Evening star., 1920-04-02

the promotion, because she was q
bright woman. At the Investigation
said Mr.. Peyton "she went SO far
as to pronounce that 90 per cent OF
the signatures to the Parents League
that was the inference that could be
drawn"
Senator Capper asked If her pro-
motion had the approval of Mr
Thurston.
YES" said the witness
Others who were promoted who
supported Mr.. Bruce were Miss Jennie
Page and Miss Helen Irving. Mr.. Pey.
ton said.
"Were there any promotions OF
these who appeared against Mr.
BruceP" asked Senator Harrison.
You can't find any such cases witt
a microscope" said Mr.. Peyton, H'
said that thirty-three witnesses were
heard. and that about twenty of thess
Showed Bruce up In d bad light
and most of them were teachers
How many teachers testified TO,
him?" asked Senator Harrison.
The witness said ten or twelve. and
that he thought about fifteen teach
ers testified against him, OF whom
none had been promoted.
supt Bruce because OF his connection
with the so-caIied "eiush-fund let.
ter. He said that the majority report
had stated that Mr., Bruce was repfi'
fuanded for his part in the slush fund
As a matter of fact. the witnsee saio
mended at the conference Of the
boArla, Mr. Peyton said that he pro-
tested at the time and that ne wrote e
to President Hamiiton OF the board
arvtne that Mr. bruce should De ask
.wnHt was mr. Ramiltoa's reply:
asked Senator Cappef.
TNe Witness said that he had re-
eefyYd no reply. Rie letter was writ
tea Nay 3, 1919,
eayu Board DnsroasAsAs
The witness testiaea that tho board
OF education had snoroeoAe6 on ths
superintsndsnts aeld esnerst,y., H.
IN. school system. wasn't 3t.'' asked
Yes said the witness. and oon-
Strenxs to cay. when We had the
beard Of education composed IN ark
h~.snsS men We dfd not have this
friction, But the better e9vippso
board members ara. educAtionAlly, the
h.rder Il seems for them to restrain
thsosslves. They want to leap ovss
the fence Into ths n.,ntsnssnc nslo I'm. LII
~You doa't want to say that sns
hoard members are too highly edu-
csted.- asked Senator Harrison
.OA. no, str" replied witness amid
a general laugh
me witness said TINT he va
morally certain that Assistant Supt
Rruce knew each day who ap-
peared and what was said by the
witnesses in the Bruce 1nVestisatloH'
He said he had seen one OF the WI. WI.
nesses talking with Mr.. bruce just
before she was called IN.
senator Harrison asked Mr.. Peyton
about the investigation at Deanwood
school, where charges were Inaoe
against the principal, F. l. Candoza.
The latter part of Mr. Peyton
testimony was given over larsely 20
n criticism of Mr.. Bruce as assistant
superintendent of schools
@But Mr. Bruce can be removed
onJy on the recommendation OF MT.
Thurston," said Senator Harrison
HAS the superintendent ever made
such a recommendation?
"I don't think he has, senator an
svered the witness, land do you
think it would be effective If he made
such a recommendation now"
The senator Joined in the laugh
that followed, and replied:
'I will ask you that question. DO
YOU think it would be of any use Tor
missal?'
mo. sir. I do not" said Mr.. Peyton.
The witness said he could not un-
derstand why the board of education
was trying to get rid of Supt. Thurs
ton. who was universally liked by the
public and the teachers, and at the
same time was in, favor of retaining
Assistant Supt. Bruce, against whom
complaints had been received from
many sources during the last ton
years.
Friction In Noticeable.
Asked if there vas any friction no
ticeable between DIR. Van Schaick and
Mr.. Peyton replied affirmatively.
Did it affect the schools?" asked
Senator Harrison.
Il should say so." said Mr.. Peyton.
1.-The white schools were very much
upset, and the storm of protest against
was most violent. l was called and
petitioned continually by teachers and
business men and parents who wanted
him retained They felt that he was
a good superintendent, acceptable to
the people at large. and that his re-
his reelection the Franklin School
building was literally jammed, and
some believed that there might be ar
outbreak if he was not reelected"
Dld that demonstration influence
your"
.Tt did not"
The witness said he had voted for
DR.. Van Schaick as president of the
board. in 1917 because he thought that
he was to return from Europe short
y. The same crowd that is around
br. Van Schaick now said the wit
ness, wanted to re-elect him in 191S,'
but Mr.. Peyton said he felt whoever
was president of the board should be
''on the job" and had announced he
would not vote for an absentee. Mr.
Hamilton would not accept the presi-
Geney unless the vote for him was
unanimous. and, as Mrs. Gerry would
vote for no one but DIR. Van Schaick
the election was not held for time
said Mr.. Peyton. After a time Mrs,
Gerry agreed to vote for Mr.. Hamil-
ton. and he was elected.
The witness said Mr.. Hamilton was
too modest a gentleman" TO ask
any one to vote for him. though 1t
was probable he would have been glad
of reelection after his first term had
expired.
Questioned as to his attitude to-
ward teachers unions, Mr.. Peyton
said he believed the teachers should
organize "for educational purposes
but not as labor unions" He added