Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-12
CLASH OF WORDS
ENL|vENS SESSION
Dr.. ChaneeIIor's Trial Before
Board of Education.
EVIDENCE FOR DEFENSE
Witnesses Allege Benefits Under
Superintendent Management.
SCHOOL OFFICIALS TESTIFY
President Oyster Intimates Witness
Is Not Fair in Answering
Questions.

When the trial of DR.. William
E. Chancellor, superintendent Of
the District schools, was resumed
yesterday before the board of edu-
cation, the presentation OF evil
dence by the defense was produc-
tive of an exchange of hot words.
Capt. Oyster, president of the
board, in comment upon the testi-
mony of Miss E. c. Westcott,
principal of the Western High
School, intimated that she was
unfair in answering questions in
cross-examination. Attorney Full
ton Immediately arose and angrily
demanded retraction. Mr.. Nc
Namara had asked Miss Westcott
several questions, and then moved
that the evidence given by her be
stricken from the records as ir-
relevant. This brought from Capt.
Oyster the insinuation that the
witness was not fair in her an
swers to questions propounded
her by Mr.. Mcnamara. The
prompt action of Mr.. Mcnamara
in interfering is said to have pre-
vented a serious clash between
Mr.. Fulton and Capt. Oyster.
AS indicated by the testimony introduced
yesterday for the defense In the trial of
DR.. William E. Chancellor, superintendent
of schools, on charges of characterization
and incompetency. the plan is to prove
that while DR.. Chancellor has made mis-
takes and has said things which he prob
ably should not have said. he has bene-
fitted the local school system materially
and the general results of his administra-
ton have been more helpful and stimu-
lating than otherwise. Attorney Fulton
for the defense pleaded that these general
results should have more weight in deter
mining DR.. Chancellor's fitness for the po-
sition here than the incidents which
The prosecution has brought before the
BOARD.
That DR.. Chancellor would take the wit
ness stand in his own behalf was the an
nouncement made by his attorney, and 1t
was added that his statement would prob
ably require four or five hours In its pres
entation, as 1t was intended that the
tire rel-tions with the present board. DR..
Chancellof's Illness Is preventing his ap-
pearance as a witness, and 1t was add d
by Attorney Fulton that 1t will probably
be three or four days before he can testify
before the board.
A sharp clash between President Oyster
and Attorney Fulton over a ruling made
by the president was the enlivening fea-
turs of yeste rday's hearing. Attorney
Mcnamara objected to a question put
hxy Etl1f IN q
Wescott, principal of the Western High
School, and in making the ruling in
favor of Mr.. Mcnamara. President
Oyster said: This witness seems viii
ling on direct examination. unwilling
on cross-examination.' Attorney Fulton
arose and said he protested against the
'insinuation" against the witness, and de-
clared 1t an act of injustice" President
Oyster ordered the attorney to continue
the examination and not argue. and a
lowed.
Witnesses Heard.
The session yesterday began shortly be-
fore o'clock and continued until q
o'clock In that time the defense offered
testimony given by DR.. w. 8. Small,
principal Of the Eastern High School:
Miss E. c. Westcott. principal of the
Western High School; c. s. Clark super
vising principal of the secopd division;
Prof Harry English, head of the mathe-
NAUTICAL department of the white schools
for the white schools; Mrs. Edna X.
Bushee, attendance oficer: DR.. Wilbur
Dales. classical teacher~in the Central
High School, and Miss Katherine Reed, a
Terrell, member of the board. and Ros-
coe C.. Bruce, assistant superintendent for
colored schools. wee cross-examinsd on
testimony which they had previously
given.
Asst. supt. p. NJ. Hughes sat, during
yesterdays hearing. with the members of
the board and next to assistant United
States Attorney Mcnamara, and there
were several whispered conferences be-
tween Mr.. Hughes and the prosecutor of
his chief.
Certificates from Drs. T. L. Macdonald
and Charles L. Bliss were presented to the
board. after 1t was called to order by
President Oyster, showing the physical
condition of DR.. Chancellor. They stated
that, following. his eagerness to 60 on
with the case, as shown by the conference
with his attorney Tuesday afternoon, q
reaction had set in. and that he was In no
condition to attend the trial. Attorney
Fulton announced, In this connection, that
as DR.. Chancellor was a main witness for
the defense. and as consultation with
DR.. Chancellor as to witnesses to be pro-
duced was necessary, a further delay in
finishing the case Of the defense was nee
essary.
DR.. Small's Testimony.
Dr. Small of the Eastern High School
was the first witness for the defense
What has been the effect Of the efforts
Of DR.. Chancellor in the matter of stimu-
lating the teachers and improving school
conditioner" he was asked. after the pre-
liminary questions were over.
He replied by explaining that he came
here after DR.. Chancellor was appointed
and that he knew nothing about condi-
lions before he came
How about the efforts after you
came?' he was asked.
"Dr. Chancellor has made a constant
effort to stimulate the teachers to great
er professional effort" the witness said
He did that. he explained. by delivering
public lectures and by encouraging the
teachers in professional study.
What has been the result of his lee
tures?"
II have attended few of them" DR..
Small explained. He added later that
a good many teachers" had spoken to
him about the pleasure and satisfa ction
derived from the lectures. One teacher
said she received stimulus and an intel
lectual awakening, DR.. Small said.
Has there been an effort for the bet
terment of school conditions? he was
asked.
81 think So" He said it was difficult to
specify the improvements. hut he thought
DR. Chancellor had been diligent
HAS he always shown frankness in
dealing with conditions" DIR. Small was
asked.
II observed no lack of frankness." The
dealings Of Dr. Chancellor with him had