New-York tribune., 1906-04-12
EDUCATION BOARD TIFF.
STERN HITS MAXWELL.
accuses Commission of Incompe-
tency and Injustice.

Two clashes between Dr. William H Maxwell
City Superintendent of Schools. and Abraham /
Stern, commissioner. characterized yesterdays |
meeting of the Board of Education. At his /
first essay Mr. Stern practically accused the |
superintendent of not knowing his business. In |
his second he attacked the competency of the |
board of examiners. and accused two school /
principals of injustice.
Mr.. Stern first accused Superintendent Max
we'll OF violating the provisions of the charter. /
The retirement of Arthur McMullin. a district |
superintendent had been called up by Mr.. Tiff |
on motion to take the question from the table. |
where it had rested since October IL, 1905. Mr. |
McMuln asked for retirement to take effect on |
September 80. 1905 Mr.. Stern contended that |
the board of superintendents had Intentionally |
slghted the Board of Education on that occa-
sion in proposing the nomination of a successor
to take the place of Mr.. McAIullin before that |
board had been informed that he had resigned. |
ut was about time said Mr.. Stern, ito make |
the board of superintendents understand that |
they had to conduct their business in an orderly
manner. 1 understand that Mr. McMullin was |
to be forced out and that he was given the al |
Tentative of voluntary retirement. He is man
who has rendered fine oervice to the educational
| system Of this city and 1t was but fair that
! he should be treated with some portion OF
| the consideration that he has shown In his
| services to the city. Since his application for
retirement was filed he has, with fine discrimina-
tion, conducted the duties of his office with the
same fidelity which always characterized his
| performance OF duty. I believe that the mem
bers of the board Of superintendent violated
| the charter when they acted as they DID,
| Dr. Maxwell declared, with copy Of the
| charter in his hand, that the provisions Of the
| charter enabled the members of the board OF
| superintendents to nominate successor to
| district superintendent who had resigned within
the time covered by his resignation and the next
| meeting of the Board of Education He further
/ declared that this made mandatory.
Then the superintendent has violated the
| provisions of the charter" rejoined Mr.. Stern;
because have been informed and learn from
the minutes that he voted against making the
| nomination of Mr. McMullin's successor"
| Mr. Tiff interjected at this point and pressed
for action on his motion that Mr.. Mullins
| application be voted He retired with
a pension OF $1,000. to go into effect on Septem-
Der 80, Of this year.
NEr Stern next arose to champion Miss Kath-
crime A Callahan. acting principal of Public
School 115, in Canarsie. 'I believe that the Board
| of Examiners has done this gross in
| Justice" said Mr.. Stern 'She has been refused
certificate of fitness for principal after she has
PASSED the difficult examination for that position
| with the greatest credit. The Board of Exam
liners alleges that she is untitled for the position
by her personality"
Every principal under whom this lady has
taught has reported against her. said DR.. Max
well.
Eyes. I believe that there were some charges
preferred against her some six years ago." re-
Joined Mr. Stern but they fell to the ground
They were cowardly attacks They were made
by John F. Harris. principal of Public School 50,
and Mary A. Ward. principal of Public School
So And the report of the Board of Examiners
says that the reports of these principals had
little or no weight with them in determining
their decision as to the awarding of a certificate
of fitness to Miss Callahan"
Mr.. Stern. in answer to the charge of Super
intendent Maxwell that he had read only parts
of the statements of the principals and that the
Board of Examiners had sent a member TO in
vestigate the condition of Miss Callahan's school,
read in full the report of Mr. Hervey. who was
sent by the Board of Examiners to report on
the condition of the school. His report
favorable, with the exception that he had noticed
that Miss Callahan talked fast under excitement
and that she hurried from one room to another
to see how the work was going At the time
of his visit there were more than 250 pupils in
the school There should have been five teach
ers; he found three substitutes and Miss Gala
han teaching two classes in one room, besides
attending to the duties as principal
After more discussion the matter was referred
to the special committee.
Gustave Straubenmiller. district superinten-
dent. was elected Associate Superintendent Of
| Schools. to succeed the late DR.. Albert p
| Marble.
Andrew Carnegte's idea OF reform IN the SPELL
| ing of English was covered by a resolution OF
investigation. which referred for future ac-