The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-10-19
SCHOOL RMTING
new TAMMANY
POLITICAL TRICK
Walter H. Gilpatric. Mem
ber of Board Of Educa-
ton. Makes Charges.
"STRIKERS' ARE INCITED
Agitation Against Gary Sys-
tenn in East Side Spreads
to The Bronx.

Charges that Tammany influence 10
the leading cause for the school riots on
the upper East Side that spread yester-
day to The Bronx we're made yesterday
by Walter II. Gilpatric. 4 member Of
the Board Of Education and chairman
Of . special committee dealing with the
cary system.
1T would he absurd to suppose" he
said, "that the children would start such
q campaign Of their own notion. We
it b a great pity that Tammany's ac-
tivities In this rank undertaking have
not been exposed to the public.
Politics or no politics, we will per-
nit this thing to go no further. This
sxploitation Of children for political pur-
poses has got to stop and order must
be restored in the schools"
II was announced by President Will.
lam O. Wilcox OF the Board Of Educa-
toin that steps have been taken through
he bureau of truancy. in coopera ton
with the police, to arrest the Singlead ders
Of the riots and delve the situation to
Us depths. Agents of the board were
reported to be working on the upper
East Side and in The Bronx last night
The part that mothers, older boys whv
~ not in schools and a few men have
played In the riots OF the last three
days 10 regarded as Significant.
The revolt spread to The Bronx yes
tsrday and ran to greater pitch Of ex-
element Seven schoolhouses were be-
lAaRuArAd ho
children were at one time or another en-
ssged In the fracas. One man. two
women and ten children were arrested
during the course Of the morning and
sasiy afternoon.
Suspect Seized by Police.
John Finn Of 1851 Batheate avenue,
u years old. was charged with melting
he children to riot at Public School 55,
but vas discharged by Magistrate Groehl
n the MOrrisania Court for lack Of evil
,ence.
President Wilcox has turned over the
investisation Of yesterdays revolt In
The Bronx to District Superintendent
Joseph : Taylor. II was stated that the
police did not catch the ringieaders in
ne roundup of ten schoofboys in The
Bronx yesterday after riots during the
morning session and noon hours.
Superintendent Taylor echoed Mr. Gill
oar'cs view that the strike has been
tnstgated by politicians. but said that
ignorance on the part of the parents was
responsible in large measure for the ex-
tent TO which the protest was carried.
u was pointed out that at Public
school 81. Freeman street and Intervale
avenue, The Bronx. around which the
turmoil seethed Yesterday. the Gary sys-
TEN was installed at the time the school
vas opened last September. The chill
d-en have known no other system. and It
'ould not he supposed they would strike
;or another system Of which they had
20 knowledge At Public School so the
Gary system has been In use for two
ears, and in that time there have not
'een half dozen complaints to tho prin-
opal by mothers or teachers, Super;n-
'endent Taylor stated.
dothers Ignorant Of System.
Few OF the mothers who have Joined
'he!r children In the crusade against the
schools understand what the Gary sys-
lem means except that it's sessions are
an hour longer than formerly. In every
pafade there has been more Haunting Of
political banners and spitfire demonstra-
Ions against the Mitchell name than ar
sument
In the last three days the disturb
ances on the upper East Side and In Tho
Bronx have been marked by school van
alism. Principals have stood inside their
nnlces, the victims Of pelting stones and
'yins glass, and the police have been
otten and struck with missiles. Yester-
say the demonstrations took on a
nedisval atmosphere with garbage can
sod fT.r l.
o. coppers' sticks. Good housewives from
second stories Jubilantly tossed milk bot
YES 10 aid their gladiators on the street
The Boaud Of Education's inquiry and
mat Of Judge Mayo of the Children's
'ourt are expected to reach the bottom
VI the trouble. The authorities wero
Inclined for two days to let the strike
wear out Of itself, but sterrier mea asures
VIII be taken.
Public Schools so and 81 were the
parIicular hotbeds for the sprouting re-
oeuion These schools are at Bryant
".enue and 1920 street and Freeman
slee' and lntervale avenue. Windows
~ school 81 were broken Wednesday
snt and at 80 yesterday morning the
S.orm again began. A parade formed
thd proceeded up TO School so, where
zHy Walfin. IL years old, made re-
marks from soap box.
Al noon the truants circied through
'he section TO Public School 6, at IRE.
mont and Fyse avenues. and to School
w. al l'sth street and Prospect ave-
nue. where the most violent riotinK
'ook place One policeman was injured
ana capt, Savage Of the Fourteenth In
spec'ion district, who commanded the
reserves. narrowly escaped injury from
stone that broke the windshield Of