Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-09
THURSTON WOULD
RESIGN IF PEOPLE
DISTRUSTED HIM

Continued from First Page.)
| members of the board snd the attor.
| neys.
Il have a feeling" said Mr.. Thur.
| ston. that the charges were not den
mite enough. or not supported sufici-
emily BY evidence. The corporation
counsel said there was not enough In
them to warrant trial 1 talked the
matter over particularly with Mr.
Larner and Mr. Hamilton. both law
yers. for / wanted legal advice.
Il have always felt both for the
sake Of the schools and the sake OF
Mr.. Bruce that If anything definite
should be produced the board and the
superintendent should go into 1t and
clear 1t up.
Some time back 1 personally wen,
into few of the charges against Mr.
Bruce. They dealt with appointment
in the colored schools and with the
board OF examiners"
What were those oharges?" said
Senator Harrison.
That things had been fixed, and
that certain persons who had been
slated before the examination would
be sure to get the appointments" re-
piled Mr.. Thurston. He said that he
went into tho examinations and found
that they were straight As far as he
could toll. In answer to questions he
said that the assistant superintendent
personally has nothing to do with the
examinations. that he does not han
die the papers nor IL he present at the
oral examinations.
Mr.. Thurston said that the charge
against Mr. Bruce had been that he
had influence over the board OF ex-
aminers.
ho =
get . person in?' asked Senator Harri-
SON.
Teachers como into the schools in
two ways. First, they como into regu-
lar grade leadership. according TO
their standing in the Normal school
Secondly. they come in either through
qualifying examinations or oompeti-
tive examination, by way OF the board
Of examiners"
Lack Of Confidence in Bruce.
Continuing his testimony, Mr.. Thurs
ton said:
There 10 one thing that should be
said. and 1t lies back of all the Bruce
cases. Rightly or wrongly, Mr.. Bruce
does not have tho confidence Of a ma
terial group Of tho people nor of q
large section Of the teaching force"
Why doesn't the teaching force
have confidence in him?"
1t does not have confidence in his
good faith. If q man does not have
the confidence Of q large section Of the
community. his decisions are going
to be questioned whether he 10 right
or wrong. Many cases have come to
mo In connection with the colored
schools which have not come from
the white schools. because the com
munity has confidence in Assistant
Supt. Kramer"
When an assistant superintendent
finds that the patrons Of the school
have lost confidence in him, should he
resign" asked Senator Harrison.
That 10 serious matter. involving
matter OF his duty"
IF you were assistant superintend-
emit and had lost the confidence of the
sign." asked Senator Harrison.
Il would do my utmost to clear up
the matter" replied Mr.. Thurston.
He added that the controversy over
Mr.. Bruce had been going on for
eight or ten years. and Senator Har-
not been able to clear up the matter.
and asked. What would you do In
that eventT'
II would get out" was the reply.
IT you felt that the people did not
have confidence in you az superin-
tendent would you resignT
the matter" said Mr.. Thurston. IF I
felt that could not hold the confid-
dence Of the community or Of the
teaching force 1 would get out"
'They have been shooting darts at
you pretty fast, haven't they?" asked
Senator Harrison. How do you feel
about it,"
Feels He Has d. C.'s CsnAAaaes.
Il believe I have the confidence Of
the overwhelming majority Of the
80 "oa hi NJ ~
tho majority Of the teaching force"
replied Mr.. Thurston emphatically.
At this point many Of the spectators
in the committee room broke into ap-
plause. Senator Harrison remarked
that he did not think the committee
desired applause.
Mr.. Thurston said that he did not
hold his Job II he did not have the
confidence Of the great majority OF
the school patrons and the teachers
He added that he did not think that
any superintendent living had the
confidence of all, because it Is 4 very
human Job.
You think that the superintendent
should have confidence in the board Of
education?" asked Senator Harrison.
Yes" was the reply. III the su-
perintendent has the confidence Of
the board and feels he has its sup
port. he feels that 1t will give him q
fair show"
DO you mean to say that the pres
emit board has not given the superin-
tendent fair treatment?"
Net Treated Fairly, He smys.
IT do not think that the board Of
education has given the superintendent
q fair show since DR.. Van Sohaick
came on it," replied Mr. Thuryton He
added that the confidence Of tina super
intendent in the board had gone. He
qualified this statement with . remark
that It did not apply to some Of the
members Of the board.
you say you believe the people are
favorable to you and not in accord with
the board" said Senator Harrison
why do you believe thatT'
i bese the belief on q general r.
action. on innumerabls expressions q
opinions Of associations and Of tho In
dividuals," was the answer.
Senator Harrison asked why he
thought the board had not given him .
fair show since DR.. Van Schaick had
come c the board.
'"rhis is a question Of the determine
ton of DR. Van Schaick. since 1s1e-l7.
At this juncture DR.. Van Schaick said
to Senator Harrison. Wont you press
him a. to the motive"
Questio1ed a. to Motive.
Senator Harrison asked what Mr..
Thurston held to be the motive Of DR..
Van Schaick in trying to get him out.
Il think 1 know pert Of the motive, i"
replied Mr.. Thurston. Il felt that my
ca Sc was tied up with the case Of Mr..
Blair, former presid emit of the board
of education, who opposed taking the