The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-19
Grand Jury Delving Deep Into
Affairs of the Depart.
1nent.
F. A. HYDE WAS A WITNESS
Propose to Ascertain Cause of High
Salaries, Superfuous Teachers and
Increase of Expenses.

Now the Grand Jury proposes to turn its
attention to the School Department of San
Francisco. The committee on Board of
Education and public schools consists of
Charles M. Yates George Fl. Sanders and
E. III. Hanjes. The strictest secrecy con-
corning this inquiry has been enjoined, but
it transpires that many facts and some
figures, sufficient in all to justify thor
ough and far-reaching investigation, have
been collected during the past few weeks.
and will be presented by the committee to
the whole jury. 1t is understood that the
probing into the management of schools,
the method of appointment of teachers.
the adjustment of salaries and the outlay
for repairs, will be as complete and as well
directed as the recent delving into the jobs
of the Street Department.
AS preliminary sep the Grand Jury
yesterday called as witness F. A. Hyde,
who was president of the Board of Educa-
ton which Immediately preceded the ex-
listing Board of School Directors. Mr..
Hyde was in the secret chambe for nearly
two hours of the afternoon. Aside from
this witness and Assistant District Attor-
ney Bluek no person other than a member
of the jury was permitted to enter the
room during the session. After the wit
ness was excused the jurors had pro-
longed conference, from which the Assist
ant District Attorney was excluded. 1t
was evident that the plan OF polling the
jury and pledging each member to secrecy
was again invoked. This form was OBJ
served when the accusation against
Thomas Ashworth, Superintendent OF
Streets, was under discussion.
Diligent inquiry failed to indicate that
any particular School Director was under
suspicion, but the questions propounded
to Mr.. Hyde foreshadowed a purpose to
get all the facts concerning high salaries
and the employment of more teachers
than it is claimed the number of pupils
attending the school justities. Reference
was made to individual cases of inequality
in the treatment OF teachers.
Data has been submitted to show that
appointments and promotions have been
made from time to time for many years to
strengthen the following of School Direc
tors so that their political fortunes would
be advanced. 1t was shown TO the jury that
position once created to help director
was seldom abolished. The necessity for
the employment of certain teachers might
cease, but the rule ''once on the payroll
forever on the payroll" still existed.
The Grand Jury is expected to make a
careful study of the present system of en-
plOy Ing substitute lCoCACio W Vic Cuu tddt q
saving of ST., 900 a year may be effected with
out injustice to any teacher or detriment
to the cause of education. The attention
of the jury has been called to the state
ment that while the number of pupils at
tending the public schools shows but a
slight increase over the attendance six
years ago the increase in the number of
high-salaried teachers is startling. The
jury, it is said, will inquire about the fads
the cooking-schools, the languages. draw
ing and many other features of modern in
struction. incidentally the inquiry may
broaden out to the scope of ascertaining
why the parochial and private schools are
getting an increase of pupils correspond
ing to the increase of population, while
the public school system, which is steadily
growing in cost to the taxpayers. is not
making any Roadway in enlisting new
pupils.
Before the Grand Jury concludes the
investigation many curious features in the
system of purchasing supplies will be ex-
planned.
Three times yesterday the Grand Jury
sent a deputy TO summon Sheriff r. l..
Whelan. Word came back each time that
the Sheriff was not in his office and had
not been there since noon. The Sheriff S
office is to be Investigated to ascertain all
about the collection OF fees.
A member of the jury said yesterday :
ave are not anyway near through with
our work. In fact, we are now trying to
get at the secrets of the new City Hall
family"