The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-07-03
REDDINC

Redding, July 3-While Mrs. Helen
Hickok of Bethel, for several years
the capable and satisfactory assistant
teacher at the Center school in this
town was re-engaged for another
year there is a virtual certainty that
the school committee will cancel the
engagement as a clause in the con-
tract permits them to do upon giving
80 days notice. The reason for such
probable action are utterances on her
part not consistent with patriotism
Feeling that disloyalty or anything
approaching it should disqualify the
possessor from acting as a public
school instructor, She committee dele
gated ]. B. Sanford, one of their num-
Der, to interview Mrs. Hickok for the
purpose of learning her sentiments
on the subject at issue. Her state
ments plainly showed that although
not a supporter of the German cause
she had become a victim to one form
of Pro-German propaganda. She
said that she did not approve of the
war, that the Administration had
been wrong in declaring war and that
the war was being waged on behalf
of big business interests for money
making purposes. Mr.. Sanford ask
ed if, in case her 10 year old son were
drafted would she permit him to fight.
At this inquiry Mrs. Hickok, who has
recently shown evidences of heart
weakness, tainted and the interview
terminated. 1t had been conducted
by Mr.. Sanford in the most gentle
and considerate manner.
When he made his report to the
committee they were of one mind
as to Mrs. Hickok's unfitness to con-
tinue to teaching although definite
action in the case is yet to be taken
by them.
Because of personal esteem and
appreciation of her good work in the
Center school and also because of
what they consider extenuating cir
cumstances her attitude moved them
to sympathy and regret rather than
indignation. They desired to keep
the matter quiet, but as organist of
the Methodist church in Bethel, Mrs.
Hickok was also on the defensive in
that town and the natural result of
the double agitation has been much
publicity. The incident which To-
cused attention upon her in Bethel
was her refusal to play 1.-THE Star
Spangled Banner at a church SER
vice. After Rev. Mr.. Shackelton,
the minister, gave out the selection,
the choir waited expectantly for the
opening notes on the organ, but no
sound came from the instrument and
70 %
shook her head. She had previous
ly declared that she would not play
the National anthem. After the SER
vice the minister sought an explana-
ton from her, but obtained nothing
satisfactory. Afterwards a commit
tee of the church considered the af-
fair and acquitted the organist of will
uIcontumacy. The general feeling
| against her was so strongly evidenced
| by the church people, however, that
she has resigned her position.
Her war views cannot be accounted
for on racial grounds as she is native
| born and of English descent. Their
| handspring Is doubtless a fear that
her son may have to undergo the
perils of active military service, 8
! lear luleHStueu 10 nOGDlully ny COuuI-
| lions of ill-health. AS a member of
the local school committee expressed
| it, ut seems to be a case Of exagger-
ated mother love and as such invites
compassion, although this should not
| lessen the condemnation due her I'M
patriotic sentiments"
The total Of pledges obtained last
week in the Savings Stamps drive was
81, 505,S5, not a star record as COM
pared with some of the others to the
towns war credit but regarded on the
whole as fairly satisfactory. Besides
this sum there is applicable to Red
ding's quota nearly $4,000 represented
by stamp purchases, previous to the
drive. By districts last weeks sub
scriptoins were as follows: George
town, $3021.55; West Redding, ss,213.-
As; Ridge, $3,204.S5; Center, $2,065.T.
In the Ridge section go of the 800 on
the list gave pledges and most OF the
other ten were away when the can
vassers called. The indications are
THAT by the end Of the year the town
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