Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-05
M STREET HIGH SCHOOL
COLORED CITIZENS ENDORSE
PRESENT PRINCIPAL.


School controversy resulted In a formal
| meeting last night at 1903 II street north
| east, In response to a call of wel-known
colored men of East Washington and other
citizens. The troubles of that institution,
which have been the subject of much
newspaper discussion lately, were taken
under consideration, and resolutions were
unanimously adopted declaring confidence
in the present principal, Mrs. Anna j.
Cooper.
1t was learned at the Franklin School
this morning that as a result Of the re-
port of Percy NJ Hughes director of high
schools. made last year on the condition of
the high schools, an investigation Of the
lasted over the whole year. A subsequent
report by the director unanimously de-
fines the adverse conditions at the school.
1t is understood, however, that the recon-
mendations made in the report have moi
been acted upon by the board and that
the whole investigation is hanging fire
teacher Of fifteen years experience in
the M street school said this morning that
the deplorable conditions of friction be-
tween persons in the institution had re-
suited during the past three years in
most notable falling off in the behavior Of
the students.
Mr.. Hughes has declined to say any
thing for publication concerning the
troverSy, as his report is in the hands of
the board of education. 1t is said how
ever, that there has been much feeling in
the Central High School on the part of
the heads of departments whose duties
have taken them to the NJ street school.
Indorse Present Principal
The resolutions adopted last night and
addressed to the board of education
| through its president, Mr.. ]. Holdsworth
Gordon, as follows:
I'VE. citizens of East Washington and
bo
Street High School. having assembled for
the purpose of considering the reasons for
the trying ordeal through which this school
is now passing, find that whereas Mrs.
Anna ]. Cooper, as principal of said school,
has given unbounded satisfaction, and our
| representatives the board of education
| have not been derelict in their duty, not
WithStanding which certain individuals
who have never had children in said school
or even In any colored school have inst-
tuted series of hostile newspaper attacks
on the NJ Street High School, arrogating to
themselves the authority to speak for Its
patrons, who, 1t has been alleged, are too
| timid or too ignorant or on the fence in
making their wants known to the public;
and whereas certain persons connected
with said school have been guilty Of TO-
menting discord among teachers and pu-
pills and encouraging INSTRUMENTATION, to
the detriment of the children and to the
discredit OF the fair name of the schools;
therefore, be 1t
Resolved. That We hereby reaffirm our
confidence In Mrs. Cooper, and as parents
of children who attend said school and as
observers of the conditions which exist
there, wish to bear testimony to the fact
Of the high standing of training and con-
duct which Mrs Cooper seeks to maintain
in the school, and We believe that, with full
cooperation of her director and the elimi-
nation of the few who oppose her, the pub
lie would be thoroughly satisfied with her
management and administration of the
school.
I'VE protest against T. S. Leisenring pre-
Stunning to speak for the parents of the M
Street High School. and scout and condemn
those newspaper attacks with which he has
largely been connected. and deplore the ex-
istence of persons capable of lowering the
high standard of the said school or of i'm
pairing its usefulness for any sinister mo-
tive.
I'VE hereby reaffirm our confidence in the
integrity of our representatives on the
board of education. and sympathize with
them in the difficulties with which they are
contending in their efforts to clear up that
which a part of the public has been led to
regard a dark cloud hanging over said
school, and implore the other members of
the board to assist said representatives in
removing those who hindering the
progress and destroying discipline In that
institution
A permanent organization was perfected,
to be known the Colored Citizens of East
Washington. and the following committee
the board of education and the local news
papers: A. B. Wesley, DIR. D. A. Lane, r.
L. Holland Charles E. Lane and Daniel G.
Woodng. A. B. Wesley presided at the
meeting and Charles E. Lane acted as sec
rotary.