Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-22
PRINCIPAL MAURER
DEFENDS TEACHER
At CENTRAL HIGH
Pronounces as "Untrue" Al
legation That Congress Was
RidicuIed in Class.

House that teacher at Central High
School daily ridiculed members OF
Congress before her pupils were pro-
nounced as untrue" by Robert A.
Maurer. principal Of the school. to-
day before the Senate school investi-
eating committee. Mr.. Maurer also
highly praised the character and
reputation Of this teacher, who has
been in the school service for a quar-
ter of a century.
A thorough Investigation of the
case, Mr.. Maurer said. showed that
the teacher had not deliberately or
otherwise designed to breed unpatri-
otic sentiments" This teacher. he de-
clared: is a thoroughly loyal and
There is an aspect of this case,
he said, which I think 1t most i'm
portant to bring to the attention OF
this committee. The record will show
that at no time have any witnesses
the charges made, nor has any in
formation been given the school au-
thorities which would give them the
source Of the information upon which
the charges might have been based.
Under the law a teacher has the right
her and to be given an opportunity
to answer specifically any charges.
Evidence Likely Required.
Had a private citizen complained
he would very probably have been
required to produce his evidence.
Where any charge comes from a
member Of Congress. speaking under
his congressional privilege. the very
manner Of it's making is such as to
require attention; but at the same
time as to call for the utmost con-
sideration Of the rights of the person
involved. There is one principle upon
which our government rests as funda-
mentally as upon any other, and that
is that justice be done. Where pupils
and teachers are left with a feeling
that injustice has been done grave
harm results. Such, unfortunately, Is
the fact in this case.
THE original charges made against
this teacher on the floor OF the House
that there Is a teacher on the Cen
trail High School who repeatedly, day
after day, teaches the children that
this body and the body at the other
end Of the Capitol are made up OF
Erafters. Of second-class men, second
class lawyers" etc, have been pro-
nouneed untrue by unanimous. signed
statements of every pupil In this
teachers four American and Euro
pean history classes, including about
120 pupils.
1
ing criticism Of any governmental body
or agent, that is not SO serious as to
warrant the destruction Of teachers
morale or professional reputation. II
thA2 criticism has not been deubefAte
and desigfied to breed unpatriotic senti-
|ments. The Overwhelming conclusion
I have reached after a. careful investi-
cation Of this teachers work is that
she has not deliberately or otherwise de-
signed to breed, unpatfiotic sentiments.
On the contrary, she Is thoroughly
loyal and patriotic American woman.
Impressions May Vary.
"It is to be expected that where gov
ernmental problems are daily discussed
with high school pupils. some Of whom
political leanings. some individual pupil
or pupils may feel impelled to criticise
the teacher. It is not humanity possible
that all Of the twenty-five or thirty
pupils in any class viii always get the
correct or the same impression OF words
used or inferences left m classroom.
Have we reached the point when a
teacher. proven patriotic and con-
servative cannot be trusted, even
after twenty-five years of experience
without the slightest question ever
having been raised against her rec
fessional reputation Of a teacher to
be held a matter Of small considera-
ton? What can be more dangerous
in it's tendency to encourage disre-
spect for authority generally among
pupils than to. charge q teacher with
periors to go to her pupils for con-
firmation or denial Of charges made
against her? / have no hesitation in
saying that unjust charges made
against q woman 30 beloved and re-
spected as IL this teacher do more to
fatv ~A he ~1 o. 4.
play which our boys and girls look
for from those In authority. both in
the school and out, than any passing
criticism ever made in all the years Of
the teachers experience.
Discussion II Necessary.
ITO develop good citizenship through
an intelligent interest In public ques-
tons. it is necessary that there be dis
cussion in history classes, and such
discussion necessarily brings out crit
icism of a historical nature. Unless
this fact is recognized and accepted.
no self-respecting and Intelligent per-
son can be expected to remain in this
branch of the teaching profession.
I'm the Congressional Record Of
April 20 there appeared. In a speech
made on the floor Of the House, a
series Of extracts from my report in
this case to the superintendent. It is
unfortunate that there appeared only
extracts and not the entire report,
which alone IL the only fair and COM
plete statement Of the case. 1t speaks
for itself
'aThere also appeared this quotation:
"The principal stated to me over the
phone that q number OF answers bore
testimony Of the facts substantially
stated to the House on previous oc-
casion.' Such q statement by me
would have boen . denial Of all the
III hrv
reported to the superintendent Of
schools. stated, in effect, that
could understand out Of what the
whole business grew. There Is no tes-
timony to support tho facts. even sub
stantially. as stated to the House on
a previous occasion.
"A parent is also quoted as having
said: 'As a parent whose son has been
compelled to listen to her vicious
teachings for almost a year. am
bitterly opposed to- seeing her get
Off without being taught . severe les
son. Myself and other parents have
been greatly incensed during the en-
tire to think thu fast sas has =. been
employed. Please continue your good
work.' auch q parent. II there 10 any
truth TO support the letter. has been
dereiict in his duty to the schools
during the entire year In not bring
ing this matter promptly to the at
tention of the school authorities. II
the statement that there have been
:vic,om. feachings for almost q year
is false. then this parent should be
made to answer to the teacher in the
remedy against libel which the law
Of the land gives her.
Britain to Sell Warships.
IIoNbON, April 21-Walter Hume
Jnr. Arst lord Of the admiralty. re.