The Washington times., 1901-08-01
A SALARY CHECK HELD UP.
A Board of Education Problem
Awaiting a Solution.

Pay for the Month Of July CIaimed Il
by Secretary Rodrick and His
Predecessor - Comment on the
Appointment OF the Former.
Within the past month there has been
good deal of comment over the election of
Walter f. Rodsick as Secretary of the
Board of Education TO succeed Major II.
II Twombley. Not only has the appoint
ment itself been criticised by prominent
business men. but the alleged methods
used in bringing about the appointment
have been made the subject of unfavora-
bic remark The fact has leaked out that
while there were twelve other applicants
for the position. some of them well en-
dorsed by the leading men of the city, the
name of Mr. Rodrick alone was consid-
cred in connection with the office. In
deed il is alleged that the applications
on She twelve men referred to are now in
the desk of the Secretary of the Board OF
Education with their seals unbroken, or
were so up to few days ago.
Comment on the subject extends not
only to the methods used to appoint Mr.
Rodric6. but to the manner in which the
former occupant of the Office was frozen
out" TO use a common expression. Ihe
law regulating the reorganization OF the
pubic school system provided that 1t
should be composed of two branches in
the executive department-that which was
purely educational and that which per
tained to the business side of the system
The business end OF the matter is under
the control of the secretary and the edu-
cational details are left to the Superin-
tendent of Education and his two assist
ants.
The bylaws of the Board, in defining
the duties of the secretary, prescribe that
hs shall be the chief executive officer and
shall have entire control of the office
fierce. This was a new departure from
the old plan and was calculated to in
crease the prestige Of the office OF secre-
tary of the Board by taking him out from
under the direct supervision of the Su-
perintendent
1t is alleged that this proved a source
OF friction between the Superintendent
and the secretary during the year. II is
stated that Major Twombley was inclined
to insist upon his rights under the rules.
and that Superintendent Stuart was in
clined to dispute the point. Major Twom-
biey. it is said. earnestly endeavored TO
carry out the law and the instructions of
The Board. and the story goes that Sup
eIintendent Stuart as assiduously sought
10 make his influence and authority felt
This led to friction.
As to the methods used in naming
successor TO Major Twombley, it is stat
ed that everything was cut and dried for
the appointment of Mr.. Rodrick, even
before Major Twombley resigned. Rumor
has il that upon the night that the old
secretary's resignation MAS offered, DIR.
Richard Kingsman arose and moved that
Mr.. Rodrick be appointed to succeed Ma
jor Twombley. Objection being made to
such hasty action. ii is said that the mat
ter was referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means, composed of General
Boynton, James f. Bundy, and Gen
George Harries. Before the matter was
taken Up by the committee, the names of
twelve men were sent in, as follows. H.
0. Hine, james r. West, Harry Y. Do
mer. Harrison Dingman, C. A Lyon, w
b. Bryan. clifford Howard. R. A. Church,
+. F. Schrader, i. W. Murch, g. L. Peck
ham, and II. II. Burroughs.
Mr. Hine. VINO was connected formerly
with the Washington Y. NJ c. A, was
strongly endorsed He had the support of
s w Woodward. John b. Larner, and
Commissioner Macfarland. Harry Y. Do
mer had the endorsement of Charles ].
Bell. the former President of the Board.
James e. West, Clifford Howard, and
practically all the others had endorse
ment nearly as strong.
1t is alleged that Mr.. Rodrick was en-
dorsed by Or. Kingsman, and it is under
81 d that Dr. hiugsman secured the en-
iG-s -ment not only of majority OF the
C,-1sr littee on Ways and Means, but Of
the entire Board OF Education, piedging
re OF them TO vote for his man before
the applications OF the candidates named
We're considered or even thought of. II
is stated that the Committee on Ways
and Means was called to meet at General
Boyntons office a day or 50 before the
meeting of the Board OF Education to
elect the secretary. IL is also said that
when General Harries arrived at this
meeting he was presented with a paper
endorsing Mr. Rodrick as secretary, con-
tanning the names Of five Of the seven
members of the Board
General Harries. il is said t~-'-