Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-22
APPEAL TO CONGRESS
Fight to a Finish by Swartzell
Opponents.
KERRY PATCH" GOSSIP
ACTION OF EDUCATION BOARD
DECLARED UNJUST.
KERRY PATCH" GOSSIP
Eastern Principal Smiling Today-Bit.
ter Partisanship on Hill--Some
Students Secure Transfers.

A group of young men. erstwhile scholars
of the Eastern High School stood In
Kerry Patch" this morning. shortly before
the school bells were sounded, and dis
cussed the action OF the board of education
last night In deciding to permanently re-
tain Prof. Mosheim F. F. Swartzell as prin.
cipal of the East Washington educational
institution. The group was not a large
one. and Kerry Patch" is the recent desig.
nation given by some OF the East Washing
tonfars to the sidewalk opposite the school
building on 1th street. where the malcon.
tents were wont to assemble and air their
grievances.
In the Office Of the principal, on the Sec
ond floor of the school edifice, overlooking
Kerry Patch was Prof. Swartzell, his
face wearing a bread smile. as he attended
to the wants Of throng of parents and
children. some of whom came for transfers
to other schools. Some of Mr.. Swartzelps
callers were irate. Others congratulated
him the outcome of the fight In his
favor. The iratc ores included woman
with her two daughters. who insisted that
she tie given 4 transfer for her children,
and did not leave the Office until her mis-
sion successfully accomplished.
The Principal Delighted.
Mr. Swartzell wore the air of a winner,
although he WAS rot boastful. He said he
was heartily glad that the board OF educa-
ton had arrived at decision, and declared
1t would be his purpose TO restore harmony
and strive to make the present school year
one of the most auspicious and successful In
the history of the Eastern High School.
The youths assembled over on Kerry
Patch talked in different vein. They de-
clared the decision of the board was against
the citizens of East Washington and did not
voice the real sentiment OF the educators OF
the District.
why" said one OF the lads, my father
has learned on good authority that the vote
on retaining Swartzell was a tie-three to
three-and that the deciding ballot was cast
by President J. Holdsworth Gordon. Ii the
board wanted to be absolutely fair about
this matter why did 1t not admit members
Of the press to the session, and why. also,
did 1t not call for the important witnesses
against Mr.. Swartzell whose names had
been published? We understand that only
a few of the opposing witnesses were Called
and they were unimportant ones. -
Another young man whose father mas
taken an active part Ia the anti-SwartzelI
movement declared that his parents ana
those of other boys would not rest content
under the decision OF the board OF eouca-
ton but intended to carry the case TO q
higher tribunal. Pressed for an explana~
ton this young man said:
"The board having disregarded the sentis
ments and wishes of large number OF cit.
izens they will take their case to the court
of last resort, which in this case Is Con-
gress. The only appeal our parents have
fro mthe decision can be made TO fresi-
dent Roosevelt, and understand steps have
already been taken to bring the matter 70
his attention as soon as possible, in order
that we may get "a square deal
Fight to Finish.
There were no evidences today of cor.
certed opposition on the part Of the boys
to the decision of the board. A tall youth
seemed to voice the sentiments of his com.
rades when he said:
I'VE will leave the matter now to our
parents, the business men and citizens asA
sociations, to be fought to a finish.
To all appearances in and about the High
School building this forenoon Prof Swart-
zell was clearly master Of the situation.
He wore his honors gracefully and talked
freely with some of his callers and menu
bers of the press about his future pro-
gram. To a Star reporter he said:
"The action of the board of education
has been the proper thing. and am graf
flied at the outcome. / have felt all along
that l have had a good cause. and l am
in that feeling. / also felt that there were
matters involved in this controversy which
the interests Of the teachers gen.
orally. They have made It broader than
q mere personal matter"
The Present Outlook.
In response to an inquiry OF the reporter
as to present school conditions at the East
ern, Principal Swartzell replied:
THE outlook for the season of 1866 n
very encouraging. My hope is that 1t may
be the best school year We have ever had.
There appears to be an excellent feeling
and a spirit of earnestness throughout the
schools. We all feel very much encour-
aged at the start. 1 am also glad there
IONS for yro pcF
to the other high schools and that the schol-
ars are coming back 10 the schools to which
they belong by right of residence. i am
delighted with that phase Of the situation.
because people who have had some feeling
in the matter are sending their children
to this school"
Glancing over his record book, Principal
Swartzell said:
Sixteen scholars Of the Eastern High
School have applied for transfers. Twelve
of these have made 1t clear that their rea-
sons were not connected with the recent
school troubles. That leaves but four ap.
/ will not crfucise those who
have acted against me. / have frienoiy
feelings for them all.
Mr.. Swartzeif added that while the hrst
days enrolment this year fell slightly be.
hind that OF last year. the second days en-
rollment gave an increase or three puprs
over last year. II was shown today thAt
in the first-year class there were present.
today 33 scholars out Of an enrolment OF
IS; second years class. 20 out of an enroll,
ment of 81; third years class. 10 out OF an
enrolment of 15; fourth years class. IA ous
of an enrolment OF 10.
Gratitude for Support
In conclusion, Mr. swartEeil said he de-
sired to express his ''warmest gratitude 10
those who supported him in the gooQ
cause" he represented.
And decline to make any personal re-
marks about my opponents"
Several parents of scholars who represent
the anti-Swartzell element visited the schoot
TODAY One of these said:
.sThe defiance of the expressed wishes OF
the citizens of East Washington. as voiced
Individually and through the citizens' asso-
Citations and the society OF business men,
by the board of education. affords an excel
lent reason why this matter should be taken
before the President and Congress. A few
more such decisions and there will be De.
veleped widely spreading sentiment In
favor OF suffrage in the District of Coium-
pta.'
One Of the scholars Of the Eastern High
School, who has been arrayed with the
others against Principal Swartsoll. de-