The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-15
MRS. WAGNER FINDS
DEFENDER ON BOARD
DR.. Ira s. Wiles Calls New
Observation-Disclosures Stand
the Right One.
MAXWELL SEES TROUBLE

The case of Mrs. Lora Wagner, the
latest "teacher-mother" to be refused
leave OF absence for motherhood by the
Board OF Education, developed two or
posing but unoff,cial views from mem
bers of the board yesterday. city su-
perintendent Maxwell saw difficulties in
the path OF Mrs. Wagner on the ground
that when finally It becomes necessary
for her TO leave her duties in the Totem
VILE, Staten Island. annex OF Curtis High
School. by her physician's orders, she will
not be technically Ill
DR.. Ira s. Wiles. tho board member
who has before upheld the cause Of
teacher mothers" took the unofficial
view that Mrs. Wagners stand was right.
In the meantime, until her case can
come before the board through the board
of superintendents Mrs Wagner proposes
to continue her duties in her college gown.
Her classes worked ms usual yesterday.
CITY Superintendent Maxwell, In his un-
official interview. gave some inkling Of
the course the board would pursue.
Mrs. Wagner may md II difficult"
he said, 80 get leave Of absence on
the ground Of illness, as a womBn In her
condition In not technically H. When she
is finally obliged to give up her duties in
school she may lay herself open 20 IA
charge OF neglect OF duty since her re-
quest had not been granted. ! do not
wish TO be quoted as speaking officially,
however. since the matter has no. yet
come up before the board"
While most OF the members OF the
board can be considered 70 hold Mr.
Maxwells point OF view. Or. Wiles thinks
that Mrs. Wagner ought to be allowed
to retain her place In tho school after a
years absence.
Mrs. Wagner. OF course. is not tech
-
a physician claim this 10 be a perfectly
normal and natural condition. Hut there
Is no question that she " physically in
capacitated. | think she should bc allowed
a years leave OF absence. As 70 tho
question of Improperly. Mrs. Wagner's
pupils are all old enough and sensible
enough to know and to understand the fun
| damental facts of existence, and her re-
tention of her position could hardly be
called improper"
The interest aroused by Mrs Wagner's
| case has become so great that the Femi-
mist Alliance and the League for Civil
Service of Women are planning to hold an
open meeting in the Washington Irving au-
ditorium, whore discussion and criticism OF
| the present methods will he invited. Ap-
peals will be made 10 members of the
board and a committee has been appointed
| by the Feminist Alliance and tho League
| for civil Service OF Women to sec the
/ PRESIDENT OF inc upaTus N'nhS W
| Churchill. 10 urge that the bylaws In re
! gard to the employment OF married women
and leave OF absence for child bearing be
! amended.
III the board persists In this system.
said Miss Henrietta Rodman. chairman OF
| the committee the most superior women
I In the profession will lie automatic :
\ forced out of it, We shall aim also AT a
greater flexibillty In the school board Law
| in their attitude toward teachers. II
married women are employed 1t may he
! assumed that about 20 per cent. OF them
| will be absent continually FOR child bear
Ing. This will uecessita'c the employ ment
OF more teachers but will incur no more
expense to the city as those who are ab.
| sent will be drawing 10 salary. We viii
| write to Mr.. Churchill tomorrow. ASKING
him to us a. his earliest convenience
/ Miss Rodmau's associate on the con-
mittee In Mrs. Leta Hollingworth. author
of several scientific books on the achieve.
ments Of women.
Mrs. Wagner will speak for tho FIRST
time in public on the subject OF "Th,
Right of Professional Women to Mother.
hood" at a meeting OF the Feminist Al
lance ON Wednesday, October a. at the
home OF Mrs. Joseph Wise. 30 West Sew,
enty-fourth street Mrs. Leroy Scott vii
give the point OF view OF the woman
writer. DR.. Cornelia Brant, dean Of the
medical college, the physicians side OF IN,
woman lawyer All the speakers ar,
the professional world.