Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-22
One OF ex-Commmi~stouer VESTS MIS-.
statements Refused.
, the Editor Of TUE EvExtxs STAR.

To the Editor Of TUX EVENING STAR.
Your issue OF the 18th inst contained an @,
count OF the hearing ON the citizens school bilt
before the House District committee. on which
occasion ex-Commissioner West, referring to
me, is reported as saying: ale involved the ex
pense of 300 a year too much on n single item
that OF steel pens" In reply 60 this charge, I
nave To state that had nothing To do with the
purchase Of supplies for the schools. without
any consultation with, or advice from me. %
the board Of trustees, so far rs i am Informed.
tne Commissioners have prepared the sched-
ules for all school supplies. Invited proposals,
accepted bids, executed contracts. and made all
purchases. The acquisitions for these supplies
We're made out 10y the supervising principals %
.ne several school divisions, who had charge IL
tneir aistribution ana proper use, were APP
proved by the trustees and forwarded bv the
respecuve superintendents To the Commission
srs 10 make such disposition OF as they saw nc.
Ihey Gould at pleasure change, give, or WITH
holo. III ex-Commissioner Nest paid 40
I nv "a , ior ais pens Il was his own fault
false statement before the House COMMITTEES
and evidently for the two-fold purpose OF as
the committee against the citizens scbool bili
L cannot believe that Commits Webb an
proves OF the use OF such methods In support
OF MS new theory of school management
Our schools were furnished " a the Kind -
pens that Is most extensively used In teaching
penmanship throughout the country They
gave entire satisfaction 10 ieacl lers and pupiiS
They were suitable tools 90 be sed in learning
10 write Upon inquiry learn that q N-t iommIs-
sioner West just before going out of Office. pnr-
chased direct from the manufactures 2.ooo
gross OF An inferior kind OF pens at about one
half the price he had heretofore paid for a
good article. IL was AT this time, undoubtedly
that he was stealthily making his t,repa rations
for the brilliant coup d'etat executed AT the
capitol last Thursday, and which was In.
tended TO startle the public and control tho
legislation OF Congress. These pens are now
furnished the schools 20 the great annoyaDca
and disgust OF the teachers and superyising
principals and detriment to the proyress of th,,
pupils in writing. Many OF these pens are so
detective that they cannot he used al
al. Any one interested I'm the matter
can ascertain the facts by INQUIRY
OF the supervising principals and teaclIers
There Is no economy In purchasing at hall th,
price. pen with only half the durability of tn,
one formerly used, and pen that interferes
with the progress OF the pupils Ina learning q,
write Is dear at any price.
III eN-Commissioner West was so nxious IN
economic the funds OF the District wny did
he not purchase the pens used by the schools
during the three years of his administrator IA,
large quantities. and direct from the manufa,-
turers? He did purchase them at second hand
rom the dealers In tais city, and thereby ner-
iecteu the golden opportunity, which lac inl-
proved only when he Was about To select "A new
pen 10 be used under his SUCCESSORS administra.
ton.
The members Of the House committee ana
Tue pnblc can form their own opinions OF the
Methods employed by eN-Comnicsioner Nest
IN MS efforts 10 deprive the citizens of all voice,
IN the care and management of their public
schools. d. ORNoND NIIIsoS