The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-05-27
HEARS
BRUCE CASE
TOMORROW
Parents League Completes
Charges Against Assistant
Superintendent Of Schools.

superintendent OF SCHOOLS.
Attorneys for the Parents League
today completed the list OF charges
which will be filed against Roscoe c
Bruce. colored assistant superintend-
cnt of schools. at q meeting OF tao
Board of Education tomorrow.
While the specific charges have not
been given out BY the officers OF the
league. representing about 10000
Washington residents, IL was stated
today that three requests would be
made to the board. They are:
1. Immunity for the teachers called
upon to testify against Mr.. Bruce
?. A public hearing Of the Bruce
case.
3. Action by the board in summon
ing the teacher-witnesses listed by
the Parents League.
willing to Testify.
The Parents League estimates
that two-thirds of the colored teach
ers OF Washington are willing to
testify against Mr.. Bruce in the mat
ter OF conditions in the public
schools" said DR.. G. N. Tanner, one
Of the officials OF the league These
teachers will be reluctant about tes-
tifying, however. II they are not
granted immunity from possible
'preJudicial action
Feeling is widespread among the
colored people Of Washington that the
Bruce matter be decided at once
said the Rev James L. Pinn today.
The movement against Mr.. Bruce as
not spasmodic and will continue until
the assistant. superintendent is re-
moved from Office. The Parents
League is devoted to the advancement
of civic Improvement and has pledged
itself to continue the tight until Mr.
Bruce is dismissed. We feel confident
eede to the trend Of public opinion in
this matter.
Board Issues Statement.
The Board Of Education, through
George E. Hamilton, issued a state
ment yesterday formally setting to-
morrow as the date upon which
charges may be received The state
ment follows:
ION the Tth day OF May. 1919. a Pc
tition with numerous signatures was
presented to the Board of Education
requesting the removal from Office
OF Mr.. Roscoe c. Bruce, assistant SUI
perintendent OF colored schools in the
District OF Columbia.
This petition, alleging ineffciency,
but containing no specific charge was
received by the board with the state
ment that IL would be considered. but
that its allegations were too general
in character and that definite charges
in writing. signed by responsible par
ties, were required as a ground for
trial These charges were promised,
but have not been presented
"On May p counsel for Mr. Bruce
appeared before the board requesting
that opportunity be given his client
to vindicate himself. and to that end
urged investigation.
VIII Make Investigation. -
The Board of Education will make
and as a preliminary
step for the purpose OF receiving any
charge that may be made will hold a
special meeting at 4:3O on May: rs.
Charges, il presented, should be made
in writing, definite in character and
signed by parties making the same"
While many interesting features
are expected to come up in the Bruce
hearing, the one which is attracting
probably the widest attention is that
Of The Boule."
The Boule" will be mentioned IN
the data presented by the Parents
League as a secret society composed
Of colored men OF Washington, the
members of which are said to be
pledged to uphold their felIowmem-
bers without regard to ethics" in
any controversy which may arise.
Just what connection The BouIe"
has with the Bruce affair is not
definitely known, and so the mention
" ha In h.
by the Parents League is being
awaited with considerable interest.
Charges Made Tomorrow.
While the principal list of charges
against the assistant superintendent
will be made tomorrow, the Parents
League is preparing a list Of sup
Elemental charges, which will be pre-
sented at a future meeting Of the
Board of Education.
The case OF the Parents League.
t is said, will be based mainly on
he following contention:
That Roscoe c. Bruce, assistant
of coIored schools
Turing his administration of said
schools, has by his many acts of ON
mission and commission forfeited the
confidence and lost the respect OF the
parents Of the children in the public
schools of the District"
The charges will be presented to
he board a. being sufficient proof. IN
he minds of the members of the
'arents' League, of the correctness OF
heir claims.
Five Meetings Tonight.
Preliminary to the presentation OF
he charges tomorrow, there will be
I'VE anti-Bruce mass meetings held
y the 10000 members of the Par
ntS' League tonight.
The meetings will be held in the
GLOWING churches: Ebenezer A. NJ.
:. Shiloh Baptist, Zion, Metropoli-
an y. NJ. T., and New Bethel Bap-
list Overflow meetings will also
C held.
The following speakers will al
ress the audiences at the various
mass meetings: Dr. {. NJ Tanner.
Iiss y. n. Burroughs. r. W. Thomp-
on. c. = Hill. Mrs. Anna Murray.
Irs. f. $. Tanner, W. d. Jarvis, w.
alvin Chase. and H. J. Calls.
During a meeting of the Baptist
PASTORS Union OF Washington and
'icinity yeste-Alay. the twenty-five
OF the organization pledged
heir support to the Parents Lee que
n the light against Mr.. Bruce.