The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-04-28
PARENTS ADVANCE
TO GARDENERS AID
Say Principal Is Satisfac-
tory to Them.
"DISGRUNTLED TEACHERS"
Claim Is Made That Clique Within the
School Caused All the
Trouble
"DIsGRUNTLED TEACHERS

Testimony was submitted 10 Super
intendent Stuart last night by seven
teen parents OF High School students
who came TO defend the methods OF
Principal A l. Gardner at a special
hearing granted by the superintendent
OF schools. Students OF the school were
also on hand with a petition signed by
All OF their number. A girl student Of
the school presented a petition signed
by forty Of the patrons" OF the school.
Other petitions are now in circulation
among the parents OF the students
Benjamin F. Edwards. who acted as
spokesman for the delegation OF par
ents last night. stated that the parents
had been working but one day upon the
petitions that were in circulation and
added that people were hocking to his
office to sign the paper.
Mr.. Edwards. in laying before the
superintendent OF schools the opinion OF
parents regarding the present disturb
ance at the school, said:
Work of Jealousy"
THE unpleasantness that has recently
been brought upon the Mckinley school
through the efforts of a clique Of dis
gruntied teachers is the work OF jeal-
ousv, and there IS not the slightest foun-
dation for the absurd charges that are
brought against Principal Gardner Be
cause some boy sneaks a smoke during
school hours Is the principal TO be held
responsible for not being at his elbow
to pluck the cigarette from his mouth?
1T is the height OF folly for them 10
attempt 10 hold Mr.. Gardner respo1 Is bIe
for the acts Of each individual pIpIl
Why. IL the misdemeanOrs OF each pupil
that have occurred during his intuna-
bency at the scnool. We're attributed 10
a lack OF proper supervision by the pTin-
cipal. his faults would appear as noun
tains. The very accusations which they
make are monstTosities-
"Of course. we are not in a position TO
refute their evidence by legal methods
for II Is impossible that We should have
been present at all OF the hearings. but
We, the parents. take this occasion 10
warn YOU that the same teachers who
have testified before you. in many cases.
have been reprimanded by the principal
for injustice 10 our children
Satisfied With Him"
I'VE are satisfied with Mr. Gardner.
He is giving us what we want and what
we are paying taxes for. II there is
anything that we can do TO keep him
in his present position. he will stick"
Other parents present testified that
they had been forced to appeal 10 the
principal for their children on account
OF what they believed 10 be the injus-
tees done them by some OF the teachers
who were leading the opposition to the
| principal Some OF the parents express
ed the opinion that one OF the women
! teachers was the cause Of the entire
disturbance.
superintendent Stuart requested that
/ the sentiments expressed by the parents
1 last night be put in writing. so that they
! could be filed with the other testimony
submitted by teachers at the hearings
| This will be done. 1t was further de-
I cided by the parents 10 write a letter
1 10 each member OF the board Of eNamin-
| ers. asking that justice he done in the
| inal disposition Of the charges against
| the principal. All OF the parents present
| pledged themselves to do so.