New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-18
Newark School
Flag Incident
Did Not Occur
Unknown Woman lmper.
sonated Teacher at Inter-
view with Reporter

On March 8. on its first page, The
Tribune printed the story that class
in one of the public schools Of Newark
had struck against singing "The Star
Spaugled Banner" and had walked out
vhistling instead "Die Wacht am
Rhine" 1t was untrue. as The Tribune
row believes after a careful investiga-
tion. The Misrepresentation, whether
piemeditated or not. was carried far,
and ended in the false impersonation
of one Of the most respected teachers
in the Newark school system.
First. The Tribune received letter
from woman for many years promi-
nent in educational and literary work
in Newark, declaring that such an incl
Gcnt had taken place. The Tribune on
the following day sent one Of its re-
porters to investigate. BY appointment
the reporter met a young woman, who
gave as her own the name of a teacher
well known in Newark; said the revolt
Rad occurred in her class, and asked
that her name be withheld The meet
ing took place IN Bamberger's depart
ment store. Newark. on March Z. The
reporter then communicated by tele-
phone with third woman IN Newark.
who had been mentioned by the original
informant. She gave corroboratlon, al
though now she asserts she believed
herself 10 be talking about an incident
in which only one boy in a high school
assembly had refused TO sing patri-
otic song.
Immediately following the publica-
tion Of the story the Newark Board
Of Education began an investigation.
Il failed to discover the teacher the
incident, or the school. The Tribune
thereupon set about the task Of estab-
fishing the truth Of the story without
revealing the teachers name. In the
course of that investigation The Trib-
une learned that the young woman who
kept the appointment in Bambergers
department store was not the teacher
whose name she used, and that the
story. as 10 appeared in The Tribune,
WAS an cXaggeratiOn of an incident
that had taken place several months
before. when small boy had refused
10 sing flag song. An effort is being
made 10 locate the young woman who
in- personated the teacher.
The Tribune sincerely regrets prlnt-
irg the untruthful article.
fB, The STANDARD News Association
Newark. y. j., March II. The mys-
tery that followed publicity given ar
alleged unpatriotic occurrence in pub
lie school here by pupils OF class re-
fusing 20 sing "The Star-Spangled Ban
rcrT but instead whistled "Die Wacht
am Rhein" was cleared to-day, when
Wiss Louise Connolly. an employe OF
he Free Public Library. acknowledged
that she had supplied the information
which resulted IN the publicity by
daily newspaper in New York City. The
reported occurrence, u was announced
today. was confined TO one boy, and
had happened some months ago.
Miss Connolly declared that she had
told Of the occurrence essentially as
she had heard il. and not as matter
Of personal knowledge
"My purpose in telling it, she said,
twas 10 give the text for an essay o.
editorial on the effect upon cnildren's
minds of the political discussions they
near and the danger Of letting them
get their emotions wrought up without
explaining things 10 them.
She said fhc was unconscious OF the
possible effects her "anecdote' would
create. and expressed regret Tor the
Annoyance 10 had apparently caused
10 the public schools. their authorities
or any others concerned.