Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-25
PR0BING THE CHARGES
CASE BEFORE BOARD OF
EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
Testimony Heard and Committee
Announces It Will Make Its
Report to the Board.

AT an open meeting yesterday afternoon
In the Franklin School of a special COM
mittee of the board of education, compos-
ed of all the male members of the board
who are in tins city a hearing was given
to w. Calvin Chase, the colored attor-
ney. who was charged by Roscoe Conk
ling Bruce, assistant superintendent for
coiored schools. with having been involved
IN the bartering of school positions. The
evidence of MIR Bruce as to what occur
red between him and Mrs Mary Syphax
Gibson, the ex-tcacher in the case was
fatty contradicted by the evidence of
Mr.. Chase and Mrs. Gibson. The evidence
of w. Bruce Evans, principal of the
Armstrong Manual Training School and
director of the colored night schools sub
stantated several statements made by
MIR. Chase.
The committee announc d that it would
not make public its report on the case
before the next meeting Of the board.
There were some sensational develop
ments in the hearing. Mr. Chase testified
that he had not seen Mrs Gibson for
about ten years, and had at no time re-
ceived any money from her for a school
position. He tried to read newspaper Clip
pings containing interviews with Supt.
Chancellor but on the advice of Attorney
the board. President James F. Oyster
ruled out this testimony.
Tells of an Interview.
Chase then went ahead and tod Of an
interview he had last week with Supt
Chancellor. He said the superintendent
telephoned for him six different times in
one day. asking that he come to the
Franklin building. He declared the words
of DR.. Chancellor were:
Come to my Office. We must get to-
gether."
Chase said he went to DR.. Chanceller,s
office two days later in company with At
torneys Jones and Scott and that he re-
lated to the superintendent his side of the
Gibson affair and that DR.. Chancellor
said that II he. Chase. could prove that
Bruce was not telling the truth he would
recomme nd the dismissal of Bruce
Chase further testified that DR.. Chan
cellor told him that he. Chancellor. had
always held Chase in high regard and had
never found him guilty Of selling school
positions.
Il told him said Chase In his testi-
mony that If he wanted to know who
was selling school positions he must tnd
out who recommended persons for the
high schools
Chase then asked that the board make
DR.. Chancellor one of the defendants.
This request was not granted. r. r.
Horner. colored. voted in the affirmative
and John F. Cook. the other colored MEM
Der refraned from voting. Those voting
in the negative were w. V. Cox and w.
D. Hoover.
Mrs. Gibson Testifies.
Mrs. Gibson was then called by Chase
and testified that she had told Bruce that
she had heard Chase could help her get
school position. but that as he was a
lawyer she supposed she would have to
pay him $50. She said Bruce advised her
not to see Chase. but requested that she
not mention to Chase that he had so ad-
vised her. as Chase was a friend OF his
family. She Gid not go to Chase, she
said.
When questioned by Mr.. Mcnamara she
said she was applying for position in
the coiored night schools. She admitted
having been appointed to position in
the night schools last year. but testified
that Mr.. Chase had nothing to do with
1t, and that she had not seen Mr.. Chase
in nearly ten years.
Mrs. Gibson further testified that she
had taught under Mr.. Bruce at Tuskexee
and that she had reason to believe she
had fallen under his diS2leasure.
Il believe his failure to recommend my
appointment this year and his attack
upon me was deliberately Malicious she
said.
Recommended by DR.. Evans.
DR.. Evans. director Of the colored night
schools. was called and testified that he
had recommended the appointment OF
Mrs. Gibson last year because she was
high school classmate of his and he
knew her worth, and also because others
of her classmates had requested the ap-
pointment. At no time, he said. had
Chase ever approached him IN behalf of
Mrs. Gibson.
Bruce's testimony contradicted that of
Chase and Mrs. Gibson. He said he had
a visit from Mrs Gibson while he was
supervising principal, and that she at
that time admitted having paid Chase $50
for a position in the night schools. Later.
he said, she called upon and demanded
to know why he refused to recommend
her appointment, and he told her 1t was
because of this admission. He told of
writing a letter to DR.. Chancellor about
the case.
Bruce admitted that he had known Mrs
Gibson in Tuskeegee and that he had
sometimes criticised her work
Sworn Statements Filed.
1t was brought out by the testimony
that both Bruce and Mrs. Gibson have
sworn to statements OF their versions OF
the affair.
When questioned by Mr.. Cook as to
whom he had referred when III men
toned a present member of the board as
concern ii in influencing school appoint
ments Chase said he referred to Mrs.
Mary Church Terrell. The incident to
which he referred he said was during
the administ ra ton of a former board, Of
which Mrs. Terra' was a member.
That was the last time I ever took
part In any such thing. and | swore l
would never do so again" said Chase.
HIS SENTENCE COMMITTED.