Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-09-10
CATHOLICS NOT ADMITTED.
By New Principal of Gilbert School
 at Winsted.

Winsted, Sept 10.->Considerable feeling has been aroused among the Catholic residents of Winsted by the action of Professor w. D. Hood, the new principal of the Gilbert school, until recently superintendent of the schools of Shelton and Stratford, in refusing admission to a group of children who were graduated from St Anthony's Parochial school last June. who desired to enter the com- mercial department when the school opened yesterday.
 The children had not presented themselves for examination, under standing that 1t was not necessary, but in addition to this objection they were informed that it would be nec- essary for them to complete one years study in a public school or under private tutor before they could enter. This virtually means that the plan that has been en- forced here will no longer be recog- nized and that children educated in the Catholic school will be barred from the Gilbert school in accord. ance with the expressed wishes of the donor, William L. Gilbert.
 Yesterdays action is based upon a provision in the will of MT Gilbert in which it is stated that no chil- dren from, Roman Catholic school shall be allowed the privileges of the Gilbert school.
 When the school was opened, how ever, this provision was modified by a ruling obtained from the court to the effect that a graduate of the parochial school by attending pulp lie school or studying under a pri- vate tutor became eligible to attend the Gilbert school In accordance with this ruling, 1t is supposed, seminary or extra room was added to the parochial school from which Catholic children, after a years ex- tra study, have been allowed to en- ter the Gilbert school.
 Rev Father Andrew, now pastor of St Joseph's church and principal of St Anthony's school, said last evening that he has not as yet as- certained whether this plan was for mally accepted by the school, but it has been the custom and he as- sumes that 1t was an understood ar- rangement with someone connected with the school.
 Professor Hood, when questioned last evening, said that the conditinos of the will and ruling of the court were explained to him by the trus. tees and he was instructed regarding their enforcement. He was not aware of the existence of the sem mary or that children had ever en- tered the school without examina- tion.
 H. L. Roberts, chairman of the board of trustees and member of the school committee, was also in- terviewed, and said that he had never heard of the seminary until yesterday. He was of the opinion that an understanding was reached with Father Leo, at one time pastor here; that Catholic children could enter by studying one year under tutor not in any way connected with the Catholic school, but he did not think that that plan had been car ried out of late. He did not know that children had entered the school without an examination. but added that If they had it was through the liberality of the former principal and teachers. Asked If the semin- ary conducted In connection with the Catholic school would be recognized in the future, he stated that fhe trustees desired to be as liberal as possible but that the provision of the will must be enforced.