The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-04-10
KLAN-COFFIN
CLIQUE GRIPS
SCHOOL REINS
WaISman, Business Head of
System, Is 0uSted at
Board Meeting.
POST GIVEN C. C. YORK
Taxpayers Shooed Out of
Room; Secret Session
Is Held.

H4pCLt l. w dISIIIdIl, pNoIlJCSS III
rector, was removed at a secret ses-
sion of the school board Tuesday
night, and the framework of the Or
ganization with which George w.
Coffin, Republican city boss, may
rule the city schol system today was
set up.
Charles C. York, Coffin sympa-
thizer, was elected business direc-
tor to replace Walsman, last high
school official opposing the new ma
jority faction of the board.
The majority faction is reported
TO have had several meeting with
Coffin and other evidences point
to a reported deal whereby in re-
turn for patronage Coffin will aid
the majority board members to re-
election this fall or to name their
own successors continuing in their
dynasty.
The majority faction, Mrs. Lillian
Sedwick, Fred Kepner and Lewis
Whiteman, rode over Charles w.
Kern, board president, and Theo-
dore Vonnegut, comprising the nj
Eority faction, in every move Tues
day night 1t was the protest OF
the minority that the majority
shooed newspaper men and fifty
taxpayers from the room while they
held the annual elections.
Victory for Klanwoman
Custer of WalSman did not come
as a surprise, because Walsman had
been allied with Kern and Vonnegut
and has opposed the ardent Ku-
KluX Klan partisanship of Mrs.
Lillian Sedwick, majority leader.
The selection Of York, however, was
a distinct surprise, because the lat
ter has not figured prominently in
political affairs.
York was secretary Of the state
board of pardons when the board
was abolished by the 1927 legisla-
ture.
He acted as an unofficial mesSen-
ger for Ed Jackson during the lat
ter part of Jackson's term as Gov
ernOr.
For many years York was associ-
ated with the Indianapolis Candy
Company. He sprang into political
prominence when he became a paid
lecturer for the Ku-KluX Klan.
Steam Roller Works
The minority protested against
paying an inexperienced man the
$4,000 a year that Walsman was
receiving, but the majority ruled.
In retaliation. the minority op-
posed the reelection Of Charles F.
Miller as superintendent of schools.
They nominated Donald Du Shane,
superintendent of Columbus, Ind,
schools, editor of the Hoosier Teach
er and former president of the
State Teachers Association. The
majority rode high again and in
creased Miller's salary from $4,000
to $4,000 year.
In the first place." Kern said,
"I do not believe the position war
rants the increase and in the sec
ond place the man holding the po-
sition warrants no increase
The minority fought the retention
of Carl w Eurton as superintendent
of building and grounds and pro-
posed in his stead c. G. Pierson, In
dianapolis contractor. But Eurton
retained the $4,000 job.
DickerSon Keeps job
The minority did not oppose re-
tention of Luther L. DickerSon as
city librarian nor the increase in his
annual salary from $500 to $1,000;
nor retention of Frank L. Reissner
as secretary of the board.
Walsman, who vacated his Office
today. said only: Il stood in the
light of the klan."
Mrs. Sedwick would not tell on
whose recommendation the selec-
ton of York was made. 1--WE do
not need any petition recommending
a candidate" she said.
For more than two hours the
board stalled along on routine busl-
ness, discussed in a monotone, while
fifty spectators were gathered in the
board room.
During this discussion the board
adopted a resolution ordering that
plans and specifications for the new
Irvington high school be prepared,
so that they provided for the d.
system of ventilation sold by G. G.
Shipp.
Mrs. Sedwick then proposed that
the board go into executive session.
Kepner seconded the motion, but
Kern protested.
The doings of the board of
school commissioners are public
matters and only under urgent ne
cessity need it get behind closed
DOORS" he said.
Mrs. Sedwick then appealed to
Reissner is secretary of the board
and Reissner said that: ''The board
may go into executive session when
ever it deems proper."
Walsman- is staying on the job
until Monday to help familiarize
York with the work.