Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-20
AGAINST THE RULES
Complaints Made Over the
Heads of School Principals.
THE PRACTICE MUST CEASE
Announcement of President of
Board of Education.
CARELESS ABOUT PAY ROLLS
Not Scrutinized Sufficiently Before
signature-Dangers Of Contagion
From Maryland Pupils.
CARELESS ABOUT PAY ROLLS

There are certain things going on in
the public schools which have aroused
the ire Of President Oyster Of the board
of education, and which will be cured by
the application of the birch rod, figura-
lively speaking. The board of education,
at its meeting yesterday afternoon, was
told by President Oyster that, for one
thing, teachers and employees of the
schools are running with their troubles
to Alonzo Tweedale, auditor. and to other
officials Of the District government,
whereas the plants should, according to
rule and custom, take the course through
principals, supervising principals, super
intendent, secretary, committee and
board.
This has got to be stopped said Pres
ident Oyster, in firm tone of voice.
''Teachers-and even employees of the
boards off1ce-are going to high officials
of the government and presenting a one
sided case, and the first we hear of it is a
letter from the District building asking
for Information. 1t causes embarrass-
ment to the officials. to the board and
to the superintendent.
Il will ask you. Mr.. Stuart, to let the
teachers know there is rule against
this thing"
Mr.. Stuart, in a quiet voice, but one
filed with characteristic determination,
said he would get busy.
Careless About Pay Rolls.
Another matter which may assume seri-
GUS proportions is something that is go
ing on in reference to the pay rolls What
1t is no one knows but the president of
the board. Auditor Tweedale and certain
principals concerned. 1t was gathered
yesterday that principals, or at least
few of them. look upon a pay roll in
rather a mechanical way and will sign
one without close scrutiny. President
Oyster said this much about 1t to Star
reporter:
why, there is one principal who has
signed for the check Of a teacher when
the teacher is out Of the school service
and in another government Job. That
sort Of thing reflects seriously upon the
schools and must be investigated. The
matter occurred this way. The teacher
got leave Of absence and hired sub
stitute, and in effect would draw two SAL
aries from the government to pay the
substitute with"
Who this particular offender is cannot
be cleaned by inquiry. A substitute
teacher in one Of the high schools. how
ever, was not ratified and affirmed for
appointment, and the understanding is
that he is the substitute hired in the case
mentioned.
A committee is investigating the cir
cumstances surrounding the matter.
Danger From Maryland Pupils.
The matter OF the chevy Chase School
and danger from contagion from Mary
land pupils took up few minutes of the
meeting time. There has been complaint
from the citizens association of that
suburb that Maryland children. not being
subject to the regulations Of the District
health Office, are quite liable to spread
disease among the children who go to the
same school. and which is in the District
Of Columbia. Several instances Of this
were mentioned.
The board took the matter up. and DR..
Woodward sent sleuth out to investi-
gate He reported that he could find not
q single bit OF evidence to support the
complaint, and that the worst cases OF
illness. in his opinion. were in the homes
of Christian Scientists. and he could not
determine the character OF the disease
sufficiently we'll enough to report on the
liability Of infection and contagion.
However. the board is going to ask DR..
Woodward what he thinks is the best
way to prevent Maryland school children
from bringing disease into a District
school,