Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-20
EASTERN HIGH SCHOOL
Capitol Hill Divided as to the
Boards Action.
MR.. GORDON TALKS
SEEMS TO BE a QUESTION OF
ATHLETICS OR SCHOLARSHIP.
A Letter Showing How the Latter
Has Been Subordinated to
the Former.

The action OF the board OF education In re-
assigning Mr.. +. F. Swartzell to the East
ern High School Is being received with
varied emotions The division Is said to lie
between the interests of scholarship and
athletics. Those interested In scholarship
are rejoicing. 1T is said. and those represent
Ing athletic and drill interests are cha
grined
T. w. Smith. president of the East Wash
inston Citizens Association. which lately
Endorsed the action of the board of educa-
ton for the resolution transferring Mr..
Swartzell. is reported to have said
The whole thing Is surprise to me-
had never imagined that the board would
take such backward step. It's attempt to
settle the troubles at the Eastern High
School has ended most unsatisfactory A
renewal of the past troubles at the opening
OF the next school term is inevitable.
think the board has yielded to clam
orlnSs or certain parties, who cannot real
lie the conditions at the school, and has
been waited first one way and then the
other, with the result of Tuesday nights
decision. The action of the board was in
consistent. out of keeping with the welfare
OF the school, and. think, will not be sup
ported by the thinking people of the eastern
section who have children in school and
who understand the conditions
committee of our association as soon as /
can communicate with the members. and
the matter will again be taken up. Whether
mass meeting of the citizens will be called
or not L cannot say until after the execu-
tive meeting. 1t is not improbable that such
meeting will be held Such action will de-
pend much upon the disposition of the cIti-
zens."
The Alumni Petition.
ON the other hand the young men whose
activity In sending in the petition was
commended by the president of the board
OK education are being congratulated
rumor that the signatures to the petition
were obtained under the understanding
that Mr.. Swartzell would resign If REIN
stated Is Indignantly denied. The boys say
no mention of a possible resignation was
made After being duly considered by the
board OF education the letter referred to in
the issue of The Star of July Is was given
out Yesterday by Secretary Conner. 1t is
as follows:
Eastern High School Alumni Association
Washington. d. c.. July H. 1905
u. Holdsworth Gorden. esq. President of
the Board Of Education, District of Co
iumbia.
Dear Sir: The special committee Of the
Alumni Association beg to submit for the
consideration of the board of education the
associations Idea relative to the selection
OF a new principal for the Eastern High
School. Our deep interest in the school
must be the excuse for intruding our views
when we are so well aware of the ability
and earnest effort of the board to benefit
Eastern in every possible way.
THE following is expressive of the sense
OF the asSocia ton:
I'VE would be strongly opposed to select
ing a principal from the present Eastern
faculty.
we consider a new man. one from the
outside OF the District II 1t be possible to
obtain such. the best choice. He would
then enter upon the work free from any
preconceived notion opinion as regards
the school
HE should be a man. we conceive. In
sympathy with athletics. possessing mag
ne.ism and executive ability In preference
TO pedagogical superiority.
"Eastern's present faculty has proven
conclusively, we think. It's intellectual
strength. Its weakness has all along lain
In Its management
Tho association stands ready at all times
to cordially cooperate with the board of
education and the Eastern faculty in every
possible manner. and reposing the utmost
confidence in the boards selection the new
principal may be assured of our earnest
support.
we are persuaded the board will impute
TO our zeal and deep feeling for the school
the liberty we have taken In this expression
of our views and not to a spirit OF dcta-
ton or distrust, which would be equally i'm
proper and presumptuous. Very respect
fully.
JOHN c. FITZPATRICK. Chairman,
he Isr,x to-