New-York tribune., 1919-04-27
How Many Such Socialists
There Are Among Teach
ers He Doesn't Know. but
Reads Letter in Evidence
Too Much Autocracy,Als
Speech in Reply to Henry
Linville at Public Educa-
ton Association Dinner

There is no place in the public school
system of New York City for teachers
who are Marxian Socialists, DR.. John
L. Tildsley, associate superintendent OF
schools, said yesterday.
DR.. Tildsley was speaking at a lunch
con in the Hotel McAlpin, held under
the auspices of the Public Education
Association. His audience, including
prominent educators, applauded his
sentiments.
There are several such Socialists in
the public schools mere at present, said
DR.. Tildsley. He proposed that all can
didates for licenses in English civics,
economies and history be questioned
by the board of examiners before their
licenses are issued and that # they
be found to be followers of the MARKHAM
theory the applications be turned down
MARKHAM Socialists who are now in
the system should be compelled to
sever their connection with the schools,
he said
He declared that an important step
toward rcmedyng present conditions
was to pay teachers higher salaries.
Called Out by Linvilic
DR.. Tildsley's statements followed
an address by Henry Linvllc, presi-
dent Of the Teachers Union. who con-
demned this city's educational system
as allied with the "reactionary and
mlitarstic group in this country"
Mr. Linville quoted DR.. Tldsey as
stating several years ago that there
was no place for Socialist as Il
teacher in the public high schools of
this city.
"Whethcr I said that, do not re-
member now" was DR.. Tildsley's re-
sponse. "But | desire to state to-day.
most emphatically, that in my iudg-
ment there is no place for a MARKHAM
SOCIALIST in our public school system.
I'm making this statement I speak
only for myself and not for members
of the Board of Education or the Board
OF Superintendents. MARKHAM socialism
means the overthrow of those institu-
tlons Of our national life which have
served as a foundation stone for the
national welfare. MARKHAM socialism
means the destruction of private prop
erty, the overthrow of the family, and
renders impossible the development of
the lndlvidual. MARKHAM socialism is
essentially revolutionary.
Reads Letter as Proof
To prove that he was not "tilting
against windmills" Superintendent
Tildsley read letter recently printed
in "The Call" signed by thirteen So
ciaists, and setting forth, among other
things, that the party must teach,
propagate and agitate exclusively for
n f.,it Il.
establishment Of Industrial democ-
racy."
This letter is sort Of declaration
of party policy" continued Dr.. lids
ley. Among the signers, in addition to
Scott Nearing, Louis p. Lochner and
Evans Clark, are David ?. Berenberg,
until q year ago a teacher Of English
in Boys High School, Brooklyn. now
in charge of training teachers for So
cialist Sunday schosis at the Rand
School, Benjamin C,sssberg, q teach
er Of history in Commercial High
School until recently, and suspended
under charges Of preaching Bolshovik
doctrines TO his scholars, and jacob
Lawn. now u teacher in an elementary
school in Brooklyn.
"l think thetd arc quite number
OF Marian socialists IN our school
systsm here but | cannot state the
exact number
Too Much Autocraey
"Thsfe Is too much autoeracy In the
school system." admitted Or, Tildsley
THE reason Is almost self evident
The Board Of Education reflects the
philosophy Of life Of the people Of New
York City and the board, whether good
or bad, is as good as the city is en-
titled to, considering the average in
tellgence of its citizens. We cannot
expect the board to be very much bet
ter than the ctzens.'
Mr. Linvlle spoke for the Teachers
Union, which was recently denied the
use Of school buildings for its meet
ings. He declared that New York City's
schools were against the idealism Of
President Wilson.