New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-11
Mrs. Wagner to Return to
School at Once If Not
Given Leave.
MAYOR COMES OVER
TO WOMEN'S SIDE
DR.. Vile to Lead Fight To-day,
with Motion of Simple
Change in Bylaws.

Mrs. Lora NJ. Wagner, the teacher
mother. will return TO school on mon
day IL the Board of Education does
NOT grant her application for leave OF
absence at its meeting this afternoon.
Mrs. Wagner, whose baby was porn on
October 81, made this threat yesterday
in a letter to the Board of Education
The champions of the teacher -motner
cause were jub,lant. Miss henrle.ta
Rodman, voicing the generai op'"'o"'
said; u,. lava
"The Board Of Education won dare
TO stand out against the storm OF pun
lie opinion that would be aroused II
Mrs. Wagner were compelled TO re'ur"
to school A.
Yesterday was day Of events Az
noontime Mayor Mitchell came ou' III
favor of teacher-m others, and IN the
afterroon President Churchill of the
BOARD of Education gave Miss kodmsh
an interview, in which he gave her 10
understand that he favored granting
tho desired leave Of absence TO teacheI-
mothers.
Rely on Churchill Now.
q" think President Churchill has
come over 10 our side" said Miss Rod
man. in telling about the interview.
"He admitted that the former attitude
of the Board of Education mad peeH
based on the advice of the wives anu
mothers of the members. These worm!
women had advised their men that 10
woman could be good mother anu
good teacher at the same time .
"He admitted that the testimony OF
.bo y,ives and mothers of members OF
tbe hoard might not have been ade-
ouate TO the subject. and gave me 70
understand that his point Of view had
/ changed within the last few days.
The only flaw in the happiness OF
| the teacher-mother champions on the
eve Of the great battle was the as
/ coverv by DR.. Ira s. Vile that some
one AZ the Board Of Education build
+ ING seemed TO have tempered with the
wording of the subject as it is to come
M for discussion this afternoon.
'"Nlrs. Wagner's application for leave
of absence" said DR.. Vile last night,
"vas for purposes Of restoration OF
health This is in accord with the
bvlaws. But on the calendar for the
meeting the application IS tor leave OF
absence for purposes OF enlId-Deer-
ing .hor+ child.
hearing. | don't know by whose authOr-
ity that wording was changed II iooA'
queer to me.
VILE 20 Lead Fight
ny VILE will probably lead the hght
arc efternoon. and it will be directed
sI,nos+ as much against Isadore VI.
Tavi the would-be friend Of the women
teachers. as against their bitterest enc
mics. n VITA
cbsracterized Mr.. Lewis proposed
amendments to the bylaws. Il snail
introduce an amendment myself ~
will be simply 10 insert the words IoI
nurposes of ehildbearng AFTER tne
words for study, travel or restTrat.o,'
Of health as the reasons lot "hs0n
teacher may be granted leave oi "0
sence." - oras-
.;o- tras surprise, because only lew
dave ago he said he didn't care TO IN
terfere with the Board Of Education;
some saw the velvety iron hano OF
Commissioner Katharine b. DAVIS IS
seen in his change. p.;dor+
The Mayor wrote to President
Churchill ;u.orsis+-
ancv in permitting teachers VINO marry
TO remain in the teaching service Whlle
refusing TO grant leaves OF apseH|e 'i
the ground of maternity.
Would not q simple rule proVlulsne
for leave Of absence in TINS case IVi
a suitable period put an emo 70 az
/ this discussion, and, instead OF Toin
| ing injury to the schools De i ~ u
dc them a great deal OF good"
a large delegation of women inter
osted i'm the teacher-mOther quesJloh
/ Iii Ill on the Mayor to-day.
Mrs. Wagner's Letter.
Mrs. Wagner agreed If she was aoIe'
and there was no other way lett 10
carry on the fight, that she Woulu re-
turn TO school. She lives near the
school building, and II was planned
that she could 90 home in taxi every
recess and see that the nurse hadn ie'
the baby fall into the fire or anythlhg
like that.
Her letter is as follows:
To The Members Of the Board Of Eduo&tion .. -,,,
Gentlemen Esrly in october | applied 20 yp w,
,or leave Of absence without pay. Tor one year ioi
nregnsncy and lactaton Ny application va - ,o
Yie9 and was threatened With charges o' nessC'
- duty n l remained away from school 10 pro
let myself against these charges. i-'urheu W
se3 T2s u was 0 IN he hospital appealed 70 you
~ grant me leave of absence unll mex $500 e
for restoration OF he@iih A'o'Gn s case o Of MIS-
ehsTse Of neglect Of dl,y u am absent ,i,,, more re-
80 two weeks ] am unwilling 70 summit W
80 charge now az I vas before ny bsny was
BON I make this nral appeal to you Tor is'f
aa YOU TO grant me assurance that shsll not
be deprived o. my position y remain az nome loI
>, sSon after tho birth o. my child. but rather
nan te forced 20 abandon my NE pioisssio.y; g.,
am prepared 10 return to " 96p h'', WAGNER,
Ctrep -