Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-19
Their Interview with the school Board
Committee.
A SET OF RULES AND REGULATIONS TO BE
PREPARED FOR GUIDANCE OF THE SCHOOL
TRUSTEES UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENT

TRUSTEES UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENT.
Messrs. Smith, Birney and Curtis, the COM
mittee Of the school board, that called upon the
District Commissioners yesterday to talk with
them about the recent letter of the Commits
sioners relating to the powers Of the school
board, continued in conference with the Com
missioners tor over two hours The matters
suggested in the Commissioners letter were
discussed at considerable length. The Commits
sioners declined to recede from their view OF
the law as expressed in the letter mentioned,
them their hearty cooperation in improving
the school system.
CHAIRMAN SMITHS ACCOUNT OF THE CON-
FERENCE.
Chairman Smith, of the school trustees COM
mittee, said to STAR reporter to-day that the
Commissioners had practically informed them
that their letter was their ultimatum. When
the committee asked what the functions OF the
school board were, as the Commissioners under
stood it. the committee were informed that the
Commissioners desired the board TO continue
as an advisory board, with power to recommend
to the Commissioners action regarding school
matters. The Commissioners claimed that the
commissions OF ali employees of the schools
should proceed from them. They informed the
committee that they would draw up a set of
rules and regulations which would define the
powers they intend to delegate to the board,
and after these have been prepared they would
like a further conference with the trustees.
missioners that il they objected to the person.
mel of the board or believed its composition did
not tend to harmony, that they should have
asked the designations of The trustees and not
have uprOoted the whole system.
THEY DO NOT WANT TO ABOLISH THE SCHOOL
BOARD.
To this the Commissioners replied that they
did not waut to abolish the board or ask their
designations.
81 shall report to the board said Mr. Smith,
"that the Commissioners letter Is their ulti-
matum, and there is nothing for US TO do until
pose to prepare. Meanwhile. will move that
The board adjourn"
Mr.. Smith said the members OF the commit
tee maintained, and still maintain, that the
Commissioners are in error in their view Of the
law.
WHAT COMMISSIONER VERB SAYS
A STAR reporter asked Commissioner Webb
this morning whether there was anything to
say as to the results of the conference between
them and the committee of school trustees
The Commissioner answered, mo, nothing in
particular, excepting that We had lengthy
talk over some differences about the manage
ment OF school matters, and have now IA better
understanding all round. There is now no seri-
Gus difference: some things the trustees have
done which the law does not give them power
to do, and in which the Commissioners cannot
concur. These points grow out OF the construc-
ton OF the law, and are likely to be reconciled,
when all will go On smoothly as ever. The
Commissioners do not desire to do away with
the services OF board OF trustees, as they want
its aid in the school work, and they think the
school board now realize that what they want
Is for the best interests Of the schools. The
Commissioners will put their wishes in writing
in few days. The powers that are given the
school trustees by the law they will, of course,
retain. and SO of the Commissioners. There are
no unkind feelings between them and they will
cooperate together for the good OF the schools"