New-York tribune., 1920-06-26
Wolfson Holds
School Teacher
Is Not Free Man
Principal Is Questioned i'll
Effort to Learn Motive
Behind His Resignation:
He Issues Statement
Charges Spy System Exists
Determination to Quit Was
Result of Experience
Since L. S. Entered War

DR.. Arthur NJ. Wolfson, principal of
The Manhattan High School of Com'
merce, met school superintendents by
invitation yesterday at the Board OF
Education Building to explain in
greater detail statements made in his
letter of resignation. In that letter
he said that he could not remain q
teacher in the New York public schools
because he felt that he was hampered
in his efforts to discuss educational
and social subjects according to his
beliefs.
DR.. Wolfson brought with him a
lengthy typewriter statement setting
forth his beliefs and the manner in
which he believed the policies of the
Board of Education to conflict with
them. Numerous questions we're put
to him by Dr. William L. Ettinger, DR..
John L. Tildsley, DR.. Edward B. Shall
low and others. In answer to many of
them DR.. Wolfson referred his ques-
:ioner by number to q paragraph in
mis- statement.
1--WE do not know any more in what
or by whom DR.. Wolfson was inter
fered with than we did before" said
DR.. Ettinger at the end of the session.
HE has evaded and lodged every ques-
ton. have not accepted his resigna-
ton and I do not know that / shall
That remains to be determined later.
Pecuniary Motive Suggested
His questioners we're anxious to
learn whether DR.. Wolfson resigned
simply because he found the atmos-
phere of public schools intolerable for
his somewhat liberal views or whether
he was influenced by pecuniary rea-
sons. The latter possibly was sug-
gested to them by letter DR.. Wolf
son wrote in February, in which he
said: "If certain developments take
place in business house l shall hand
in my resignation"
In reply to their questions DR.. Wolf
son quoted paragraph of his state
ment in which he said:
"Whatever l said in that letter or
whatever I shall say to-day is actuated
by no personal motive, and my determi-
nation to resign is not thing of the
moment. 1t has grown up as the re-
suit of my experience since the United
States entered the war. 1t has no re-
lation to the action of any one indi-
vidual. 1t is due to policies and actions
which have been approved by the
Board of Education as whole"
DR.. Wolfson said he was not So
calist and had never subscribed to that
party. He was ar American by birth
and believed devoutly in the strength
and future of America. He believed
also, that the Treaty of Versailles was
along the same lines as the Treaty OF
Brest-Litovsk, that the Allies conduct
that trade relations with Russia should
be resumed. During the war, he said
he had never faltered in his confidence
that Germany would be defeated
though he had not always been in ac-
cord with the methods used to reduce
her.
Such beliefs, he said, we're frowned
upon by the Board of Education. Maga
zines and newspapers which discussed
Bolshevism in Russia in tolerant vein
were prohibited, he said. Teachers
were made to spy upon teachers ir
search of evidence of Americanisn
which was not 900 per cent" anc
pupils were made to spy upon theil
parents.
Debs Straw Vote Discussed
He said that he had not caused the
straw vote in which S54 pupils out O.
1000 voted for Debs to be taken, bu
that he would assume "sole respon
sibility" for it.
"The restrictions on the conduct o.
the teacher" he said, according to tn,
frequently expressed attitude of ou
educational authorities, are not limit
ed to the hours Of the school day Hi
aews and his actioLs are at all time
subject to review. He is not fre,
man. Independent thought ceases t.
be virtue and becomes a danger"