Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-10
CHOICE OF SCHOOLS
CHIEF SHOWS WIDELY
DISSENTING OPINIONS
Thomas Shallcross, Of
Board of Education,
Strongly Opposes Selec-
tion of Woman as DR..
Jacobs Successor.

Thomas Shallcross, member of the
Board Of Education, today expressed EN-
phatic opposition to the election of a
woman to the superintendency of schools.
Mr.. Shallcross has been a member of the
School Board many years, and is chair
man of the Committee on Textbooks and
Supplies.
1t was Mr.. Shallcross who fought the
selection of Miss katherine E. Puncheon
for tho principalship of the Girls High
School several years ago, working in be-
half Of Dr. Fred Gowing, book agent.
Il am not in favor of the election of a
woman to this Office" said Mr.. Shallcross.
i have great admiration for the profess
sional ability of Miss Puncheon and DR..
Lucy L. w. Wilson, both of whom have
been mentioned prominently as possible
successors of Doctor Jacobs.
But, competent as these ladies' are
l cannot vote for either of them Tba
superntendency is essentially a mans
Job. Worry helped to kill Doctor Jacobs
ana l do not believe that a woman could
easily bear the strain and difficulties
'"'NA NiS biiiCt involves.
FAVoRs PHILADELPHIA MAN.
'"rhe new superintendent should bo q
healthy man able to withstand nervous
tension He should be a big man mon
tally as we'll as physically. Ana he
should be a Philadelphian.
Much has been said of the talent that
can be obtained from other cities Rut
unless 1t can be definitely proved that
no man in Philadelphia could exercise
the duties OF the position successfulIv 7
could not vote for an outsider one oh
leeuon to the selection of a woman Is
the faet that not enough men are NOW
engaged In the profession.
There are about 5000 women teacbers
IN this city and 400 men, This Is n de-
PtoIap'e cohdltlon We need the men.
! woman IS TO be elected TO the head
who would be forced TO serve under 'i,eI, bar
VIII be tempted to enter other fields ~
activity. Ne'uS OF
"A successful superintendent opst hauo
peculiar and unusual qualities. He nnns,
possess a profound knowledge of na5a
sosy ana show an understanding of mod
elh educational questions. He mns,
tuI tneIihofe' be a good executive, capable
Oh issuing orders, He must be a dipIomat
ana capable OF meeting teachers ana lavr
men lie must be willing 10 receive W.,
Tors even at inopportune times.
Inc superintendency is a public oa,cs
and the man who serves in that oanscit,,
must be close 10 the people. He must ~
poth theoretical and practieal-a me-
e3Pso'e OF handling a mighty big job"
WOMEN INDORsE WOMAN
women members Of the sectional b,,-,-
81 school visitors are anxious FOR tbs
erection OF woman to the sunerinta'..ie
ehey These boards. existing in 80.
va. maIa OF the city have little authorize
put l,l lhey make important reoommen5ss'
uons to the Board OF Education a.
Il think woman is better sn,tos -.
man Tor the superintendent as
schools, said DR., Anna b. HaI ,.I oI
a great deal about Doctor Wilson 90 'Iow ll
W. %oiH ana 1 reel ! would like 10 indorss
Aer IN the highest terms. THE o',Hltts e
OF sex should not be brought IN. . -ss 'i'h
Mrs, 4. r. Boggs. another n,or,h..
one Of the local boards, declare5 thHt ,s'l oL
Is without doubt an onlce for a vso,,,., ! !. !.
7 think that il is only iust th., a.
sex should be represented in an oe,sl s,i9
1eeilus win ehildhood she said ,,ft
liippf taht that the school oo-onere o.. = =
tae nome II the training III 49, 49, ~.
sHts' eAeh cooperation can 800
teeted ~ close undersfandine -
ln9tAss ana The school leachsr.5 '"ssA