The Washington herald., 1920-03-21
SENATORS ASK
ABOUT UNIONS
IN SCHOOLS
Mrs. Cook Testihes Thurs
ton Failed to Fill His
Position.

Bolshevism, unionism. and the OBJ
lection to Superintendent Thurston.
were the principal topics of dis
cussion before the Senate Commit
tee investigating District schools at
two hearings yesterday.
Mrs. Coralie F. Cook, who occu-
pied the witness stand during the
morning and most of the after
noon. expressed her disapproval of
Bolshevism. but favored organiza-
tions of teachers unions.
Mrs. Margarita S. Gerry consumed
the hour that she was upon the
stand in explaining why she OPP
posed Superintendent Thurston. and
in criticism of Washington high
schools, a condition, she said, for
which Thurston was responsible.
Among other things. she charged
there was great confusion in the
curriculum and in the text books
in the various schools. Mrs. Cook
maintained superintendent Thurs
ton did not measure up to his job.
Senator Capper asked Mrs. Cook
if she thought the colored schools
were fairly treated in the matter of
appropriations under the present
system.
Not on the basis of school popu-
lation," she replied. I'VE feel the
difficulty of getting money for
buildings, grounds. and salaries
which We might have gotten under
the law of 1864"
Failed to Carry Out Orders.
Senator Harrison then questioned
the witness about the failure of Su-
perintendent Thurston to install the
platoon system in one of the COL
ored schools.
She said that while the system
had been installed in one white
school it had never been installed in
the colored school, although the
board granted permission for the
establishment of the system in one
white and one colored school.
Mrs. Cook defended the action of
the school board in notifying Thurs
ton that he would not be reappoint-
ed at the expiration of his term.
Senator Harrison wanted to know
upon what Mrs. Cook based the
charge, made in the morning ses-
sion. that Thurston was a poor ad-
ministrative officer and was too
slow in making decisions and act
ing.
He has caused the school system
TO lose persons who might have been
Of great value to it," she replied.
Taking up the Wood case, Senator
Harrison wanted. to know if she
voted for the adoption of the report
of the committee which Investigated
charges against Miss Wood. The
witness replied that action on the
report was taken in rather an infor-
NAL way after a brief discussion.
Were you IN favor of taking 1if-
ferent action from the recommenda-
tions of Mrs. Gerry and DR.. Learn
ed?" asked Senator Harrison.
II believe Amcricdnism should be
taught in the public schools" she
replied. Il thought it best to be on
the safe side, especially in war
times"
Were ycu influenced by the
unions?" asked the Senator.
NO" replied Mrs. Cook.
Are you in sympathy with The
unions?" he insisted.
Recognizes Right to Unite.
ITO 1 certain extent" replied the
witness. In union there is strength,
you know. and l think the teachers
have L right to organize for their
Cwn advancement and protection. 1
have not definitely made up riy
mind whether it is proper for them
to affiliate with the American Fed
Grafton of Labor"
DO you believe in Bolshevism?"
asked Senator Harrison abruptly.
"If Bolshevism is what l think
it is" she replied. II do not think