Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-20
THE FACULTY IGNORED
GOVERNING BOARD DECLINES TO
WITHHOLD DIPLOMAS.
Recommendation From Eastern, High
School Faculty Affecting the Grad
uation Of Certain Students. -

oSAooA : oCu1ly tAeAfnnSSeiuk eAS N@a
uation Of Certain Students So
Another chapter has been added to the
trouble at the Eastern High School. When
the names Of those students entitled to
graduate were sent to the superintendent
there was a recommendation. it Is under
stood, that three of those who had passed
the examinations and complied with all
other requirements, Messrs. Linthicum.
Huntington and Sprawls. be held uo and
not permitted to graduate. These were tie
leaders of the so-called "sedition against
Principal Swartzell."
This was a matter that called for spe-
cial report, and Prof. p. NJ. Hughes. di-
rector OF high schools, was asked to in
vestigate It, This he did at some length.
with the result that the faculty recon-
mendation that the diplomas be withhe
from these three students has been ignored.
and every one entitled to graduation will
receive diploma tomorrow at the closing
exercises of the school.
Has Nothing to Say.
Superintendent Stuart had Just returned
from the graduation exercises Of the Nor
NAL School when accosted by a reporter for
The Star. When asked what he knew or
had to say concerning the recommendation
of the faculty of the Eastern High School
that three of the students be refused di-
plomas of graduation he said:
"AH 1 care to say concerning the case is
this: Every pupil who has qualified for
graduation will receive his diploma to-
morrow night, unless some overt act Is
committed between now and the COM
mencement exercises. And l include in this
all who have proved themselves efficient
during the year without regard in any way
to the difficulties that seem to have beset
the Eastern High School of late"
rs 1t true that the governing board of
the school has ignored the recommendation
of the Eastern High School faculty." asked
the reporter
THE matter so far as ! know has never
been presented to the Governing board as
body.
II will say however, that Director If High
Schools Hughes has made thorough inves-
tigation Of the troubles at the Eastern
High School, And. as I have already said,
every student who has compiled with the
requirements of the school board with re-
spect to efficiency will graduate without re-
spect to any trouble he or she may have
been involved in in the past.
1.-THE diplomas have been signed; the rib
bons even have been attached. and they
are ready to be handed out tomorrow
night. 1t Is unfortunate that the Eastern
High School has been the scene of such
lamentable occurrences Indeed I depre-
cate It."
Other Charges Filed.
1t was also stated today that other
charges against two of those named had
been filed. These had a direct bearing up
on the final examinations. and were of a
character that seemed to call for special
inquiry. These charges. it was further
stated. had not been made by Principal
Swartzell, but by two of the teachers OF
the school, and he forwarded them to the
superintendent with his approval.
Superintendent Stewart said. when ques-
49, n
noon concerning these charges. that he had
not heard Of them. 1t was the first intima-
ton he had received, and did not believe
anything of the kind. Nevertheless it is
were forwarded with the recommendation.
Mr.. Gordon's Statement.
President ]. Holdsworth Gordon of the
board of education was seen by Star re-
porter this afternoon and asked concerning
the latest chapter In the Eastern High
School fuss. He said:
"All l can say to you Is that everyone
entitled to graduate from the Eastern High
School will receive diploma tomorrow
night Yes, without reference to the So
called sedition there. No; this matter you
refer to has not been brought before the
board of education. 1t has nothing to do
with such questions. at least not primarily
1T is a matter for the governing body OF
perintendent, the director of high schools
and the principal of the Eastern High
School. They would be the ones to look
into the matter. But there is nothing now
to worrw about. Every one will graduate
mo, l do not care to discuss any recon-
mendations or reports upon the SUBJECT
The school board as yet is officially in the
dark"
Regrets the Notoriety.
When a reporter of The Star visited the
Eastern High School this afternoon he
ho Of 80
erning board of the public schools had pre-
ceded him, and had been discussed among
the teachers.
Principal Swartzell, while admitting the
truth Of the charges, said he sincerely dep
recated the notoriety that must Of neces-
sity follow their publication. He begged
to be excused from discussing a matter
that was in every sense official. and SUBJ
ject that belongs directly to the school au-
thorities.
One of the teachers, who desired her
name to be omitted, talked quite freely
She said:
There Is neither disposition nor intention
on my part to keep this matter agitated.
but there are some features that deserve
consideration
"As understand 1t. the recommendation
of the faculty concerning the graduation of
certain students has been ignored. This, 1t
seems to me. is a very serious matter. It
Is not to be presumed that these recon-
mendations were made in spirit Of re-
venge. We teachers are charged with an
important duty.
saThe MANAGEMENT Of the students intrust-
ed to our care Is carefully scrutinized, and
upon us devolves the important task Of
molding charactef.
Divorce a teacher from the power the
board Of education gives her In the matter
OF maintaining discipline, and you take
away from her the very prop upon which
she stands
ut should make little difference how COM
petent student has been In his studies
during his course II his discipline has been
bad understand those who have passed