Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-15
UNJUSTLY BLAMED,
SAYS BRUCE, CITING
LACK Of AUTHORITY
Assistant Superintendent De-
nies Control of CoIored
Community Centers.

Operation, Of the Community Centers
was inquired into particularly by the
Senate committee investigating the pub
lie schools today. Assistant Superin-
tendent Bruce of the colored schools,
told the committee he had received
letter from the principal of the Dun
bar High School last December. in which
he charged that the schoolhouse was
degenerating into public dance hall;
that the dances were not adequateIy
controlled or supervised. and frequently
lastsd until ! o'clock in the morning.
Mr.. Bruce asserted. emphaticalIy, that
the assistant superintendent OF colored
schools has no control whatever over
the colored community centers in the
school buildings, although he has been
held responsible by members Of the COM
munity and subjected to criticism.
The superintendent of schools. Mr..
Thurston, Mr.. Bruce said, has control
Of the community center activities in
the schools, and under him is the
secretary for all community centers.
Miss Norton, and under her is a COL
ored secretary who supervises the
community centers in the colored
schools.
1.-THE Crushers' Suggestive.
Principal Wilkinson. of the Dunbar
High School protesting against the
manner in which the community CEN
ter was conducted at Dunbar High
School stated also that in advertise
ments of the entertainments given
was frequent reference to jazz music:
that entertainments were given by
private organizations of which one
was named THE Crushers." Mr.. Will
kinson said the name was suggestive
Mr.. Bruce said that he forwarded
the letter Immediately to Supt. Thurs
ton. and that some time later a con-
ference was held at which the super
intendent and the secretaries of the
community centers. Mr.. Wilkinson
and himself were present
What. II any, action has been taken
since them" asked Senator Walsh.
Il do not know" replied the witness
my presumption had been that the
conditions have improved. at least the
principal has made no complaint to
me since"
Mr.. Bruce recommended that all
activities in the schools be placed
under the control and supervision of
the principal of the schools.
At the outset of the hearing today
Senator Harrison questioned Mr.
Bruce further about the cases of
Moens and Miss Charlotte Hunter the
| ored schools.
Asked as to School Visits.
Senator Harrison asked if Moens had
visited any Of the colored schools after
| the top order on October Is. 1918. had
been issued against him by the super
| intendent.
The witness said that he had heard
through Mrs. Cook that Moens had
! been seen at the Miner Normal School
! "a toll
the principal of the Miner School an
order not to permit Moens to enter
Senator Harrison asked a question by
request. as follows:
Did you hear that Charlotte Hunter
had sought to take her class to the
Smithsonian Institution, but in reality
she had taken them to Moens' studio
and had undressed them?"
Il never heard of that, nor do I he
lieve It," said the witness, emphati-
cally.
Bruce about the conversation he had
had with Miss Hunter April 7 hefora
her resignation. Her attorneys We're
present at the time.
What did you say to her." asked
The witness said that he had fold
her frankly that he considered sha
had acted extremely injudicious and
that her usefulness in the schools he
| thought was at an end 40
what did Miss Hunter saw"
| Bowed Her Head.
"She merely bowed her head"
answered the witness. Her counse,
said he appreciated the candor a.'I
consideration with which had had
spoken"
had as much faith in her as You did did
before?"
| .'I did not"
| "Did you suggest to her that ~
board of education or the superine
tendent would give her letter ~
good conduct "
+ II did not"
Did you suggest to her that for
! her to resign was the best wav ov.
! of the natter"
The witness said that he did M,
| think he did.
"Did you intend to send i'm a r.cor
mendation that Miss Hunter be sna-
pended or discharged?"
my belief was that she would .ara
In her resixnation Immediately" an
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