Evening star., 1920-03-26

promotions were to be made. He said
that one member Of the board had
gotten into the habit of ealing him
up frequently when appointments
the qualifications of this or that
teacher. This member of the board,
he said, some times called him up
about these matters even before he
knew there was such appointment to
be made.
will you charge any member Of the
board with seeking to have members
of their families appointed7" asked
Senator Walsh.
The witness said that he did not
make any such charge, that instances
where any member had spoken for
such appointments were few.
Called Him Up Frequently.
Senator Walsh wanted to know the
rame of the member of the board
who had called him up so frequently.
TT was Mrs. Rhodes" answered Mr..
Thurston. 1T was prior to my re-
election in 1917. Mrs. Rhodes and I
had a radical difference Of opinion
regarding the extent to which board
/ iating directly to the technical ad-
ministration of the schools. She re-
peatedly sought to talk over trans
fers and promotions with me. She
voted against me in 1917. and after
| that she approached me very little"
Mr.. Thurston said that such appeals
by q member Of the board had been
embarrassing to him. since he had to
make a decision after he had been
given the decisions Of the board mem =
Der.
He said that other members of the
board had not approached him In re-
gard to these matters anything like
frn inf
II do not believe that certain indf-
viduals should be constantly placed
before the superintendent by members
of the board when he must make the
appointments" said Mr.. Thurston.
No Trouble With Unions.
Senator Walsh questioned Mr..
Thurston about the activities Of the
| teachers unions.
Have you had trouble with the
| unions?" he asked.
The witness said that he had not.
! He indicated that the unions kept in
closer touch with the members of the
board of education and said that DIR.
Van Schaick, in his conversation with
| him. had made it clear that represent
| atives of the teachers unions were
| talking to him; for instance. Miss
Deal. president of the High School
Teachers Union.
IF the teachers unions are going to
dictate appointments and promotions,
! we might as well get rid of the bvar1
| and superintendent right now," said
Senator Walsh.
Mr.. Thurston said that he and DR.
Van Schaick had differed over the ap-
pointment Of Miss Alton, a leader In
| the unions, and DR.. Van Schaick had
! filed letter with him prior to her
appointment, saying that he would
hox f0
HAS DR.. Van Schaick differed with
you or questioned you?" asked Sen
! ator Capper.
"In a number of cases."
! 'Is there any evidence that, officers
of the unions were making3 recon
mendations to you or to the board re-
! garding appointments and promo
| tions?" asked Senator Walsh.
The witness replied that there was
| not, except where teachers In certain
| buildings made some recommendation n
| He admitted that the unions had q
| right to take an interest in any ques
tion of policy relating to the teaching
| force or the schools which might come
up. With regard to such policies. n
| said, the unions were within tneil
rights if they expressed opinion.
Opposes Outside Affiliations.
Senator Walsh and Senator Harrison
both questioned the witness at Length
as to whether he approved the amlia