Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-19
Prof. SWartzell Declines to
Receive q Statement.
INTEREST OF PEACE
REGARD HIS ACTION
AS A SNUB.
Trouble Between Students and Princi-
pal Revived-The Former Express
Their Indignation.

Principal Mosheim F. F. Swartzeil OF The
Eastern High School took action this morn
Ing which served TO proloug the controversy
between him and the students of the school
which arose some time ago in connection
with the celebration of the victory of Corr
pany f in the high schoo, competitive drill
by refusing point blank to listen to q state
ment which the graduating class unani-
mously desired to make to him and the
other members of the faculty. The pur-
pose OF the statement was to lift the cloud
from the class night exercises tomorrow
evening and the other events of graduation
week.
Heretofore many of the teachers have
taken their stand with Mr.. Swartzell In his
dealing with the students and he has like
wise found some defenders OF his action
among the pupils. but after the tender by
the graduating class of their wishes TO end
the whole affair and the principals reply
that he hadn't time to see them, and would
not even IL he had the time
There Is a general feeling Of dissatis-
faction among pupils and teachers alike.
more intense than ever before. Every
student Is opposed to his action, and the
teachers in a large majority think he has
made a grave mStake.
The trouble was renewed through an an
nOuncement by Mr.. Swartzell some days
ago that he would be unable to attend the
class night exercises of the graduating
class tomorrow evening at the school on
account Of a previous engagement. Ac-
cording to custom as old as the school
ITSELF the president of the class, Mr..
Clarke Burritt. had put the principal down
on the program of that evening for the
faculty address" After 1t was too late
to make an alteration in the printed pro-
gram Mr. Swartzelrs announcement was
made.
Troubles Multiply.
To make matters worse. several Of the
teachers signified their intention of re-
manning away giving as their reasons that
1T was an Official matter. This mys-
terious word led to various constructions
by the pupils on the action of the teachers.
and many believed that the principal had
given them instructions for them to remain
away from the evenings exercises.
Feeling deeply the slight to be placed
upon their class, the students or the tourtn
year began to cast about for some means
to bring things to amicabe settlement
President Burritt was especially desirous
of doing this. He had an Interview last Fri
day with Director Percy M Hughes in re-
gard to the trouble and Mr.. Hughes ex-
pressed his regret over the unfortunate
situation. at the same time advising Bur
rift to try to correct the bad impression
which the class had made upon Mr.. Swart-
zell.
Burritt was entirely willing to do as MT
Hughes suggested. Shortly after O'Clock
this morning he called meeting of the
senior class and asked the members
whether they would be willing to invite
Mr. Swartzell and several of the teachers
into the room and tell them the class was
not in sympathy with the troublesome att
tude of the student body and is desirous
of leaving the school without any disgrace
upon itself. t-
At first when 1t was thought that an
apology was to be made by the senior
class to the principal. there were dissent
ing voices. 1t was stated to Star reporter
that the senior class does not think 1t has
anything to apologize for. since 1t had very
ances several weeks ago. Some students
said Mr. Swartzell was blaming the class
for something 1t had not done and was not
in sympathy with
Result of Explanation.
After Burritt explained that It was not
intended to offer Mr.. Swartzell or the
teachers an apology for something not
done but only to tell them that they were
distinctly not in sympathy with any
troublesome element. the vote was unani-
nous in favor Of asking Mr.. Swartzell to
accept their statement.
The president then left the room and
went first to one Of the lady teachers. who
had said she would not attend the class
night exercises He told her Of the desire
of the class. and she was perfectly willing
to enter the room. She said she had been
a little radical in her views but had con-
sidered the matter more carefully and was
glad the class had taken the stand 1t had
She was present when Burritt preached
the matter to Mr.. Swartzeli in his office.
Scarcely had the president of the class
begun to tell the principal that the meeting
desired to make a statement to him than
Mr.. Swartzeli shut him OF by saying:
haven't time to come to the meeting 1
am too busy. Besides l would not come IL
l had the time. Such a movement Is en-
tirely irregular The meeting is unauthor-
lied and l direct you to disband 1t right
away" Without more words Burritt left
the office and communicated the result to
the meeting. Immediately the greatest sur
prise and Indignation was expressed But
the meeting disbanded. the members VOW
ing they would do no more to try to bring
themselves in favorable light before Mr..
Swartzell.
Members of Glass Indignant.
A prominent member of the class sad
this morning that in his opinion and that
OF the entire school Mr.. Swartzel. instead
Of courteously accepting the generous offer
Of the class, had slapped 1t in the face"
we would not have him make the
FACULTY address now If he should beg to
On his knees, said another
Arrangements have not yet been made
to secure speaker to fill the principals
place on the program tomorrow evening"
Hearing OF the treatment of the senior
class by Mr.. SwartZell and of the desire
Of the class to smooth the matter over in
an honorable manner practically all Of
the teachers have changed their minds and
announce that they will be present at the
class night exercises after all. They have
little patience with Mr.. Swartzelrs atti-
tude.
by deliberately choosing to prolong
this difficulty and refusing absolutely
to treat with the class which graduates
Wednesday night" said member Of the
third-year class. Mr. Swartzell has set
tied the undergraduates. opinion of him.
The great majority of us would rather not
come back to the school at all next year.
He has struck terrible blow at his popu-
larity with the undergraduates"
Opinions Of Officials.
Mr.. Hughes was told Of the events Of
the morning at the Eastern by Star re-
porter, who saw him at Convention Hall,
where the graduating leases of the three
academic high schools are rehearsng for
the exercises there Wednesday night OF
this week. Mr.. Hughes spoke Of his inter-
view with President Burrftt, and said that
he did not understand why Mr.. Swartzell
acted as he did.
Superintendent A. T. Stuart was also
told of the affair, and said.