Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-10
RESUL I OF INQUIRY
Statement Regarding Charges
Against School Officials.
HISTORY OF THE CASE
REFERENCE TO RESOLUTION OF
NIB. MoRRELL.
introduced in House Of Representa-
lives at the Recent Session
-.st
Of Congress-.
HISTORY OF THE CASE

unanimous action, hab directed the puhu-
cation Of statement relative to the res0
luton introduced IN the House by Repre-
sentative Moyren just prior to adjournment
CT the Fifty-eighth Congress, asking for
information from the Commissioners con-
corning their investigation Of certain
charges against officials in the public
schools of Washington. The statement
given out by the Commissioners includes
the statement prepared in February. 1908,
at the close Of the investigation Of the mat
ter. and 1t embodies the conclusions reach
ed by the District authorities as the result
of the inquiry. This statement has never
before been made public.
The Commissioners preface the publica-
ton Of their statement Of conclusions on
the result of the investigation by the fol-
lowing:
s"The attention Of the Commissioners has
been called to the fact that Representative
Morrell Of Pennsylvania was quoted as say.
Ing In The Washington Evening Star or
April %, In connection with the introduc-
ton of q resolution calling upon the Conn
missiOners for all the papers In the matter
Of their Investigation OF school conditfons.
which ended In February year ago, that
the Commissioners took no action as the
result of their investigation, according to
his information. After due consideration,
1t seems to the Commissioners necessary 70
say that Representative Morrell was misin-
formed Action was taken by the COM
missioners and it was embodied by them
In the following statement OF conclusions
at the close Of the investigation referred TO-,
which was signed by the three Commits
sioners on February 2, 19O3.
The Official Statement.
The statement of the Commissioners fol-
lows:
.'This matter was laid before the board
of Commissioners February 1, 1903. by
Commissioner mcfarland, in charge or
public schools, in consequence OF repre-
sensations which had been made to him.
Commissioner Macfarland suggested that
charges in writing, with offer of proof be
requested of those who were DESTROYS to
have the matter Investigated Pending the
consideration Of this suggestion Commits
sioner Ross, on the oath of February, 1902
suggested that the Commissioners request
the resignation of George H. Harries, MEM
Der of the board Of education. In the in
terchange of opinions which followed the
other Commissioners opposed this sugges-
tion and insisted that the matter should De
investigated as had been suggested by
Commissioner Mcfarland. This course
having been adopted, an effort was made
by the Commissioners to secure the pre-
sentation of charges in writing, with oner'
of proof.
having been formally indicated to them as
possessed of information respecting the
matter, Gen. Henry V. Boynton, the presi-
dent of the board of education was ASKED
to communicate to any who might be cir
culating charges the desire of the COM
missioners to have them appear to present
their charges and proofs formally. General
Boynton appeared before the Commission
ers on the ed of April and stated that ne
had no charges to make, but desired TO
present what he had heard in regard to
the matter, which he did. He gave the
name OF no one who could furnish state
ments of alleged fact except DR.. Louease
N. Lehman. The Commissioners thereupon
determined to summon DIR. Lehman, and
requested Commissioner Ross to commune
cate with her and secure her appearance
before the Commissioners. DR.. Lehman
did not appear, but instead sent an afnda-
Wit. The Commissioners insisted that DR..
Lehman should appear, since she was In
the city of Washington, but she did not
come.
gested that inasmuch as the Commission
ers did not have the power to compel the
attendance of witnesses or administer
oaths. they should suspend the inyestiga-
ton until they procured the enactment OF
legislation giving them such authority. "a
provision giving the Commissioners such
authority had been inserted in the District
of Columbia appropriation bill. then pend
ing, at the request of the Commissioners.
to meet as stated to the House committee
on appropriations, necessity which arose
in connection with a proposed investigation
of the Washington asylum. This legisla-
ton was finally enacted in the District of
Columbia appropriation bill which was ap-
proved July /, 1922 The other members
of the board insisted that 1t was not neces-
sary to await the enactment of that 1egis-
iation, and desired to proceed with the in
yeStigatiOn.