New Britain herald., 1916-07-08
Tou,n Topics

Considerable publicity has been
 given to- and much interest taken in
 the wrangle between the principal of
 our High school, reported as voicins
 the sentiments of the superintendent
 of schools, and the High School Ath-
 Ietic Council during the last week.
 Indications are that the principal
 superintendent forces are to make an
 attempt to Oust the alumni council
 members in case they do not bow sub
 missive1y to their demand. And, 1t is
 said, they will not. What will be the
 result on High school athletics? When
 the High school athletic council was
 first organized to supervise athletics at
 the school sports were in a bad way.
 Teams did not support themselves ond
 no such records were made before as
 since. The council was composed of
 faculty members, representing the
 school, the managers of football, base
 Eall and basketball, representing the student body, and three alumni mem-
 ters, representing the graduates,
 whose interest in the school has al-
 ways been great. Originally the
 faculty members gave the benefit of
 their advice and knowledge, the man.
 agers conducted the real business and the alumni members, with the faculty, directed them wisely and saw to 1t that their equipment and instruction
 was proper. But their duty did not end there It was up to the alumni members to keep alive interest anon g themselves and it is safe to say that without the support of the alumni body athletics at High school would Dicorn5i+ !, a alumni councilmen without cause and it is safe to predict failure for the school future. Such men powerful in public life as Senator George w. .Klett and others are immensely interested in tor Klett is. himself president of an alumni organization to assist the school in raising funds for an athletic field and to encourage the boys
 The whole trouble has arisen over the election of Dr. Frank Zwick as football coach. Principal Slade, os- tensibly at the request of Superinten- dent Holmes, has informed the council he is persona non grata. The alumni councilmen do not pro- pose to be dictated to and have said so. The faculty members have resigned. Now the alumni council members have asked Prin- cipal Slade to give them definite reasons for the coach's discharge and if he fails to reply they are going to take the matter directly to the school board next week.
 The trouble dates back about a year. Dr. ZWick is strenuous man, has dealt with strenuous men and re- ceived his athletic training from the strenuous college coaches He be- came imbued with their methods. It was charged that he was too strenuous in his language and the council re- quested him to be more moderate. He did so and things seemed to be running along smoothly. Last fall he turned out a championship football team. During the basketball season the son of the superintendent of schools with another youth are said to have alleged that they heard the coach speak too strongly to the captain. Professor M. F. Davis, who was be- side the coach at the very moment, de- clared to the council that he heard no such remarks. After this episode the council learned that superintendent Holmes was credited with the state ment that he would not permit Dr. ZWlck to remain as coach. Later Slade asked that he be not re-enga ged and is said to have finally admitted that he was voicing the su- perintendont's views. Then he de- manded the coach's release.
 In thirteen years the athletic council has directed a dozen cham pionship football teams It has paid all bills and today has a good balance. 1,o school better. Is there then any reason for the superintendent via the to interfere? Coming back to he matter a issue however, a most careful study of the constitution of the athletic council, adopted in January, '912, fails to disclose anything that gives the principal of the school or the superintendent of the school any final authority. The prin- 2ipal is remarked in the constitution a5 being member ex off1cio.
 New Britain's observation of the ! Fourth came as near being q model 'afe and sane Fourth as cooperation of the citizens and an efficient police 1 department could make it. The po- ice did their work we'll handling | Tatlc in q splendid manner and pre- l fenting any semblance of rowdism or | he promiscuous discharge of fire 'rhs. What arrests here were for | his violation were through ignor- tnCe or the part of the offenders | ather than intentional disregard for, | aw and order.
 Compare the ohservat ation of this | ear and that of July 12q2 and what | difference there is. Eighteen yeare z" the celebration was possibly tho | l"iseSt that this city has ever seen. The war with Spain had been in force bout two months and excitement was 't fever heat. July 4 fell on Monday ! md on the "daY before" news was lash Cd over the wires of the Ameri- L.