Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-12
Witness Cross-Examined.

| ana the auQlcnCeS were altenI4NS.
Witness Cross-Examined.
On cross-examination by Attorney Nc
Namara, it was brought out that DR..
Small taught in Paterson. n. j., under DR..
Chancellor. When asked about the lectures
and the attendants he said that he did
not know that all those present were
teachers. but recognized some as teach
ers. and was told the others present
were Of the same profession. Mr. Mona
mara made the point that his tes-
| timony as to large attendance or teach-
| ers as opposed to outsiders. was hearsay
and therefore of no value.
Miss Westcott, principal Of the Western
High School, was the next witness. She
said in response to questions that she had
been with the local schools since 1880 and
was familiar with conditions prior to the
coming of DR.. Chancellor.
Has there been any improvement In the
schools since DR.. Chancellor came" she
was asked by Attorney t'urton.
The schools have been operating under
a new law since he came" she replied.
to the law rather than to DR.. Chancellor
as its executive. There are some features
for which think DR.. Cha cellor can be
held accountable
viii you detail those changes?" re-
quested Mr.. Fulton.
Miss Westcott mentioned first the semi
annual plan Of promotion for pupils This
provided for a semi-annual readjustment
Of pupils to their proper grades instead Of
an annual read1ustment. She regarded the
new plan as benefit. In her personal
judgment, also, the establishment of the
ungraded schools was a step in advance.
When asked how this proved to be a ben
eft she stated that the pupils put in the
reason Of dullness or incorrigibility or
some peculiar trait, required expert and
specific attention that could be given
in the ungraded schools.
Impetus to Teachers.
She added. in response to another ques-
ton. that there had been q decided i'm
'petus to teachers for personal improve
ment and study through the influence
Of DR.. Chancellor. He has given. she said,
his own time to outline for teachers
courses of study: has given his time to
a course of lectures for teachers, and
has opened up examinations for teachers
to qualify for more salary. She said
there had been no courses of lectures by
previous superintendents; that she had
attended all of DR.. Chancellors lectures
and that the large attendance there
showed they were appreciated by the
teachers.
I'm your contact with DR.. Chancellor,
what have you noticed as to his candor.
honesty and frankness?" she was asked
HE was always frank, candid and
cordial" she replied. He was invaria-
bly, deeply interested in school conditions,
both local and general
AS another benefit he had bestowed on
the teachers. Miss Westcott stated DR..
Chancellor started test case under the
law. providing for examinations for high
school teachers for salaries Of $1,000 per
year.
LAS a superintendent. what do you say
as to his efficiency and competency" she
was asked.
He should need no defense" she re-
piled. He Is pre-eminently an intellec-
tual man and scholar" In answer to
another question she said the quality In
the superintendent which impressed her
most strongly was his cordial reception
Of teachers when they wanted help or
advice.
Method "Mystery."
Returning to the question Of promo
tons of teachers in high schools, she was
asked as to how promotions were made
prior to DR.. Chancellor's administration,
and she said the method Of promotion was
mystery
Attorney Mcnamara objected to this
question. as he said promotions were pro-
vided for by the law; that DR.. Chancellor
simply carried out the law in holding
the examinations for promotions; that the
candidates for promotion must first, I'M
der the law. be recommended by the
principal imme diately over them, and that.
therefore, DR.. Chancellor could not be
given credit for taking the initiative in
this matter. The objection was sustained
by President Oyster.
Miss Westcott explained why she gave
To,, CLn- fpy Ao tn
cident she mentioned by saying that un-
der the law no teacher can be promoted
twice in the same year; that the High
School teachers were automatically o.
NOTED July l last. and could not be again
promoted that year If the examinations
for promotion were held after that date.
Therefore, as DIR. Chancellor held the ex-
animation In June previous, and made the
promotions before July 1, she thought he
conferred q benefit on the teachers. 1t
was brought out, in the course of her
statement, however, that DR.. Chancellor
had given short notice O. the examina-
ton, and that for that reason some teach
ers did not enter.
was advised by counsel that he was in
error in his view of the law in holding
that examinations she was asked, and
she replied in the negative.
Don't you dtscredit DR.. Chancellor for
the shortness Of his notice." she was next
asked. Her reply was to the effect that
he seemed to have been anxious to give
teachers the benefits under the examina-
ton.
Semi-Annual Promotions.
Turning to the matter Of semi-annual
promotions, which she had mentioned as
one Of the benefits conferred by DR..
Chancellor she was asked II she did not
know that the plan had been advocated
by teachers before he came to Washing
TOM
Eyes. but 1t was not accomplished"
she replied.
In regard to the ungraded schools she
was asked If she did not know that they
were provided in the law for compulsory
education In the District, and were there
fore not due to DR.. Chancellor, and she
said she did not know it
You spoke of DR.. Chancellor's candor."
stated Mr.. Mcnamara. Have you any
doubt as to his excess Of candor?"
He has candor," she replied
Mr.. Mcnamara mentioned several state
rnents credited to DR.. Chancellor. In which
were contained criticisms Of judg IS, Dis
trict Commissioners and members Of the
board of education. do you put those
under your idea Of candor?" she was
asked.
"It is unfair to put me in the attitude
of criticising the superintendent of
schools" she replied.
You felt 1t proper to express your
opinion as to his efficiency as suparin-
tendent?" Mr.. Mcnamara urged a minute
later.