Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-28
DOUBT REGARDING EASTERN
MIR. Swartzell's Retention Depends
Upon Investigation.
discussed BY SUPERINTENDENT
Has Reached No Conclusion as to
That School-Talks Of Re-
form in Spelling.

superintendent CnancelIOf OF inc iocai
public schools told Star reporter today
that while he had not definitely decided
upon all OF his recommendations to the
board Of education in regard to the high
school and manual training school vacan-
cies. one thing is certain-that Miss West
colt will be reappointed principal OF the
Western High School-and another matter
Is very much in doubt-namely, the reap
pointment of Mr.. Swartzeh as principal OF
the Eastern High School.
The eastern principalship. which has been
interesting the citizens of the District for
several years, and especially the people on
Capitol Hill, was discussed very freely by
DR.. Chancellor. He called for the hsures
showing the attendance at this school IN
the 1900 1901 term as compared with the at
tendance for the 1905-19O6 term. In the first
instance it was 45S, and In the last 31S
put down those figures" said the super
intendent, land say that l am studying
them in connection with the question OF the
principalship.''
He was asked whether there are any very
prominent candidates for the Office and re-
piled that there were not. The probab iifty
Of a woman principal for the school was
discussed and the name of Miss Ida M.
DAILY, formerly teacher OF English there
and now reappointed to the Mckinley Man
ual Training School. was mentioned. But
throughout the interview DR.. Chancellor
had formed no definite opinions in regard
to whom he should recommend for this
position.
Business Course at Eastern.
The much-discussed proposition to try to
restore some of the old-time prestige and
attendance at the Eastern and at the same
4 bo iUh
School by establishing a business course at
the Eastern was brought to his attention
He said serious consideration was being
given it. and such thing was easily with
in the range of possibilities.
"Who are the candidates for the position
of principal of the Mckinley Manual Train
ing SCHOOL, was asked.
There are no very prominent candi-
dates" was the reply, although a. number
of names have been mentioned. l may say
that no one is a leading candidate
The only name he would mention in this
connection was that of Mark r. Woodward,
at present teacher in the Mckinley school,
Strong support is being given Mrs. Cooper
for the position of principal of the NJ Street
High School, according to the superin-
Letters and petitions In great
numbers are coming to him in her behalf
from her friends, most of whom are among
the patrons of the school, DR.. Chancellor
declared this would insure for her very
q,
in her case until a thorough investigation
had been made of all the facts.
with SO many intelligent people inter-
ested in her behalf he said. I'VE are bound
to give her every considerat ton, and will do
So but, of course, that does not mean that
she will necessarily be reappOinted.
DR.. Chancellor had nothing to say as to
whom he had in mind for the head of the
Manual Training School.
Regarding Grade Teachers.
Pretty nearly all of the old teachers are
to be reappoint confirmed" he prefers
to put it-according to the information he
gave out today. Perhaps only five or six
will not be confirmed, and these, he says.
will be given an opportunity to have
hearing after the reasons for dropping them
have been put in writing.
In regard to the legality of his and the
boards proceedings In the appointment of
teachers who were employed under the old
regime, he said because the question was in
measure an open one he had thought 1t best
to proceed safely and get them placed solid
" on the roll He does not think that ac-
ton can do any harm.
Before the end Of the first week in Sep
TENDER Dr. Chancellor intends that all OF
the appointments that are hanging fire will
be made. These. OF course include besides
those of the principals and teachers already
mentioned, those Of the heads of divisions
of the graded schools. There will probably
be no changes in these places.
Opposes Iron-Clad Rule.
Waves of phonetic spelling reform have
not failed to reach the local school sys-
tenn as represented by the superintendent.
who stated to The Star reporter that he
would be In favor of the new method as
advocated by President Roosevelt, but, OF
course, would make no iron-clad rule on
the subject. He declared the effect In the
local schools and elsewhere win be simply
to give greater freedom In spelling. There
is not the slightest idea of changing the
spelling books now in use In the schools.
but il a pupil chooses to spell word In the
new way he will not be marked wrong.
The more prevalent reforms-those that
have already taken hold on the public
are personally Endorsed by DR.. Chancellor,
and as for the 300 words in the list Endorsed
by the President. he will allow their use out
of respect for Mr.. Roosevelt
In the interview this morning DR.. Chan
cellor took occasion to announce himself as
heartily in favor of athletics in school life
even agressively in favor of them. He also
said he favored the pensioning of teachers
from public funds, and would aid the local
corps in their efforts to- secure this need.