New-York tribune., 1919-04-09
Education Board
Called Stupid by
Teachers Union
Attempt to Stifle Free Dis
cussion, Says President
Linville of Refusal to AL
low Use of Buildings

The Board of Educations declaration
of war against the Teachers Union
drew a sharp rejoinder from that or
ganization yesterday.
Because of the many attacks made
against the board by the union, and
alleged radical utterances of it's mem
bers in class rooms, the organization
was forbidden the use of school build
ings for it's meetings. An investiga-
tion of the loyalty and opinions of it's
membership was also ordered.
Henry R. Linville. president of the
Teachers Union, said yesterday that
the action of the board is short
sighted attempt to destroy the only
movement that has stood for freedom
of discussion of educational policies
and practices. In the matter of 10y
atty, he said, the record of the union
is clear and its 1,100 members are
ready for the boards inquiry.
The board" he stated, proposes to
withdraw from the union a privilege
which belongs to the teachers by nat
ural courtesy, and is endeavoring to
use its accidental position of control
to censor the thou ghts of those who
critioise the board. The schools which
belong to the people, are thereby the
SCHOOLS of the Board Of Education.
The Teachers Union denies absolutely
the validity Of this position
Will Urge Investigation
"All suggestion Of disloyalty, thrown
out possibly from official sources. are
beside the issue. At a time when the
educational system is sadly in need of
teachers the board takes action that
will create antagonism in the minds
OF thousands of instructors and fright
en- other thousands. l shall, there
at meeting to be held at Terrace
Garden, Fifty-eighth Street and Third
Avenue, on Saturday afternoon at $3.50
o'clock, the immediate organization of
an Investigating committee to work
conjointly with q public committee to
undertake the investigation of the edu.
cational system. We shall be able to
show that the Board of Education is
less qualified by education and expert
ence for the direction of the schools
than are tho teachers"
Linville charges that partisan and
personal politics determine the ap-
pointments to the higher positions In
the service. He asserted that the last
two appointments to high school po-
stions were determined on political
grounds by members Of the Board Of
Education, while the recommendations
of tho Board Of Superintendent we're
cast aside. He said the supervision
of the tenchers by fnult-fndng su-
porvisots has destroyed their profes-
sonal spirit.
Charges Cross Stupidity
"rhe union claims" hc said. "thnt
tho training given to children in the
New York schools does not prepare
them for citizenship in n democ rncv,
stupidity IL the attitude Of mind Ia the
educational system. and intelligence,
when used In criticism Of existing con
ditlons. In crushed. The tenchors can
stand these conditions no longer"
Both Arthtr s.. Somcrs, preaIdenl Of
tho Board Of Education, and Supnrn.
tendent Of Schools william l.. Eitlnqer.
Haid yesterday TINT the tenchers who
opposed tho constituted authority would
have to 20 II the board had tho nuthor-
ity to dismiss them.
DR.. Ettingor Haid he was going nhend
with his plans for investigating tho
membership Of tho organization. "Free
specch,' he said, doesn't constitute
a license to rant against the educa-
tional system. We are going to insist
on Americnnism in our schools. and
the teachers who pretend to teach one
set of doctrines in the day time and
another aet of doctrines at night. which
are not in harmony with the spirit Of
our government, will have to no."