of the pedagogical profession, but has
established her in the affections and esteem
OF hundreds of loyal and patriotic citizens
to whom she has given hope and inspira
ton and in whose name we speak
1t was declared: we assure the board
of education of our absolute confidence In
the ability of the present principal to man
age the NJ Street High School in such a
way as to satisfy all demands provided
her views are enforced and the teachers
under her direction made to know that
the board Is in thorough accord and SYM
pathy with her efforts to do the greatest
good for those hundreds of young people
whose destinies are so materially affected
by the school room.
I'VE affirm our confidence in the high pur-
pose of the honorable board of educa ton
not to take a backward step by adopting
the views respecting the NJ street school ac-
credited to the director of high schools for
that would be IN the nature of class legis-
lation Our people should not be deprived
OF any opportunities or advantages which
the public school system affords. If the
views of the present principal fully and
positively supported by your hOnora bic
board as We believe they will be, we have
no doubt as tC the uniform success which
Will attend the splendid efforts being made
by noble band of self sacrificing tea hers
under the leadership of a self crlficing
and devoted principal
Rev. DIR. d. p. Seaton Is president of the
union. Passed at regular meeting Septem-
Der -, 1905.