New-York tribune., 1922-01-26
Suspend School
Law to Advance
Mrs. Forsythe
Over Protest Of DR.. Ettin.
ger, Board Makes Politi-
cal Aid of Mayor an
Associate Superintendent
Called Unfit for Duties
Reports Show That in Month
She Spent Two Days in
District: Others at Hotel

Despite the strongly voiced opposi-
tion of this Superintendent of Schools.
a majoritv Of the Board of Educatio on
last night put through the election of
Mrs. Grace Strachan Forsythe as asso-
ciatc superintendent, TO succeed An
drew W. Edison. who rctires next month
under the compulsory age limit rule.
The vote was four to three. the full
board being present. The bylaws were
suspended to permit Mrs. Forsythe's
election, which had not been scheduled
for the meeting last night.
Her candidacy is understood to have
been sponsored by Mayor Hylan. who
on previous occasions suggested her
for vacancies which would have meant
promotion for her and extended the
Mayors political domination of the
school system. DR.. William L. Ettin-
ger. superintendent of Schools, de-
clared Mrs. Forsythc was unfit for the
duties Of an associate superintendent.
Her record as a district superintend-
cnt in Brooklyn. DR.. Ettingcr declared,
could not compare with records of
other district superintendent.
Busy at the Commodore
My most recent report would indi-
cate said the superintendent, who has
voice as an ex officio member of the
board, but no vote. that Mrs. For
sythc spent just two days in her dis
trict in the last month. | understand
that reports she is required to pass on
had to be taken to her at the Hotel
Commodore, where outside activities
were engaging her time"
beside being district superintcnd-
cnt Mrs. Forsythe is president of the
InterhorouCh Association of Women
Teachers and in the latter Office has
been active in a political way. AS head
OF the teachers organization she is
said to have contributed in no small
degree to the support given the Hylan
administration at The recent election.
She recently was appointed to the Board
OF Examiners by Mayor Hylan, but had
filed her application too late for the
e%asmlnation which is now required of
appointees to that body
MRS. forsythe was placed in nomina-
ton by DR.. John r. Ferguson after
samuel M. Stern had moved and OBJ
talned suspension of the bylaws.
Inc legality of the procedure was ques-
toned by Arthur s. Somcrs, who de-
eianed to vote for the suspension. Act
ing President of the Board Ceorre ]
Ryan found no fault with the proco-.
dure and the vote was ordered taken.
Mr.. Somers, Mr.. Ryan and Mrs. Emma
L. murray are understood to have voted
against Mrs. Forsythe. Mrs. Forsvthe
has been identified with the school sys-
.em as teacher, principal and district
superintendent for twenty-six years.
"A woman Of this type" said the
superintendent, "wil not add TO the
dignity of this organization. am verv
much distressed by this nomination"
Aroused by estimates Of an unprecc-
oented increase in the number of high
school pupils who will enroll for study
ior the term opening February /, the
board last night on motion of Mr.
Nomers, voted to petition the Board Of
EST mate for additional funds with
winch to employ eighty-five moro
teachers. The Board of Estimate last
June pared down the appropriation for
tnese teachers with the result that only
Il, ,i1"e1F-ohe teachers were authorized.
Mr. Somers read from a report bv Dr.
Clarence L. Meleney, associate sunerin.
tendent in charge of high schools. to
show that instead of an expected gain
OF 10000 in new high school pupils
there would be a gain of more than
10000 on February /.
Inc school building situation is not
as bad as painted, according to Or. Far
guson, chairman Of the committee on
Q, buildings and sites of the Board of
Education. DR.. Ferguson's remarks
followed the presentation of q summary
OF building activities on the commit.
tees behalf by Mr.. Chambers.
No Head Yet tor Board
This report was that contracts for
orty-two new school buildings. to nro-
vide total of 1000 sittincs, had been
awarded, 20,5l1 Of which already have
been completed and 1000 moro of
which practically are ready now. Build.
ings to be erected very quickly." will.
according to the report. provide accom-
modatlons for about $4,000 elementary
sehool no pupils and 1000 in high schools.
Ihe election Of a president to suc-
sea 1s aiming S. Prall, recently appointed
lax Commissioner by ,Mayor Hv,a,s
was scheduled for the meetjng iasf
.lgh'' but was postponed, this time to
Ohe second meeting in March. No rea.
son 1or the postponement was given
except that undue haste" was nof nen'
Tssaly' g Harry B. Chambers. of the
bronX, and DR.. Ferguson have been
n'eh'ioned for the place, which carries
no salary. Mr.. Chambers, who is n )a,y-
yer, is understood to have the S7avor,.
lndorsement.
Vce-President Ryan said he con,d
3ot accept nomination for the -nres;-
aency because Of pressure OF nr;vato