Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-13

there Is no objection to the provision that
the board serve without pay. On this score
the Commissioners declare their belief that
no one appointed to the board of education
has considered the question of compensa-
ton in connection with the service, or would
be deferred from public service by the alb
sence of financial reward.
Commissioners Analysis.
From this point, however, the reports diff
fer the Commissioners analysis of S. 1924,
being summed upin the following language:
The plan of having teachers select the
children who seem to be in need of medf-
cal inspection or treatment prevails gener-
ally in cities where medical inspection is In
force, but is open to criticism, both because
of the responsibility placed upon the teach
err and her supposed lack of ability to de-
tect symptoms of disease.
Our present practice of sending suspect
ed cases to the principal imposes additional
duties upon her. To do otherwise, however,
would require a greatly augmented number
of medical inspectors. p
THE present plan does not appear to
have worked a hardship, as not many cases
of illness are reported.
Section ,, paragraph 2, line 6: The des-
lgnation OF head medical inspector seems
to be an excellent suggestion, if a suitable
salary can be had.
1.-THE physical examination OF candidates
for teachers positions Is, however, already
provided for in the rules governing the
medical inspection of the public schools in
the District of Columbia section %, and
no candidate for admission to the normal
school or for a position as teacher Is &C
cepted without passing a physical examina-
ton by medical inspector detailed for that
purpose by the health officer.
Women for Girls Department.
I'm lieu of the proposed school nurse. It
may be suggested that women shall be ap-
pointed to look after the girls departments
of the high schools. by whatever name they
might be called-matrons or attendants
THE board OF education has placed with
in the past year a cabinet containing first
aid appliances and medicine in every school
building and the teachers are being in
structed IN their use
AS to section g. the matter had better be
left to the regulation Of the board of ed
ucation, as at present, in the belief that
the board will take due notice of any neces-
Stty that may exist for having its meetings
and those OF the committees open to the
public"
S. No. 1922 comes In for the following
comment:
THE Commissioners think that the pres
ent law of Congress, adopted only five years
ago. after careful review of all former ex-
perience and thorough examination of the
conditions, has on the whole, worked WELL
and should not be materially altered They
see no advantage to be gained by the
changes in organization or duties proposed
in this bill.
Logically the bill provides for the SEN
aration of the expenditures and therefore
of the estimates OF the public schools from
the other expenditures of the District Of
Columbia, whereas good policy requires that
all the estimates of the municipal services
Of the District of Columbia including
those of the public schools, should be passed
upon by the Commissioners, in view of all
the demands upon the revenues of the Dis
trict of Columbia. much greater ex-
penditure would probably be required under
the proposed reorganization made by this
bill.
1.-The bill also separates the buildings and
other property of the District Of Columbia
used by the public schools and the pur-
chase of sites and the construction of new
buildings from the control of the Commits
sioners, who are the agents and executive
officers of the municipal corporation and
should continue to have the care and con-
troll of it's property interests.
Regarded as Unusual.
1.-The requirement that the superintendent
of schools shall be a doctor of philosophy Is
a most unusual one Fitness, only, as de-
termined by experience and training, is the
qualification usually desired The revised
charter of the city of New York requires
one of two MISREPRESENTATION from
a college or university recognized by the
University of the State of New York, to-
gether with at least five years successful
experience in teaching supervision since
graduation; or, principals certificate with
ten years successful experience in teaching
or supervision.
'In the great educational system of New
York emphasis seems to be properly laid
upon successful teaching and supervision,
and a man can be elected superintendent of
schools who is not a college graduate If
otherwise fit. The incumbent in the super
intendency of the public schools of the Dis
trict of Columbia holds the degree of Phi. B.
,11 80 NJ rr,ft y h5,+w~ a. q
teaching and supervising.
1.-The system proposed is apparently copied
from some system adopted in a jurisdiction
entirely different from the District of Co
lumbla. and would prove complicated and
il-adapted to local conditions
'It is also noteworthy that the bill pro-
vides for a number of matters which can be
better provided for in rules and regulations
of the board of education than in the or
ganic act.
Some of the other objections to the pro-
posed bill are suggested in the following
comments:
Section g. The provision that no person
shall he eligible for the position OF super
intendent who shall not have had at least
three years experience as a superintendent
of schools Is unnecessary and Objectionable
in that it effectually bars from possible
promotion to the superintendent every
teacher and school officer now in the serv-
ice of the schools, no matter how capable.
1t says in effect that all future superln-
tendentS or SCHOOLS must be selected from
outside the District. This would operate
against the retaining of good men in the
school service.
Already Contemplated.
Section 4. This provision In regard to
ungraded schools is already contemplated
in the proposed compulsory school law
now before Congress.
Section 4, pa ge 5, line %. This provision
m ri
director now in the schools to take an ex-
animation in order TO be continued in the
service. 1t would affect, and practically
legislate out of office, about $50 of the most
experienced and successful teachers in the
entire school system; would have no con-
ceivable warrant In precedent. wise policy
no r,rTDr A rorp Yry own