New-York tribune., 1918-12-02

needed for this school A deadlock re-
suited.
!, by the appointment to other posi-
uons. of the women ahead of Miss
Cording on tho eligible list that lady
Is at last eligible for appointment. An
offer of the principalship of another
school In Queens Borough was made
IN September to Miss Cording in the
expectation that Mr.. Ryan would be
content with that solution and would
not persist in putting woman where
the superintendent, after repeated de-
liberation, were certain that an infu-
sion of masculine influence was essen
tial for the 681 boys. But Mr.. Ryan.
supported by majority, against the
advice of President Somers, appears
determined to make this test case to
prove whether he can force the plac-
ing OF his own candidate in the posi-
ton which he himself selects, and the
school remains headless.
Superintendents Sought
One Above Criticism
Last spring Mr. Denbigh, the princi-
pal of the Morris High School, one of
the largest IN the city, resigned, the
resignation to take effect in Septem-
ber. Before the Board of Superintend-
cessor the word ran round the schools
and was reported to associate super
intendcnts that any form of careful
choice for this powerful post of high
school principal would be only farce
and qualified teachers would but waste
their time to apply, since a coterie Of
board members and influential outsid-
ers had virtually promised the appoint
ment of Arthur A. Boy Ian
tendents took special pains that itss
selection should be above criticism. 1t
interviewed numerous candidates. made
wide inquiries, and, after ascertaining
that the president of the board had no
objection to any one of six candidates
to be finally scrutinized. on June 3
last, it nominated Joseph K. Van Den
burg
Mr.. Van Denburg is graduate of
Wesleyan University and q doctor OF
philosophy of Columbia University. He
has had varied teaching experience in
both high and elementary schools, in
side and outside of New York. having
been the successful principal of large
elementary schools in Manhattan for
ten years. He has made original in
veshgations of merit into high school
problems and was enthusiastically in
dorsed by the most eminent author-
ties on secondary education in the
state, Dean Russell and Professors
Strayer and Briggs of Teachers Col
lege.
On the plea that the Morris High
School was to be divided into an aca-
demlc and q commercial school the
Board of Education refused to CON
! hrm the nomination of Mr.. Van Den
burg and the schoo' reopened in Sep
tember without principal. When the
fnr - :
board of superintendent and the
Board of Education was held to con-
slder these vacant positions. At that
conference Aiming S. Prall, the mem
bor from Staten Island, demanded
that the board of superintendents nom
mate for one position friend and
nelghbor of his, William R. Hay
Der for The Bronx. voiced the demand
that Arthur A. Bovlan be named
principal of the Morris High School.
PRESIDENT Somers and Mrs Russell
clearly disappraved the attitude of the
majority.
Board Again Sends
Back Nomination
The Board of Superintendents gave
way to the demand that Mr. Hayward
be nominated for the commercial
school, though 1t Is plain that heir un-
dictated choice would have fallen else
where. But with respect to Mr.. Van
Denburg they stuck to their guns, and
again, on Wednesday last, the Board
of Education sent back the nomina-
tion, President Somers and Mrs. Rus
sell being recorded against that action.
No charge is made that the Board of
Superintcndents did not honestly
search for the best man or that their
principles Of selection are open to
criticism Board members simply
claim that their personal friendships
and the accidents of residence shall
be the determining factors. Should
their contentious prevail, it will be
more important for teachers to cult
vate the acquaintance of members of
the board than to display special pro-
hciency in their work.
SO the issue is squarely Joined.
| Educators and citizens who want the
spirit and letter Of the law observed
and principals to be named not for
personal, political or religious affilia-
tions, but exclusively for professional
competence will strengthen the Board
of Superintendents by expressing to
its members and to the public their
! Endorsement Of It's attitude.