Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-07
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL s
Continuation OF the House
Hearings.
Mr.. FOSTER FIRST WITNESS
Wanted to See an Independent School
Board.
THE CITIZENS ASSOCIATIONS
Represented by Their Presidents,
Object to Change In Present Regime
Except Increase Of Salaries.
Mr.. FOSTER FIRST WITNESS
rHE CITIZENS ASSOCIATIONS
Represented by Their Presidents,

Except Increase Of Salaries.
Hearings on the school bills introduced at
this session of Congress were resumed to-
day before the subcommittee of the House
District committee. OF which Representa-
tive Morrell of Pennsylvania Is acting
chairman. Representative Green Of Mas
sachusetts, member of the subcommittee,
served in Representative Morrells place
today, as the latter is in Florida with his
mother who is Ill.
Representative Foster OF Vermont, the
author of one of the school measures be-
fore the District committee, was the first
witness heard this morning. He gave 1t as
his opinion that teachers in the local public
schools were very poorly paid. The school
system himself he believed to be good, but
certainly not the best. There was, in his
Judgment, room for much improvement.
Mr.. Foster said he particularly desired
to see an Independent school board-a
board which should have no connection
with the regular District government
In this connection he deplored the fact
that the people of Washington were not
permitted self government. and he said
he looked forward to the time when the
residents of this city would wake up and
assert CnelF rights.
Had Talked With the President.
Mr.. Foster said he had talked to Presi-
dent Roosevelt about the school situa-
ton and that the President understood
what was being attempted in the way OF
school system reforms. Personally. MIR.
Foster said, he had no intention of legis-
lating anybody out of office.
His measure placed the power of appoint
rnpnf Of fha hOa r9 Of ed1ca fiOn n the ha M a
Of the President. and if the President de-
sired to retain the present board under this
law, If passed. Mr.. Foster said he. for one,
would be very slow to object. Mr.. Foster
said that the members Of the House of Rep
sentatives felt that some changes were
necessary In the school system in Washing
ton, and 1t was desired by all friends of this
movement that the District committee go in
on the floor and lead the movement.
RepreSa NATIVE Foster said further that
he had nothing against the District of CO.
lumbia Commissioners, and that he had
great respect for their ability But he said
1t was impossible to tell how long the dis
tingufshed and cultured gentleman, Mr. H
B. F. Macfarland, would remain at the head
of affairs. and he thought it wise to legis-
late for the future Of the boys and girls of
Washington. Wise legislation along this
line. he said, was all he asked.
Allan u. Albert, who announced himself
to be "a product of the Washington public
schools appeared before the subcommittee
business authority and the professional au-
thor1ty In the schools clearly defined: he
wanted to see nine members on the board
OF eoucation. and shorter terms of Office for
the members, and he did not desire to see
any limit on to appofntive power which
creates the board
William G. Henderson of the Northeast
washington Citizens Association said he
appeared as a taxpayer to urge better
salaries for the teachers to ask that the
board OF education be not appointed by the
PRESIDENT, but by the District Commission
ers, VINO are better able to tell what the
people desire and to urge that the mem
bers OF the board of education be com
pensated for their work in recognition or
their labors for the public good Mr.. Hem
aerson supported the Commissioners bill
anu Chained that the other measures intro
duced would serve no end other than RI in
crease the operating expenses of the public
school system. Mr.. Henderson called at
tentlon to the fact that one of the bills
be managed by superintendent of lectures
VINO snail serve without compensation
me witness remarked that in his opinion
congress would be asked within a wear or
ana he thought no such method Of nra,
cedure should be permitted He thoueht
the board Of education was entirely compe-
tent to manage any course of free Iect,,res
to the people that might be inaupurafed
In the course Of Mr.. Henderson's remarks
ne made statement to which Mrs Glitter
man nan, president p1 OF the Public Educational
ASSOCIATION, took exception. Mrs. Glitter
man declared that Mr.. Henderson's state
ment was not true and entrusted Renreserl
tatiye Green. who was acting as chairman
OF the subcommittee to have 1t expuuged
from the record This Mr. Green declined
to do.
Louis P; Shoemaker appeared on behalf
of the Brightwood Citizens Association To
express the opinion that the members Of
that association saw no reason for such
radical changes In the public school system
OF the city as are contained in most Of the
measures before the subcommittee He
urged the passage of the Commissioners
DILL The system In Washington had been
long established, he said. and was good
system He wanted the committee to find
out who were behind the new bills, what
| their interest in Washington consisted of
and what taxes they paid.
The Colored Schools.
Former Representative George H. White
of North Carolina said he represented the
literary and historical association of the
District which had appointed commit
tee to look into the school situation. He
introduced Prof. Joiner a member of the
subcommittee and colored educator of
some prominence. Prof. Joiner's remarks
showed evidence of careful preparation and
were moderate and rational Prof Moore,
dean of the Teachers College of Howard
University, urged that additional salaries
be paid to the teachers AS a result of
the present low scale, he said, there was a
decided lack of enthusiasm and inspiration
among the teachers of this city This would
continue to grow worse he thought unless
something In the nature of a remedy as
proposed by one or the other of the vari-
Gus bills were decided upon
He approved of the Goulden bill In many
Of it's features but criticised that portion
of the measure which provides practically
that the schools must follow the pupils.
Prof. Moore said that he should hate to see
school building erected In Goat alley or
some other place OF this kind, merely be-
cause there was a large negro population
in that vicinity. He thought that any sys-
tenn OF promotions would be defective un-
less based on the principle of merit Teach.
ers who stagnated In their positions should
not be compensated. he thought as should
teachers who went on year after year Inn
proving their minds and increasing In In
structiye ability
In reply to questions by Representative
Goulden Professor Moore said that he
thought 1t would be well to create the no.
sition Of superintendent Of supplies and
have 1t understood that there would be en-
tire equity in the distribution of supplies
to colored schools. He was sOrry n, force