The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-24
HAVE NO RECORDS
Members of State Board of Edu-
cation Unable to Find Books.
Are in Executive Session Try
ing to Find Way Out.
MAY FILE A MANDAMUS SOON
Miss Wooster May Be Forced
to Produce the Records.
Members Have Tried for Weeks
to Arrange Meeting Date.
MAY FILE A MANDAMUS SOON

Seven members of the state board
of education were today denied access
to their own books and records. This
afternoon the board members are in
executive session trying to reach a
decision as to just how to act. 1t is
probable that they will vote TO elect
new secretary Ind may file mandamus
proceedings to compel Miss Lorraine
E Wooster. state superintendent and
head of the board. to turn over their
books. Miss Wooster is out of town
under instructions that no one is to
try to find her.
When the state board members met
in Miss Wooster's office this morning
they were told that their books were
locked in vault. Miss Euna ARA
smith, secretary of the board, said she
had no authority to turn over the rec
ords. George A. Allen, Miss Wooster's
assistant, refused to unlock the vault,
until he received instructions from
his chief. He didn't know where to
find her, he said, and standing in
structions are to the effect that he
whereabouts or try to reach her by
telephone, telegraph or otherwise.
Records Not Produced.
Twice the board members put Miss
Arrasmith and Allen on the witness
stand. But their examinations didn't
own books and records.
There is information that several
records of suspension of teachers Ii
censes are in the vault. There is also
a report that the records show actions
affecting funds due the state under
the Smith Hughes federal appropria-
ton. All the board members were able
to do, tho, was to talk the matter over.
This afternoon the members went
into executive session with a determi-
nation to do something.
Miss Arrasnith was asked to meet
with the board. She refused to serve.
Suggestions to Allen to open the vault
were renewed. But Allen seems quite
familiar with the temper and purpose
Of his chief. He said his suggestions
were merely to keep things in proper
form SO Miss Wooster could look them
over when she came home. Conse-
quently Allen didn't open new busi-
ness reations or turn his mind to new
problems.
Consider Two Problems.
Then the board members-seven
prominent, dignified and worthy
school heads-went to offices of the
board of administration to discuss
their worries behind closed doors.
They are this afternoon considering
two problems.
First is selection of a new secretary
to succeed Miss Arrasmith who de-
clines to act without instructions from
Miss Wooster. Second is filing of a
suit to gain possession of their own
Board members asserted they have
tried for weeks to secure a meeting.
One was called for today by the board
members. Miss Wooster has called
meeting for Juno 28.
Puzzled and perplexed as to the
course to pursue, the seven members
in conference assembled issued a state
ment. 1t was signed by Chancellor E.
H. Lindley of Kansas university. act
ing chairman of the board; w. NJ
Jardine, president of the state agri-
cultural college; Thomas w. Butcher,
president of Emporia State Normal;
W. A. Brandenburg. president Pitts
burg State Normal; w. A. Lewis, pres
berry. of Wichita, and Emma F. Will
son, of Scott City.
The Boards Statement
Here is their own statement of the
situation:
We have tried for more than six weeks
state superintendent of public instruction,
to call a meeting of the state board of
took up with each other the question Of
such meeting and during the time of
a date. some Of us received word from
Miss Wooster suggesting a meeting on the
23d or oath of June.
Under advice of the attorney general we
agreed upon the oath of June as an agree
able date. As as that date had been
agreed upon and all concerned notified. a
statement was sent from Miss wooster's
office to the effect that she calling a
meeting for the 2Sth day of June. The
oath having been agreed upon, members
of the board having made other previous
engagements for the 2sth. it seemed ad-
visable that carry out our original
plan to meet on the oath. and had a
notice duly sent to the state superintend-
ent thru the attorney general.
The business that we regarded as i'm
portant relates to the Smith Hughes fund
and its. distribution to high schools that
are entitled to it account of the work
they have done during the last six months
in the way of teaching agriculture. trades
and industries and home economics. and
also to settle the matter Of the approval
of certificates and accrediting Of high
schools and normal training institutions,
and the certificates Of institute teachers.
These certificates must be issued to in
stitute instructors now as this is about
as late as they can be issued to those de-
string to teach IN Institutes
BY a unanimous vote of the board Miss
Wooster voting with MS. hired G. NJ.
Miller to act as Smith Hughes vocational
director and Mr.. Lester PoIIom super
visor of agriculture. These men were re-
fused by Superintendent Wooster the nee
PSSarT records and office space and 6pQf