The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-02-21

1--WE have been retained to act as
legal advisers by a number Of citi-
zens who have become dissatisfied
and disgusted with the actions of the
majority school board faction" john
son said.
Announcement Of the impeach
ment proceedings followed the dis
closure that the majority faction Of
the school board has asked y. u.
Graft to resign as school guperin-
tendent.
Ellis offered
Horace Ellis, State superintendent
Of instruction from 1917 to 1919, who
now is connected with Chicago office
Of the Republican national commit.
tee, has been promised the position
when Graft Is ousted. one report said.
Henry Noble Sherwood, present
State superintendent, another report
said. also has been mentioned as
CRAFTS successor.
Asked what the reasons were fer
asking Graft 10 resign, Kern, who has
been dubbed spokesman for the
crowd by Vonnegut. declared he
had no statement to make.
II don't say we haven't any
reasons" Kern said.
'''As soon as the board meets tho
matter will come up" Vonnegut said
The board meets Tuesday night.
Ousting pressure is being
brought not only on Graf, It is un.
derstood, but also upon d. T. Weir,
Miss Flora +. Drake and ]. +. Thorn
ton, assistant superintendents; Harry
~. Wood. vocational director; Will
liam a. Hacker. social service
director, and Murray A. Dalman. re-
search director.
c. c. Shipp, local ventllating device
manufacturer. who was said to have
aided in the election Of the majority
faction and the defeat for re.elec-
ton OF the ticket headed by present
minority members. Fred Bates John
son and Charles r. Yoke, Is active
in the attack against Graft, IL is
said. Shipp manufacturers a direct
indirect system OF heating and venti-
lating device which the board has
attempted TO have exclusively in.
stalled in new school buildings. The
plan suffered a recent defeat when
the State tax board refused 10 sane
ton a S303,351 bid for Ships prod
uct TO be installed In the new Short
ridge High School. The tax board
ordered that bids be received on
other ventilating devices.
Shortly after the majority faction
took office Jan. /. 1926. Shipp and
Kern offered L. c. Ward. Ft. Wayne
school superintendent, CRAFTS post.
Ward, given n salary increase by
the TT. Wayne schools, refused.
Meet on Impeachment
Plans for the impeachment pro.
ceedings were TO be furthered today
at a meeting I'm Emsley Johnson's
office OF the citizens behind tho
move. In the event Of impeachment,
the minority members would select
three persons 10 serve the remain
der of the ousted members terms.
Johnson said.
1--WE do not wish to disclose our
clients names at this time" Johnson
declared, "but they will come out In
the open and take staunch stand
following definite decision as TO just
what course we shall pursue In the
impeachment charges.
Possibly an injunction can be
obtained to prevent Crafts resigna-
tion or dismissal. This would make
our road smoother. All these mat
ters will be considered.
However can positively say
that the large number OF the citl-
zens opposing the majority board
members now are men who were
their supporters at the time OF their
election. They have been dissatis-
fed and disgusted with the major.
ity's actions time and time again
since election.
The law provides that any ten
citizens may institute impeachment
proceedings against school board
members in a Circuit or Superior
Court. The move will have the
backing Of Fred Bates Johnson and
Yoke. who have successfully fought
several moves on the part Of the ma
jority. the Shortridge heating and
ventilatlng project being included.
I'm not surprised at the major
ity's request OF Crafts resignation"
Fred Bates johnson said "but al
this time / would rather remain
silent"
Yoke declared he wanted 10 in
form himself more fully OF the stu.
ntlon" hefnrn mnkinr, a slnicnnni