Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-31
TRUSTEES TAKE ACTION
School Board Disposes Of the Question Of As
sessments Upon Teachers.
Investigating Complaint that Contrib
Fund Were Made Compulsory.

There was a meeting Of the board of
school trustees Saturday afternoon at the
Franklin school building. The meeting
was held to investigate the report that the
teachers of the city had been assessed the
sum of $500 in gross to help defray the
expenses of the coming convention of the
National Educational Association, to as
senble here in July. There were present
Of the membership. besides President
Whelpley, Messrs. Brown, Richardson,
Barnard. Harries, Wilson, DR.. Hazen and
Mrs. Tullock.
When Superintendent Powell was called
upon he arose to make an explanation. He
said that, as a matter Of fact. he had moth
the committee Of finance, he stated, and
therefore none Of the responsibility for
what had been done could rest on his
shoulders. The idea that he had made any
assessment, he declared, was erroneous.
So far as he was able to learn, the heads
of the departments had arranged the plan
OF securing contributions from the teach
ers.
At the suggestion of Superintendent
Powell, Mr.. A. I. Stuart, chairman of the
finance committee, and supervising princi-
pal OF the third division, appeared before
the board to explain how the 81, 500 should
De contributed by the teachers.
Mr.. stuart's Statement.
Mr.. Stuart said that after 1t had been
agreed the sum named should be raised
among the teachers. different methods of
procuring 1t were talked of by the COM
mittee. 1t was finally decided that the
most equitable and acceptable plan would
be to have the teachers contribute &C
cordfng to the salaries they received show
Ing them how little they might contribute
and at the same time raise the required
amount. This plan was adopted, but not
unanimously. and 1t was decided to ask the
teachers to contribute one-fifth of 1 per
cent OF their salaries, so that a 500 teach
er would contribute 80 cents, and a teacher
who drew more money would be increased
in proportion. 1t was decided to take ad-
vantage of the existing organization in
the schools to raise the amount, and the
supervising principals were requested to
submit the matter to their teachers. 1t
was to be distinctly stated that these were
to be voluntary contributions, and those
VINO were unable to give were to be pro-
tected. Mr.. Stuarts teachers received the
request without any objections, but he was
unable to state whether or not they had
many objections after the request. and he
thought that all the supervising principals
had received good responses to the propo-
sftion, the full amount having been almost
Immediately subscribed in the fourth diyis-
lon. Mr.. Stuart said he realized that the
plan was open to criticism, and suggested
that II 1t outraged public sentiment, the
board of trustees direct its suspension but
at the same time issue an exhortation to
teachers to come forward. take hold and
make the convention success. Mr.. Stuart
read the letter that he had sent to the prin-
ciraf OF the Normal School, asking for con-
tributions.
Adverse Comment.
Mr.. George H. Harries secured the floor
He stated that while there might not have
been the slightest idea of compulsion in the
plan proposed of collecting the money. he
did not think the scheme was a proper
one. TO his mind, he said, II was not right
for superior to approach a subordinate
and ask for subscriptions.
Il shall not permit any man to say"
he said, that the teachers Of the public
schools OF Washington shall give 81 800
The proportion is too large, even II there
was no objection to the principle of the
plan, for 1000 teachers, out OF 29O.OOO in
habitants of this city. to be asked to raise
81 800 of a total of $4,000 to entertain this
convention unless every one concerned is
consulted"
Resolutions Introduced.
Mr. Wilson offered a resolution provided
that as ''it appears to the board Of trustees
that the method adopted in the matter OF
soliciting subscriptions to the fund for the
expense incident to the coming convention
of the National Educational Association
has led to criticism, and has been appar-
ture of compulsory assessment upon
them, such proceedings, il the same justi-
fled such construction, do not meet with
the approval of this board, believing as we
90, that the entire corps Of teachers, recog-
nizing the great benefits which will result
TO the cause of education. not only gener-
ally and locally, but individually, to those
engaged in the profession by the assem-
blage of such a convention in our city, will
naturally and OF their own free choice con-
tribute to this worthy object according to
tier own measure of ability"
Mr.. Barnard offered a substitute for Mr.
Wilson'S resolution to the effect that as
1.-The impression has been created among
some of the teachers that in some way
some of the school authorities have under
taken 10 make an assessment against them
prOportiOned to their salaries for the Ma
tional Educational Association; and as no
such action has been or can be taken by
any one having any authority in any way
10 compel the teachers to make cOntribu-
tons for this purpose, it is the sense of this
board that no action by 1t is necessary in
the premises at this time; and further
mat TINS boar" recognizes the Importance
OF the meeting Of the said Education AS
S0ciation in this city, and that the same
Will appeal to all citizens in such way as
10 induce voluntary subscriptions sufficient
to properly entertain said association"
These resolutions were discussed at some
length. Mr.. Stuart declared that If there
vas any blame in the matter, it should
rest entirely on the financial committee.
run ucuDcTS oI the DOdTO tnOuRht the
action of the committee should not be con-
demned and that 1t should be permitted to
continue the work Of soliciting subscrip-
tons.
Idea of the Board.
A resolution was offered by Mr.. Har-
ries. which was in substance that the idea
of the board Of school trustees was that
school officials should not solicit contribu-
lions from teachers. This precipitated an
other lengthy discussion, and finally a
vote was reached upon the resolutions.
Mr.. Barnard's resolution was carried by
vote Of to g.
Mr. Harries resolution was then put and
carried by vote of to A..
1t was that In the opinion Of this board
the solicitation or collection of contribu-
lions from school teachers to the National
EDUCATIONAL Association fund, or solicita-
ton as to membership in the National Edu-
cational Association, should not be en-
gagged in by any school official"
Mr.. Wilson thought that the attitude of
the board might be misconstrued as being
not friendly toward the convention. and
General Harries offered a resolution, which
was carried almost unanimously, and the
meeting then adjourned. The resolution Of
fv.y Mr.