A Principal on Trial Behind a Closed Door

Tacoma, April 13.—Special.—The board of education today began its 'war chamber' investigation of the charges against Principal Roberts, of the high school, recently preferred by Prof. Carruthers. The board met in committee of the whole and excluded reporters, witnesses and both the professors. Director Clifford presided, and Alfred Lister acted as secretary. Mr. Clifford conducted the examination of the witnesses summoned, and Director Gallagher acted as attorney for Prof. Roberts in conducting a rigid cross-examination. Director Gallagher is indebted largely to Prof. Roberts for his election last fall. It is asserted by members of the board that he insisted that the investigation be secret. The board did not finish its work, but adjourned till next week.

Miss Brown, one of the teachers in the high school, was examined at length regarding an unpleasantness that had sprung up between herself and Principal Roberts. It was to the effect that Mr. Roberts had, in a fit of anger, severely reprimanded her conduct. An effort was made to show that Prof. Roberts did not treat Miss Brown with becoming courtesy. Other teachers testified as to the disagreeable relations of the principal to the teachers.

Another teacher testified that she and Prof. Roberts did not get along very well together, and that she did not receive the support from him in the work of the high school that she was entitled to. She also said that Prof. Roberts had once told her that if any teacher did not act in harmony with the 'present administration' — meaning the administration of the schools — it would go hard with her.