Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-06-14
FRIENDS RALLY
IN SUPPORT OF
SCHOOL HEADS
100 Citizens at Board Session
Protest Dropping of
Fifteen Officers.
QUESTIONS ARE ASKED

which have become a feature OF every
meeting Of the board Of school commits
sioners. since the action Of the board last
week aboIishing the offices Of fifteen ad-
ministrative officers and employees, were
present In record breaking numbers at
the meeting Tuesday night More than
100 men and women were on hand In
Guiding judges. lawyers, business men,
bankers and club women, many Of them
former pupils Of district superintendent
whose positions were swept away by the
recent action Of the board.
A large delegation appeared on be
half of Miss Georgia Alexander, dis
trict superintendent, and urged her
selection as one of the three assistant
district superintendent who win take the
places Of the deposed district superin-
tendents. Ralph Bamberger, lawyer;
Thee philus J. Moll, judge of Superior
Court, room 3, and ". o. Bates spoke
on her behalf
Following the talks, Charles L. Barry
told the delegation Miss Alexander
always had been held in high esteem
by the board and we know her qualih-
cations" but he did not give the delega-
ticn any promise as to what action the
board would take III the matter.
4 delegation equally as large as that
protest against the removal Of Miss
Julia E. Landers, director Of visual edu-
cation. Many OF these were members OF
the League OF Women Voters
TWO QUESTIONS
ASKED BOARD.
Mrs. Henry Beck put two questions d.
rectly to the board:
II. Has the department Of visual edu-
cation been abolished?
80. Has the Office Of director Of visual
education been abOlished:"
Il was almost i've minutes before
President Barry arose to answer these
questions. and he did so only after long
conference with some of the other board
members. He started out BY saying the
delay in answering had not been due to
any embarrassment as to what to say,
hut TO a desire to know Just how the
board members interpreted" their own
actions.
He answered the first question by a
statement that visual education would
not be abolished, but 1.-THE board felt
there was not proper coordination in the
department and reorganization was nee
essary."
We want TO give the city real visual
education" he continued. adapted to
the peculiar needs OF the city"
When he came 20 the question as to
whether Miss Landers had been dis
charged definitely he said this must be
left TO the wisdom Of the board. the en-
tire matter would receive careful con-
sideratiOn.
Ever since the present majority fac
ton of the board took office in January
# has been reported constantly Miss
I.anders would he one OF the first en-
ployes 10 be discharged
Among those who spoke on behalf OF
Miss Landers and urged her re-emplOy-
ment for another year were Frank Baker.
Miss Eleanor Barker. Alvah J. Rucker
and Mrs Maude Swift Anthony.
All speakers pointed out the pioneer
work in visual education had been done
~ Miss Landers. and it was only fair TO
her to give her another year to work
ont her ideas after she had done the bur
den of the hard work Of getting tie sys-
rem started in the schools.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING
PETITION PRESENTED.
4 petition signed by several thousand
persons urging retention OF the voca-
tiOnal training department along the
lines on which Il is conducted. was pre-
sented By Robert I. Marsh. attorney.
Superintendent E. [. Graf explained
there was no intention Of abandoning vo-
caticnal training, although it was TO be
combined with the manual training de-
partment-
Resolutions passed By tbs White Su-
premacy League and the Indianapolis
Federation OF Community Civic Clubs.
urging complete separation OF white and
negro children IN the schoo OILS. were pre-
scented by Mrs Otto DEEDS and George
w Beaman.
Bids on a loan Of s6Ooooo VIII be re-
celved by the board June go The
money will be used for the benefit Of
the local tuition fund, and to repay part
Of the S1,OO0.O00 loan made By the board
several months ago.
IN accordance with plans the board
has been considering for some time.
George Merritt School, No. 4. 630 West
Michigan street. Will be turned into
negro school when the new school year
opens IN September.
Bids for the ash hauling contract FOR
schools and libraries throughout the city
were received as follows: Benjamin Fl.
Clark, one year, $1,000; three years. s14,-
eT0. Ore A Richardson. one year. 5000:
thres years. $4,000. Hugh Mcdonald.
one year, $500; three years. S16,5OO.
Glenn Trucking Company, one year, ST.
200; three years, $4,000.
The contract will be awarded at q
later meeting OF the board
no ACTION ON
APPOINTMENTS.
As was expected no action was taken
On the list Of supervisory officials for
the coming year. Superintendent Graf
has his recommendations ready for the
board, but there is great hesitancy on
the part Of board members about taking
them up.
This is taken to mean, by persons
familiar with school affairs, that the
majority faction has not yet abandoned
its reported intention Of inducing or
forcing the superintendent to turn over
to the board the right given him under
the law to make his own appointments.
At all events no mention Of the matter
was made openly at the meeting last
night 10 IS believed the list Will be
taken up st a meeting Of the instruction
COMMITTEES, to be attended by all board