Evening star., 1920-03-20
MRS. COOK DENIES
KNOWLEDGE OF ANY
SCHOOL BOARD RING
Continued from First Page.)

| Continued from First Page.)
the board and take up with them the
qualifications of the applicant"
| Had it been the policy of the board
that appointments in the colored
schools should first be taken up with
Asst. Supt. Bruce rather than with
Supt. Thurston?" asked Senator Har-
lrison.
The witness denied this. saying tha,
the recommendation should come from
Mr.. Bruce, though the appointments
were made by Mr.. Thurston
| you talk to Bruce first and later
go to Thurston." suggested Senator
Harrison. rs there anything in the
law which REQUIRES the assistant su-
iper1ntendent of colored schools to
make recommendation for appoint
ment?"
At this point Supt. Thurston, who
was present. pointed out that the rule
was that all appointments should be
maae by the superintendent. but that
IN cases OF promotion of teachers from
one class to another, the assistant
Superintendent had authority.
| Mrs. Cook said that the law which
| states that the assistant superintend-
ent Of colored schools should have
| sole charge Of teachers, classes. etc
| and the fact that it has been a custom
to consult the assistant superintend-
ent. gave authority for such action.
| isn't 1t fact that you always have
contended that Assistant Supt.
Bruce should have just as much
control over the public schools as the
1 superintendent" demanded Senator
1 Harrison. =
Mrs. Cook denied this, saying. how.
| ever, that she believed that Mr.. Bruce
| should sit with the board and that
the position of assistant superintend-
ent OF the colored schools naturally
was dear to the hearts Of the colored
| people.
| Stood for Dignity of Once.
| Il have always stood for the dieni-
ty of the Office" said Mrs. Cook.
Much OF the control of the colored
| schools must be in the hands of the
assistant superintendent, and the su-
perintendent. must have faith in the
assistant superintendent"
This feeling has prompted you to
go over the head of Mr.. Thurston in
Senator Harrison.
Il have never done that" said Mrs.
Cook. In reply to another question
she said that sometimes she had dis
cussed the qualification Of applicants
whom she knew, but that she had
Assistant Supt. Bruce.
MRS. Cook. you are very clever
woman" said Senator Harrison
when you went to Mr.. Bruce and
discussed the qualification Of these ap-
plicants don't you know that it was
practically an Endorsement and that
Mr.. Bruce would be Influenced by it %
Absolutely. no. Mr.. Bruce knows
me better than that"
The witness said that she recalled
Bruce which did not coincide with
her views.
Did you ever go to Supt Thurstor
before going to Mr.. Bruce% asked
lSenator Harrison.
| no"
isn't it fact that in every case
you ignored Thurston in so far az
you went to Bruce?'
That is absolutely wrong" was
the reply. Mrs Cook pointed out that
Mr. Thurston is a very busy man.
Senator Harrison asked a numbe.
mess. DR.. Van schaick. DR.. Learned
land DR.. Johnson. after board meet
tings apparently would leave the
Franklin School. but in reality would
go to Bruce's Office and hold confer
!ences.
thing" said Mrs. Cook.
! 81 am trying to find out If there IL
a ring in the board" said Senator
Harrison.
Il hope you will if there is." replied
Mrs. Cook.
II certainly will II questions will
lido So" said Senator Harrison, laugh
ing.
Proposal to Notify Tharston.
Mrs. Cook told of a meeting in the
Office OF Mr. Hine. the secretary OF
the board. Mr.. Bruce was not present
but DR.. Van Schaick. DR.. Learned, DIR
Johnson and Mrs. Gerry and Mrs
send an informal letter to Supt
iThurston notifying him that he coult
rot be elected was discussed.
1--WE thought 1t a proper thing in &
|: friendly way to give the superin.
tendent an opportunity to retire from
his office without the loss of dignity
Cook c. Pt0'ess''' e'N ''
"Who passed the word to you ther,
was to be such meeting?'
'Tt may have been DR.. Johnson"
you inferred that DR.. Van Schaicl
had called the meeting"
81 made no Inference" said th'
WITNESS.
"At what other places did you NEE
informally other members of th'
"Once or twice at the residence O.
Dr. Van Schaick."
Mrs. Cook said that once she went Il
Mrs. Gerrys hcme. but that no othel
member of the board was present. Mrs
Gerry was then acting president Sh,
said that she discussed with Mrs Gerr1
the appointment of Miss Emmy Wilson
10 the eighth grade of the Randall
School. This was one of four case.
, which Mrs. Cook yesterday gave in con
nection with her opinion that Mr.. Thurs
, ton was not an active and efficient ad
lministrative officer.
Protest Against Appointment.
II Mrs Cook read to the committee
protest addressed to Supt. ThurstoD b!
the principals of the thirteenth division
against the appointment of Miss Wilson
ION the ground that there were othe
, efficient teachers of longer service wh,
: should have received the promotion.
"No answer had ever been made I,
, | this petition when last made inquiry
She said that Mr.. Bruce was held Al
Irresponsible by outsiders for this ap