The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-08-23
Has Principal of Local High
School Illegally Held Po-
sition Is Problem Now Be-
ing Investigated.
PRESSURE BROUGHT
TO BEAR ON NEFF
To Clear Himself of I'm
pugnation of Not Having
Passed Examination to Sc
cure a License.

Has Isaac e. Neff, principal of the
Richmond high school, held the posi-
tion two years under an illegal lie
ense? Are the members of the Rich
mond city school board personally re-
sponsible for the salary Principal Neff
drew from the school corporations in
this interim?
Where did Principal Neff get the
license he now holds? Why will he
take the state examination in the Of
flee of the county superintendent next
Saturday?
Answers to the questions are held to
be in order from citizens who are ac-
uuainted with parts of the mystery
hanging about the alleged license un-
der which Principal Neff has presid-
ed over the high school,
County Superintendent Williams to-
day refused to discuss any angle of
the problem, merely stating that Prin-
cipal Neff had license dated August
10, 1910. Mr.. Williams assumed his
office October l, 1910. The license
was issued under his predecessor,
Charles w. Jordan, now secretary OF
the Commercial club, and last Mon
day appointed member of the Rich
mond city school board by the COM
mon council.
Williams BIameiess.
Persons acquainted with the case
say that Superintendent Williams is in
I,1 hnr
onerated from any guilt that may be
attached to the alleged irregularity.
When Principal Neff was engaged by
the Richmond school board it was
done on the implicit assurance of City
School Superintendent Mott, who in
vestigated Mr.. Neff's career at South
Bend, that the latter was qualified in
every respect to hold the position and
that there was no flaw either in Prin-
cipai Neff's career or in the validity
of his credentials.
1t is known positively that pressure
had been brought to bear on Princi-
pal Neff in the last two months to
clear himself from the impugnation of
not having passed the state examina-
tion emitting him to license and the
consequent right to teach in the pub
lie schools.
Under the stress of developing oppo-
sition the principal recently produced
a license issued by Charles Jordan,
former county superintendent, dated
August 10, 1910. Persons making the
Investigation then established the
fact that Principal Neff did not take
the state examination prior or since
August 10. 1910, in the Office of the
county superintendent, emitting him
to the certificate.
Holds Exemption License.
Principal Neff is listed in the bulle-
tin of Wayne county teachers as the
holder of class B, Exemption" lie
ense. This certificate. under the In.
diana school laws, can be granted on.
ly to teachers who have taught six
years in the same county and hold a
three years license.
Principal Neff came to Richmond in
the summer of 1910 from South Bend
st. Joseph county, this state. His
Wayne County license bears the date
of August 10, 1910. The principal was
not resident of Wayne county, much
less teacher in the county schools
six years prior to this date.
The discrepancy between the class
of license which Principal Neff holds
and his residence in the county, Great.
ed great surprise. it was learned
among members of the Richmond
school board.
Had No Transfer Right.
Inquiry made at the office of Chas
A. Greathouse, state superintendent OF
public instruction, showed that Mr.
Neff had not passed the state exami
nation in st. Joseph county, so that he
could have transferred his license to
Wayne county.
office of the county superintendent,
nor at the Indianapolis office showing
that Principal Neff had passed the
state examination, inquiries were
made of County superintendent Will
liams regarding the issuance of the
license. The records in his office
showed that the principals license
had been issued prior to Mr.. VIII
liams' occupancy of the office.
Former Superintendent Jordan a
first disclaimed issuing the instru
ment, but later remembered signing {
license for the principal. How Prin
cipal Neff secured the license with
out taking the state examination hal
not been explained, as far as could b.
ascertained today.
The school board, 1t is understood
insists that Principal Neff satisfy thu
provisions of the law.
Principal Neff's decision to take tn.
state examination Saturday is inter
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