The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-09-09
Jm-Crou
AtGunckeL
Is Charged

1t Gunckel SCHOOL witnessed a spec
tacle on the opening day Of the
first semester. when they accom-
panied their children to enroll for
they found a picket line had formed
IN protest to conditions in the junior
high department
Leaders OF the picket lines were
ssndwiched with signs bearing the
following inscriptions: "Gunckel
Junior high is a shame and a dis
grace. Keep your children homel"
The sign bears the name OF To-
ledo Negro Educational League as
the sponsor.
The picketing Of Gunckel school
Is the outgrowth OF inadequate IA
cilities for a junior high according
TO leaders in the movement. Among
their grievances is the alleged dis
elimination shown by the school
board and the public school ad-
ministration in using only white
teachers for critics. II was charged
by Rev. W. Payne Stanley, leader
in the movement that practice
teaching is beirg supervised by
white teachers who at best can
claim only a bachelors degree in
arts or education while there are
several colored teachers in Gunckel
school who have masters degree
but who are denied the privilege
OF being critics to students teachers.
1t was also claimed that no type
writers are provided for the COM
mercial class; that the social science
course consists OF the teacher max
ing the experiments and the stu
dents watching him; that the junior
high is conducted in the basement
of the building on concrete floors
and in rooms poorly ventilated
which is not conducive 10 good
health.
1t is further alleged that Super
intendent OF Public Schools E. L.
Bowsher refused to cooperate in re-
lieving the congestion of Gunckel
school by having other schools as
simulate the surplus Of pupils.
The first day of the picketing
found a favorable response on the
part OF the parents. Many Of the
parents not only obeyed the request
of the Toledo Negro Educational
League to keep their children home
but joined the picket lines.
Only one incident occurred that
might have prompted a skirmish
but for the timely presence Of a
reporter. II happened when Ser
geant Bernhagen was met at the
school entrance by Carl Toepfer,
newly appointed assistant principal
of Gunckel. Mr.. Toepfer demanded
to know who was the officer who
told the children to go home.
Sergeant Bernhagen explained
that he commanded the children TO
either 90 into the school get
away from the outside Of the build
ing. Mr.. Toepfer seemed dissatisfied
with the officers reply until the
reporter corroborated his statement.
The reporter recognized Mr., Toepfer
as his instructor in German at
Waite high many years ago anc
addressed him by name. A friendly
recognition of this fact ensued and
Mr.. Toepfer then explained that
one of the students must have mis-
understood the officer
Principal Whitmer denied any
knowledge OF the cause OF the picket
line to Sergeant Bernhagen in the
presence OF the reporter and dis
missed the officer with no further
ado.
On the other hand. Atty, Clsr-
ence Smith and the Rev. Mr.. Stan
ley were very courteous to the
police officer, who interviewed them
before the Toepfer and Whitmer
experience.
Some OF the parents who either
helped form picket line or kept
their children from school or both
are: Mrs. Edna Livingstone, 654
Avondale; Mrs. Bertha Rocker, 824
Hildebrande; Mrs. Leola Coles. 5l8
Hamilton; Mrs. Allie Fuqus, SAT
Wabash; Mrs. Nancy johnson. 7l8
Pinewood; Mrs. Enie Carney, 8l9
Collingwood; Mrs. Bessie Riley, 3l2
Hamilton; Mrs. Margaret DeVoe.
$50 John R.; Mrs. Willie Brown, 385
Nebraska and Mrs. Annie Gerald.
351 Indiana.
Picket lines were led by Mrs
Eta Liggens, Mrs. J. B. Simmons.