Evening journal., 1915-04-17
newark women
IN School FIGHT
DIR. Gilfillan and Professor
Thompson Are Candi-
dates for TreaSurerShip
TEACHERS FAVOR
PRESENT INCUMBENT

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
NEWARK. April 17.-What will
probably be a spirited school election
viii take place next Saturday. when
successor TO DR.. Joel S. Gilfillan,
secretary and treasurer of the Board
of Education for six years, will be
chosen. The New Century Club is
understood to be much interested in
this election and Professor Firman
Thompson, who has announced his
candidacy. is looked on as the candi-
date favorable TO the New Century
Club members and their friends. Dr..
Gilfllan. after considerable urging on
the part of his friends. has also filed
his name for reelection. The inter-
est In this election is general. how
ever and many citizens contend that
committee of the New Century Club
under all the circumstances has gone
too far relative TO school affairs and
that this activity even threatens to
impair the teaching staff, which is
claimed to be one of the best in the
State.
While there has been no open con-
dict yet, there has been signs OF
breakers ahead for some weeks and
this election will probably settle the
matter one way or the other. About
year ago il was suggested by some
members of the New Century Club
that there be a woman on the Board
of Education. Counsel of the board
was consulted and gave Il as his opin-
ion that a woman could not be legally
elected TO the board. After this the
board informed the New Century Club
that il would he glad to have COM
mittee from the club advise with
them on matters that might benefit
the schools. AS a result of this mu-
tual understanding the club appoint
ed a committee OF three members, all
wives of professors of Delaware Col
lege. This committee has met with
the board from time to time and
while they have not had a vote they
have made suggestions where, in
their opinion, school conditions could
be improved. and these suggestions
have been considered from time to
time by the board and sometimes act
ed on favorably.
While the New Century Club has
been the only organization to send a
committee TO the board with sugges-
tions, it is understood that at the
time the board made it plain that any
organization or individual was free
to make suggestions to the board. II
is said that less than 10 per cent OF
the 500 pupils OF the schools are chill
dren of members Of the club.
All IA teachers in the schools signed
a petition recently when IL was re-
ported that DR.. Gilfllan would not
run for the office again. asking him
to become a candidate. II was large
ly as a result of his position that h6
decided to file his name County
Superintendent Cross, is said to have
stated recently that the schools OF
Newark have the best staff of teach.
ers in the State outside of Whining
ton.
Matters we're not helped any when a
recent meeting of the Parent Teacher
Association. when the subject of tardi
ness among the pupils was under discus
sion. several members OF the New Cen
turv Club are said to have taken tn
stand that the teachers were largely &
blame for the tardiness. This cause
considerable feeling among the teacher
and at the next meeting of the associa
ton but two teachers attended. As
matter of fact il is claimed that III
reports show hut two per cent. tardines
in the local schools. which is claimed 4
be an excellent showing. Many inter
estcd in the Parent Teachers Associa
tion fear that this accident may iniur
the usefulness OF the association.
A spirited fight has developed for th
presidency Of the New Century Club. 4
be- elected at the meeting next Monday
This week the following were nominate
for the Office: Mrs. J.. Pearce Cam, Mr.
, Edward W Cooch, Mrs. Harry Hayward
Miss Frances Hurd, Mrs. Samuel
Mitchell, Mrs. r. W. Dawson and Mr.
Richard r. Nottingham. Friends Of tn
candidates are doing considerable clc'
pioneering for their favoritc candidate
, At the present time the fight seems I
have narrowed down to Mrs. Cam an
Mrs Hayward. II is understood tina
neither oi these candidates Is cspcciall
active in the matter. but that the ligl