Evening star., 1905-08-25
HIGH SCHOOL FRICTION
CONSIDERATION BY BOARD MEG.
EssARILY DEFERRED.
Extra Session Prevented by Absence Of
4embers-Statemsnt by Com
missioner Mcfarland.

1t. was stated today at the efice Of the
board Of education in the Franklin build
ing that 1t will be impossible to hold an
extra session Of the board before the time
assigned for the first meeting of the school
year. September 9. for consideration Of the
Eastern High School matter or any other
business. Members are scattered through
out the country and there is no chance that
a quorum can be obtained.
A meeting of the executive committee of
the East Washington Citizens Association
will be held as soon as a quorum can be
secured. when action is likely to be taken
in the matter OF securing a new principal
FOR the school. Considerable feeling has
been aroused by what is said to be the
neglect by the school board of the resolu-
tons of the committee with respect to the
objections against the retention of Mr.
Swartzell
The idea that the transfer Of Mr.. Swart-
zell to the post made vacant by the resig-
nation of ]. r. Freeman, supervising prin-
cipal of the second division, would solve
the difficulty of the school board and sat
1sfy the East Washington people, Is said to
be gaining ground. The office of the second
division Is at the Henry school. 7th and
streets northwest. The control of the
division would be promotion for Mr.
Swartzel. to whose scholarship and In
tegrity the school board has testified the
salary of supervisor being $1,000, while
that of a high school principal is $500.
The selection of Mr.. Swartzell for the super
visoIship of the second division, 1t Is point
ed out. would eliminate him from high
school interests.
Commissioners Without Authority.
No communication on the Swartzeli case
has been received by the Commissioners
from the East Washington Citizens Asso-
citation since August 8. when the Commis
sioners received copy Of the resolutions
sent to the board Of education. No action
was taken by the Commissioners on those
resolutions because as Commissioner Mac
farland stated at the time. 1t was not
matter within their jurisdiction. Congress,
he stated. had plainly defined the authority
over such matters when it said in the act of
1900 creating the board of education. that
'ft shall have complete juriy iiction over all
administrative matters connected with the
public schools of the District Of Columbia
and also that 1t shall have power ito en-
ploy and remove all teachers. officers and
other employees connected with the public
schools
The Commissioners Mr. Macfarland said
today. could not call a meeting Of the board
of education any more than they could dfc-
tate to the board its decision in this or any
similar matter He stated that Of course
the board of education will give respectful
consideration to the resolutions Of the East
Washington Citizens Association and any
other communication from citizens on me
subject. and he had no doubt the boards
decision will be just and judicious.
Makes Suggestion.
Without having heard from the board Of
education on the subject. Mr.. Macfarland
said he would make a suggestion. which
must be obvious, that the board Of educa-
ton will want. before taking action. to re-
ceive the promised report OF the Business
Mems Association which association has
announced that 1t is making an investiga-
ton of the matter. 1t would seem only
courteous to such an important body OF
citizens to wait for any light which it might
throw on the questions involved. He had,
however. volunteered no suggestions in re-
gard to this case to the board of education,
although he was known by the board to be
ready to respond to any request for advice
from the board or any member of it.
Mr.. Macfarland, speaking generally said
he believes II Is only fair to assume that
the members of the board Of education are
at least as much interested in the welfare
of the public school system as anybody else
and that they might be counted upon to-
safeguard fmpartially the interests COM
mitted to their care. The very organization
of the board Of education, as body, every
member of which represents the whole Dis
trict rather than particular section of 1t,
insures such consideration.
Holds Weekly Meetings.
The weekly meetings of the committee ap-
pointed by the Business Mems Association
to investigate the trouble growing out of
the case of Prof. Swartzell are being con-
tinued. Mr. James F. Oyster, president of
the association, says that the report Of the
committee will be ready to be submitted to
the school board when that body meets on
September g. The findings Of the commit
tee. of which Mr.. Oyster and Fred s. Col
dren. chairman. decline to speak, will be
published If the school board sees fit after
the first meeting
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