South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-02-17
TEACHERS NOT IN
FAVOR OF CHANGE
Three Hundred Write Letters
Urging That Montgomery
be Retained.
(CoNTINUED FROM PAGE ONE)

stated that she thought more or her
own Job than she did Of Mr. Mont
gomery's Notwithstanding the injus-
tice she believed was being done
him.
The denial given out by Mr..
Byers follows
we. the undersigned teachers in
the grammar school. certify that Mr..
Byers never said nor in any way
intimated that we would lose our
Jobs IL We took a hand in the fight
either for or against Mr. Montgom-
cry"
This statement bears the names
Of Belle Kennedy. Katharine Kinerk.
Minnie NJ. Suchanek, Mabel c..
DroIlinger. Grace S. Wilcox. Maude
Heath. Elda l. Holland Anne Carl
son. X. Verna Wise, NJ. Byerley,
Hazel Robbins, Zoe Wyland, Mary
b. McInerny. Mary CannO, c. G..
Shearer. Esther l.. Devin. Adelaide
I.amport. Evelyn X. Harsch. Minnie
g. French, Alto Ives and Nellie
Briggs.
At a meeting Of the Press club
resolutions asking that Mayor KEEL
Ter require his appOintees on the
school board. William Glen and +.
B. Rupel. who voted against Mr..
Montgomery. 10 give their reasons
for such action were adopted. Fol
lowing are the resolutions:
The Resolutions.
Whereas: The summary removal
OF Supt L. J. Montgomery from the
position Of superintendent of the
public schools has caused wide
spread disapproval among the cit
liens OF South Bend. and
Whereas: The action Of f. 3.
Rupel and William Glenn as the ma
jority members Of the board who
voted TO dismiss the superintendent
has not been sufficiently explained to
convince the public that the dismiss
al was warranted. and
Whereas: The South Bend Press
club believes taxpayers and patrons
OF the public schools have a right TO
know the specific causes for said
dismissal. be it therefore
Resolved: That this club ask
Mayor Fred w Keller that he re-
euire said +. b. Rupel and said VIII
liam Glenn TO submit TO him in de-
renew the contract with Supt. Mont
comedy and that said reasons be pre-
scented 10 the South Bend Press club
or To any body of representative
south Bend citizens or, if deemed
advisable for the best interests Of
am concerned. that said reasons be
published in the newspapers Of
south Bend; and be it further
Resolved: That. copy OF these
resolutions he presented TO the ma
yor and that he be urged TO give the
same immediate attention.
THE SOUTH BEND PRESS CLUB.
No definite action had been taken
last night by the business men. De
iay in taking action, however, is not
due TO disinterestedness. according
To those who are backing the super
intendent. but merely To the fact
that there is a desire 10 avoid being
too hasty" A general committee of
so or rs men is being named and
from this number there will be Sc
lected the few who may represent
the business interests OF the city in
a conference with the citys chief
executive
That opposition 10 the action Of
Messrs. william elem and L. b.
Rupel. members Of the board of
education. in surreptitiously refusing
10 renew Supt. Montgomery con-
tract. is being smothered out in the
grammar school in a more strenu-
Gus manner than has been employed
in the grade schools. became known
last night. 1t is reported that Prin.
John A Byers has given teachers
under him TO understand that any
action on their part working for the
retention OF Supt. Montgomery Will
be looked upon with decided dis
favor'-presumably when it comes
10 renewing their contracts.
Prin. Bvers, { is asserted, is par
ticularIy interested. for some reason
in having Supt MONTGOMERY eHmi-
mated from the school system
Whether Fred l.. Sims. high school
principal has been exercising such
influence. has not. as ye., leaked
out
A certain shrinking OF principals
and teachers in the grade schools
from a continuation Of their former
activities in Supt. MONTGOMERY be-
half mas also hottceAoiY ueNel'pSu
in certain quarters. The forces in
opposition 20 Mr.. Montgomery are
said 10 be leaving no stones unturn-
ed 10 drive dissention among the
teachers with regard 10 the action
If the board under cover. Threat:
that there will be a lot OF vacancies
for new teachers In South Bend next
year appear 10 be making certain
present teachers cautious. The right
OF an American school ma'am Il
have an opinion OF her own. and q
act according 10 il. is seemingly be
ing put down by adherents Of th'
Rupel-Clem autocracy as sediuon h
not treason.