Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-28
CHANGE IN SCHOOL HOURS
Parents and Pupils Enter Vigorous
Protest Against Order.
EXPLANATION MADE TO BOARD
Principals Embarrassed by Superin-
Declines to Discuss Matter.

Admiral Baird president of the board of
education. stated this morning that Super
intendent Chancellor will be back in fme
for the meeting of the board next Monday
to continue the CardozO trial. He said he
did not know how long DR.. Chancellor had
Intended to be away when he left for
Chicago.
. There continues to be considerable discus
sion among teachers in the schools and pa
rents of the pupils in regard to the change
In the school hours for morning classes.
which was inaugurated not long ago. 1t
is stated that DIR. Chancellor made 1t I'M
derstood that he desired the various super
vising principals to suggest that the teach
ers inaugurate the plan of dismissing the
morning classes at IL 80 am. and instruct
Ing the pupils to return for another hour at
pm, so that they might have time for
"a warm midday meal
Objection to the idea was heard on every
side as soon as parents became aware of It,
1t is not the custom in the District. 1t Is
pointed out. to have "a warm midday
meal" and the breaking up of the school
day for the little children who formerly
had been dismissed for all day at pm.
caused the parents great deal of annoy
anc,.
last regular meeting of the board by Mr..
Cox, DIR. Chancellor said he had not given
a formal order lin writing for any such
thing. and denied all knowledge of what
had heard something about It. and would
take immediate steps to remedy the evil
which Mr. Cox had called to his attention.
Opposition Universal.
Only a few parents who have children in
the morning classes / ave written to super
vising principals opposing the change. but
opposition to 1t has been practically uni
versal among parents, and those who are
eager to see the old order restored at once
are urging other parents to join with them
In their petition to the school authorities.
1t is understood that Assistant Superin-
tendent Hughes caused to be sent to the
various supervising principals of the white
schools an order, signed by him. making 1t
cleGr that the wish of the school admins
tration was to bring about this change.
The denial by the superintendent that he
was responsible for the change, it is claim
ed, has placed the supervising principals In
an embarrassing position in view of the
fact that they had understood both from
Mr.. Hughes order and the spoken words
of the superintendent that 1t was expected
that they effect the change wherever posi-
Bile.
1t has been said that the matter was left
entirely La the hands of the teachers Of the
grades involved. but 1t Is also claimed word
was passed down that it was the wish of
the superintendent All of the teachers it
Ia said. felt bound to favor the plan on that
account
Rumor has 1t at the Franklin building this
morning that 1t Is possible Mr.. Hughes may
resign from the local school system. His
name has been connected with the vacancy
In the dictatorship of the high school at
Syracuse, n. Y, which, 1t Is understood,
pays about the same salory as Mr.. Hughes
receives assistant superintendent in this
city. Mr.. Hughes has refused to discuss
the matter, beyond making the statement
that he has heard his name Is under con-
sheraton for the place at Syracuse.
Mr.. Oyster Reticent.
Capt Oyster was asked this afternoon
whether he had heard from Attorney Da-
Wis in regard to the incident at the board of
education meeting last Tuesday. He de-
clined to say whether or not be had re-
ceived communication from Mr.. Davis.
Capt Oyster. as president of the Bust
ness Mems Association. received tele-
gram this morning from Supt. Chancellor
stating that the department of superintend-
ents of the National Educational Associ-
alton have unanimously voted in Chicago
to accept invitation to hold it's next
meeting in this city some time in February,
1903.