Evening star., 1920-03-19

centers in the schools arc new her
and that the board IL now feeling IT.
way.
Mrs. Cook said that the law shoult
be changed regarding the colored as
ststant superintendent She said tina
whatever now happens in the oolores
schools Is held up against the coloree
assistant superintendent.
Asaistant's Small Authority.
He has maximum of responsibility
and a minimum Of authority today.
said Mrs Cook. She suggested thai
Nthe colored assistant superintendent
NhouId be appointed for q given mum
IlSr Of years, and that he should b
a towed to interpret the work Of tbs
CO. t'red schools direct to the board Of
edu alton. She said, however. that al
supe. Y ntendent.
SenaA or Dillingham; asked why, il
the coAored assistant superintendent
has no power to place teachers, the
colored l'eople had come to consider
"Did Bruce convey that idea?" he
asked.
II think he has not done so, bu,
that the wo cding Of the law has con-
veyed the Impression" replied Mrs
Cook.
Cause NJ Bruce Case.
Did the Brucei case grow out of the
dlsapproval of ap oointments and pro-
motions in the ,colored schools by
colored patrons?" ssked Senator Dill
bingham.
THAT is very lara ely true. as our
report shows" replieti Mrs. Cook.
Mrs. Cook recommN mNnaed thai the
their fun share on the l'asis of school
population of the APPROPRIATIONS
made for the schools.
Senator Sherman sugH ested that
possibly it might be a U'd plan to
separate building funds as distin-
guished from other applp priations
for the public schools. Mrs. Nook said
she thought this might be a good
thing.
Attitude Toward Mr.. ThursNsu.
Have you any feeling against Mr..
Tnurston,' asked Senator Harriaon.
NO" replied Mrs. Cook.
But you do not think as Weir Oh
"I have tie same professional 40
.titude toward both Of them.
"Are you subservient to. DR.. Van
Schaick?"
ASK him"
But l am asking you?"
NO. senator" replied the witness,
"I am not subservient to him."
III reply to a request to name some
specific instance to account for her
opinion of the superintendent, Mrs.
Cook said that when she first came
on the board six years ago there was
much dissatisfaction and criticism be-
cause OF conditions in the Miner
Normal School
:. Il thought the superintendent
should have investigated conditions
there and made somes recommenda-
ton to the board" she said.
who was principal there at that
timer" asked the senator from Missis-
sippi.
"Dr. Lucy f. Moten."
Did you think she ought to be re-
moved?"
IF an investigation showed she
"Did you think the school would
have gotten along better without DR..
Moten?"
"I thought it probable"
That was your feeling in the mat
ter?"
mo. senator. that was my judg-
men&"
Denies There Was Friction.
Senator harrison questioned the
witness at some length to learn
whether there had ever been any
friction between her and DR.. Moten.
but this Mrs. Cook repeatedly denied
Mrs Cook also criticised Supt. Thur
ston because, she said, he had no1
carried out fully the order or the
in one colored school and one white
school. She said he had acted, SO far
as the white school was concerned,
but that the plan was still being de-
layed in the colored school. She said
that DR.. Van Schaick had reported to
the Senate committee that the full
plan had been carried out, because
Mr. Thurston had not notified the
board Of the DELAY.
Superintendent Hard Worker.
mo ono can accuse the present su-
perintendent OF schools with not being
a hard worker." said Mrs. Cook. He
does not spare. himself in the execu-
more than worker to be good su-
perintendent. He must be a leader"
You have told us that the superin-
tendent II orerburdened with work.
and that he has a very inadequate
ham 'If that had been remedied do
you think it would have helped him?"
That is largely a matter OF specula-
tion," said the witness, but do not
feel it would have made much diff
for native qualities such as leadership.
courage and ability to take hold. If
lacking in these 1t limits his use
fulness."
Not Wholly Lacking m Leader.
She added that the superintendent
was not wholly lacking in those
qualities.
Asked If any of her recommenda-
tions ever had been disregarded by
Mr.. Thurston. she replied in the at
hrmative. mentioning her recon-
mendation for an instructor in music
in the public schools, which was not
acted on.
do you think Mr.. Thurston picked
some one else because you voted
against his election?" Senator Harrf-
son ask ed.
'Oh, no." said Mrs Cook. IT do not
charge him with being 30 small"
The hearing adjourned until 10
o'clock tomorrow morning, when It
is expected that Mrs Cook will con-
tinue her testimony.
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