Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-15
1000 ARMSTRONG
PUPILS WALK OUT
Strike as Protest Against De-
motion of Newman as
School Principal.

Slightly more than 1000 pupils Of
the Armstrong Technical High School
walked out" this morning TO signalize
disa pproval of the scheduled demotion
of their principal, Capt. Arthur {.
Newman. 10 the post OF military in
structor of the colored elementary di-
visions at salary sacrifice of 81 800
a year.
Action OF the students followed
general assembly. during which Capt
Newman attempted to dissuade the
pupils from carrying out their avowed
intention 10 strike from their studies
until the personnel committee of the
Board of Education rescinds its order.
The exodus of the pupils was accom-
piishsd without disorder.
Students contend that the removal
Of Capt. Newman on the reported
grounds that he has not maintained an
academic atmosphere at the school or
that he is ''unprepared" and lacking
under the merit system" is virtually
reflection on the schola site standing
of every student and graduate Of the
school.
Walk out Surprise.
The actual walk out" engineered
by officials Of the Student Council. &C
cordinS to Capt. Newman and Arm
strong teachers. was surprise. q S II
was felt they would return TO their
classrooms after the assembly period.
Shortly after the walk out a com
nlittee for the pupils composed OF the
members of the Student Council went
10 the Franklin School and made an
attempt to see F.. &. Graham. presi-
dent OF the board OF education. who is
out of the city. They later sent a
letter outlining their grievances. Mem
bers of the council are: Manning John
president: Throlia Alexander. secre-
tary: Helen Boiling. treasurer. and
Ulysses Prince. jr., sergeant-at-arms.
Garnet c. Wilkinson, assistant su-
perintendent of schools and in charge
of the colored school system, spent
a good part of the day in an at
tempt to adjust the situation at
Armstrong. He reported that at least
100 Of the Lis pupils did not follow
the example of the majority and he
had ordered that they be given eX-
aminations to test their semester
learning.
Asks Newman Report.
Il have called upon Capt. Newman
for a report Of the trouble at the
Armstrong" said Mr.. Wilkinson. and
until | receive 1t | do not care 10
announce my course of action"
That a demonstration was impend-
ing was evident when the Armstrong
hoys and girls reported this morning
Many of them carried placards out
lining their support of Capt. Newman.
and when they entered the building
they did not take off their hats and
coats. When Capt. Newman went
on the stage to talk 1t was the signal
for an outburst of applause which
lasted for some moments and left no
doubt as to the estimate in which
he is held.
Cant. Newman said today he is hope
full that the pupils will cool down
over the week end and return to their
studies on Monday. He pointed out
that 1t would have been folly to at
tempt to use force in keeping the
young people ir the building.
Mrs. IT. w. Lonesome, represent
ing a parent-teachers' association and
who declared she had sons who were
being taught at Armstrong to her sat
isfaction. visited the school today to
assure Capt. Newman that the ma
jority Of the parents are behind him
Only few days ago the Barry Farm
Citizens Association indorsed the ad
ministration of Capt. Newman and
protested the campaign afoot to dis
place him.