Evening star., 1920-03-16
REFUSES COUNSEL
REPRESENTATION
TO SCHOOL BOARD
(Continued from First Pagc.)

Continued from First Paec.)
to this country in 1919. but that he
had never investigated the matter.
Did you ever heard that Moens be-
came closely acquainted with coiored
teachers and sought to influence them
to teach the children things favor
able to Germany" asked Senator Har-
rison.
II never heard that" said DR.. Van
Schaick.
Did you know the minister of the
Netherlands wen?' asked Senator
Harrison. recalling that DR.. Van
Schaick had asked the minister about
Moens before giving him letter ad-
hitting him to the schools.
why did Moens come to you in
stead Of Supt. Thurston?" asked Sen
ator Harrison.
II don't know" replied the witness.
"The fact that Moens came from the
Netherlands made no difference to
you in deciding to give him the let
ter" asked Senator Harrison.
Not the slightest" was the reply
DR.. Van Schaick said that he consid-
cred each case that came before him
on it's merits.
Senator Harrison asked if DR.. Van
principal Of the school in which Char
lotte Hunter was a teacher. had been
dismissed because he rebuked Char
lotte Hunter on account OF pro-Ger-
man teachings.
The witness said he did not.
Questions By Senator sherman.
At this point Senator Sherman.
chairman of the committee. took over
the examination Of DR.. Van Schaick.
hot
Moens was from Holland had any ef-
feet upon DR.. Van Schaick.
Did 1t occur to you as q suspicious
circumstance that Moens was a sub
ject Of Holland?" asked Senator Sher-
man.
yet Holland is now giving shelter
to the kaiser" suggested Senator
Il viii say that l was in Holland
for eight months during the frst year
Of the war;" said DIR. Van Schaick.
people Of Holland pro-ally."
Senator Sherman said that he un-
derstood the government had been
pro- German.
Il think that is true" replied DR..
Van Schaick. though some OF the
mnSters mist; were srs p.oay ,ot. stsn. to invest,
gate the charges that Moens was a
German agent"
Did you ever hear that Moens had
undertaken to stir up the negroes
against the whites!"
It don't know II I heard It." an
swered the witness.
THE treatment of colored children
in the schools attempted by Moens
might be calculated to stir up insur-
rection," suggested Senator Sher-
man.
Suspension of Teacher.
Senator Sherman then questioned
DIR. Van Schaick regarding the ease Of
Edwin N. syphax. teacher in one Of
the schools.
He was SUSPENDED w1thout pay!
asked Senator Sherman.
Yes" replied the witness. 1T was
during my absence. He came to see
me on my return. seeking back pay
He employed an attorney named Rich
ardson."
Senator Sherman asked DR.. Van
Schaick to identify a letter written
case. DR.. Van Schaick said that he
had caused the letter to be prepared.
though he did not write it
The teacher in question was charg-
ed with administering corporal pun
ishment to a pupil. Senator Sher-
man asked II DR.. Van Schatck had
heard that the pupil had at one time
been in reformatory. DR.. Van
schaick said that he had not. and that
he had not reviewed the facts in the
case, but that the information he had
from the board justified him In direct
ing the letter of December 1s be sent.
Senator Sherman read quotation
from the then corporation counsel.
Conrad H. Syme. saying that Syphax
should not be tried, but should be ad-
morishcd to use corporal punishment
only as last resort.
DR.. Van Schaick said that the sus-
pension Of Syphax was lifted imme-
diately after receipt of the opinion of
the corporation counsel and that he
was reprimanded. In the letter pre-
sented by Senator Sherman the board
is made to say that 1t does not believe
the attempt Of Syphax to obtain back
pay. particularly after 50 long an in
tcrvai showed good judgment. but
rather that 1t indicated lack Of gen.
eral fitness to be q teacher in the
what does that mean!" demanded
Senator Sherman. Does 1t mean that
back paw he might be discharged?
Could It be construed as a threat"'
yes" answered DR.. Van Schaick,
laughing. as he continued. that sounds
like me-"
Asked Of Informal Meetings..
Senator Sherman asked DR.. Van
Schaick many questions regarding the
informal meeting of members of the
board at which 1t was determined to
notify Supt Thurston that he would
not be reelected superintendent Of
schools.
Or. Van Schaick insisted that the
meeting was informal and that 1t had
been preceded by number Of other
informal meetings, and that the letter
to Mr.. Thurston saying that he would
not be reappointed was the result OF
series of meetings:
"It was 4 meeting Of members Of
the board. whatever you may call it,"
said Senator Sherman.
"Yes."
who was decided on to write the let
ter to Supt. Thurston.
DR.. Van Schaick answered that by
common consent he was.
Senator Sherman asked what differ
ence there was between a notice of
this kind and q discharge.
Or. Van Schaick replied that the
members Of the board opposed to Supt.
Thurston were attempting in a court
eous and kindly way to notify the su-
nerintendent that he would not be re-
tanned There was a formal meeting
Of the board later ut which a formal
notice was given Supt. Thurston that
he would not be reappointed, the wit
ness said. All those members OF the
board present voted for this formal
notice except DR.. Simon. he said.
Committee Seeks Successor.
The witness said that he. DR.. Neiil
and Mrs. Cook had been appointed a
subcommittee to find q successor to
"Did you have any thought in giving