The New York herald., 1922-02-02
MRS. PORSYTHE HITS
BACK AT ETTINGER
Demands School Board Review
Her Record as Super
intendent.

Mrs. Grace Strachan Forsythe yes
record as district superintendent OF
schools, which she says will refute state
ments made concerning her by DIR. Will
lam L. Ettinger. Superintendent of
Schools, when the Board of Education
last week by vote of to elected
her an associate superintendent at a
salary Of $3.50 a year. Mrs. For
sytbe's friends expect the board will
act when it meets next Wednesday.
Il will be glad--only too glad-to give
the board any information 1t may de-
sire" DR.. Ettinger said last night.
Mrs. Forsythes demand was contained
in a letter received yesterday by all
members of the board save DIR. Ettinger
who is a member eX-officio without vote.
''At a meeting of the Board of Edu-
cation" Mrs. Forsythe wrote, DR. Will
lam l.. Ettinger, City Superintendent of
Schools. as one entitled ex-officio to a
seat and voice in your board, made a
statement attacking me as a nominee
for the position of associate city super
intendent. 1 most respectfully and most
earnestly request that you conduct q
formal investigation to the eEd of dis
covering the truth and the meaning Of
the following statements occurring in the
said attack:
"I should be entirely remiss in my
duty to this board and to the children
of the city il | did not voice my opposi-
ton to this nomination.
''I must say honestly and truly that
I do not think that in her services. and
more particularly in her late services,
Mrs. Forsythe ranks with the other dis
trict superintendent
''Either this lady Is sick or she is not
performing her duties at the present
time
Requests for reports from her bring
communications from hotels
''I say that the election of a woman
of this type will not add dignity to the
board of superintendents.'
'''I am sure that whatever the main
spring of action regarding this election.
It surely could not have been compar-
ison Of professional achievement
There is no doubt about her achieve
mcnts in other directions. but that par
ticular type of service, If pushed to ex-
tremes, sometimes results in neglect Of
duty
"T am very much distressed and
feel / must express my opposition to this
nomination.
In discussing DIR. Ettinger's state
ments regarding Mrs. Forsythe Arthur
S. Somers. one of the three members
of the board who voted against her,
said last night: I'm all my experience
1 have never known a superintendent
to be so boldly frank. That is as it
should be, for he is the one man who
is qualified to determine the merits Of
his subordinates."
Mrs. Forsythe assumed her new du-
ties yesterday, taking over the work Of
supervising the evening schools. contin-
uation classes, community centers vaca-
ton schools, Fairgrounds, lectures and
libraries. This has hitherto been done
by DR.. William McAndrew.
One official OF the board yesterday
expressed the opinion that Mayor Hylan
personally had nothing to do with Mrs.
Forsythe's nomination and election.
which was credited to the Mayors
friends on the hoard. who felt Mrs. For
sythe's work in his behalf during the
campaign should receive recognition. 1t
was also stated that Mrs. Forsythe had
strong backing among leaders in Tam
many Hall.