The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-05-29
EVIDENCE IN
CASE AGAINST
BRUCE ISLOST
Prosecutors. Say, However,
They Will Still Be Able to
Prove UnfitneSS.

Formal investigation Of the case OF
Roscoe c. Bruce, assistant superin-
tendent Of schools. was started to-
day by the Board of Education. fol-
lowing a special meeting yesterday at
which the Parents League submitted
charges against the school official.
The inquiry Of the board, at pres
ent. will be to determine whether
there are grounds, for a formal hear
ing Officials Of the Parents League
declared the slush fund letter and the
petition of 10000 members OF the
Parents League for the removal OF
Mr.. Bruce were sufficient grounds for
a hearing.
When the hearing rs held the Par
ents League say they will produce
afhdavits and witnesses-teachers,
parents, and students-in sufficient
| numbers to convince the board OF the
| justice Of the charges against Mr..
| Bruce.
Evidence Is Lost.
During the meeting it was brought
out that material relative to the
/ Bruce case, presented to the Board
OF Education at a previous session,
| had been lost or mislaid.
The story OF the mislaId evidence was
/ brought out when mention was made
Of the fact that the material had been
| given to the board.
! II did not know anything about
that" declared Fountain Peyton, col
! ored member OF the board. 81 would
like to see the communication, II pos
sible."
George E. Hamilton, president Of the
board, then asked Secretary Hine for
the letter, but it could not be found.
Mr. Ralston presented copy OF the
letter to the board.
George c. Smith, chairman Of the
committee on public schools OF the
| Colored Central Northwest Citizens
Association. filed charges against Mr.
| Bruce during the board meeting. The
charges will be considered by the
board together with those submitted
by the Parents League.
Bruce Anxious for Trial
Henry E. Davis, representing Mr.,
Bruce, stated that the assistant super
| intendent is anxious to answer all
charges which may be brought against
him by his opponents.
'EMr.. Bruce is ready to stand trial
| il necessary, and am confident that
he will be cleared OF all stigma and
his position vindicated," said Mr..
| Davis. HE will not attempt to bring
| forward propaganda representing the
| views of thousands of people, but
will stand alone and answer all
charges"
Mr.. Hamilton explained the pur-
pose of the special meeting to those
attending the session and said that
the board stood ready to consider spe-
cifc charges, but would not consider
generalities.
The Parents League today issued
the following statement through the
Rev. DR.. F. :. Tanner: 1--WE cannot
understand why the Board Of Educa-
ton should insist upon more definite
/ charges than those already brought
| forward by the 10000 members Of the
/ Parents League. The league charge:
that confidence in Mr.. Bruce has de,
clined, and that his usefulness is Al
an end. These charges do not grow
out of a sudden campaign. Mr.. Bruce
has been under fire for several years
His removal has been requested time
and time again, but not until now has
there been an organized movement
against him.
1 Can't Accomplish Much.
ITO all fair-minded and right-think
ing people, it must be evident that {
school official who has lost the re
spect of 10000 parents OF the children
OF the colored schools will not accom-
pIish much through his Office.
is it not already apparent that tn,
opposition of the board to the re-
quest of the people is giving mo-
mentum to the fight against Mr.
Bruce and rendering him less usefu
to the cOIOred schools every day."
The 10000 members of the Parents
League are today being notified OF {
mammoth mass meeting in the Met
ropolitan A NJ. +. Church next Tues
day night. Since the church will no
hold the entire membership Of thu
! Parents League a number OF over
flow meetings will be held.