The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-03-12
Members of Board of Education
Make Statement to the Public

education, University of California;
Dr' A. r.. W%inship, editor of Journal Of
Education n lecturer on educational
SUBJECTS, Boston, Mass.
These letters and endorsements are
hlCd herewith.
Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. H. L. BOlley.
D. B.. Holt.
John Frame.
II. w. McArdle.
Teachers Committee.
Your committee on school better
ment concur in the foregoing report
and join in, the recommendation for
the employment of Mr., Siders.
ID. b. Holt.
N. c. Young.
Mrs. A. G.. Hanson.
School Betterment Committee.
The letters and statements referred
to in the above report Ind recon-
mendattons were handed to The Forum
for publication, but they were not pub
ers' committee. They fully establish
the high character and qualification of
Mr.. Siders as an educator. These let
tiers were at all times accessible to
those who actually desired to know as
to his qualifications. In addition to
his extended experience, he is a college
graduate, having a degree of bachelor
OF science He has devoted his va
cations to educational work and study
and has nearly completed the require
ments for a doctors degree at the Uni
versity of Chicago. The recommends
ton of the teachers and school bet
terment committees was approved by
the board and Mr.. Siders was elected,
the members of the board voting aye
being Bolley, Frame, Hanson, Holt,
Young n McArdle; those voting no,
Smith, Hannaher and Carpenter. The
president of the board was instructed
TO prepare a contract and send 1t to
Mr.. Siders for execution. This was
done.
Proceedings of the Minority.
"On Feb. s the minority of the board
headed by Mr.. Smith, sent the follow
ing telegram to Mr.. Siders and publish
ed 1t in the local papers:
1.-The present minority board mem
bers assure you, backed by powerful
business, social and labor interests,
that no man called to the superinten-
dency of Fargo schools under cIrcum-
stances of your call can remain long
er than a year., ven If permitted to
begin a contract without contest.
c.. Q. Smith.
9. A. Carpenter.
j. j. Hannaher,'
ION Feb. 10 the following telegram
was sent:
w. r. Siders, PocateIlo, Ida,
If you are the educator the major
ity of our board tells us you are you
will go slow in coming to this city I'M
til we settle our differences in school
matters.
Many a promising man has fallen
down over some trifling obstacle and
we trust you will avoid this one.
There is considerable dissatisfac.
ton among our people in regard to the
action of the majority of the school
board. (Signed) w. r. Lee, :
Secretary Fargo Trades & Labor as
sembly.'
These kilograms were followed by
anonymous letters of an abusive and
insulting character signed by the word
COMMITTEE A member of the state
high school board, of which Mr.. Stock
substance like the following:
Il nave been requested to give you
the law concerning qualifications OF
superintendentS and teachers In four
year standard high schools in this
state. They must have been graduated
from a reputable college
"The high school board is one of the
most powerful boards in the state
Mr.. Siders inferred from this telegram
teach regardless of his qualifications
or merits. These threats and teIe-
grams a the effect desired. Mr.. ST.
\ ders is a high class educator and hi;
conclusions to submit an application
was because of the opportunity, as h'
us in securing good schools. TIL
threats of embroiling him in factiona
warfare and his own self respect com
PEELED him to take the step he did. TIL
d~eclination of Mr.. Siders required thu
majority of the board to IT
position. which it did immediately Il
the following public statement:
ITO the patrons of the pubic schools
1--WE very much regret that Mr.. ST
ders has felt Obliged to decline TIL
election TO the SUPPLEMENTARY Of on
! schools, owing to the kilograms sen