The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-31
MANDAMUS SUIT
in WOMAN ROW
Secretary State Board Educa-
tion in Action Against Sup't.
Julia King Also Demands $1,000
From Miss Wooster.
ALL OVER MAN WHO SMOKES
Trouble Started Over Secretary
Pinet, Who Uses Tobacco.
State House War To Be Aired
Again Before Board.

Miss Julia P. King. secretary of the
state board of education, today filed
a petition fora writ of mandamus IN
the Shawnee county district court to
force Lorraine E. Wooster, state super
intendent of public instruction. to sign
her salary voucher for July. Miss
King also demands $1,000 in the petit
ton for expenses in employing at
torneys to wage her fight on Miss
Wooster
In the petition Miss King repeats
that the original trouble started over
her refusal to agree with Miss woos-
/; ter that Frank L Pinet was morally
unfit to be secretary of the Kansas
State Teachers associat ton because he
smoked. The argument over Pinets
morals occurred in May. Miss King
states.
Then Miss Wooster demanded Miss
Kings resignation, the petition recites
and at meeting of the state board of
education held early in the month
claimed that she had received perAis-
sion OF the board to discharge Miss
King. Miss King denies that the board
took any action on the matter, and
says IN the petition that neither she
nor her attorney was given permfs-
sion to attend the meeting.
Opened Her Mail.
After the boaro. meeting Miss Woos-
ter left the city for several weeks
leaving instructions with clerks to
| open all of Miss Kings mail and tell
ing stenographers to refuse to take
dictation from Miss King, the petition
says. Z Despite these handicaps Miss
King continued to do her work as hest
she could, the petition says.
/ Upon Miss Wooster's return a week
ago sne has employed another person
from out in the state to do the secre-
| tarys work, the petition states.
State Hearing August D.
Members of the state board of ed,,-
catlon today postponed hearing of tue
Juiia b. hing case until Monday Atl-
gust y. Hearing of the demand OF Miss
Lorraine +. wooster state superin-
tendent of public instruction, for Miss
klng's removal was suspended until A
4 full board membership might be in
attendance. Miss King is secretary of
the state board and Miss Wooster has
made several efforts to secure her
/ discharge
i The row among the women will be
ufnpired by the state board as a whole,
m euIbers decided during a short con-
ference in the state house this morn
ing. Both Miss Wooster and Miss
King have retained lawyers and real
legal fight is promised when thesl1ear-
ing is called. Miss Wooster has a
number of things which she wishes to
say about Miss King. according to re-
ports. On the other hand there is an
impression that Miss King intends to
tell the board some of her observa-
tions and experiences during her Of
ficial association with the state super
intendent.
i Heavy Attorney Expense.
Robert Stone of Topeka will repre-
sent Miss King in the custer hearing
before the board. David Ritchie, Sa-
lima lawyer has been retained by Miss
/ Wooster. Both must personally meet
the expense for lawyers fees. -
In her demand to the board for Miss
Kings removal, Miss Wooster alleges
that she does not possess educational
attainments required by law. that she
is incompetent 10 discharge her duties
| Ito wit that her mental capacity is
| wholly insufficient to understand and
to comprehend the duties of said Of
! flee"
) Then Miss Wooster concludes:
The said Julia b. King is insubor-
dinate TO her superior officers and
fails and refuses to obey proper di-
recuons by her superior officers and
/, endeavors to have the other employees
Ito assume an insubordinate position
to their superior officers to the great
detripent of the public service and has
become a general nuisance in the Of
. flee of the state superintendent Of pub
lie instruction"