Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-02
THE SCHOOL QUESTION
Phases Of the Complicated
Situation Now Existing.
WILL TEACHERS BE PAID7
Afarmative opinion Expressed I'M
officially in Some Quarters.
Committee RESTING ON OARS
Selection Of superintendent Said to
Be In Sight - peciaon of
Controller Traceweil.
WILL TEACHERS BE PAID7
COMMITTEES RESTING ON OARS


special committee Of the board Of education
on the selection Of . superintendent Of
| schools has been held. and unless some
thing unexpected happens there will be no
| formal meeting today. During this interval
| the three members of the committee have
beeL in communication with each other fire.
quently. however and 1t is understood that
they are merely awaiting replies to letters
sent to various persons whose names are
being considered. This fact 1t is believed.
points to the probability that the cammittee
Is deyoting most of Its time to the con
siGeration Of outside educoiLIs.
Prof. w. B. Eyermann. chairman of the
committee. said this morning that he ex-
pected decision would be reached by the
committee within few days. 1t looked that
way this morning. he said. That the man
who will be selected, whoever he may be-
will be acceptable to all concerned is the
optimistic view OF the chairman He appar-
emily ia of the opinion that the committee
has several good things under considers
ton.
In spite of the fact that the board of ed
ucation is refusing to consider anything at
present but the all-!mportant matter of the
selection of new superintendent, the public
is manifestng all sorts of interest in the
question of the status of the teachers under
the new regime. The statement that there Is
reason for doubt as to whether there are
technically any teachers has not been ohi-
cially refuted, despite assertions in one or
two quarters that this Is ridiculous View
of the case.
Opinions Expressed.
Prof. Eyermann. when asked for his opin-
ion on this question. said:
''In view of the fact that the new legisla-
| ton provides a new method for the APP
pointment Of teachers. the present board,
| manifestly. must make all appointments.
He had reference to the provision In the
| new school law which says that the super
| intendent of schools must recommend the
| appointment of teachers and all other en-
| ployes before the board can act in the
matter.
Mr.. Cox. a member OF the special COM
mittee on the selection of a superintendent,
Is not certain whether Congress meant that
the new board should appoint all teachers
| again. or whether they should all hold over.
| He Is inclined to think the matter Is OPP
| tienal with the board.
similar division of opinion Is under
stood to exist among the other members
o. the board. and the question will doubt-
less come up for discussion at the next
full meeting.
will be the ultimate authority on tbs
question.
As to the teachers salaries: The general
impression given out by the members of
lay in the selection of superintendent.
OF even in the reappontment- IF teachers,
II this should be necessary, will have no
effect.
The decision of the controller of t. treas
ury handed down yesterday in the case of
Secretary Common they believe. does not
affect the proposition of the teachers SAL
aries in the least. However. 1t Is said to
be conceded on all sides that this is a
matter for the controller himself to settle.
and that he Will not take 1t up until the
vouchers for the payment of the teachers
are sent to him or It'll the question is for
mally brought to his notice In some other
official manner.
Statement by Controller.
In reference to Mr.. Corners case, Con-
troller r. ]. Tracewell said:
1.-THE general purpose of the act is evil
dent-to continue the school system as 1t
exists, except where 1t is otherwise pro-
vided. such as the appointment of a
board Of education, a secretary to said
board. and certain other places created by
the act and the appointments to which are
therein provided for
The teachers principals and other off,
Gals and employees of the schools and of
the District government today on this basis
are taking an optimistic view Of the much
discussed Question whether the school
teachers may lose a months pay
1t Is stated. and on good authority that
the Controller of the Treasury need not
and will not be asked for a ruling concern
ing the payment of the salaries OF the
teachers and other employees of the schools;
that IT was not the intent of Congress to
upset the whole school system, and that
the purpose of Congress. even though not
specifically stated IN the act, was to carry
over the whole school force into the new
year with no other disturbance than the
change In authority incident to the assump-
ton OF power by the new board.
Under this same semi-official interpreta-
ton Of the act II is possible that the new
tarrr,o Into r.f {url1a ha 10
pointed). the directors of several branches
Of training and others whose salaries are
specifically mentioned as, as per . annum" wiz
superintendent of schools and all members
of this class of his assistants formerly
were paid their salaries in tenths and not
in twelfths-and the general purpose OF
the act Is evident---to continue the school
system as 1t exists.
Case of the Secretary.
The case of payment of the salary of
Mr.. Conner. secretary OF the board, was
referred to Controller TraceweH few days
ago by the Commissioners
After carefully analysing the various
phases Of the question, and citing several
legal precedents. the controller stated, It
e. as opinion aa o tsa5 Upon edasss assas s
creature. the secretary, was also
abolished. I am therefore forced to the con-
elusion that Mr.. Conner was not secretary
OF IAe DOAf0 OF euucaIiOl aIter June ~
until he was appointed and qualified as
such under the new law. and entered upon
hie duties as such:'' and In conclusion he
drew his intended distinction fine by saying:
1T Is not to be understood that am at
tempting to pass upon the question Of the
title of Mr.. Conner to the Office Of secretary
OF the board OF education any further than
is necessary for me to determine the ques-
ton of salary involved
In many quarters this decision of the
controller In the matter of Mr.. Corners
salary Is cited as q possible precedent, and
the statements were ventured that not one
employee of the schools could be paid until
his or her appointment had been made and
confirmed by the new board. irrespective of
former continuous service in the schools up
to the end OF the old school year. To up
hold this argument II 10 pointed out that
the act Ito tx and regulate the salaries OF
teachers. school officers and other employees
OF the board of education Of the District of
Columbia specifically provided that ap-S
pointmenfs. promotions and other changes
In the school system should be made by
the board of education. but by the board
only. upon written recommendation OF the
superintendent OF schools"
This language of the act Is correspond
In civ tufarnrefed to mean that fha ron-