The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-05-17

Interesting from many standpotnts but in none more so than in the tactfui, but effectual manner in
 which stephen w. Robinson was eased out of his position in man. uai training, the final step, perhaps in the attack made on him by Q number of tailors and cleaners about the city, who preferred charges against him some time ago to the effect that he was neglect ing his duty in the schools while attending to his private business al the Palace Cleaners. This charge was tried at a public meeting and the accused fully vlndicated. Then 1t came up again on the charge that Mr Robinson had violated the Spirit" of an agreement entered into with the city, when 1t was stated he made over his property to his wife and is said to have promised to have nothing to do with the private enterprise. This matter was referred to the com mittee on teachers for investiga- ton and report.
 The committee submitted no re- port yestreday, but the following communication from the superin- tendent, which was adopted with out comment. disposed of the Rob- inson question for the present:
 "We took woodworking out of the sixth grade, having two vacat,- 1 cies in the manual training staff. So we have in ali twenty-five free periods in woodworking. The
 maximum number of teaching periods for any wood worker Is iif- teen.
 "since we are running on a budget which has a deficit of more than $B0,000, and since we have too many teachers in the wood- working department, 1t Is imper- ative to withhold a contract from one of the teachers in that depart ment. - wisdom and common sense require us to dispense with the services of stephen w. Robinson when hls present contract runs out"
 A communication signed by Lous ise c. Grigga of the Wor1en's Or. ganization for Prohibition Reform, and John D. Thoms. chairman of tho Crusaders, protesting against work being done in some of the public schools in the interest of prohibition, brought out sharp debate between Commissioners Eeardsiey and Miller MT Boards. ley said that while he might favor some of the things mentioned tn tho communication, he considered tho document an insult to the board. He considered 1t insolent. offensive and scurrilous and moved that 1t be returned to the petition CTS with n request that if they want their case considered they must fiie Q complaint couched in decent language. Commissioner Miller interrupted Judge Boardsley to state that no did not believe the board would be within its rights in treating the communication that way. This aroused the ire of Commissioner Beardsiey and he retorted by re. marking that Mr Miller might Do as wet and as scurrilous In ms opinion as the communication be. fore the meeting, but that what nc had said represented his own opin- lon and that he was not denyine MT Miller any opinion he migh! have, To this, Mr Miller replied that there was . difference of opinion on the language used and thought it was q matter that should be inc yestigated. It appeared from the communicable that tho work ob. jected to was being carried on by Mrs Preusser of the W Q T U. Mrs Bowes said she believed 1t was ail politics and expressed an opin. ion that such work should Do kept out of tho schools. Mrs Webster quoted authority to show that the eaching of temperance in the schools Is within the law and fa' vored having the werk continued. Commissioner ScGliy said nc knew of no sensible person who is opposed to teaching temperance, hut that there is q wide dinerencs between tenn perance and total ab' stinence, If temperance is to be taught in the schools, he said, Il should be carried on in accordance with regulations prepared by thu. gu perintondent and the. school board. He moved that the com' munication be referred to the school committee on activities for in nvestigation and report. This vote was passed after G long debate, Com ff1issloners Beardsley ana Webster opposing and Commission' crs Bowes, Bergin, Miller, DO. choiii, Walsh and scully fayorins I The next animated discussion cano m over m applicat on by the Community Entertainment committee for the use of Piedmont hail on June 8, the proceeds of the entertainment to be used for the bnsebnll team and tho balance to 70 to the milk fund. Tho question Wns raised as to tho wisdom or granting the petition on account or inc risk of suits for damage n rainst the city in case somebody n,icht get hurt at these entertain: men{s. MT Walsh mentioned n suit of Si0.O0O against tho city now over q boy that foli by hitting a stnko placed in the ground nt Bnr' nard school. Commissioner Do' cheilI and others suggested eau. lion in granting such permission untii tho board has heard from the corporation counsel. At this point tho state statutes were read which showed that the board has the right to grant permission for the use of school rooms. halls ana gymnasium for uso to citizens after school hours. It appeared to pc the general opinion that if # should deny the application # would be necessary to refuse nlI other activities in the school build. ings except the regular work. The petition was finally granted. :,
 one would say all that mas ai- ready been mentioned was enough for ono session. but this did not prove to be 50. Commissioners Web. ster started quite q discussion ovcr n vote passed at the last meeting directing the superintendent su communicate with the state. board of education and ascertain what effect the ten percent teachers are now paying to Mutual Aid fund will have on the pension fund.
 When asked what headway ne had made with the state board. the .,... tnuAAot wAt,Iiad that he was