Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-22

HoAi tSSh huh0Acu CidSS-IOOiH tcStCuGtS
the high and graded schools were appointed
yesterday afternoon by the board Of edu-
cation upon recommendation Of Superin-
tendent Chancellor. The principalships Of
the Eastern. Western and M Street High
schools and Of the Mckinley and Armstrong
Manual Training schools are stin vacant,
as are also the positions Of heads of d.
visions. DR.. Chancellor has gone to Pater-
son. N. J. Before he left he declared he
had not made up his mind as to whom he
would recommend for these positions. He
will return in about four days.
1t was stated by Admiral Baird, presi-
dent of the board. this morning that there
Is no doubt as to the reappointment Of Miss
Wescott as principal Of the Western High
School.
las to Mr.. SwartzeIl of the Eastern and
Miss Cooper of the M Street, 1 have heard
nothing" said the admiral
The board of education met at o'clock
yesterday afternoon with full attendance
Previous to the meeting the committee on
high schools and normal schools and schoI-
arships. of which Prof. Evermann is chair
man. held meeting and went over the
list of recommendations for these schools
prepared by DR.. Chancellor. The appoint
mentS to the graded schools came under the
Jurisdiction Of the committee on teachers
and 1anitors, which consists of Admiral
Baird. Prof. Evermann and John F. Cook.
The public, of course. was admitted to the
regular meeting Of the board, which began
at o'clock, but when several routine mat
tiers had been disposed Of Prof. Evermann
moved the board resolve itself into a COM
mittee of the whole for the purpose of con-
sidering the appointment of teachers. This
motion was seconded and carried by a
unanimous vote.
The Public Excluded.
Then there was some hesitation. and Sec
rotary Conner inquired whether the presi-
dent wished to have the room cleared of
the teachers and reporters, who were inter-
ested listeners Of everything that was going
on Mr. Cox and other members thought
that as the board had formed itself into
committee for the Consideration Of the
appointment OF teachers" the public should
be excluded according to a provision Of
the new school law. Prof Evermann nod
ded assent, and the president told Mr., Con-
nor to clear the room.
This turn of affairs was a surprise to the
audience, especially to the press representa-
tives. the latter being under the impression
that only meetings OF the regular standing
committees Of the board which have to do
with appointments of teachers were intend
ed to be private under the act Of Congress
The board. however, continued its delibera-
lions just as before. except that the doors
were closed as in the old days and when
everything was thrashed over to the salts
faction of the members. apparently the
doors were reopened and the report of the
committee of the whole" was adopted
without delay.
The portion of the new school law under
which the board proceeded in this instance
Is a part of section 2, and reads as fol-
lows:
THE organization meeting and all other
meetings whatsoever, thereafter shall be
open to the public. except committee meet
ings dealing with the appointment Of
teachers"
The opinion has been generally expressed
since the meeting, and in some Instances
by legal authorities, that the board did not
act in accordance with the law in resolv-
ing itself into a committee of the whole
for the evident purpose of excluding the
public. 1t is declared that II this is to be
done always the Whatsoever OF the new
law may as well be considered as having
no meaning.
Caps for the Cadets.
A matter which came before the board
during the time when its deliberations were
open related to the style Of caps which
the cadets Of high schools are to wear next
season. Mr.. James F. Oyster. chairman of
the military committee, reported that the
committee favored the West Point style.
which had been recommended by Mr..
Hughes, and was, according to Mr.. Hughes.
preferred by the cadets. The board ap-
proved the committees view and authorized
it to negotiate for a slight change In the
lettering on the front of the cap. The new
cap will cost little less than the old-style
French cap, which has been worn by the
cadets for severaf years.
A large number of routine matters, with
reference to the renting of additional rooms
to relieve congestion in the various school
buildings, were disposed of. 1t was stated
that the congestion in the Mckinley Manual
Training School could be relieved by using
two rooms in the nearby new Business
High School, provided a business course
be established in the Eastern High School
to take away over a hundred pupils from
the Business school, It has not yet been de-
cided whether the Eastern shall have a
business course, so this question remained
in allegiance.
Considerable time was devoted to dis
cussion of the appointment of normal
school graduates of 1905 and 1906, and It
was decided to refer the question to the
superintendent with the recommendation
that he give due weight to the experience
which many of the graduates have had
In actual teaching since finishing their
courses.
Mrs Mary Church Terrell brought up the
question of furnishing boiled water for
drinking purposes to the pupils during the
coming term. and 1t was referred to the
| proper committee with power to provide
any utensils that may be necessary. Prof.
Evermann suggested that care be taken to
see that the janitors cool the water after
boiling it. He declared this was not al
ways done last year. The increase in
| typhoid this summer Is the cause for the
renewed efforts to have all OF the water
used in the schools boiled.
Need Of Legal Adviser.