New-York tribune., 1919-05-10
Former Brooklyn High
School Teacher Refuses
TO Answer Questions
as 10 Political Views
Bolshcvism Is Discussed
Case Is Closed and Verdict
of Board Will BE An
nounced al EARLY Meeting

The red flag, news item in The
Tribune, the Left wing of the Socialist
party, Bolshevism, Socialist Sunday
schools, revolutionary tactics of the
American Socialists and the abolition
Of the capitalist system were some of
the subjects discussed yesterday af-
ternoon at the Board OF Education's 8
trial of Benjamin Glassbcrg, suspend
ed from the Commercial High School
in Brooklyn, charged with defending
Bolshevism to his pupils.
The case was closed after the eve
ming session and it was announced that
the testimony will be examined and a
decision given in few weeks at a
regular meeting of the board
Wilson Statements Quoted
Before the conclusion of the testi-
mony, Gilbert L. Roc, former law
partner of Robert M. La Toilette and
counsel for Glassberg, read from
President Wilson'S New Freedom" to
prove that certain statements attrib-
uted to Glassberg were not unpatri-
otic, as similar sentiments had been
uttered by the President.
Mr.. Roe's claims provoked the ire
of Edward Mayer, counsel for the
board, who bitterly assailed the Boil
sheviki as enemies Of society and trait
ors to their own country.
When the afternoon session was
opened by Arthur S. Somers, president
of the board, Mr.. Roe asked permission
20 read from news story that ap-
peared in The Tribune of May 6, which
was headed "Americanism To Be En-
tosced in Schools Here"
Roe Assails Tildsley
The item read by Mr.. Roe quoted
DR., John l.. Tildsley, associate superin-
tendent of schools, as saying that
Americanism was TO be put above
everything else in the classroom, and
as discussing certain aspects of the
Glassberg case. Mr.. Roe insisted on
asking Dr.. Tildsley whether the state
ment attributed to him were his, but
was overruled by Mr.. Somers on the
objection Of Assistant Corporation
Counsel Edward Mayer in charge Of
the prosecution.
Mr.. Roe said in this connection that
if Dr. Tildsley had discussed trial
IN regular court in such a manner
he would be hailed before that court
for contempt.
Mr.: Roe then called Thomas D.
Ihacher, Of 1862 East Seventieth Street,
10 I'D
that he was q lawyer and had been
secretary Of the Red Cross mission
TO Russia, where he stayed from July.
1917, to March, 1918. He said he had
served under Colonel Raymond Robins,
who was in charge Of the entire mis-
sion.
Glassberg's Record Good
J. Ryan, clerk of the Board Of
Education, produced official records of
the board, which, on being read, dis
closed the fact that Glassberg's record
was "A-A," or the highest that could
be obtained
Jerome Davis, of $40 West 124th
Street, testified that he was Y NJ
c. A. worker and that he had been in
Russia in such capacity from April,
1915, to September, 1918, and that he
had had an excellent opportunity to
observe the work of the Bolsheviki.
He said that the Soviets had always
the revolution had occurred and that
Kerensky's government was purely
Theoretical"
Glassberg then took the stand in
his own defence and read a statement
Of his position. AS to the charge that
be had told one Of his pupils, George
Mack, that the red flag could, Gin a
sense be put above the American flag,
he declared 1t to be totally erroneous.
Refuses to Answer
When the session was over" said
Glassberg, George Mack followed me
out of the room and showed me a
clipping from The New York Tribune
and asked me whether ! agreed with
alderman Lees statement on the red
flag. | read it very hurriedly and
found that Alderman Lee had said in a
discussion at the Board of Aldermen,
concerning the red flag there is a
sense IN which it is true Glassberc
went on to say that he personally had
SAID nothing of the sort
When he got through reading his
statement Glassberg was asked by Mr..
Mayer: DO you believe devotion to
the red flag is religion? %
IL have no beliefs" said Glassberp
ION that question at all"
Have you any devotion TO the red
nag" persisted Mr.. Mayer.
Mr.; Roe lnterposed and said that it
was his belief that Glassberg was a
Socialist and that it was generally
admitted that the red flag was the
emblem of the Socialist party. He OBJ
Jected, however. to the asking of the
question. because he believed there