New-York tribune., 1922-01-26
Catcalls Sound
Great Neck
School Clash
County Attorney Booed and
Kissed at Meeting Held
by Vigilantes to Protest
New Lines for Boundaries
t<Miaau!" Cries Woman
Defense of Superintendent
Arouses Crowd; All Ex-
cuses Are Scoffed At

Five hundred leading residents of
Great Mock, l.. l., inclding more than
200 women, Kissed and booed in de-
rision last night when County Attor-
noy MacKnight sought to address them
districting, held in Station School Hall.
Tho Great Neck Vigilantes, recently
organized. called the meeting.
A similar demonstration greeted re-
marks on the subject by Roswell Ell
bridge, president of the Bank of Great
Neck, who expressed views in opposi-
ton to those held by the majority.
Mr.. Eldridgc challenged Leon D.
Howell, Surrogate of Nassau Coursy,
to a debate on the matters at issue.
The challenge was declined.
Official Invited to Meeting
Sunday a committee of the ViRi-
lantes numbering 1875 and filling forty
automobiles served summons on Cor
nelius p. Remseu, district superin-
tcndcnt, in which it was pointed out
that he had failed to appear at SINH
lar gathering to which he had been in
vited on January 7, thus blocking &C.
tion on rcdistricting order previously
signed by DR.. James Colley, district
superintendent of schools. A demand
was made that he appear at last nights
meeting to explain his previous alb
sencc and tell what political innu-
ence" had been exerted to prevent his
attending.
Supervisor Remsen said he had not
cause informed by County Attorney
MacKnight that it was unnecessary for
him to do so under the law. The state
ment was greeted with jeers. Surro-
gate Howell was asked by hecklers
from the floor what action he had taken
or what suggestions he had made to
"intercsted officials" with regard to
enlargement of the Great Neck School
District, which the majority favors.
The Surrogate denied that he had used
any political influence whatever.
When County Attorney mcknight
took the platform to justify advising
Supervisor Remsen not to attend the
meeting January he was greeted with
of the gathering and with screams of
derision from feminine Vigilantcs.
MacKnight stuck to his guns in the
face of a demonstration that lasted
FIVE minutes. He insisted his advice
to Mr.. Remsen had been legally ac-
curate.
School Lines Attacked
Banker Eldridge, speaking on the re-
districting issue, said he had been
many years resident of Great Neck
and did not believe enlargement of the
district was good for the town or neces-
sary. He said he would like to debate
the matter with any one holding an
opposite view.
"Miaou!" screamed a woman in a
green hat, rising in her sent, and an
instant later more than 100 women
we're screaming catcalls, while staid
banker-looking persons groaned and
shouted disapproval Of the Eldridge
declaration.
Later the temper of The gathering
cooled somewhat and resolutions were
passed exonerating Surrogate Howell,
Supervisor Remsen and DR.. Cooley, of
political intriguing, and expressing
confidence in the abll,ry of DR.. Cooley,
to decide the question of school boun-
daries for the best interest of Great
Neck.
Among those present in the Vigilante
body were M. C. Rorty, vice president
of the Bell Securities Company, Man
haitian; 0. r. Houston, attorney, and
Herbert s. May, president of the Blake