Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-04-20
TEACHER DENIES
SHE CRITIzED THE
H POPE IN SCHOOL
BelieyilIe Instructor Disclaims
All Intent to Inject Religion
Into School Affairs.

Airs. Ida McMikle. a teacher in the
Academy Street Public School. Belle
Wide. who was reported at a meeting Of
the Belleyillc Board of Education last
night as having freely discussed the re-
cent Northumberland incident to her
scholars. entered a nat denial to an
EN ENING STAR reporter today.
SHE disclaimeG all intent to inject reli-
gisn into the affairs OF her class. but
said that about two weeks ago she ard
her pupils were discussing Colonel
Hoosevelts administration, and Incl
dnetally the talk drifted to Rome, where
the falnous episode occurred.
IA communication was read at last
nights meeting from Commissioner DR..
John f. Condor. in which the writer
said that he had been informed by a
cItlzen that Mrs. McMikle. in touching
OH the matter, commended Colonel
Roosevelt and censured the Vatican.
The letter went on to say that as a.
result OF these alleged remarks OF the
teacher thai the pupils in the room OF
Isoman Catholic faith were ridiciiled by
children of various other ~denoniina
tons. DIR. Condor asked that super
vlsing Principal George r. Gerard
make a thorough investigation of the
alleged startling statements OF Mrs
Ncsfickle. and that If his findings war
ranted. that the teacher be summoned
before the board to explain her con
dict.
In his reply to DIR. Condon's letter
Mr.. Gerard threw little or no light on
the case. The communication did not
gay whether Mrs. MeMickle denied the
allegation or not, but stated the prlncl-
paf went to the school shortly after
the occurrence and made an address IN
which he deplored the bringing up OF
religion in the schools.
Mrs. McMickle said she vas not
aware that the matter was gong 10
be- advanced at last nights meeting,
End that she was not notified. When
shown Or. Condon's letter. sha branded
the contents as being too ridiculous
for anything and utterly false
'sWhy. l never ever mentioned the
yatican's name" she declared, far
less making a comparison. As FAR as
censuring the Pope and commencing
Mr.. Roosevelt. that is wrong
sHI was discussing current events 10
the class and talking OF RooseVelts
administration. 7 believe ] remarked
that Roosevelt showed the true Amer
lean spirit What I me1nt by that rs
that Roosevelt was courteous and polite
in the matter. because he said tnst
while he would be pleased to meet the
Vatican, he could not ubnlit to the
imposed conditions. The fact that he
said he would be pleased to meet HIM
is what / tried to bring out to the
scholars as being typically American.
After Or. Condon's letter had been
read he said that his informant would
hot come forward. He said, however,
that IL the members of the board
thought the matter needed investiga-
ton he would at once divulge the name
of the citizen.
None OF the members seemed eager
10 accept this proposition and the re-
suit was that the communication was
received and placed OH file.
DIR. Condor declared that he was
disappointed at the failure to appear
OF his informant. In justice to Mrs.
McMickle he explained If it is found
that these charges are false she should
be exo~nerated, but if she is guilty she
should be dealt with accordingly. If
they are true, he added. the teacher
ought to read the constitution of New
Jersey, which is broad in this regard.