The Washington times., 1906-03-01
Accused by One of Their
Race With Ineffi-
cheney.
WHITES GET PREFERENCE
DR.. 9. NJ. Atwood Hints at
Observation-Disclosures
Praise System.

A denunciatiOn OF the Board of Educa-
ton by DR.. O. NJ. Atwood coloTed. and
unstinted praise for the same body by
A. +, Serven. president of the North
Capitol and Eckington Citizens Associ-
alton. were the features OF the one-hour
hearing today before the House District
Committees school subcommittee on the
pending bills to Teorganize the local
public school system.
DR.. Atwood said he would vouch for
the truth OF the charge made yesterday
against the Board of Education by
Thomas II. Leisinrlng and made the
further direct accusation that the board
does not govern the coIored schools as
well as it does The white schools of the
District. He thought this was due. in
some measure. to the inefficieucy Of the
COlored members Of the board
AIT Server said his section o. the
District of Columbia had been eatssfied
for the past two years with the manage
ment of the schools by the present Board
OF Education and superintendent OF
schools.
Dr.. Atwood's Committee.
DR.. Atwood said he represented a com
mittee Of six or seven gentlemen look
ing after the interests of the colored
schools. He explained that in 1903 he
was told that there was an attempt be
ing made TO cut down the curriculum
Of the III Street High School. He asked
James F. Bundy. a cOlOred member Of
the Board OF Education, il such a thing
was true. and received from Mr.. Bun
dy an absolute denial of any such at
tempt or intention
He read to ths subcommittee q letter
he had at one time sent to the Iate Gen.
Boynton. then chairman of the board
saying cases Of backwardness at the
NJ Street High School were explainable
by the failure of certain graded schools
to properly prepare the boys and girls
for the higher school. The letter also
declared that failure of the board 10
punish the alleged cases OF drinking at
the NJ Street High School had persuaded
boys there that drinking was not ser
ious affair.
What was the result of this cOmmuni-
eation?" asked Mr.. Greene.
There were no results. so far as I
know" replied Dr. Atwood. There was
some talk Of investigation
He deplOred, he said. the tendency of
tba tbe = board o2 ariz to cover up things; and
boards disposition to acquiesce in
wrongs. The board pretty soon got
after irregularities in the white schools
You make the point queried Mr..
Morrell. that the board does not OBJ
serve toward the cOlored schools the
same rigorous course it does toward
That's about it," agreed DR.. At
wood
! He then said Mr.. Hughes had really
cut down the curriculum in the NJ
| Street School, or had recommended it,
| which was the same thing.
Scores Colored Members.
You charge discrimination against
| the colored schools?" asked Mr.. Greene
Rather, inefficiency Of the colored
members the board" said Dr. At
wood.
| a. r. Serven. president Of the North
| Capitol and lexington Citizens Asso-
| citation, and former chief examiner of
| the Civil Service Commission, said he
has tried to keep closely in touch with
school matters in the District of Column
bia since 1898.
During the last two years." he said,
our organization has had no COM
| paint from parents with children in
'he schools Prior to that. there were
many complaints. 1 think it but fair
! to say that the local schools are now
| IN better condition than they ever have
! oeen before. Our association has re-
! CSuuy gone on record as approving
] the present conduct of the schools
| w nat Is principally and greatly need
ed here Is more pay for the teachers So
/ mat we may keep here our best feacb1
ers. SN 0S1Ch-
/ The present Board of Educa flor, a,,7
/ Superintendent of Schools had a berd
task on their hands when they ass1IT-
ed control They have discharged mat
TASK very well, uDostentatiouSIV7 bIIt af
| fectively- / tell you this because I 6on,+
! Ihlnk you ought to get the Idea 49,
all the citizens of the Distrtcr -
against the present board So far os
/ have been able to find out this -,
mendation of the board is oaHoIlaI
| throughout the District
| The unfortunate affair at the ENas+
ern High School last year caused 30
| course, some division of sentirnenT "a
| the city. but ] don't think anv otbar -.
/ board could have handled il anv better
/ II was an unfortunate AFFAIR. and tha
| board did the best they could with II
/ The same statement applies to tho re
cent difficulties at the NJ Street High
| School" Ni'si
| DO you know of any discrirninatio,,
against the colored schools?'' asked Mr.
| Greene
/ None whatever" replied Mr.. Serven
The subcommittee adjourned at II. "A
clock 70 give way to the ree1Ilar :
weekly meeting Of the full District Com
mittee: 1t met again at 2:30 O'Clock
! this afternoon.