Evening star., 1945-02-07
Principal Of Wilson
Expresses Hope
OF Early End

Hope existed today that Washing
ton-Lee High School, now on the
athletic blacklist Of District public
high schools, would be permitted 20
compete again In the family Of
Metropolitan schools by the time the
track and baseball seasons roll
around.
The severance of relations with
the Virginia school came yesterday
when the Washington Board Of
Principals called a meeting to dis
lcuss the outbreak Of rowdyism fol-
lowing last weeks wilson Washing-
ton-Lee basket ball game when three
Wilson students were severely beat
en-. The vote was unanimous, DR..
Chester w. Holmes, acting superin-
tendent Of schools, announced last
night.
However, If Washington-Lee Of
ficials are successful in their aim to
crack down on the few individual
trouble-makers in the school, W.-L.
will be back in the fold shortly, Of
flcials predicted today.
There's nothing wrong with this
situation that a few policemen and
voluntary corps of student ushers
couldn't cure" is the opinion of one
District high school coach. 'Well
be glad to have Washington-Lee
back when things calm down. The
school always has produced excel
lent teams, and it's a shame the
athletics must be penalized for the
actions Of a few roughnecks."
Little to Lose at Present.
Actually, If things can be patched
up within the next two months,
Washington-Lee will have lost lit
tie. Only one game with a District
high school remained on the Gen.
erals basket ball schedule con-
test with Tech yesterday that was
cancelled pending the outcome Of
the meeting. Coolidge officials, act
ing on their own initiative, had
crossed of a February 81 date last
week when they learned Of the
beatings received by the three VIII
son players.
Confidence in an early resump-
tion of athletic relations, neverthe-
less, today was restricted to coaches
and students. The views of of{icias
concerning the future were in the
don't know" category although
tinged with hopefulness.
Norman j. Nelson, principal of
Wilson, pointing out that the meet
ing yesterday was called by DR..
Holmes and not by Wilson authori-
ties, hoped that the mot -too-dis-
tant future will see us competing
again with Washington-Lee," but
Principal Nelson frankly didn't
know when or how relations could
be resumed"
Helped Wilson's Meet.
. Mr.. Nelson pointed out that
Washington-Lee played a large part
IN making Wilson'S first annual
Metropolitan track meet a success
last year, and members of the
physical education department of
Wilson indicated a desire to have
the Generals back this spring.
The ofncial statement of DIR.
Holmes In announcing the break Is
bare of definite hints Of the future,
but does hold an indication Of how
q resumption of relations may be
arranged. r
I'VE are not thinking Of any more
competition with Washington-Lee
until that school works out q plan
to keep the crowds at athletic con-
tests under control" DR.. Holmes
said.
DR.. Holmes stated that the de-
cision was made In order to prevent
serious injuries to innocent students
in future contests" and declared
that he didn't think the board was
being unfair in its decision" so long
as the personal safety" of students
was involved.
Present at the meeting were: Miss
May P. Bradshaw of Roosevelt,
Lawrence G. Hoover of Central,
Frank c. Daniel of Tech, John s.
Brocker of Coolidge, Norman J. Mel
son of Wilson, Nathaniel A. Da-
nowky Of Western, Mrs. Opal H.
Cookery of Anacostia and Maj.
Michael Kelly, who has returned to
Eastern from Marine Corps duty and
repreoertad Tho rIae r1orf ~ E,oe$ar,,