Evening star., 1920-03-22
MRS. GERRY OFFERS
PROTEST AGAINST
SCHOOL QUERIES
Continued from First Page.)

CONTINUED from First Page.)
superintendent for three years and that
there had been no change in the position
in that period.
when did Miss Alton tell you che
had fallen out with Mr.. Thurstan:
asked Senator Harrison.
II do not recall any such instance
Changes Of that kind come slowly.
isn't it fact, Mrs. Gerry. SAID SEN
stor Harrison, "that there Is a clique OF
school teachers working in co-operatloh
with a clique in the board OF educatioh,
and that those teachers knew that
Thurston was to go at a certain time
Mrs. Gerry denied this.
Did you tell any of the teacners
that Thurston was to. go?' said SEN
ator Harrison.
II don't remember doing SO"
Have you conferred wirh MISS
Alice Deal about Mr.. Thurston's go
Mrs. Gerry said that she had talked
with many persons regarding the
situation in the schools.
Rabbi Simon Called.
At this point Senator Harrison ana
Senator Capper were called to
meeting Of the Senate committee on
agriculture. before which the Secre,
tary or War was appearing in regard
70 the nitrate plant at Muscle Shoa!s.
Because Senator Harrison wished 70
Gerry gave way to Rabbi Abram 81
mon, another member OF the board.
who was interrogated by Senator
Walsh.
The witness testified that he had
been sixteen years in washington
and that he was appointed to the
board of education in November 1913,
to fill the vacancy created by the
I resignation Of George E. Hamilton.
Were you a candidate for appoint
ment to the board?" asked Senator
Walsh.
slider that he had been a candidate,
except indirectly. He said that after
a public meeting at which he had
spoken, some men had asked him II
he would be a candidate for appoint
ment on the board.
Il said no at the time" said DR..
Simon. but later 1 revised my opin-
Henry B. F. Macfarland and Dr.. Van
Schaick, asking them for a confiden-
tial description of the affairs in the
board of education. l got rather
statement. They told
me that 1 might not find happiness in
the sessions of the board. They told
me. however. that it was my duty to
accept the appointment. DR.. Van
Schaick told me that II at any time 1
asked him he would present my
lame"
Senator Walsh asked II DR.. Van
6chaick at any time had suggested
that DR.. Simon become a candidate.
talked with DR.. Van Schaick about
three weeks before he was appointed.
He said that he had not, himself. COM
with the Judges of the
Supreme Court regarding his candi-
aacy.
lirst suggested that you should be a
asked Senator Walsh.
1T was at a public meeting. and
knew few OF those present. did
not know the men in the group"
'.As a matter Of fact. II there was
any promotion of your candidacy. you
lid 1t yourself" asked Senator Walsh.
Tho witness admitted this was so.
Were you told IT was necessary to
get the support Of DR.. Van Schaick?
mo"
DR.. Simon said that DR.. Van Schaick
had said that II Il asked he would
present what he thought of me as
Il said I would let him know later"
said DIR. Simon.
did your
mo. did not"
Monday Evening Club auery.
Senator Walsh asked II Mr.. Edison
and Mr. Macfarland were members of
the Monday Evening Club.
IT do not know" said Dr. Simon.
II am 4 member. but I have not at
tended a meeting in ten years"
what conclusion did you come to
regarding appointment to the board!"
asked Senator Walsh.
That I would bs willing to be ap-
sDidn't you have an understanding
With DR.. Van Sohaick that you would
mo, / did not"
WHO presented your name?"
IT think Mr.. Mcfarland did" The
witness said Mr.. Mcfarland had sent
him a copy OF = letter which he had
addressed TO the justices of the Su-
ment OF DR.. Simon. He said that he
that Mr.. Edison also had
written.
senator Walsh ask ed If Mr.. Macfar-
land. Mr.. Edison and DR.. Van Schaick
IT saS whes tasy has sse S.sn
charged with being influential in OBJ
tanning public appointments here.
Net Considered M Group.
The witness said he did not know II
they ware friendly. but that he did not
think they had acted together as NOM
bers OF group.
"Did you see any members of tho
court In regard TO- your appointment"
ply to q question as to whether he knew
any Of the judges personally, DR.. Simon
said that he had merely met some of
them at public meetings and that he
could not say that he really knew them.
Then the judges made your ap-
nj vut nd
without other recommendations 30 far
rs you know than those Of Mr. Mac
farland and Mr.. Edson.'' suggested
Senator Walsh.
The Witness said that stated the case.
o., st,ud. asssd VA estr esd been
the board in which 1t was decided to
notify Mr.. Thurston that ne could not
be reelected.
DR., Simon said that he did not at
tend tho informal conference at the
homo of DR.. Van Echaick before the
ton, but that he had attended the con-
ference at the Franklin School when
q resolution was adopted to the ef-
feet that II was in the best interests
Of the public schools not to re-elect
Mr.. Thurston.
member Of tho board present to vote
against the resolution. Seven voted
in favor Of 1t. and one. Mr.. Peyton.
was not present.
could not vote in favor of the
sa'i DR.. Simon. "I had
been q member Of tho board only a
short time, and had no opportunity to
study Mr.. Thurston's work as super
My meager experience
Justified mo in coming to the conclu-
sion that my information was not
adequate to vote for the resolution"
Mrs. Gerry's Action Surprises.
Mrs. Gsrry's action In raising objec-
tion to the manner In which the in
quiry was being conducted came as