New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1919-04-30
p. S. MCMAHON DEMANDS REMOVAL OF
HEAD OF ELIHU BURRITT SCHOOL
FOR ALLEGED lNDISCREET REMARKS
Ii Superintendent Holmes
Takes no Action, Matter
Will Go to School Board,
Sexton Says.

AS q sequel to the meeting held on
monday afternoon when it is said the
teacnefS of the Elihu Rurritt school
were asked to sign q resolution Dledc-
ing their loyalty to the school board
+. 5. Mcmahon, president of the Tax
payers and Rentpaycrs' association
has requested Superintendent STANLEY
H. Holmes to remove Edward G
Fowler as principal of the school for
what he claims was an insulting
statement concerning himself, accord
ing to M. A. Sexton.
Mr.. Sexton said that should no
action be taken by Superintendent
Holmes, he would take the matter up
before the school board. He also said
that MIR. Fowler's action at the meet
ing is one of the most disgraceful
things that has ever happened in this
city. Such remarks as he made at the
session will not be tolerated by the
citizens of New Britain"
Wants Public Hearing.
THE teachers,' he said, "are deter
mined to see this thing to a finish. A
majority of the teachers believe that
Mr.. Fowler should be removed as
principal of the Elihu Burritt school
because of the attitude taken ,by him
in trying to force them to sign a res
olution against their will. Some one
must go, and the purpose of the pub
lie hearing will be to find out who the
guilty party is. The issue should be
tried in .an~open forum so that the
public may know who is the party at
fault.
mo one can take exception to the
stand taken by us. Mr.. Mcmahon,
upon learning of the disgraceful meet
ings at the Burritt school, took the
matter UP with Judge Gaffney, presi-
dent of the school board. He was re-
ferred by Judge Gaffney to Superln-
tendent Holmes. Should no action be
taken by superintendent Holmes, the
matter will be brought before the
school board. and some action will
have to be taken by the commission
ers.
THE teachers feel that they are
entitled to a hearing. They want to
be either convicted or vindicated in
the eyes Of the public"
Insulting Remarks Charged.
Much indignation has been express
ed by teachers about the city con-
corning the alleged remarks made by
Principal Fowler on Monday. Mr..
Fowler specifically mentioned the
names of p. S. Mcmahon and Mr.. Sex
ton, it is said, warning the teachers
not to lay ther case before these men
"as there is nothing too low for them
to stoop to and nothing too dirty for
them to handle" Mr.. Sexton asserts
A member of the school board when
asked what action would be taken by
the board concerning Mr. Fowler's re-
marks, said that "as far as he knew
nothing would happen" He declared
that Mr., Fowler was guilty of IAN
indiscretion,' but that "alI men were
liable to make Mistakes"
Questions McMahon's Right.
"Mr. Mcmahon has no right to de-
mand the removal of Mr.. Fowler" he
continued. "Of course, as president
of the Taxpayers and Rentpayers' as
sociation he represents a small group. |
Just because man is guilty of a
small indiscretion does not necessarily |
imply that he should be removed be- !
cause certain man or clique de- |
mandS he lose his position. The mat |
ter has gone far enough and in my !
opinion it ought to be stopped at once |
as it is proving detrim entail to the !
school children. With the various |
selfish issues that are being brought |
up the teachers are unable to put !
their best efforts into their work and |
the children ultimately suffer-"