New-York tribune., 1922-02-11
Miss McNally
Wins Reheal'ine
On School Job
teacher Rejected as Director
of Speech Improvement
to Face Mr.. Stern. Who
Made Charges Against Her
ritv Hall Work Is Seen
sublic Education Association
Declares That Domination
by Politicians Must End

J.
The Board of Supcrintendcnts de-
7ded yesterday to invite to its meet
TX OF February II both Miss Eliza
sc.h H. McNally, whose nomination for
i;rector Of speech improvement in the
srblic schools was rejected by the
6oard of Education last Wednesday
md II. Samuel Stern. the member re-
sponsible for the rejection. While
Mss McNsliy. now holding tho most
Important position in the speech i'm
arovemcnt branch, thus will have the
opportunity Of rcfuting the charges
made by Mr. Stern when he showed
such violent opposition to her candi-
iacy. Mr.. Stern will. in like manner,
% given an opportunity TO state spe-
ciHcally why DC found her mot the
proper person" FOR the place.
The Board OF Supcrintendents took
back to the Board Of Education its
recommendation of Miss M,Nally and
will not do so until both the candidate
and her "invcstigator" are heard. In
less Mr.. Stern presents information to
'he board it is not already in pos
session of and which would warrant
the withdrawal of its recommendation
"i her for the post, the members of
the board will feel obliged to insist
upon favorable action for tho nominee
o. IT'S choice
/. was said yesterday that the Board
OF Superntendcnts have as matter
Of record the information which Mr.
Stern employed to have Miss McNally's s
nomination rejected by the Board of
Education The version is quite differ
ont from the one Mr.. Stern gave and
states that 30 blame attached to Miss
McNally for carrying out the orders of
Dr- Frederick Martin, the director Of
speech Improvement at the time M
stern alleges she taught pupils from
out of town and otherwise demon
strated her "unitncss" for the place
vScaLcd by DR.. Martin last September
Merit System Involved
One Of Mr.. Stems charges was that
Miss McNallv had failed to register her
time IT developed yesterday that on
the DAY Miss McNally did not sign the
tine register her mother was dying
y was also disclosed that she went 70
Mr.. Stern the day before she was placed
IN nomination and asked him if there
was anythin. he wanted TO know or 20
question her about.
Not now: not now was the rcrly
'f the Board of Education member. At
70 other time. it WAS asserted. did Hr
Stern communicate with the candidnte
20 verify the information he used
against her
Friends and associates Of Miss Nc
Nally said yesterday the insnuations
against the Training School teacher
we're of nature that should be in
vsstigated, if necessary by the State
Board of Regents. One of them wanted
- know why Mr.. Stern had not CON
ductcd his thorough investigation =
before he moved the rejection of her
u. .'i..''~ ion; also why he did not quos-
to- - mothHrs OF her pupils and the
principals OF the schools where she in
lnem before making his
charge. 1t was recalled that Mr.. Stern
y-om Sed to do this after he had moved
the rejection end declined. upon his
statements beng challenged, to re
consider his motion.
The action of the Board Of Education
IN rejecting the nomination has aroused
nc teaching force, for in this, AS N
other actions of the board within re
cent weeks. they sec a disregard of the
merit system.
Association Protests
Thc Public Education Association,
composed of the most prominent oduca-
tors IN the city. we'll as former cdu-
Gators. professional men and women
and others interested in cleaning the
school system Of any faint of politics,
IN stat ment issued Yesterday cmpha
Sises the need for action by the Lcgis
lature. The statement says:
where there is so much smoke
there must he some fire. The Board o.
Education may protest as vociferously
as 1t will and point to the action on
ednesday the reelection of Assooi-
ate uperintendentS Melency and Nc
Andrew in unanimously elccting
these superintendents as proof of its
siucerlty but the fact remains that
within the rank and file Of the school
s. stem there is widespread dissatisfac-
ton and discomfort, which is making
itscif heard not by vague mumblincs
merely but by outspoken protest
1T has been possible in the past for
the city authorities to mislead the pub
nc by blaming such criticisms on the
interests and the Gary crowd, who
arc alleged to have lnsidious designs
against tae protector of the peonle'
and are intent upon driving the chill
dren into the mill and the factory
indeed. our lllustrlous and industrious
COMMISSIONER of Accounts is still vocif
crously engaged in that amusing pas
time, and goes hither and yon in our
midst, dangling this ag red herring
IN an attempt TO divert public ,tcn.
lion from bad situation.
IN tho face Of such evidence. who
can longer doubt the riouSness Of -
situation, and who will permit hin
self longer to be nisled. The schools
must be freed from the political i7m
lnation of City Hall. The Legislature
seems TO be in the mood to take such
action. and the Governor has indicated
~ unmlstahable terms his Anowledgc
OF the conditions"