The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-16
Shows How Record of
the Investigation Was
SeCreted.
SOME SERIOUS CHARGES
Believes Inquiry Was a
"WhitewaShing of the
Guilty Parties.

To the Editor of The Washington Times:
The Times is fully justified in remind
ing the president Of the Board of Edu-
| cation that he has grave responsible
| ties 20 the public. and that IT is now
/ his duty to let il be known whether
there is any foundation, and. if any.
what foundation. for the serious reports
/ In general circulation touching school
/ conditions. The Tines in its issue Of
last evening does right, and daily
/ strengthens itself with our citizens by
holding all public servants to the strict
est account 5ility. Failure on my part
/ to respond could only be interpreted TO
mean either a willingness TO conceal
demoralizing Influences which have long
existed in the schools. or to condone
them. 1 cannot afford to occupy either
attitude before the public.
/ 1 have not consulted any member OF
the Board Of Education in regard 10 the
call or The Times for information, and
so speak for myself alone ] have no
authority to speak for the Board.
1t is true. as Mr. Stocking said In his
remarks, that but for the star" influence
the case still in hand would have been
quietly settled TWO years ago, for upon
Commissioner Macfarland's advice the
I
I Volved had handed him his resignation.
and they had agreed as to certain
changes OF verbiage- While It was in
hand 10 make fair copy this influence
advised emphaucally as the sworn tes-
I timony shows. thar IL be not again
submitted. and this emphatic advice
( was followed
SeGous Conditions.
TIE serousness ~ the conditions ascer-
tained BY Commissioners Macfarland at
the outset IS clearly shown by his own
words, as they appear in the official
record, presenting the reason for advis-
| ing the member OF the Board Of Edlea
/ iOn involved 10 resign:
1t was that il might save the public
J Sch0ol system, and. secondly. the ROarff
: Ol EuucauOn, and the COMMISSIONS AZ
I Ine mead or that department and FOR
! mat matter. the entire District govern
| The resignation being withdrawn IN
: der the advice indicated ComrnfssIoner
I MaCfarland. as directed took the "a 81
/ DeIore the fun board. UpOn Commits
! sloner Ross motion that Mr.. Macfar-
4 4and own request for resignation De.
[ approved and renewed, Mr.. MacfarIar1d
I VOteQ no and the Investigation ys-err
/ on occupying eight months. after de
/ Quoting the delay incident To the death
I or Mr.. Ross.
/ Under the courtesy prevailing between
/ Jhe commissioners, which gives that
I com missioner charged with any depart
. ment OF the District government prefer
/ cnce in its management Mr. AIacfar-
I land, being IN charge Of schools 8or7i-
/ mated the Investigation. Al It's close il
I was declared that the member of the
. board who was under the exclusive fu-
] rlsdlcuon Of the Commissioners had
/ been vindicated; in other words tbaf
/ his own admissions had been ignored
I Subsequently, thanks 10 Commission
/ ers West and BiGdlc. Il resignation fol
/ lowing a reappOlntment was compelled
/ Jurisdiction of the Commissioners was
settled in its final shape with a right
result
Board of Education.
The unsettled element of the case came
[ within the exclusive jurisdiction OF the
/ Board OF Education Upon this point
Commissioner AIacfarIahd in the pro-
. gress Of the hearing Informed the presi-
dent Of the Board Of Education that the
only function the Commissioners couId
have respecting reports rejecting upuu
one under their jurisdiction would be to
bring them 20 your attention as presi-
dent OF the Board for the information
. of the Board"
AT the close Of the hearing. the presi-
{ dent OF the Board, acting ia strict CON
! fOrmity with this notice from Mr. Mac
! tarlaud. made a written official request
! for copy Of the record, OF which sew
J tral copies existed at The District Build
:. ID
DE that II might be called 70 the atteu-
tion OF the Board for its information.
] This request WSS declined. ON the
! ground that the full Board had mon
/ asked for the record. .rnis was only
| device TO avoid sending il, since tho.
/ member of the Board involved still re
: manned and voted al Board meetings on
/ all questions relating To the case. which
/ mace il impossible TO obtain the four
/ votes necessary 70 request a CODY of The
/ record under the decision thar the fun
] I a IN
{ according TO the method laid down to-
/ the president of the Board by Mr. Mac
! farlaud himself.
/ All Requests Refused.
! Several applications from the presi-
/ dent of the Board were refused although
/ made in accordance with Mr. Macfar-
/ lands first Instructions. and. as a con-
/ sequence. the Board OF Education has
| not yet obtained or seen the sworn
I record. As it had no power To admins
! ter oaths. in case il proceeded with an
; investigation, IL could only have accent
{ ed the unsworu statements Of such as
. chose 10 come before il in case of u
J hearing. II VIII seem strange to most
that there should have been any hcsi-
! fancy IN furnishing what was claimed
1 10 be an eNOueraung record II il really
had been this, il is incredible that there
should not have beer lively desire TO
promptly furnish il.
il is also true that at no time has il
! been possible 10 obtain four votes in
the Board of Education ia favor OF ask
: ing for the testimony given under oath.
3 aud undertaking an investigation
The statement Of MI. Stocking at the
Mount Pleasant meet ting. is absolutely
true. that there has been no iuVestig:l-
; ton OF the case In hand by the Board
! OF Education since its organization
The assertion repeatedly made that at
Continued On Third Page