Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-17
OPENING OF THE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Nearly Sixty thousand Pupils
in Attendance.
TRACES OF RECENT FRICTION
Deposed Principal Denied Admission
at M Street High School.
FORBIDDEN TO ASSUME DUTIES
Former Principal Swartzell did Not
ATpear at Eastern-J. r. Keene
Declines Appointment.
FORBIDDEN TO ASSUME DUTIES

Nearly 60 900 pupils of the public
schools and 1000 employees of the board
Of education began the real duties % the
school term of 1006-19o1 at O'Clock tEIs
morning. The vast educational machiae,
which has been undergoing various kinds
of alterations, and which has been tinker
ed with by Congress ard by the authori-
ties created by act of Congress, has at
last begun to operate The citizens of the
District are looking with unusual inter-
est to see how smoothly it will run.
whether it will have to be oiled here Or
have a screw frightened there, and most
of all, whether that equanimity of spirit
considered to be so necessary in a great
educational system will prevail
Everything has not run smoothly. The
NJ Street High School. colored, from which
the principal, Mrs. A. ]. Cooper, dis
missed by the board of education, was the
scene this morning of an unusual pro-
ceeding when Mrs. Cooper appeared at
the building and was denied adnittance
by the janitor, who acted under instruc-
tons from the new principals w. T. S. Jack
son. Similar incidents were looked for at
the Eastern High School, where Mosieim
F. F. Swartzell has been superseded as
principal by w. s. Small, and at the
Brightwood School, where ]. R. Keene has
been superseded supervising principal of
the seventh division by w. w. Black. All
was quiet in these two schools, however.
Mr. SwartZell Mr.. keene and Mrs.
Cooper do not intend to accept the action
of the board of education in their cases
without making an effort to retain their
old positions or secure an investigation or
statement of reasons for their dism sal
All three claim that proper hearings have
not been accorded in thei" cases.
States His Position.
Mr.. Keene this morning declined to ac-
10 noSition NJ nrincipal n ha Dol
worth school, to which he was transferred
by the board of education Friday. Mr.
Swartzell and Mrs. Cooper have also de-
clined the offers of tie cheers positions from
the superintendent of the board Mr.. Swart-
zell having formally declined an appoint
ment Mrs. Coopers case has progressed
further than the others, in that she was
formally dismissed for the good of the
service" from the school system at the
Friday session of the board.
Mr.. Swartzell and Mr.. Keene in spite
of their declination of the Office to which
they were transferred. have not been
dismissed, and Superintendent Chancellor
said to Star reporter this morning that
according to the Interpretation of the
law by United States Attorney Mcnamara
they are still in the school system.
The probability of legal proceedings
was mentioned. The superintendent said
he thought Mr.. Swartze!l had perfect
right to take his case into court and lie
>
ton. he would do it soon as possible
in order that the matter might be settled
once for all.
DR.. Chancellor was asked this morning
by The Star reporter whether any instruc-
lions had been given his subOrdinates at
the Eastern High School, the NJ Street
High School and the BrightwoOd school in
case effort should be made by Mr.
SwartZell. Mrs. Cooper and Mr.. Keane to
assume the duties of the offices they reld
under the old regime He replied that in
| the cases of MIR. Swartzell and Mr.. Keane
no instructions had been given. but that
Principal Jackson of the NJ Street High
School had been told by him to allow Mrs.
Cooper to visit the school building. If she
desired, without mo!estation in any way.
Should Mrs. Cooper attempt to assume the
duties of principal, however, DIR. Chancel-
lor said his instructions were that she must
be prevented from doing so, although the
exercise of physical force was not con-
templated.
Change at Franklin.
/ There was noticeable change at the
T Franklin School building today in the rooms
used as the headquarters of the school sys-
tem-a change from the hustle and hustle
Of the past week. when scores of people
were clamoring to the superintendent
every hour of the day, and teachers and
officials were Scurryfng about continually.
The opening OF the schools made it neees-
sary for teachers to take their places in
the various schools, and the work of actual
supervision and transaction of routine mat
tiers has taken up the time of the subordi-
nate officials. As result. Superintendent
Chancellor has had somewhat easier day
!, than he has enjoyed for some time
Police Aid Requested.
1t was announced day or two ago that
| Mrs. Cooper would appear at the NJ street
building on opening day and make formal
demand for her position. Promptly at $3.50
o'clock this morning Mrs. Cooper appeared
at the main entrance to the school. but was
met by Janitor S. M. Jones, who had been
| instructed by Principal Jackson not to let
| her pass.
! municated with Capt. Sullivan of the Sec