Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-07
Charges and Counter Charges
Attracting Attention.
EFFORT TO SECURE PLACE
Alleged Payment of Fee to Attorney
Cause of Strife.
VIEWS OF SUPERINTENDENT
Assertion That "Some One on the In
side Is Bartering Places"
Calvin Chase Speaks.

More trouble is noted in the colored
branch of the local public schools. Charges
and counter-charges have been made.
Efforts of Mrs. Mary Syphax Gibson. col
ored. to secure an appointment as teacher
in the night schools, are said to be re-
sponsible for the situation.
1t is understood that Mrs. Gibson went
first to DR. Chancellor and was told by
him that If she received the recommended
ton of Roscoe Conklin Bruce assistant
superintendent for colored schools. she
would receive the Endorsement OF the su-
was told BY Mr.. Bruce that because she
had admitted paying to w. Calvin Chase.
attorney, the sum of $50 to secure a pre-
vious appointment in the night schools. he
could not recommend her for reappoint-
ment She continued to complain, and
brought the matter to the attention OF
several members of the board of educa-
ton. among them Capt. James F. Oyster.
president.
The activity on the part OF Mrs. Glib
son brought from Mr.. Bruce an expiana-
ton Of the affair in the form Of a lette:
to DR., Chancellor. in which he said he
understood Mrs. Gibson was king COM
plants to the board of education because
she was not reapponted to a position In
Name of Applicant Withheld.
By direction OF Supt Chancellor. Mr..
Bruce showed the letter to q Star re-
porter today, but withheld the name Ut
the applicant, which, however. was given
later by Mr.. Chase. The reason for keep
Ing the name secret at the Frankiin
building, according to Mr.. Bruce was
that DR.. Chshcellor did not want to do
@x-rr
In q bad lieht, as he believed she was
moi aware that she was doing any wrong
In the letter written by Mr.. Bruce to
Or. Chancellor several days ago the
sons for Mrs. Gibson's elimination from
the service is the fact that she herself
voluntarily told me that she had got
iato tire night schools in 19O6-U by pay
ing Mr.. w. Calvin Chase $50"
Mr. Bruce goes on to say: Il carrot
vouch for the truth or falsity of Mrs.
Gibsons statement; the fact that she cid
| Nuke the statement amply Justihes h4r
To the letter DIR. Chancellor made re-
ply this morning. The reply, with the
name Of the applicant left out, 10 as fol-
| lows:
still possible that the money was paid
solely as a a lawyers fee. My point Is
simply that meritorious candidates re-
quire no legal advocate in order to get
q
fact they require no Endorsement that IL
not distinctly educational.
Merit to Govern.
my sole desire 10 to get these young
persons at school the best available teach
ers absolutely on merit. If other persons
| think that other factors are involved than
| merit I will try to prevent their success
| in every honorable way. 1 desire prog
| ress with honesty and justice and indus
try as the only conditions"
When told OF the statements made at
the Franklin building this morning At
| torney Chase said this afternoon there
| was not word Of truth in the statement
that he had received money from Mrs.
Gibson. He exhibited special delivery
letter which he had received this morning
| from Mrs. Gibson, in which this conten-
ton Is apparently born out.
In this letter Mrs. Gibson says she told
Mr. Bruce that she understood Mr.. Chase
had influence with the school authorities
and she was considering going to see him,
but as he was lawyer she supposed she
would have to pay him about $50. She
avs further that Mr.. Bruce asked her not
! to see Mr.. Chase. but to refrain from let
ting Mr.. Chase know he had asked her
| not to see him. because he, Mr. Bruce.
stood we'll in Mr.. Chase's opinion.
| That she took Mr.. Bruce's advice and
| did not consult Mr.. Chase is asserted by
| Mrs. Gibson in the letter received by Mr..
Chase.
Statement by Calvin Chase.
Mr.. Chase said he is having Mrs. Glib
sons statements put into the form Of an
| afidavit, and that he intends to take up
the matter with the school authorities
against Mr.. Bruce
"Mr. Bruce has inspired all this" he
said. land there IS no truth in It."
Mr.. Bruce told a Star reporter that DR..
Chancellor did not propose to have al.
ways to deal with lawyers ''of the type
of Mr.. Chase instead Of directly with
the teachers Of the public schools.
why. every time any trouble arises
about q teacher in the colored schools"
Mr.. Bruce said, "a letter comes from Mr..
Chase telling us what we must do. That
Is am fntolerable state Of affairs"
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