Evening star., 1924-02-08
ANOTHER SCHOOL BOARD ROW
BRINGS MANY BITTER CLASHES
Graham, administration Leader, Accuses Insurgents
of Seeking Publicity and to Undermine
Educational System.

Another row between the two fac
bitter than the verbal clashes that
have marked the boards proceedings
in the last several months, threw the
board into disorder yesterday after
noon. 1t was one of the most stormy
sessions in the history of the school
board.
For more than three hours the
board members wrangled. Speaking
relations were severed on one oc-
casion between James T. Lloyd.
president, and Capt. julius /. Peyser
leader of the insurgent group. Cate
Gorial charges were banded back
and forth. The presidents gavel
often came down on the table with
such a rap that the noise resounded
in the corridors OF the Franklin
School.
The total result of the protracted
and heated session was the adoption
of a resolution ordering the expendi-
stallation of electric lights in the
schools. and the appointment of the
personnel of eight standing commit
tees.
Clash Over BallOu.
The first clash occurred when Capt
PeySer accused Superintendent of
Schools Frank w. Ballou with failing
electric lights installed in the Bright
wood School. President Lloyd re-
scented the criticism, saying he did
not think Peyser's remarks were
justified.
II don't care what you think" re-
Lloyd banged the table forcibly
with the Gavel.
Capt Peyser looked directly at the
president. I'll now give you an op-
portunity to withdraw that remark
from the record" he declared.
81 will not withdraw It,, replied
President Lloyd.
Dr. ]. Hayden oJhnson took the
door and pleaded for peace. This
teo to be STOPPED" he declared.
A few minutes later, when Presi-
dent Lloyd started to address Capt.
Peyser. the latter declared heatedly:
81 prefer that you not address me
until you withdraw those remarks
In the din Of the subsequent verbal
battles, however. Lloyd and Peyser
obviously forgot their dispute, and
resumed speaking relations: The
board president had not withdrawn
his remarks when the board con-
vened in executive session at 6:45
o'clock.
Stresses Need Of Lights.
After the first clash had apparent
ly subsided Capt Peyser reopened his
attack on DR.. Ballou's report on the
lighting conditions in the schools.
You didn't tell the board, DR.. Bailou.
are subsidizing the light Of schools"
said Capt. Peyser. THE eyesight of
our children Is more important than
these surveys and reports. psyche
logical tests and visual education.
The money now on hand is more than
schools needing it,
Capt Peyser then started to criti-
cize officials who refuse to obey the
rulings Of the board" when Edwin
c. Graham. leader of the administra-
tion faction. interrupted.
What officials do you mean?"
asked Mr.. Graham.
"Dr. Ballou." replied Capt. Peyser.
Mr.. Graham asked Peyser to give
the floor to Dr.; Ballou to continue
director Of manual training. finished
the report, after several Interrupt
tions.
Shows Orders for Repairs.
When Mr.. Chamberlain exhibited
to the board Sheaf Of papers con-
tanning orders for repairs at various
schools, Capt. Peyser said: III you
nave a pretty big BOOK, Won't you!"
Ernest Greenwood moved that DR..
Ballou's report be laid on the table.
IF we were the board of directors of
an industrial concern and received
what we Would do with it," Several
retorts were made to Mr.. Greenwood's
remarks. tits getting more and more
difficult to address the board OF
education" he answered.
The second heated verbal clash Of
the meeting was precipitated when
DR.. Ballou requested the board to call
a special conference to consider the
Capper five-year school improvement
An objection came Immediately
from Capt Peyser. I'm opposed to
this motion" he declared I'VE ought
to put our house in order first. Let's
give our children proper light. We're
not doing any practical work."
Charges Publicity Sought.
Mrs. Raymond B. Morgan pointed
out that the proposed meeting would
only be a conclave Of the committee
of the whole. William L. Houston re-
piled that under the rules of the
board a meeting of the whole could
not De Set 1OT d luIuI0 OdlE.
"Just a minute" interposed Capt.
Peyser. I'VE have no authority to hold
an executive conference. All meetings
should be open to the public. II I'm
going to be present, it's going to be
public meeting"
Mr.. Graham then fred a broadside
at the boards insurgents, publicly ac-
cusing certain members with Great
ing a stir to get into the public lime
light.
certain members Of making efforts to
undermine the school system through
the board OF education and down