The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-06-15
Miss Westcott Makes Spirit
ed Reply TO DR.. Buffers
Attack.
CALLS EDUCATOR
A SENSATIONALIST
In Article Referred TO Many
Pointed Questions Have
Been Asked.

Labelling his methods as those of ye}-
low Journalism, and scoring the Educa-
tional Review for making use of such
an article, Miss Edith Westcott, prin-
Z cipal of the Western High School of
/ Washington. has taken issue with Or.
Nicholas Murray Butler. president of
Columbia University. and editor OF the
Review. in which recently appeared an
article suggesting that school conditions
in the Capital City could stand investi-
CATION
Dr. Butler asks a great many pointed
questions. He wanted TO know why
there cant be a fun and i'm partial in
Vestigation OF school conditions here. he
asked why President Roosevelt hadn' {
caused one to be made. He asked what
are the real facts concerning the re-
cent death OF a teacher in one or the
best schools Of Washington. in connec-
ton with which the grand jury has
found three indictments?
he says. without naming names. that
q powerful organ OF opinion IN THIS
city may be responsible be winds up
by saying that pretty ugly stories are
IN circulation about conditions in Wash
1ngton. and they should either be set al
rest by authoritative denials and refuta-
ton. or else some one or several some
ones, should be punished severely.
What Article Is.
Miss Westcott's article follows:
IN the notes and news section Of
the Educational Review for May. 1863.
appears an article under the heading,
The Washington School Situation. This
article. IL it did not come from the pen
of the editor, DR.. Nicholas Murray But
Ter, president OF Columbia University,
at least received his editorial sanction
During the three weeks which nave
passed since this arraignment Of the
Washington schools first came 10 my
attention, I have had gro wing sense OF
ats fncompatibility with what should DC
the standards and ideals OF educational
Journalism.
The article in question deals with
inEuendo, slur, and half-hinted scan
with yellow journalism. It's authority
is summed up in the phrase. One
hears. Yes. and so one may hear, 10
the end of time, for venomous gossipers
OF scandal. One may hear whatever one
IS willing TO listen to about any person
or situation That we all know 10 eur
sorrow.
tionai Review should consider such idle
gossip. admittedly based upon mere
11mor. and retailed In a spirit Of mark
ed unfHendliness, as contributing any
thing OF value TO the educational out
look,
OaSC 4 III
THAT the president OF a great uni
versity should place before his audience
Ian audience which comprises the lead
srs Of educational work and thought in
this great country the query, Is it
true that one high school boy murdered
another recently in a Washington high
schoolf when all the facts relating 10
the accidental shooting OF Vivian Bow
dom by Denniston CharletOn (facts
which have been the subject OF official
investigation and of subsequent official
been obtained by DR.. Butler for his com
pleJe satisfaction upon this point brings
one TO e serious pause.
There seems, indeed, little hone for
the future Of sensational yellow Jour
nails when 8 magazine. which. from
It's editorial strength and educational
pfeStlse, We have right 10 consider
cignlhed and professional in spirit IS
willing 70 arraign school adninistra-
ton under the fiimsy fnnuendo of i'm
pied rotten1esss because of an acct
cent paralleled in almost every COM
munity In America.
Casual Readers Shocked.
The list OF boys land Of mem who
did not know It was loaded is as long
as the list Of tragedies to which their
negligence and carelessness gives cause,
and more's the pity of il all; but no
under the title OF Educational Review
II its summary of educational news is
TO include such hearsay rumors ana
scandals. The casual reader is shocked
by the manifest unfriendliness of spirit
of this article.
Is there a community where youth
and beauty have not been BETRAYED
bT the lust OF mani Sad. indeed is
that story, when the victim is from
the ranks Of those charged with the
Intimate care OF young children. All
Washington was shocked and grieved
over the tragic death OF the beautiful
and gifted young teacher referred to
" the article, but IL took the Educa-
fional Review 10 see In the situation OF
2 lovely girl betrayed TO her death an
indication of moral unsOundness IN the
school system Of Washington
Without Parallel.
The article is without parallel in nv
experience Of professional journalism.
and can but believe that II will arouse
IN its most casual reader the same sense
OF the prostitution OF high talents To
base uses which has prompted this pro-
test EDITH q WESCOTT
Principal OF the Western High school