The sun., 1917-12-20
TEACHERS
OUSTED; PLAN
COURT FIGHT
Shmalhausen, Mufs0n and
Schneer Found Neutral
Toward U. s.
SCHOOL BOARD ACTS
De Witt Clinton Trio to Ask
for Writ to Reopen
the Case.
CHURCHILL IS DEFENDER
schmalllausen Vote "a to 10,
Mufson 26 to 8 and Schneer
30 to 5.
CHURCHILL IS DEFENDED

Atter debate which lasted full three
hou-s, during which many bitter charges
we're made against DR.. John L. Tildsley
and Chairman John whaien Of the in
ysstigat,ng committee. the Board Of Ed
ucation voted yesterday to dismiss from
public school service the three Do Witt
Clinton teachers VINO have been undet
charges Of misconduct
Federation was made by President
Wilcox and others during the session
that no accusation of disioyalty was
made against the teachers: rather.
neutral attitude toward the Govern
rent and its war policies. The teaoh-
ers announced shortly after the verdict
hat they would appeal to the courts at
once for writ Of certiorari to reopen
~ case.
On the roll call in the case OF Samuel
u. schmelhausen the board voted ~ to
10 10 sustain the charges and dismiss
the teacher. The opposition dwindled
NO votes on the roll call In the case of
Thomas Mufson, who was accused Of
falling to declare his support Of the
President: and on the final vote A.
Henry Schneer was found guilty by 80
'oj.
Churchil Leads Opposition.
The chief opposition during the stormy
meeting was made by these i've board
MEMBERS:
Thomas W. Churchill. former presi-
'sni OF the board: DR.. Ira s. Vile, Jo-
.tph Barondess. lsadore NJ Levy. and
John Martin, member from RichmUnd.-
On the first vote Ernest +. Ellert, Mrs.
'uny B. Levy. Mrs. Ethel ]. Qu!n, Miss
Martha L. Draper and Augustus J. NIL
er voted with the opposition.
President Wilcox in opening the ses-
siou .ail that while no charge Of dis
loyalty has been made against the teach
.rs. tae question for decision was
'aic'her the teachers may he trusted to
exert positive influence in the class
room TO instil loyal support Of the Amer
iran Government in the persecution OF
'he war.
II there is any question about this
attitude he said. "the American Gov.
crnment and the American people must
have the benefit of the doubt"
lhe methods by which evidence WAS
secured against the accused teachers.
the conduct Of the hearing before the
nrestigat!ng committee and the per-
-onal attitude Of Supt. Tildsley were dis
t,Ased by the teachers defenders. chiefly
Mr. Churchill.
'Tt's the most pitiaOle travesty upon
trial that ] have ever Witnessed" he
exclaimed. mo reading OF tho testi-
nony would convince me that these men
are guilty. Any one can see through
that testimony to understand that It
vas the desire to purge De Witt Clinton
OF the iniouity that stimulated strikes.
and the lese majestic Of the attack on
Mr. whaien that led to these charges"
The investigating committee was de-
ended by DR.. Franklin II. Giddings Of
tolumbia University. Gen. George W.
"lneate and Arthur S. Somers, who
eoncluded the DEBATE.
schnalhausen's Quibslins Scored.
Mr.. sorners scored schmalhausen for
ah "qu!bbling" on the stand when he
vas asked to explain his attitude toward
resident Wilson and other constituted
authority. He declared that Schmsl-
ssasen Rad siandercd the President By
quoting him incorrectly on views relating
% freedom Of speech. Ic insisted thot
schmahausen was OF such mental cali
ore that he was unfit to continue a. a
eacher because he failed to rebuke the
MS attacking President Wilson as a
murderer
Mufson Mr.. Somers said. by his re-
usai 10 answer questions regarding r
!oya'ty on the witness stand even when
pressed by his counsel, refused to recog-
size his obligation to teach respect for
'he United States"
In upholdng the charges against
schnecr, Mr. Somers read extracts from
\
circulated in De witt Clinton High
school in which, he claimed. Schneer
'slled attention to certain books by de-
scholns them as "smutty." Other COM
heniares, as read. were sentimental In
high degree.
submit that We ought not to endure
'o's sort of thing" Mr.. Somers ex-
,@imed. throwing down the book Of evil
HeNce With deep disgust. There are
some Of US who have been brought up
y the old fashioned school who don't
oeheFe In permitting unbridled license OF
'nls sort. This is quite enough to con-
Wet that man"
Autocratic, says Levy.
Mr. Levy. defending the teachers,
h,onended that DR.. TildeIsy. had mads
' Royalty" investigation at the In
"a
o. Dc witt Clinton HIN echooi. who
sa at dasger's point" with the teach
~ accused. The passage Of the rton-
.uon attacking Conimiseioncr Whaien
so'oed Nc. the excuse for an invsstigs.
What an opportunity II was ~ ths
snepA to take aAvaatags Of this
usuon to gst back at tie tsaehofO
s no we're causing him trouhl4.s ho ~.
1nd q on record that n. paui
vAs obtained, unclaimed, 4 hav1 Mr.
now" Mr.. Lsvy sacused the iavsStl-
sAuns committee Of autocratie nn1ihols.
rot 0'ddings atfacked odhmalhaueen
ove!'ooking his duty e. , tesehes
~ ~ making no severe efttloism uf the
man letter. which denounee1 prsno.
"'' Wilson. They were ~ cpe1uente