The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1919-06-07

cion by the Department of Justice
as an alien SPY. AS a result of their
investigations, pictures were found
in his possession of a type which
constitutes criminal offense under the
local code. Upon this charge, he was
tried and convicted by the Supreme
Court Of the District Of Columbia.
1t developed during the trial that
one Colored teacher aided Moens. It
should be said, however, in justice
to the teacher, who was deceived
into aiding Prof. Moens. is a woman
OF unusual culture and refinement
with a finished European education.
She is over fifty years of age, and
has wide and intimate acquaintance
among the best people of Washington,
both white and Colored. Her repu-
tation, her character, and high pur-
pose have never, been challenged,
and even In the midst Of this dis
tressing ordeal, it remains unim-
peached.
When 1t was revealed at the trial
that this teacher had Leen aiding
Moens. the Colored population be-
came inflamed and demanded her
immediate withdrawal from the teach
ing force. Unfortunately, the school
board permitted this teacher to con-
tinue her school duties at the Dun
bar High School as If nothing had
happened. The enraged populace un-
der the leadership of the Parents
League picketed the high school
building and forced the withdrawal
Of the teacher. This teacher, while
declaring her own integrity of pur-
pose, recognized the embarrassing
situation and rendered her resigna-
tion. Had the Board of Education
acted upon the advice of the as
sistent superintendent, and caused
this teacher to withdraw from the
teaching force the resultant confusion
and turmoil would not have arisen.
POpulace Incensed.
By this time the populace had be-
come iDcensed and felt that their
protest had forced the resignation
Of the Objectionable teacher and that
the school board had failed in their
plain duty to safeguard the moral
welfare of the Colored children placed
under their charge, to which thous-
ands responded.
1t was alleged that there were
other "Moen teachers" who must be
eliminated. A petition with 10000
signatures was presented to the
Board of Education demanding the
dismissal. of the assistant superin-
tendent in charge of the public
schools, who was held answerable
for the beginning until now.
Assistant Superintendent Bruce, It
but fair to state, did all that was
possible under the limitation of his
powers to have the Moens propa-
ganda excluded from the schools. He
is In no Gense blameworthy for any
Of the scandal growing out of this
affair. But the Parents League
shifted their attack suddenly to Mr..
Bruce, and demanded his immediate
dismissal. All OF his imperfections,
real or alleged, during his whole
career were catalogued.
Teachers Ask Probe.
The teaching body, feeling keenly
the stigma cast upon them, petition
ed the Board Of Education to in
vestigate the affair and to isolate
and punish the guilty, II any, and
vindicate the good name Of the rest.
The Department Of Justice has de-
clared 1t has no information in its
possession which involves the name
of single teacher in the Moens case
other than the one already referred
to.
The President Of the Board of Ed
ucation has informed the president
Of the Parents League that "All ru-
mors or intimations to the effect that
any other teachers or officials were
involved in the case are absolutely
without foundation in fact. 1t should
be definitely and finally stated that
no official within the system has
been discovered who was in any
way involved except to aid in the
process Of exposing the unfortunate
conditions found to be existent"
Notwithstand this declaration on
the part Of the Department OF JUS
tice and the Board of Education, the
Parents League still continues to
hold mass meetings and to repeat,
"Bruce must CO."
Board Permits Hearing.
The Board OF Education has A.
nally decided to give the Parents
League hearing and to allow Mr..
Bruce to plead to any charges that