The Washington times., 1907-08-28
Turpin's Short Stories"
Not Approved of by
Veterans.


chamber sessions OF many OF the Grand
Army OF Republic posts OF the District
have been held recently to discuss the
advisability Of making formal pro-
test against a certain elementary
history now in use in the public
schools OF Washington. The charge
against the textbook which Is Tur-
pins Short Stories from American His
tory" is that 1t "perverts history"
and the discussion has aroused great
interest in Grand Army circles through
out the entire District.
Followed Flag Day Address
Following a Flag Day address by the
Rev. John Van Setback. 1r., pastor OF
the Church OF Our Father, UniversaIIst.
az thirteenth and L streets northwest.
In which he is said to have made com
parsons between the records OF Presi-
dent Lincoln ana Gen. Robert r. Lee
that were distastefui to the Union vet
Grams, q number Of the post meetings
in the District have been largely given
ever 70 discussions OF historical mat
ters in general, the Rev. Van schaick.
jr., and certain 'perverted'' histories,
In particular.
4 number Of the posts IA Washing
ton have passed resolutions condemning
the Kramer IN which President Lincoln
and Gen Robert z. Lee are historically
treated IN the Turpfn history, a book
tEat is used IN all the schools of the
District as supplementary reading for
tho children.
Not Favorable to Lincoln.
The particular complaint IS said 70 be
that President Lincoln is not treated
in that favorable light due to his ex-
allied station and the part he played in
the cou3trys history.
A prominent member OF the school
board, who requested that his name be
not used IN connection with the matter,
said today that a representative OF the
Grand Army Of the Republic rad been
to see him IN reference 20 the Turpin
history and that the matter had been
discussed without any conclusion having
been reached.
He added. however. by way OF en-
phasis, that the school board was COM
posed OF intelligent men and women.
who felt that they were competent 70
handle the business OF the schools, and
that the members OF the board pre-
ferred not 70 be disturbed BY any pub
/ lie clamor.
In Use Six o. Seven Years.
/ u is stated by members Of the school
board that TurpIn's Short Stories from
/ American History has been In use in
/ the District public schools for about six
or seven years as supplemental study
Miss EDNA Henry Lee Turpin, or Rich
mond, Va. is the aathoress.
/ While no recent mesting Of the school
board has been held. it is understood
that the members OF the board. so far
/ as they have been advised OF the critI-
cism OF the. Turpin history, do not re-
/ gard the complaint as Of a serious char.
acter. An order has recently beer
/ placed FOR go additional copies of tn,
history. for use during the coming schoo
term
Inquiry for Turpsn's short storfe,
from American History made at tn
Library or Congress disclosed the fac
That Librarian Putnams cataioguer,
head OF fiction"
Nothing Definite, Says Hustled.
G. II. Hustled. commander Of Kit Car
son Post, No. ?. department of the Pc
tomao. when seen by a Times reporter
stated that nothing definite had COM
from the discussion OF the TuEEin bool
n his post
THE matter was brought up By tn,
introduction OF certain resolutions bear
ing on the subject" said Mr.. Hustled
but 1t was explained that the schoo
board would probably take suitabi
action IN the case, and the matter wa
passed over for the time being"
It Is learned that practically the sam
set OF resolutions was introduced in
number Of the posts In the District. som
OF which adopted them. It is ais
claimed by, some OF the Grand ARM
men that the Turpin book will recCiY'
the attention OF the Saratoga encamp
meut next month.
ArestuS s Perham. patriotic instruc
tor for Burnside Post, department o
on the subject of the Turpin history a
a textbook, although not DENYING tina
| the book had been a theme OF discussion
at various meetings of the Grand Arm,
posts.
Behind Closed Doors.
Whatsoever has been said and DONE
said Mr.. Perham, has been done be
hind closed doors. and anyone who ha
been indiscreet enough TO talk to re
porters on the subject has disregarde
his obligation to the post. We do no
intend to take the public into our cor
hdence in the matter, neither do I &
= pect 70 see any action taken by the na
; tionaI encampment when it meets 3
Saratoga on September TO-
Col John A Joyce, who enjoys an e1
tensIve reputation as a prose and poeti