Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-02
G. J. Bell Elected President; Geo. H.
Harries, Vice President.
TERMS OF OFFICE OF MEMBERS
Complete Organization to Be Ef-
fected Next Saturday.
THE INITIAL EET1N G

The board of education of the District of
Columbia, appointed by President McKin-
ley in accordance with the authority of
Congress, to take control of the public
school system of the national capital, held
its initial meeting this morning at the
Franklin School building, and was in ses-
sion two hours. All the members were
present, being Mr.. Charles ]. Bell, Mr.. ].
Holdsworth, Gordon, DR.. Richard Kins-
man, Gen. George H. Harries, Mrs. Henry
Litchfield West, Mr.. ]. f. Bundy and Mrs.
J. R. Francis.
Applicants for Places.
The meeting of the board had the effect
of attracting to the Franklin building a
number of persons or others interested in
the welfare of such who have an eye on
the various positions to be filled, and there
was some disappointment expressed that
the deliberations were private, and this
prevented callers expressing themselves in
behalf of their cherished projects before
the members The meeting, however, was
for organization purposes, and a general
interchange of views as to the necessities
of the public schools and the policy most
wise and prudent to be followed in their
direction.
Commissioner Macfarland's Happy
Remarks.
District Commissioner Macfarland who
has immediate supervision of public school
matters, was present. and after the mu-
tual introduction OF members Of the beard,
and before it began its meeting, he said:
Il have come this morning simply to bid
you godSpeed as you begin your labOrS.
The board of education just at this juncture
has more important work to do than any
other agency Of the city Congress, as
the result of the investigation of our pub
lie school system by the Senate committee
OH the District of Columbia, has provided,
i'll the District of Columbia appropriation
act for the fiscal yeal, {, new order of
things. 1t has put the administrative con-
troll, and therefore The administrative re-
sponsibilty, in the han,;s OF the board of
education. newly created for the purpose,
in place of the board of public school trus
tees. You are to fill the newly created Off
ces of superintendent end assistant super
intendents and to appoint all the otter Of
ficials and instructors. You are to deter
mine what shall be done by these officials
ard instructors In the instruction of the
many thousands Of pupils in our public
schools. 1t is a great trust, involving not
only the present, but the future. of the city,
ard demanding peculiar abilities and per-
sonal devotion. The community which has
ratified your selection by, the Commissioners
is confident that you viii execute this trust
ably, Zealously and 1ighteously. 1t is CRATE
full to you for underta king this great task.
Success in it Will be its own reward, but
you will have also, the satisfying knowl-
what you accomplish"
Business Transacted Today.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Macfarland's re-
marks he babe the members Godspeed in
their labors and the meeting organized with
the selection of DR.. Kingsman as tom
porary chairman and Mr. .Bundy as tenn
porary secretary. The members then drew
lots for the terms of Office, which, under the
law creating the board, are from one to
seven years. The drawing resulted fol-
lows: Mr.. Gordon, one yea; Mr. Bunny,
two years, Gen. Harries, three years; Mrs.
West. four years: M. Bell five years; Dr.
Kingsman. six years, and. Mrs. FL ancis,
seven years. Permanent organization was
thereupon effected with the erection of Mr..
Charles J. Bell as president and Gen.
George II. Harries as vice pras.den..
Gen. Harries and Mr. Gordon were APP
pointed committee to draw up bylaws and
rules to govern the board, and resolution
was adopted directing al the supervising
principals of the various schools and Direc-
tor Lane of the High Schools to meet the
board next Saturday July Z, at l O'Clock,
at the Franklin building, in order to talk
over the entire educational subject. At this
meeting, which promises to be protracted,
a superintendent, assistant superintendent
and secretary will be chosen and all other
places within the disposal of the board will
he filled