Evening star., 1920-12-02
POLICE GUARD CHAMBERS
AS SCHOOL BOARD MEETS
DR.. Learned Threatens to Retire When
Parents League Member Tries to
Harangue Teachers.

DIR. Henry Barrett Learned, vice presi-
tire from meetings of that body unless
it adherses strictly in the future to rule
precluding discussion Of the character
of school employees in public session
He made this declaration at a meet
ing of the school board yesterday aft
ernoon, which was marked with verba
clashes and the presence of police Of
:! ficers. who were enlisted to curb an
imminent outbreak of disorder.
Provoked at the obvious success OF
members of the Parents League In
agitating the so-called Bruce case al
sessions of the school-governing body
although it has gone on record as op-
posing debate on this subject in pub
lie, DR.. Learned asserted, emphatical-
ly, that unless we live up to what
we say, propose to retire
With three plain clothes officers de-
tailed from the first precinct station
present, in addition to Capt. Carl Fla
ther of the same precinct. and one
uniformed policeman patrolling the
entrance of the board room, the school
board opened it's session. The board
room was crowded to capacity.
DIR. Learned Objects.
Routine matters were disposed Of
by the board in record time, and Mrs.
Daniel Murray, chairman Of the school
committee of the Parents League. re-
ceiVed permission to speak. Using
tions at the Garnet-PhelpsPa
group school as blind. she ultimately
opened discussion over the Bruce
case by asking the board members as
to what disposal had been made of
charges lodged by her organization
against several colored teachers.
AT this juncture DR.. Learned inter-
tod 1en c-te hS.
objected to having any insinuation
cast upon employees of the school
board. II don't want TO listen to in
situations" he said. IF you have
any complaints to make, make them
with the superintendent. We will not
sit here and listen to criticism of our
own employees, from the superintend-
ent down" ''-
Mrs. Murray continued: 1--WE feel
justified" she said. "in bringing these
things to the board in public and not
behind closed DOORS"
Renews Bruce Charges.
The speaker then brought up
charges of serious nature, which
had been previously made against
Assistant Superintendent of Colored
Schools Roscoe c. Bruce.
DR.. Simon rose from his seat. turned
toward DR.. Ballou, saying: "The su-
this right away and clear it up"
DR.. Ballou told Of how he investi-
gated the accusations made against
the colored school official ~and found
them "to be untrue"
c. Vaughan Todd. who preciaitated
the discussion alta former meeting of
the board which resulted, in disorder,
made a vain effort to enter into the
discussion, but was prevented by DIR.
Simon.
Addressing the Parents League
members, DR.. Simon said: 81 have
gone out of my way and allowed a
little liberty here to show you that
your statements are untrue. I don't
want any more talk or arguing here.
If you still have charges, present
them to DR.. Ballou. This is not a
courthouse" It
When DR.. Simon completed his brief
speech, Mr.. Todd made another un-
successful effort to gain the floor.
Again DR.. Simon him. telling
him that if he had anything to say to
put it in writing"
S97 for Christmas Trees.
At this point a motion was made
for adjournment, and adopted. The
board members filed into the superin-
tendent's Office for the second execu-
tive conference of the day.
While transacting routine matters,
the board authorized the expenditure
of $97 for Christmas trees for kinder
garten children. A resolution was
adopted pointing out that the Fair
mont Seminary could not be adapted
for. schaal purposes. and thinking Of