Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-16
GOWING TRANQUIL
AS BATTLE RACES
Undisturbed by His Election
as Principal of Girls
High School
SHALLCROSS PASSES LIE

While the battle between the pro-Gowing
and anti-Gowing members of the Board of
Education has been raging for the last four
days, the principal in the affair. DIR. Fred
Gowlng, has been upstate attending the
deathbed of one brother and the sickbed
OF another-entirely unconscious, he said
this afternoon, of the fracas that his speedy
election to the principalship of the Girls
High School as Miss Katharine T.. Pun
cheons successor caused.
Miss Puncheon resigned because she is
soon to be married. Her resignation did
not go through the hands of DR.. John p
CARRIER Superintendent of Schools but was
kept secret from him. as we'll as from DR.
Edward Martin, member of the Board of
Education. out of this secrecy and the
so-called "railroading' of Doctor Gowing
into the office, without consideration of other
capable candidates, grew the quarrel be-
tween Doctor Martin and Simon Gratz.
and other members of the Board whom
Doctor Martin accused of electing Doctor
Gowing purely on the grounds of personal
friendship.
Back in his office in the Stephen Girard
Building today. Doctor Gowing expressed
his total ignorance not only of the contro-
versy, but also of any previous knowledge
OF his election before that event took place
II had no idea of Miss Puncheon's resig-
nation" he said. II did not know that I
had been nominated to succeed her
did not even know that I had been elected
until Mrs Gowing called me on the long
distance one night when | was in Scranton
at the Hotel Casey
80, as 1 haven't had time to 60 into
this fuss and don't know what it is all
about, shan't comment on it, But" he
added whimscally, "if anybody believes
that |. am merely book agent he is mis-
taken. | am classcist | have had
classical education, and | am prepared to
carry out the ideals and traditions that
have been in vogue at the Girls High
School However. haven't even accepted
the job YET
But you are going to-" he was asked
THE natural presumption is that / shall"
he replied.
Does that mean that you will resign your
position with the d. c. Heath Publishing
Company"
THE natural presumption is that / shall"
he reiterated.
In the meantime the fuss" was further
augmented by charge of untruth on the
part of Doctor Martin made by Thomas
Shallcross, member of the Board of Educa-
tion and one of Doctor Gowing's supporters
Mr.. Shallcross referred to the accusation
made by Doctor Martin that Miss Puncheon
had conspired with Mr. Gratz in keeping
secret her resignation, an accusation that
Doctor Martin retracted yesterday after
visiting Miss Puncheon.
Mr. Shallcross spoke heatedly. II know
that Doctor Martin is himself an educator of
wide reputation" he said. II fully recognize
his high position in the scientific world,
but / cannot help saying in spite of the
distinction that he enjoys, that he spoke an
untruth. I cannot say it too emphatically
He spoke an untruth, Whether it was due
deliberately or not / do not know.
THE best proof of the fact that Doctor
Martin was wrong when he accused me and
other members of the Board of Education
Of conspiring with Miss Puncheon, is the
fact that he wrote to Miss Puncheon, re-
tracing his charges"
Doctor Martin is a brother of Judge J.
Willis Martin, president of Common Pleas
Court No s. He was formerly Director of
the Department of Health and Charities and
has for many years occupied the chair in
genito-urinary surgery in the medical
school OF the University Of Pennsylvania,