Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-02
DENIAL OF DIPLOMA
TOBE LOOKED INTO
investigation Into Cases of
Two "Tech" Students Who
Failed to Graduate.
SERIOUS CHARGES MADE
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Special Meeting of the Board of
Education.
GAIT. OYSTER is REELECTED
Says There Have Been Blunders in
Building and Money Wasted.
New Superintendent Sworn In.

New Superintendent Sworn In.
Two Mckinley Manual Training High
School boys who stood well up in an
their studies except English may be
granted diplomas, although they failed
of graduation last month, and an inves-
tigation into conditions which led TO
their being denied the coveted sheep
skins was started yesterday afternoon at
the special meeting OF the board of
education. Although the principal for
NAL business of the meeting was the
reelection of James F. Oyster. president
and Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey vice
president, and the swearing in OF the new
superintendent, DR.. w. NJ Davidson, and
Mrs Caroline Harris. new member of the
board, the matter of the two boys was
presented and serious charges were
made behind closed doors to former
Supt. Stuart, whose decision will have
great weight, it is believed. with the
present superintendent, w. NJ Davidson
who sat at the meeting yesterday for
the first time.
The case of Horace w. Truesdeli, son
Of Julius A. Truesdeil, a newspaper
correspondent, of 1121 Harvard street
northwest, had been presented in writing
to school officials. but did not appear
formally at the board. 1t was taken up
privately after the board session and
Will be one Of the problems for the high
school committee 1t is a direct echo.
1t is claimed. of the troubles with the
Adelphfc Society several weeks ago, and
the failure Of young Mr. Truesdeu to
take an examination In English was
caused by his breaking his arm on the
evening OF the Adelphic dance. May 3.
Horace Truesdell. whose classmates have
dubbed him Deacon" broke his arm
cranking' an dutomQbife which was benL
used in carrying decorations and other
things to the dance. The dance Itself
brought the fraternity and some OF its
members into prominence because or the
recommendation by Principal 9eore Myers
that the president Of the fraternity be-
suspended because the faculty claimed
he used too much influence in having a
school play day changed to suit the dance
date.
Mr. Truesdell Charges Prejudice.
The matter was laid before Supt.
Stuart. through President Oyster. In a
y
that there have been all sorts of pre-
tudice on the part Of members Of tho
faculty who have objected to Horace
Truesdelrs alleged activities. particularly
In editing and managing high school
papers. AS the matter is now before the
board. It is claimed that an English ex-
animation which could not be taken in
writing by the young student because Of
hs broken arm was denied after the arn
became well enough to use in writing.
Truesdell studied English is Miss
Christensen. There was some sort of
objection to Truesdelrs running the
Hand and Mind, the Mckinley paper
running the yearbook Of the class.
Truesdeu claims that mis- editorial
work on these papers is enough proof
that he knows English.
igan University in the fall: the high
school diploma. therefore, will be of great
help to him N he should get II.
The Case Of Seibold-
The other case IL that Of George
Vaughn Seibold. son Of George C. Sell
bold. 75e Rock Creek Church roam. and
was read before tho board and passed
over to a committee for Investigation.
It is claimed that the student was told
I'D TO tho very last moment that hs was
proficient enough in EhS1taaA bun. much
to hts surprise. he was denied Q Diploma
graduation day. Tho studntS fafhnr
claims that even class night ths snn vaA1
on the List OF those 30 sTsduAfA II is
claimed that George Vaughn 6ekbod tpok
George Washington University and W0-
leyan scholarships and got marn OF
rs and 40. respectively. and Wa tod he
was eligible to take these examinations
tho Wesleyan scholarship Eecetvod a
mark Of 66.5 per cent. which. tho boys
father claims. shows that tho stAndasd
is extremely high
''By reason OF the 6edlure % 11vs proper
information as to tho standing of the
boy in sufficient time 20 make up
studies" says the complaining letter. 'st
the same time allowing him to devote his
time to other school activities ana eo
aminations for which he is now declared
ineligible. although certified TO have been
eligible he lost a diploma"
Statements of board members Indicate
that the matter will be esamined with
great thoroughness and VIII be part or
the investigation concerning fraternities.
although the Vaughn case rs not con-
nected with any fraternity trouble what
soever.
Enforts to reach DR.. Myers principal OF
Mckinley Manual Training School, to Oh
tain a statement from him last night
were unsuccessful.
President Oyster REFLECTED.
President Oyster was reelected presi-
dent after he fatty refused to serve. He
refused twice. The board insisted twice
No one else would have the job. Henry
P. Blair was nominated by Capt. Oyster.
but Mr.. Blair backed out in about two
words. Finally, after much smiling and
very formal, parliamentary comedy which
every one present to the point OF
loud laughter. Capt Oyster was forced 10
take the office. SO he said. an in
augural address:
Il will promise my best work for the
board of education. In my recent report
for the year think j covered all that we
have done in the last school term, but
anpeal to you to take what has been done
as lesson TO try to do better; there is
room for Improvement at all times. We
have been together a long time. and to-
day we have with us a new member. Mrs.
Harris, who is familiar with local and
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