Evening star., 1920-03-18
MISS WOODS TALK
ONLY |ND|SCREET,
MRS. GERRY'S VIEW
Witness at School Hearing
Believes Punishment
Was UndeserVed.
ANSWERS QUERIES ABOUT
Mr.. THURsToN's FITNESS

Woman Member of Board Charges
He Was Reluctant to Act and
Take Initiative
The case of Miss Alice WOOD. ac-
cused of teaching bolshevism III her
school. was the subject of inquiry at
the investiga tion of the public schools
of the District conducted by select
committee OF the Senate today.
Mrs Margarita Spauldins Gerry,
member of the board of education.
was on the stand She testified that
in her opinion Miss Wood had merely
been indiscreet and that she had not
deserved the punitive action taken by
the board. The witness also insisted
that Miss Wood did not desire to see
holshevism adopted in the United
States. though she had suspended
Judgment during it's trial in Russia.
Although opposed to the action of
the board in taking what amounted
to disciplinary action against MISS
Wood, Mrs. Gerry said that later
when the board was attacked by
friends of Miss Wood and pressure
have it change it's action. she 'Mrs.
Gerry, made IA motion not to rescind
and thereby brought much criticism
upon herself.
She said she did this because she
felt it would be fatal for the board to
Weld to public clamor in opposition to
what it believed the merits of the
case.
Attitude Toward Mr.. ThurstOn.
At the time Of adjournment of the
committee until tomorrow Mrs. Gerry
was telling of her reasons for chang
ing from supporter of Ernest IL.
Thurston as superintendent to one
who believed he was not htted for his
office She said that she felt his re-
luctance to act and to take the in
itiative disqualified him for the post.
In the course of questioning the wit
ness, Senator Harrison said the com
mittee intended to go very fully into
the matter of the way text books were
selected and purchased. at which Mrs
Gerry expressed herself as delighted.
The board of education as it was
composed year ago was naturally
divided, according to Mrs. Gerry, into
conservatives" and "progressives."
Mrs. Gerry told the committee that
there never was any question in her
mind as to who favored the re-elec-
ton of DIR. Van Schaick as president
of the board of education. She in
sisted SO far as she knew DIR. Van
Schaick had not worked to have him
self reelected, nor had she worked in
his interest.
Examination Of Mrs. Gerry.
The examination of Mrs Gerry by
Senator Harrison of Mississippi today
was continued as soon as the commit
tee met. Mrs. Gerry testified that she
taught school for Ave years and that
she was graduate Of Wellesley Col
lege. Her appointment to the school
board was in 1916. In reply to ques-
tions. she said that it might have
originated with Justice Stafford. She
said that when the place was offered
her on the board Justice SiddonS had
called her on the telephone and talked
with her about it and warned her
that it would be an ungrateful job.
Mrs. Gerry said in accepting she had
been actuated by sense of public
duty and also a sense of the compli-
ment paid her.
Mrs Gerry said that she was re-
appointed in 1919.
Were you an applicant for reap
pointment ?" asked Senator Harrison.
Mrs Gerry said she was not.
Il was bound to the Wheels said
Mrs Gerry. Il realized that if l was
ked to accept reappointment would
have to accept. We were in the midst
of one of the civic struggles in which
pate at that time-the Wood case.
Did Not Ask for ReappOintment.
Mrs. Gerry told the committee that
if not reappointed she would have
been enormously relieved. and that
she did not ask any one to work for
her reappointment.
Had you told any of the justices
of the District Supreme Court you
would like to be reappointed?' asked
Senator Harrison.
Il think not. l have no recollection
of any such thing"
"Do you know of any one doing any
thing TO bring about your reappoint-
ment?
mo"
Senator Harrison asked the witness
if she had sought to have members of
the board reappointed Mrs. Gerry
said no. In reply to question as to
whether she had endeavored to have
Dr. Van Schaick reelected president
of the board of education, Mrs. Gerry
said:
Il think I wrote to DR.. Van Schaick
to ask if he would take up his work
with the board of education again"
Mrs Gerry told the committee that
she had made the motion for his re-
election as president of the board
Senator Harrison wanted to know if
Dr. Van Schaick had sought re-eIec-
tion.
D
Gerry My impression was that DIR.
Van Schaick. if reelected. would have
accepted. considering it duty thrust
upon him. He did not say he would
refuse or accept.
"Did YOU ask him to allow his name
to be used?" askef Senator Harrison
Il don't recall. l wrote to ask if he
would return and take up his work
with the board"
Was it your object to confer with
mt him across AS Dresj-
dent" demanded Senator Harrison
Never Cnucnsed With Others.
Mrs. Gerry said that she had never
caucased with. other members of the
board in regard to the matter.
Il knew without comforting how
they stood" she said.
..Who did you rely on to support
DIR. Van Schaick under any circum-
stances?' asked Senator Harrison.
"as well as she knew the sun was
shining how they stood"
TT was tural that the board
should di, into factions, then"
suggested Senator Harrison.
YES"
How do you mean" asked sena-
There were two elements in the
board" said Mrs. Gerry, "one consery-
ative, made up of the business men.
and the other progressive"
Radical. you mean." inquired Sem
ator Harrison.
mo, not radical" said Mrs. Gerrv
She described as progressive those
members of the board who were mar.
ticularly interested in the advance of
the schools and an improved system
She added. however, that the con-
servatives<lso were seeking better.
r (Contip on Page 2. Column 81