The Washington herald., 1909-07-16
Negro Superintendent Up
held Despite Charges.
MATTER UNANIMOUSLY PASSED
Following Suggestion of Attorney
Perry, that Allegations ssWere
Vague" District School Directors
Dismiss Charges es-AppOIntments
Transfers, and Leaves.

i
recently filed against Roscoe Conklinl
Bruce. negro assistant superintendent OF
schools.
The charges were brought by the Citi-
zens' Association OF Washington. and al
legged that Bruce had Disseminated
against the NJ Street High School, in IA
vor Of the Armstrong Manual Training
School. The association further declared
that Bruce had allowed teachers in the
Armstrong school 10 visit grammar
schools during school hours, and by lee
lures try 10 induce the scholars TO attend
the Manual Training School
Exactly five minutes was consumed by
the board in disposing Of the charges.
There was no attorney present Not a
witness was examined. Not an address
was made. Supt. Bruce was not even in
the room. II members Of the association
which fled the charges were present,
they did not make the fact known 10 the
board.
Dove of Peace lowered.
The dove Of peace hovered over the
board room while the session was on.
Everybody was happy. President oyster
was wearing a smile and Mrs. Terrell.
who was seated az the presidents right
hand, nodded approvingly from time to
time.
The secretary viii read this letter re-
garding the charges filed against Assist
ant Superintendent R. C. Bruce" whis-
pered Capt. Oyster.
AS the President made the announce
ment everybody came to attention Board
members looked at one another. then AZ
Capt Oyster, and then around the room.
rather large gathering Of negroes pres
ent hustled around IN their seats and
Strengthened up.
Secretary Harry Hines unfolded a long
oficial-looking letter and proceeded 10
read. first announcing that he was about
10 give out the text OF a communication
from Assistant United States Attorney
F. Sprigg Perry. regarding the Bruce
charges Attorney Perry is counsel for
the board
In his letter Attorney Perry held that
the board has full authority to deal with
all matters appertaining TO the govern
ment of the schools Of the District II
Is supreme. Attorney Perry further de-
clared that the board can try cases. un-
der the law, on the recommendation OF
the superintendent. where teachers quail
hcations as educators are not questioned.
Charges Were Vague.
Attorney Perry held that the charges
against Bruce were vague" that no
specific Offense was alleged, and for this
reason no trial vas required he re-
viewed Bruce's standing as an educator:
his graduation from Harvard College,
and his work with Booker T. Washing
ton.
In closing Mr.. Perry said that II the
members Of the governing body were
pleased with the work Of Bruce, the
charges could be disposed Of without
trial
You have heard the opinion OF coun-
sci for the board" smiled Capt. oyster:
what is your pleasure?~
I move that the report be adopted and
the charges dismissed" said R. R.
Horner.
Second the motion" commented Mrs.
Terrell
When Capt. oyster put the question
every member present voted aye" and
the charges which have been lowering
over Bruce died. and II is not thought
that they viii rise again.
Without a dissenting vote the report
of the Ways and Means Committee pro-
viding that employees in the Office OF the
board Of education may draw their sala-
ries bimonthly. instead of once every
thirty days. was adopted.
J. c. Nolle, supervising principal OF
the Tenth division. IS TO hold his present
position. despite the recent recOmmenda-
tion Of Assistant Supt. Bruce that he be
reduced to principal Of the Lincoln school.
Supt. Bruce. in a letter 10 Supt. A. T.
Stuart, withdrew his former. recommen-
dalton for -demotion. provided that NolIe
improve his work. The board placed the
matter in Supt Stuart's hands feeling
that it did not care to act
recommendations Approved.
The board adjourned after approving
the following recommendations:
APPOINTMENTS.
Appoint James Chestnut teacher Of the fifth
grade and assign TO the John +. Slater School
Eleventh division.
Appoint T. c. Williams principal Of the N Street
Appoint Z. II. Lawson teacher Of the fifth grade
and assign to the Henry Smothers School Twelfth
division.
TRANSFERS.
Aianslcr NJ N. MORTON, teacher q chemistry.
from the Armstrong Manual Training School to the
" Street High School
Transfer r. deS. Smith. teacher Of chemistry
from the NJ Street High School to the Armstrong
Marual Training School
Transfer L. 5. 6. Bassett. teacher Of mathematics
frUn the NJ Street High School 70 the Armstrong
Manual Training School.
Tnnster C. S ShiDDon. teacher Of latin from
the NJ Street High School 10 teacher q French IN
the Armstrong Manual Training School.
Transfer O. : Shiurqu Teacher Of attn
IN the Armstrong Manual Trimming School 20
teacher Of Latin in the N Street High School
Transfer Miss Otclia Cromwell teacher of Eng
lish. from the N Street High School 70 she Arm
strong Manual Training School.
Transfer Miss NJ. 2. Murell teacher Of English
from the Armstrong Manual Training School 20
the " Street High School.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Grant leave of absence for three months 70 Miss
G. X StUtz. teacher Of the fifth grade
Accpuf the rpSicr1afion ~ Miss I a Cherre-e,r,