The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-09
Miss Mary Plant Resigns
Because of Crowded
School Building.
Captain Oyster is Reelected
Head of the Board of
Education.

That Miss Mary Plant, a teacner ~
the Mckinley Manual Training School,
whose resignation was accepted by the
Board Of Education at yesterday
meeting. was not too harsh in her caus-
tic criticisms of the overcrowded condi-
tons and the street noises, making
good teaching impossible at that school,
was confirmed today BY Principal
George r Myers, of that institution
The conditions are about as Miss
Plant pictured them, although / believe
that she is the first teacher to resign
on account of their existence. They are,
however, not due TO any fault of school
officials or board. as Is recognized by
both teaching body and public.
'"TEe Belgian blocks. put down thirty
years ago. and the noise constantly pro
duced by heavy teams passing over
them, IS, as claimed by Miss Plant. a
/ source of continual complaint. The
! overcrowded condition Of the school
has been complained Of by the teachers
| for many years. Altogether. the condi-
| tons are rather disadvantageous, 10
/ say the least, and were hardly over
/ drawn in Miss Plants letter"
The election Of its officers for the
/ ensuing year. ratification Of a large
number of transfers and promotions.
/ and the acceptance OF designations OF
! teachers. marked the final summer ses-
sion of the Board OF Education yester-
! day.
/ The board adjourned after a record
\ breaking routine session, subject TO the
/ call OF the president, the tentative
/ agreement being that it probably would
not be necessary 20 convene before
] September
Capt. James F. Oyster was reelected
I president Of the board for the next
year. and W. V Cox. vice president
I'm lieu Of Prof. 3. W Everman, WHO
was absent and not a candidate for
reelection. Captain Oyster received al
seven votes cost for president with the
exception OF one for Mr. Cox
Ode to Oyster.
Mr.. Cox. believing that his supporte,
was none other than Captain Oyste
himself. facetiousIy arose and recited Z
! paraphrase. an ode to the succulen
oyster. which put an end 10 Captain
OYSTERS insIstence that Mr.. Cox shoUl'
accept the presidency.
Mr.. Cox came TO the board meetinl
armed with his parody, doubtless an
ticipating that the captains election
was assured and that the captain woul
trv to get from under"
Although not read in board meetins
back Of the red tape papers accom-
panying the resignation Of one of III
teachers was a most unusual rec;fa
Eof pedagosic hardship as seen throug
q teachers eyes.
Miss Plant Resigns.
In s.ivIok her reasons for resignir
after a number Of years service in tn
school, Miss Plant said:
Since the overcrowded condition O
the Mckinley Manual Training Schoc
has increased for years without relic
and the addition of the new bul,uiIi
now will leave it still cvercrowde
and with no chance for growth, an
since the belgian block pavement out
side our class room windows make
work impossible almost on account {
| the nose. since the Il zeal force q
| signed TO cur school IS not sutiicier
! ! 10 DO the work of so large an tnsutt
! | ton and the teachers have 20 add heav
: clerical duties to their already heav
! | teaching duties and -ince Congress.
= its latest law, has refused to rscogntz
. the ability and length OF service
: | teachers already in tho service her
while newcomers are to have been re-
: ognized. hereby tender my resignatio
, as teac of EngIiJn IN the Mckinl,
q Manual = hing School, effective Jul
. L"
1T is with great regret that sev'
my connection with the Mckinley MAJ
ual Training School After receivin
a thorough classical education Of q
most conservative type, / came here
j the fall of 1902 strongly prejudice
Il against any school which drops Lat
h from its curriculum One years Wor
= in this school taught me my mistak
Now l believe this type Of school is u
s type for American boys and girls. IN
d school in particular has a great futul
= before it II allowed to grow as 1t ma
Il urary viii.
y 1T is also with great regret I sev'
- my connection with so efficient pril
p cipaI as you have proved yourself the
= last two years Under your ieadersn
. this school bids fair to become OF
= of the greatest and best in the coul
T try. If anyone can conquer the difhcu
.e ties in the way Of success for IN
D. school you can"
But meanwhile, good work, goo
health. and progress are impossible f
N the individual teacher under these CO
re ditions, the noise, overcrowding, al
n, overwork and unfair discrimination al
! L feel that il is due myself and fami
t mat I withdraw from this system b
Is fore it undermines my health and ruil
10 my efficiency as teacher"
re- Regulate Societies.
Inc report VI inc SoIlillItSS a.
u pointed by former Superintendent Cha
all cellor to investigate the subject OF S
nj cret societies in the high schools WI
referred to the committee in high al
normal schools for action by request
OF the present superintendent In briC
IL the report of the committee does n
$ favor the proposed plan for the cor
IS plete abolishment of such societies. b
" favors regulation, the suggestion bel
- that:
k.
40