New-York tribune., 1920-07-12
p Principals
Urge Tildsley's
Reinstatement
National Security League
Also Asks Board Of Edu-
cation to Uphold Enemy
of Radicalism in Schools
Patriotism Called Issue
|Ex-Associate Superintendent
1s Praised as a Loyal
+ Citizen and an Educator

Twenty-one high school principals
Joined with the National Security
League in statements made public
yesterday in asking the Board of Edu-
cation to reslect DR.. John L. Tildsley
as associate superintendent Of schools.
The board will meet next Wednesday
afternoon at a o'clock to select sue
cessor or to reslect DR.. Tildsley, whose
term expired June 80.
Both the high school principals and
| the league contend that the rejection
of DR.. Tildsley will be reputation Of
his work during the war to rid the
schools of radicalism. They assert
! that opposition to his continuance in
office is due to the agitation of teach
ers whose loyalty was questioned by
DR.. Tildsley.
Call Radicalism Issue
After asserting that the question of
redicalism in the schools is the main
issue, the league, in its statement,
which was prepared by Charles D.
Orth, the president, says:
"If the board desires to convince the
public that it does not approve of the
policy of permitting individual teach
ers, instead of the overwhelming pub
lie opinion of the people, to direct and
elect what shall be taught to pupils, it
can do so by reappointing DR.. Tildsley.
"This is the direct means and the
short cut to reassure the public of the
integrity of the boards purpose in
this matter. If, however, definite proof
is adduced of why DR.. Tildsley should
not be reappointed, the man or woman
to succeed him must be beyond sus-
picion as respects any leaning toward
minority and radical propaganda.
"The effort to convince the board Of
what the public wants should not be
confined to league members, but should
be participated in by the general pub
lie. This furnishes an excellent op-
City to give an indication that they
are awakening from the lethargy as
respects patriotic and civic matters
into which they appear to have fallen
with the ending of the war"
Only Did His Duty
The high school principals, in their
statement, said:
"The undersigned principals of high
schools have noted with regret the eff
forts of a few persons to oppose the
reelection of DR.. Tildsley because of
his performance of the duty assigned
to him by the board, which charged
him with the labor Of bringing to trial
members of the teaching staff charged
| with failure IN their duty OF cooper
ating with the board in its measures
in support of the government during
the war.
GAS members of the school system
familiar with the work of DR.. Tildsley
we bear witness to the high quality Of
his service in organizing and in sup
porting constructive measures for the
progress of these schools, and for in
creasing their efficiency
Test of Merit SYSTEM
eve ask consideration of the board
for the merit system now enacted into
into law whereby every member of the
teaching and supervising force from
the. beginning grade up through
the district superintendency feels con-
fident of employment upon the basis
Of faithful service. We commend the
observance of that system in the case
of DR.. Tildsley to the end that a pub
lie servant under direction of the
board may feel assured that only on
proof of professional Incompetence
neglect of duty or for misconduct shall
he be dismissed from his position.
"It is our belief that failure to re-
elect DR.. Tildsley at this time will be
hailed as a personal vindication and
victory for all teachers whose loyalty
has been suspected and whose radical
tendencies have subjected them to sus-
picion.
eve believe that this will be the in
depreciation not only in New York
City but in the country at large"