Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-11
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Complications in Case of Evans
Against Craig.
POSTPONEMENT OF ACTION
Nothing Done in the Matter Of the
Office Force.
MEMBERS EXPRESS OPINIONS
Arrangements for Drills by High
School Cadets-Large Number
of Changes Ordered.
MEMBERS EXPRESS OPINIONS

case by the board OF education until ltS
next meeting, two weeks hence. and the
failure of the committee on the investiga-
ton of the office force to bring forward
report in spite OF limitations by Chairman
oyster that he INTENDED TO push the matter
to finish. were the features of an other
wise duh meeting of the board yesterday
afternoon at the Fra nklin School. II was
that the committee to which was
referred a request of Superintendent Chan
cellor for two months leave of absence
next summer and which was instructed to
report az the meeting yesterday. apparently
forgot to report, as there was no mention
OF the matter at the meeting.
The report of the committee on teachers
and janitors concerning the case of Evans
against Craig reviewed the action by the
committee. II set forth that Craig had
waived his right to have an attorney and
friend with him during the hearing: that
the committee had at its first meeting ex-
amincd craig and W. Bruce Evans the
Armstrong principal. each being present
during the examination of the other. and
later at another meeting had examined
witnesses for both sides. The report stated
that Craig had been insubordinate. but that
he had morbid disposition, which might
be urged in eXtenuation of his actions. 1t
further recommended that after Craig apol
osizes To Principal Evans he be transferred
To another school and the matter dropped.
Changed His Mind.
Admiral Baird. president of the board.
stated that at first Craig was willing to
apologize, but that later he refused to sign
an apology framed by his attorney W.
Calvin Chase, and still later refused to
sign a milder apology imposed by Admiral
Baird.
The report of the committee recommend
ing that after an apology the matter be
dropped and Craig be transferred to an
other school was signed by every member
of the committee except John +. Cook. col
ored. Mrs Ellen Spencer Mussey. however.
explained that she had signed il with tie
understanding that Craig had apologized.
and declared that she hau taken part
III the matter of Admiral Baird endeavorlug
TO persuade Craig to sign an apology.
Mr.. Cook, the dissenting member of the
committee, addressed the board, strenu-
ously opposing the action of the chairman
of the committee. He said there was not
a particle of evidence to show that Craig
was insubOrdinate Nor. he added, was
there expert testimony TO show that the
teacher was incompetent He had letters
from six teachers, he stated, all of whom
declare that they have had trouble under
the management of Principal Evans Otner
teachers who have been unable to get along
with Principal Evans have since had SPLEEN
a!o success In other schools, he asserted.
Entirely Too Drastic
~ 4ol tue dpOloSleS winch Oralg was
asked to sign. MIR. Cook said both of
them We're entirely too drastic and he did
not blame Craig in the least for refusing
to sign them.
The duress the board has subjected
Craig TO in this matter has been astonish-
ing. Mr.. Cook declared 1T appears that
he will have-let nae repeat-have to go
into court If this procedure is kept up
see no other course open to him He can
not sign his manhood
Admiral Baird said that Superintendent
Chancellor had told him in the fall that the
discipline in the Armstrong School was
''atrocious'
Mrs Terrell. who, with Mr.. Cook. took
the side of Craig, wanted to know who was
to blame for the bad discipline. The mat
ter ought TO be looked into pretty careful
ly. she thought.
Admiral Baird stated that the testimony
showed that Craig had at one time ac-
CUsed Principal Evans of having improper
relations with a woman teacher in the
school
capt Oyster announced that he had a
letter from Craig. copies of which he
supposed had been received by the other
members of the board. asking that more
time De given him to consider an apology.
The board finally voted to refer the report
back 10 the committee in order that Craig
might have more time.
Request for a Hearing.
request from John c. Early dismissed
jaaitor of the Montgomery School that he
be given a hearing with a view to rein
Statement was referred TO the committee
~ teachers and janitors. In the course Of
TIE debate on the question several members
expressed the opinion that the force of
jsnltorS needs Strengthening up little.
The members of the board complimented
Prot Barton W. Everman. chairman of
the text books committee, on the way he
han traded a quantity of old books in part
psS ment FOR new ones. Mr. Cox thought
thai by communicating the swap the
Chairman had exhibited exceptional bust
ness AGILITY.
Admiral Baird and Capt. Oyster. the lat
ter chairman of the military committee.
werp named as committee to visit the
Marin Band be ordered to play during the
annual dress parade of the High School
Cadet Regiment on the White Lot of NAV l.
Ma - fixed the date for the an
nust competitive drill of the colored bat
tsBon of cadets. Through the courtesy of
Nj Thomas G. Noyes the drill will occur
Al American League Base Ball Park.
Changes Approved by Board.
The following changes in the force. rec
omIne uded by the superintendent. were APP
proved by the board,
Accept the resignation of Miss Florence
Hopkins. teacher of the seventh grade and
rrio cipsl of the Dent School third division
al Sa AIRY OF Sl,lOh per dnnUm. To take ef
feet from and after April -. 1907 promote
Miss f.. Hopkins from seventh grade to
seventh grade with principalship of eight
room building. and from salary of $500 to
81 l1O per annum. vice Miss Florence Hop
kIns To- take effect on and after April IT,
1896 owing To the fact that Miss NJ H.
NsSu..y declined promotion, the remaining
chsugcs IN the group were held up for the
present
Transfer Miss l.. A. McNally, teacher of
the fourth grade, third division. to position
as assistant To director of primary instruc-
tor. and promote from class TO class 4
ard from salary of 500 to $500 vice Mrs.
Il g. milford. TO take effect on and after
April H.. 1907. promote Miss NJ. ID. Davies
from the third grade TO the fourth grade,
at $. ulr salary. vice Miss McNally, to take
effect on and after April IL, 1907: promote
Mis- - O. Firgcnbaum from the first grade
to the third grade, from class = to class 8, and
frem salary OF $500 to $3.50 per annum, vice
Mis- Davies To take effect and after
ApTiI II. 1907: appoint Miss Sadie w. Beller
as teacher of the first grade, third division,
aud assign to class ,, at salary of 5000 per
nnnum. vice Miss Fiegenbaum. to take eff
fecf On and after Aprll IL, 1907.
Acceptance of Resignation.
Accept the resignation OF Miss Margaret
4 Frady teacher of the fifth grade. ninth
daus srl. at salary of $500 per annum, to