Evening star., 1900-04-02
PROPOSED SCHOOL BOARD
PLAN OF SENATOR STEWARDS CoMs
MITTEE GENERALLY FAVORED,
President Knox of Business Mems As
socfaffon Expresses His Views I'm o
Letter to Senator Allison. q

Mr.. W. S. Knox has sent the following
communication to Senator Allison. chair
man of the Senate committee on appropria-
tions:
The Business Mems Association. of which
/ have the honor to be president has been
deeply interested in the recent investiga-
ton, made by a subcommittee of the Senate
committee on the District of Columbia, of
our public school system There is no de-
partment of our District government in
which we are more deeply concerned, and
there is none in which the majority of our
citizens have a greater or more just pride.
No one of its most pronounced friends has
claimed that 1t has reached perfection or
is free from defects in respects capable of
Improvement. The history of our school
system has been one of rapid growth and
marVeiousiy quick development upon the
best educational lines, and il is the DELHI
crate Judgment Of this association that
there Is much more to commend than to
criticise in this history and in The present
condition of the system
we desire to have existing defects in the
system itself and in the methods of instruc-
tloh ana courses of study corrected. but not
by sudden and radical departures from the
present system, methods and courses Such
proposed departures necessarily raise grave
ana difficult problems, which should not be
resolved hastily or except after a careful
study by a competent board. composed of
representative citizens, whose capacity and
loyal interest in our schools cannot be
doubted.
the recommendation made by the Senate
District committee, after its recent invests
cation. have been, 1 believe, generally ap.
proved by the citizens of this District
The proposition to reduce the number Of
members of the board of education to five
meets @ with with our hearty approval.
we look, however, with much concern
upon the proposition to have the members
OF this board selected by the President OF
the United States instead of the board Of
commissioners, and there is unanimity of
sentiment that selections for this board
should be made from bona fide citizens of
the District, men whose interests are local-
lied here, as Illustrated by long residence
In washington and actual participation IA
our business and municipal affairs.
Thus far our public school system has
been free from partisan and political in
nuences. and the disadvantages of the spoils
system, and 1t Is OF the first Importance
that the reorganization now proposed
should provide for the perpetuatIon OF this
fortunate condition.
While realizing the added dignity which
an appointment by the President would give
to such an office, and that this element will
be of appreciable value, 1 urgently suggest
that the law should specifically provide
that those appointed on this board shall
have been bona fide residents of the Dis
trict of Columbia for not less than five
years Immediately prior to the date of their
appointment.
We unhesitatingly approve of the promo
sition TO give the board ample powers of
supervision and the authority which the
committee recommend.
We believe, however, that special care
should be exercised. that the experiences
gained In the past successful administration
OF the system may not be sacrificed or ig-
nored 1t is unQuestionably true that at
divers times in the conduct Of the present
system desirable laws and regulations have
been adopted; and it is our opifion that
these laws and regulations, in so far as they
relate to appointments and promotions OF
teachers and employees. shall remain OPERA
tive until the newly organized board shall
repeal or modify them
We approve of the suggestion to proyids
compensation for members of the board.
but believe that the maximum amount 10
be allowed should not exceed the s,,rn
recommended by the committee: and II Is
iurther suggested that the amendment pro-
posed will require some modification and
enlargement in order to specify clearly the
relations between the proposed school de-
partment and the board of Commissioners
IN respect TO the fiscal responsib lft,es
The Business Mems Association which
numbers over 500 of our city's representa-.
1--WE business and professional men is deer-
ly and most vitality concerned in the sue-
sesuons contained in this letter and would
De grained, should the opportunity be az
forQed, TO be heard by your honorab bic conn
mlttee- Should, however, the circumstances
render this impossible, we ask al your
hands thoughtful consideration of the
points contained herein