Who is a Fire Hazard?

For the last 33 1/2 years jolly, auburn-haired Mrs. Marguerite S. Cunningham, 51, has taught in New York City's grade schools. She is a popular teacher, but her record is not unblemished. She has been absent from class 1,556 days, tardy 724 times. A big woman (5 ft. n, 275 lb.), she suffers from high blood pressure (see p. 72), walks with a cane.

Fortnight ago Board of Education President James Marshall used Teacher Cunningham's record as a case in point. Pending before the State Legislature was a bill which would empower his board to retire teachers found physically or mentally unfit. Informed that Mrs. Cunningham was a fine teacher despite her record, he retorted: "A person who cannot walk or put on her coat is a fire hazard."

Last week school officials put Mr. Marshall's assumption to a test, called a special fire drill at Teacher Cunningham's school. Her pupils were a block away before she had even reached the exit. Decision: She was undoubtedly a fire hazard.

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