The Washington times., 1919-05-17
SLUSH
FUNDLETTER
ISRULEDOUT
School Heads Refuse to Con-
slider Communication Against
Assistant Superintendent.

Charges that persons interested in
the defense OF Roscoe c. Bruce, as
sistant superintendent of schools,
whose removal is being demanded by
the Parents League, endeavored to
create a slush fund by taxing each
teacher in the coIored schools 50. have
been refused as evidence against DR..
Bruce, officers of the Parents League
stated today.
Bruce's supporters, the Parents
League charges. endeavored to create
the slush fund to institute damage
suits against some of Bruce's opp6-
nents in the fight which is being
waged.
The evidence presented to the board
includes a letter dated last May 5,
which is alleged to have been sent
from the office of the assistant su-
perintendent.
1t is addressed to Miss E. F. G..
Merritt, Miss Charlotte Atwood, J. C..
Bruce, Miss z. Z. Dyson, Miss NJ. p.
Shadd, Miss Lucy d. Slowe. DIR. c. H.
Thomas. Miss Anita J. Turner, and G..
c. Wilkinson.
The Letter Reads.
The letter, which is causing much
comment. in part, reads:
The untrue and unjust propaganda
by newspaper correspondence. mass
meetings, etc, that suddenly arose in
the local colored community at the
close Of the Moens trial has. in the
deliberate opinion Of the undersign-
ed teachers and officers Of the public
! schools Of the District, tended grave
1-r - ~ "a 81
schools (as shown for example in the
attitude OF some pupils and some
parents); damage the good name of
our teaching corps as a whole. both
here in the city of Washington and
elsewhere; to array certain misin-
formed elements in our community
I against their public school teachers
as a class.
"If at all possible under the law.
we are determined to rehabilitate our
good name and to recover damages
| for an irrepairable injury wrought.
We hereby band ourselves together
! to authorize you to act for us in the
capacity of an executive committee.
Thus we authorize you specifically to
collect evidence and to engage and
pay competent counsel to bring about,
| if not criminal proceedings, then a
civil suit, or suits, against the men
and women who, in your judgment
have done us and our schools the
/ grievous wrong.
| I'VE hereby authorize you and those
whom you may delegate with special
| duties, to incur In our name certain
expenses for counsel fees and court
proceedings. Each OF us hereby ex-
pressly contracts with you to meet
! these expenses pro ratl in accordance
with his present salary.
Mrs. Tanner Asks Action
"The evidence presented in this let
ter. if investigated. and found to Re
weII-based, should be sufficient for
immediate action by the board" said
Mrs. F. S. Tanner, president Of the
| Parents League. 'T cannot under
stand why the Board OF Education has
put off action on the petition oi
/ l 5000 people for the removal OF Mr.
I Bruce, when sentiment for such ac-
ton is so widespread"
The Rev. Or. j. Milton Waldron, ar
official of the Parents League. ex-
pressed the hope tnaL the Board OF
Education will see fit to mako some
announcement regarding the petition
Of the Parents League at its next
meeting Wednesday.
In letter. received today. DR..
| George Richardson. president Of the
| Public Interest Association of East
! Washington. says:
! 81 beg to correct an impression
! evidently made by the article pub
/ Iished in The Times OF the 10th in
| slant to the effect that the above
| named association has Endorsed the
| purposes of the league No official
action whatever has been taken by
| the association as to the wisdom oI
unwisdom of the case against Mr.
| Bruce"
Mr.. Bruce today stated that he had
| nothing TO say in regard to the cam
| paign of the Parents League. while
| superintendent of Schools Thurston's
| secretary said that Mr.. Thurston had
! no statement to make.