Evening star., 1900-04-04

" SoilSlutT QutStIoHS uteLueu " pC Va pun
lie Importance. Several communications
from other associations were read and the
report of the executive committee was sub
mitted.
Among the communications received was
one from the Columbia Historical Society
In this letter the society offered to take
charge of the records of the association, for
the preservation of the important business
recorded. This letter, as well as others,
was referred to the executive committee.
The Public Schools.
The school question was discussed by
ter relating to the proposed change in the
school system was received from the North
Capitol and lexington Citizens Associa-
ton. The secretary stated in the letter
that he had been instructed to ask the sev-
eral citizens associations to urge upon
Congress favorable action upon the pro-
posed legislation.
IF the report of the Senate investigating
committee is not adopted stated the sec
retary, 'it is probable the present system
will continue, and also that the teachers
who had the courage to state facts before
the committee may have to suffer-.
Mr.. Appleton p Clark, jr., acting chair
man of the committee on schools and Ii
braries, submitted a report. After setting
nut the contents of the bill, the committee
states that its members are of the opinion:
"First-That 1t is desirable to have the
status of the school board more clearly de-
fined than under present conditions, and
that the full authority for control of the
public schools should be placed in their
hands. The school board as it exists, is an
advisory board and has only such powers
as the Commissioners may delegate to it
which seem rather uncertain. The line of
demarcation between the duties and re-
sponsibilities of the superintendent of
schools and the trustees does not seem to
be clearly defined.
appointment of Trustees.
''Second-That the trustees of the public
schools should be appointed by the Com
missioners of the District instead of by the
President, as provided by this amendment.
The Commissioners are in a better posi-
ton by reason of their more intimate local
acquaintance to make the best selections
for members Of the school board. The
President may have practically no knowI-
edge of local affairs. and without the time
to give due consideration to what to him
would be quite unimportant appointments.
Third-That the board of trustees should
consist of at least eleven members, one for
each school division, and they should re-
side in the divisions for which they are ap-
pointed, and should have been residents of
the District of Columbia for the five years
Immediately preceding their appointment
and should not hold any other office under
the United States or the District govern
ment.
'Our public school system comes in closer
touch with the people than any other
branch of the government. 1t is very de-
sfrable not to centraliZe the power but to
spread 1t out and have representatives scat
tered through the various neighborhoods of
a community, SO as to bring to the central
board q true knowledge of the various
phases of educational and social conditions
and thus have the knowledge to properly
provide for the needs of each section We
believe that this cannot be accomplished
better than by purely local representation
of comparatively small divisions, by trus-
tees who are residents of the sections they
represent.
"Fourth-Should Congress deem 1t advis-
able to attach some compensation to the Of
flee of trustee, we are of the opinion that
the amount should not be as large as stated
in the amendment; it should not exceed $500
per annum for each trustee. For a school
board 1t Is desirable that the place should
truly seek the man and not the man The
place, and it fills us with apprehension if
the compensation should be large enough
to create undue striving for the appoint
ments from financial standpoint"
Amendment Proposed.
Mr.. Tracy l.. Jeffords suggested In the
form Of amendment that the word
male be inserted before the word eleven
in the report. This, he explained, would
mean that the board of trustees should be
composed entirely of men.
Several members were soon upon their
feet to protest against the adoption of the
amendment. 1t was their opinion that the
mothers Of the children should have say
in the matter of schools. Mr.. Jeffords then
suggested that the amendment be voted
down in order that he might move that. the
word female be inserted. The associa-
ton voted simply to permit the amendment
to lie the table. Another amendment
requiring that the trustees be citizens of
the United States was accepted and the
report was adopted.
Telephone Question Discussed.
When President Smith called the atten-
ton Of the association to the question of
telephones Mr.. Tracy L. Jeffords moved
that the president of the association ap-
point a committee of three to appear be-
fore the Senate subcommittee at hearing
soon to be held and that the association re-
affirm the resolutions passed two years ago,
which were read as follows:
First That the charges for telephone
service in the District should be lowered
and unlimited service furnished.
Second. That we will use all reasonable
efforts to effect this result.
Third. That we believe the telephone
service in the District should be under
municipal control.
Fourth That we favor legislation and
other action for the introduction into the
District of any competing telephone COM
pany, which is sound financially and fair
in its character and methods, and which
will give sufficient guaranty to properly
and promptly repair streets where it dis
turhs them. and the franchise of which
shall provide that 1t shall continue in busi-
ness for term of not less than ten years
and shall not dispose of it's franchise of
rights in any manner during that time, and
shall not impose any unnecessary restric-
tions upon subscribers. and that during
said period the telephone rates shall not
be raised or the character of the service in
any way impaired.
The motion was adopted.
Charities and Corrections.
Rev. w. f. Parsons, chairman of the
committee on charities and corrections, ad-
dressed the association. The question was
brought up by a report of the committee
of the beard of trade, recently made, con-
cerning the Jail, workhouse and aims
house. The report recommends the ulti-
mate removal of these institutions from
| their present sites, together with potter
| field and smallpox hospital and other
| Things that are Objectionable.
Mr. s. w. Curriden said he thought 1t
was gross injustice to the people of East
Washington to continue these institutions
| in their present locations. They prevent
| the extension of Massachusetts and Geor-
gia avenues. He told Of a conversation that
| occurred between real estate dealer and a
prospective purchaser. The latter was a
| comparative stranger in East Washington,
| and when he learned that the buildings in
| sight of Lincoln Park were prisons pros