The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-03-01
'MART|' LASHEO BY
ANTS IN HOT
MEETING
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT IS
plrlFuL SPECTACLE AS HE
TRIES TO STEM TORRENT OF
cENsURE.

Nerve OF a high order was shown
by Wales c. Martindale when he en-
tered a citizens meeting In Diamond
temple, Iawton and Grand River-aves.,
Saturday night, and attempted TO an
swer the facts and figures presented
by Inspectors Burton and Goldberg.
Coroner Bennett and others who
showed that the present school board
regime Is rotten. Failing in argu-
ment. MartindaIe turned TO bitter
sarcasm and sneers, which alienated
every sympathizer he may have had
at the opening of the meeting.
do you want the present condition
OF things in the board OF education to
continue?" inquired DR.. Bennett at the
end of speech which had been pune
tuated by Martindale's interruptions.
Everybody say no." jeered Martin
dale, rising to his feet with that bit
ter grin upon his face which has be-
come SO familiar to those who have
attended school board meetings
Inspector Burton was able TO get Tn
the meeting but few minutes, his
wife being due from New York on an
evening train. He was constantly in
terrupted and assailed by the school
superintendent. Martindale admitted
some of Burton's facts. however,
which prompted the latter 10 say:
IF you had been as honest on the
floor OF the board as you are now, 1t
would not be necessary for me to
come here"
II drove him out Of the hail." said
Martindale, after Burton had gone.
Inspector Goldberg was not inter.
rupted by the superintendent, but
Secretary Pratt, OF the Municipal
League. was subjected to many inter-
ruptions. After he had finished.
number OF citizens in the hall asked
Martindale pertinent questions as 10
the management OF the school In
which their children are taught and
boldly disputed his replies.
DR.. Bennett stirred up the big fight.
however He told how a Mrs. Woods
had applied to the superintendent for
a position and been rudely pushed
from his Office with the statement that.
she was not qualified, although she
had three years experience and was
university graduate. while another
girl who had political pull was ap-
pointed at the same time. not having
even completed her course In the nor.
NAL school at the time.
A friend OF Mrs. Woods had come to
the speaker for advice. and he had
sent her TO certain politician In the
county building, who had called up
Supt. Martindale and then. turning.
assured Mrs. Woods friend that the
appointment would be made.
This woman had been secretly
married." declared Martindale. She
was not eligible to teach when she
first applied. Then her husband died
and she was appointed.
1.-The statement is false" thunder
ed Bennett. There was no time for
her husband to die and funeral take
place within a week"
Bennett referred to Inspector
George as "mule-driver," and de-
scribed the circumstances under which
Inspector Hely was accused Of taking
money from a man who wanted
place as janitor, the vacancy to be
created, It was said. by the discharge
Of an old soldier.
i 40 not see now man VINO Is SUI
perintendent OF schools can tolerate
such men as Hely and Miehm," as
serted Bennett. They have called
Goldberg an obstructionist. He has
INSTRUCTED many nasty little schemes"
Martindale shot In one fling about
q cousin OF DR.. Bennett being appoint
ed as teacher. and the latter faced
him down and made him admit
that the girl had been appointed on
her qualifications and not by means
of political pull.
Mrs. Oostdyke declared that, as
mother and taxpayer, she did not be-
lieve in having saloonkeepers on the
school board, their influence not being
good.
II have hoped and prayed that the
women OF this city will see their duty
to get out and VOTE" she said. 81
know OF some teachers who are
afraid to have II known that they
even sympathize with the anti.Martin.
dale cause, while others, principals OF
schools, go boldly into saloons to cam.