The Washington times., 1906-03-07
HENDERSON SPIES
N|GGLE Of SNAKE
IN GOULOEN BILL
Says Unpaid Supervisor
of Lectures Would
Soon Get Salary.
SCHOOLS TOO GOVERNED
But Speakers Before House
District Committee Split
on Remedy.
SCHOOLS TOO GOVERNED

William G. Henderson, warning that
the Goulden bill contains q provision
whereby some one may secure IN the
future a profitable salaried position at
the expense Of the Dlstriet, was the
feature Of the mass of testimony given
Today by many speakers before the
school subcommittee of the House Dis
trict Committee. now considering the
pending bills affecting the local public
schools.
Mr.. Henderson's further intimation
that an Objectionable public school lee
ture was delivered on one occasion last
winter was resented by Mrs Gittermzn,
OF the Public Education Association.
who contended that no such lecture had
ever been delivered here.
Others who addressed the subcommit-
tee were Representatives Foster and
Goulden. Allen d. Albert, jr.; William
c. Henderson, Louis p. Shoemaker, DT.
William A Joiner. and Or. L. B. Moore.
both of Howard University, and Will
liam 5. Lotion, coiored-
Thinks Pay Poor.
Mr. Foster. in opening the discussion.
said there was nothing in his work for
the public schools of a personal ma
ture. He realized, he said. that the To-
cal teachers are poorly paid and that ths
school system, while very good. is not
the best system
Referring to his desire for a school
board that shall be perfectly indepen-
dent. ne said he deplored that Washing
ton has no self government.
4 look forward" he said TO the
a. 1t -@-Er --d
reasscrt itself and grasp its rights
Il have talked this school problem
over with the President. and he under
stands what We want 20 do. don't
want to Iegislate any person out of Of
fee. That is an ungracious thing to do
If the President wants TO retain the
present board / should be the last one
10 object.
What j want in my bill is a board OF
education which shall be independent;
that is. independent OF and free from
the rest Of the city's government The
second thing ] want is a schedule OF
good salaries for the teachers.
NO orc can deny that it is step
in the right direction-no one except
some OF the officials and their friends
/ know how the House of Representa-
tives feels on this subject and all I
ask is that this District committee lead
Us. not put US IN the position OF oppos-
ing you IN the House. Lead US on the
door.
Respects Commissi ouers.
Il lave nothing against the District
I have every respect
for their ability but no one knows how
much longer that distinguished and cui-
tured gentleman. Mr.. Macfariand. viii
be at the head of affairs. Let as legts-
late for all the future Of Washingtons
boys and girls. That is all / ask
Allen d. Albert jr.. said he was
product of the public school system OF
the District and naturally knew 1t In ali
its aspects. He said he had learned
from many teachers that there are GER
tain changes needed in the school sys-
TEN, as follows:
A definition of the business authority
and the professional authority in ths
A mandate that all meetings OF the
Board % Education be public
A larger board than the present one
of seven. probably membership or
No limitation on the appointing power
which creates the board; let this power
appoint anybody he desires.
Shorter terms of office for members
OF the board. He thought a three-year
term pFeTeTapfe 10 tHG SCNSh-ESd term
now provided by law.
No Compensation Better.
MY Judgment is" said Mr. Albert.
that I'm the light of the Districts past
history il would be better 10 have men
md women serve on the board without
IL may happen some
lime that a board, with compensation,
will meet too often 1 do not assert
hat this has happened. but it might
occur at any time"
He advocated doing away with scme
Of the smaller school buildings ana
uniting two of such a class in a Iarg-
sr structure. He thought this would
be in the interests Of economy
He pOinted out that some school space
IN the Eastern High School is unused.
four miles to Business High for certain
branches of study He thought this
ought 10 be remedied by a different
disposition of courses.
s'One of the most spectacular items
IF expense here" declared Mr.. Albert
-is the system of double supervision
The law should provide for just enough
below the superintendent of
schools TO enable him TO control the
.eaching force. If this were done, the
number of assistant superintendents
md supervisors could be materially re-
iuced.
s.'Fo this end the union of the smaller
schools in larger buildings would be a
good thing
Mr. Albert advocated in the strong
EST terms better pay for the local
eachers-
William G. Henderson. saying he was
Interested as a taxpayer in the scfols
Urged better salaries for the local teach
.rs He opposed the appointment of a
Soard of Education by the President
saying the District Commissioners best
Knew what the people of the District
TaIt and can best appoint board