Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-12
The High School Principals.

Evidences accumulate that the recent
action of the board of education In the
matter OF the Eastern High School In
subordination does not. indeed. close the
case but that it has. on the contrary.
precipitated a situation fraught with pos
sibilties of serious embarrassment.
The board of education had before 1t a
matter which seemed exceedingly simple
OF adjustment. Certain pupils of the East
ern High School had fiagrantly broken
the rules and defied the authority of the
principal The issue had developed to the
point at which 1T was necessary for the
higher authorities to intervene to sre-es-
tablish the power OF the principal and his
teachers over the pupils. There seemed
to be no safe middle ground. no field and
no demand for a compromise.
The boards action presented however.
a dual aspect. 1t first empha tically con-
demned the insubordinate spirit displayed
by the recalcitrant pupils of the school
and thereby restored the standard of dis
cipline to its desirable point. But 1t
weakened the force of its proclamation in
behalf of discipline In the schools by pro-
viding that the principal of the school be
relieved from duty at the Eastern and
transferred to position of equal grade.
For the conditions of the case raised i'm
mediate doubt In the public mind whether
such transfer was in furtherance of the
spirit of the wholesome reprimand ad-
ministered by the board to the insubordi-
nate elements IN the schools.
The circumstances of the schools are
such that there Is only position to
which Principal SwartzelI can be trans
ferred. and the public has been given to
understand that the board had practically
hot "a. no rtar god rxrith
Principal Wilson of the Central High
School Immediately protest was heard
from the parents of the Central pupils.
ThaNAotest has assumed the form of an
appeal 81 the case to higher powers, and
the board of education has been brought
by the developments of the past few days
to face the necessity of withdrawing from
its Illogical position or forcing ex-
change of principals in the face of pop
ular opposition and possibly an intima-
ton from the District Commissioners. or
even higher up" that such a course is
distinctly disapproved
It Is hardly to be believed that the
board of education will persist in its ini-
tial action. After indicating Mr. Swart-
zelfs conduct IN this particular case of
discipline at the Eastern the board cannot
in justice punish him by a transfer which
would not De q promotion, out would De,
indeed. official declaration that his
period OF usefulness at the Eastern.
where a firm hand viii be needed next
autumn. IS at an end.
On the other hand. If the board consid-
ers that transfer from the Eastern to
the Central is a promotion for Mr.. Swart-
zell in recognition of his service at the
former school. the exchange must be the
opposite for Mr.. Wilson. whose conduct
has not been brought in question at all.
and whose retention at the Central, it
appears, is desired both by the pupils of
the schools and their parents and by him
self
The situation would seem to be best
solved by the calling of a special meeting
of the board of education for the purpose
of reconsidering the case and the amend
ment of the order adopted at the prior
meeting. so that Mr. SwartzelIs conduct
is approved in both terms and effect. by
his retention in the school where he has
shown himself. according to the boards
own declaration. efficient disciplin-
arian and teacher, By doing this the case
will be relieved of the extreme tension
which the public Indignation at the pro-
posed removal of Principal Wilson from
his present post of unquestioned useful
ness has caused