The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1921-04-14
WHY Mr.. LESTER WAS NOT
ELECTED BY ASSOCIATION

ELECTED BY ASSOCIATION
Sincere regret was expressed al
the meeting Of the Board Of Educa-
ton held Tuesday that Superinten-
dent R. M. Lester could not be re-
tanned. The work under his admin
istration has been very satisfactory
and the schools are in a splendid con-
dition, due to his unflagging energy
and his rare ability as an executive.
The Covington City Schools and the
Byars-Hall High School both enjoy
very enviable reputation for
thoroughness and efficiency Byars-
Hall is on the accredited list Of the
Southern Association Of Colleges,
whereby any graduate may enter
any college which is a member Of
that association without examine
alton.
we understand that Mr.. Lester has
not yet determined just where he
will 60, having several attractive po-
sitions open and in lines Of work
for which he has specially prepared
himself. He is a man Of rare at
tainments and strong personality,
and the call for such men is so
strong that the schools Of CoviRgton
, can not meet the prices offered and
quite reluctantly were forced to give
him up.
In this connection we feel that it
is proper to make reference to the
action taken By the West Tennessee
Teachers Association in Memphis on
last Saturday. 1t has been the Gus
tom Of this organization to select a
nominating committee which would
convass the situation and recon-
mend its new officers at the business
meeting, which usually is held on the
last day Of meeting. Accordingly this
was done and the committee recon-
mended Mr.. Lester for president for
the ensuing term. Notwithstanding
the fact that heretofore this recon-
mendation was equivalent to an.
election, the association, or rather
part Of the association, refused to
accept the choice Of the nominating
committee and placed in nomination
Mr.. Finlay, who was overwhelmingly
elected.
An explanation of this occurrence,
we think, is due to Mr.. Lester and
also to the members of the teachers
association.
It appears that the teachers Of
Shelby county are affiliated with
the associated labor organizations
Of the United States, and at the
meeting in 1920 invited a walking
delegate from Chicago, a man who
is engaged in persuading people to
join the labor unions Of the country,
to address that body. This man APP
peared and made very rabid speech
and sought to induce the West Ten
nessee teachers to join the labor
union, but the teachers Of the eoun-
try districts, led BY Mr.. Lester, re-
fused to take the, step. This 50 i'm
censed the teachers Of Shelby that |
they resolved to get Mr. Testers
scalp.
On Friday afternoon the business
of the convention being practically |
over. all but perhaps 20 or 25
teachers from outside Of Shelby |
county, returned to their homes.
No inkling Of the conspiracy against
the Recommendation Of the nominate
ing committee was given out, but
on Saturday morning a printed slip
was handed to every member Of the |
Shelby county association, giving full
instructions as to the plans and pur-
poses Of their organization on Satur-
day afternoon and requesting them
to be on hand. The action taken was
as stated above and no further COM
ment is necessary, further than to
Say that the result in all probability
win be the disruption Of the entire
organization.