Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-06-30
SPLIT OVER POLICY
At COLORED SCHOOL
Board of Education at Odds
When Case of DR.. Lucy E.
Moten Comes Up.
FIVE FOR DISMISSAL;
FOUR FOR RETENTION
Compromise Is Effected, But Echo Of
Fight May Be Heard at Meet
ing Tomorrow.

A serious split in the board OF euuea
ton over the policy which the poard
should adopt toward the Miner Normal
School (colored) is expected tomorrow
afternoon when the board meets at the
Franklin School for the election OF OF
ficers and organization for the ensuing
fiscal year. Following closed confer
ence meeting of the board Of education
yesterday the body split in grave
manner, William T. Galliher. one of the
members. even threatening to resign.
The conference was held to dispose OF
the case of DR.. Lucy E. Moten. principal
of the school. whose dismissal had been
recommended by X. c. Bruce. assistant
superintendent in charge OF colored
schools. The board has had this matter
under consideration for several months
and five of the nine members yesterday
refused to continue a "watchful wait
ing" policy any longer.
Ernest L. Thurston. superintendent OF
public schools. recommended the reten-
tion of DR.. Moten. The board lined up
Against Dr. Moten-Ernest H. Daniel.
vice president of the board: Mrs Susie
Root Rhodes. Mrs. Edith Kingman Kern.
DR.. Greed W. Childs and Mrs. Coralie F.
Cook.
For Dr. Moten-Henry P. Blair. presi
dent of the board John b. Larner. Will
liam T. Galliher and DIR. Charles H.
Marshall
Two Motions offered.
Mr.. Daniel made motion that the
recommendation of Assistant Superintend-
ent Bruce be accepted, and that the prin-
cipal of the Miner Normal School be
dropped. Mr.. Galliher Immediately Of
fered substitute favoring the support Of
the superintendent recommendation
When the vote was taken on the sub
stitute it was voted down. the original
motion subsequently being carried by
5 to 4.
1t was during a heated discussion at
this time that Mr.. Galliher threatened
to resign. Mr.. Larner declared his be-
lief that IL DIR. Moten was to be dis
missed at least three members Of the
also caused friction. should be dis
missed. DR.. Childs promptly made a
motion to the effect that the three
teachers in question should be trans
ferred to other buildings.
A compromise was effected. however,
the members Of the board opposing DR..
Moten agreeing to plan whereby the
principal and her entire faculty are
to remain. but are to be summoned be-
fore the superintendent Of schools and
understand definitely that all friction
at the colored normal school must
cease Immediately, the alternative be-
ing a summary dismissal of any men,
bers Of the faculty who are found vfo-
lating this understanding.
The board of education can dismiss
teachers. under the law. only upon the
written recommendation Of the superin-
tendent Of schools.
Difficult Problem to Solve.
The question of policy toward the col
ored normal school, which has been
long a source of friction. has been one
of the most difficult which has come be-
fore the board this year. During the
last several months both Supt. Thurston
and several individual members of the
board, have made personal investigations
to learn the best methods of eliminat-
ing this friction.
Those supporting the superintendent's
recommendation yesterday were in
favor of waiting a longer time before
taking action. The opposing members,
however, felt that nothing was to be
gained by delaying the matter longer.
The term of one member of the board
of education who supported the recon-
mendation of Mr.. Thurston yesterday
expires today and new member comes
on tomorrow in his place The retir-
ing member is DR.. Marshall, his sue
cessor being Fountain Peyton. who is
to be sworn in at the Franklin tomor-
row.
Whether or not the split which oc-
Cured behind closed doors yesterday
will be aired" at the public meeting
tomorrow could not be learned. 1t is
known. however, that a definite move
ment is being made today to obtain
unity when the board meets tomorrow
afternoon. The five opposing members
quite likely will offer candidates from
their own ranks for officeship on the
board. Which side Mr.. Peyton will
Join upon his formal admission to the
board is not known. but the opposing
members will hold the balance of
power, no matter with which side he
aliDns bip,salf