The Washington times., 1920-06-10
THURSTONOUT
BY BOARD VOTE
Or. Simon Fights vainly to Re.
tain School Head-Peyton
Also Opposes Action.

-Four years OF nEhting by John Van
schaick, jr.. president Of the Board
of Education. to onst Ernest L. Thur
ston as superintendent of schools.
eliminated yesterday with Van
schaick the winner. Thurston loses
his Job June 80. a successor taking
office the day following. The sue
csssor will be named next Monday.
Unswerved by the action OF the
Senate select committee on schools
and refusing to consider seriously
this committees report. the board
yesterday. by q vote OF four to two
DR., Abraham Simon and Fountain
Peyton dissenting. decided to elect
new head of the schools.
Board members feared their con-
Sciences would bother them IL they
reelected Thurston and explained
"This decision is reached after the
most careful elaboration and s
nnal" Thus the fate of Thurston
was formally announced.
This action was only q repetitioh
of what happened several months
ago. except that yesterday DR.. simon
and Peyton came out strongly Tor
Thurston's reelection. Simon. In
fact, fought for him. Thurston's rate
was sealed long ago. however, ana
attempts to even modify board NOM
bers' attitude failed utterly.
senate Cenmittee Ignored.
After explaining that Thurston Is
aot the man to head the schools here
the board declares 1t cannot con-
scientiously approve" of his retention.
It was openly admitted that the ac-
tion of the Senate committee had not
and would not influence board mem
bsrs, even though DR.. Simon declared
1t should.
az regret very much the boards
action" said DR.. Simon. However,
I am loyal member OF the board
and will submit to the decision OF
the majority"
"No man really worth while Is dis
turbed over the loss of his position
Thurston declared later to news
papermen. He said he was consider
ing issuing q public statement.
The public expressed its sentiments
after the meeting when men and
women swarmed about DR.. Simon and
Thurston, expressing sorrow at tbs
loss Of the hght.
Those who opposed Thurston yes
terday were John Van Schaick. Mrs.
Susie Root Rhodes, Mrs. Coralie F.
Cook, and J. Hayden johnson.
II.
chairman Of a committee of three
the others being DR.. Charles p. Neill
and Mrs. Coralie +. -Cook-to nomi-
nate a successor to Thurston.
The boards action may have some
effect upon DR.. Simon's accepting re-
appointment on the board. He would
only say yesterday: "I am giving very
serious consideration to my reappoint-
ment.'
DR.. Simon Makes Fight.
Even after the board voted not to
retain Thurston. DR.. Simon continued
his night. When President Van Sehaick
introduced a statement, which he suG-
gested was a good expression Of the
boards attitude. DR.. Simon very
carefully scrutinized 1t. 81 cannot
sign that" he said.
The first paragraph states that
with the educational welfare OF
10000 children affected, all personal
and political considerations sink into
oblivion. The second paragraph sets
forth emphatically that the Board OF
Education is running the schools. 1t
states the board cannot honorably
escape the responsibility placed upon
II by law. II infers that while sug-
cestions are welcomed they will not
tend to influence board members.
First reference to the Senate School
Gommittee is made in paragraph four.
The board states 1t is in hearty ac-
cord with that committees recon-
fnendation that the public school sys-
tenn here should be elevated to the
highest attainable, standard. modern
and efficient in every department, a
model for the nation. The board is
Continued on Page Twenty-one.)