New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-22
Pastors Remarks, Hitting
at High School. Cause
Local Storm.
MAYOR DEFENDS
MORALS OF PUPILS
Investigation and Family Coun'
ellis Follow Airing of Few
Cases Of Record.

The much repeated statements Of an
East Orange minister rejecting Oh the
morals of high school girls in that COM
munity have carsed a tempest not only
in that town but in all towns around II.
Manor Julian 4. Gregory issued not
denial Of the rumors Yesterday, but this
step old little toward sbauns the excite
ment.
All the Oranges are teeming with gos'
sip and denunciation as a result OF the
remarks made by the Rev. Robert Russell
Wicks, of the Arlington Avenue Presbyter-
ian Church in speaking last week on The
Relation Of Parent and Child. His ref
erence 10 conditions in the local high
school ma9nifed every time his words
were repeated, made so much Impression
on the citizens of East Orange that an
official inquiry into the administration and
social conditions OF the school system was
at once begun. in addition TO family coun-
ellis and the questioning Of pupils by
parents.
The first reports were that Mr. Wicks.
al the annual dinner Of the church. said
that six girls in the high school had be-
come mothers within the year. The fact
that no names were mentioned and that
the city and school authorities were in
clned 10 suppress the rumors increased
rather than lessened the effect on the
minds Of the hearers. one OF whom, a
member Of the Board Of Education, was
said TO have heard the minister's state
ment without denying it,
/ he "a ~ nd
was felt by Mr. Wicks. he was in haste
10 explain that lie only mentioned the
stories as rumors and that the state
ments were used simply as illustrations.
without carrying with them the belief OF
the speaker" to emphasize his argument
that parents should not transfer their re-
! sponsbi!lty 10 the schools. Mr.. Wicks
added that if the rumors were true the
school system would not be 10 blame. but
| the carelessness of the parents.
The fact that within the year at least
three cases Of juvenile immortality have
been discovered in East Orange gave color
10 the reports
Several months ago the police made A
raid on a bachelor apartment in Bloom
field a nearby town, and arrested three
young men and three girls. Although the
case never came into court. the police adj
nit that two of the girls attended the high
school. and that they were released
through the influence of their parents. No
records. IL was asserted. were made of the
case
1t was also admitted Yesterday that az
recent dance at the high school the
conduct of many Of those present was such
that the dance was stopped, and the ques-
ton Of allowing future ones was consid-
cred by the Board Of Education.
One instance. verified by the records OF
vital statistics. was that Of girl who EFF
the high school more than a year ago to
become telephone operator. Another
case. also Of record, concerned negro
girl.
Mr. Wicks in statement he made pub
lie Yesterday. admitted his remarks were
based or heaysay. and expressed his re-
sret that their utterance in advance OF
verfcaton should have reflected on the
school system for which" he said, II
have the highest regard.