Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-02
In Behalf of Colored Mothers.

Mrs Curtis, who was next heard, said
she represented the colored mothers of the
city who had given earnest consideration
to all of the seven bills before the subcom-
mittee They had found in each bill some
thing to be commended, but had not been
able to decide on any one measure as
model. She urged, however, on behalf OF
the 800 mothers whose children attend the
NJ Street High School, that in whatever bill
was drafted particular attention should be
paid to the interests of the colored taXpay-
ers She believed that in the measure de-
cided upon the duties of the colored school
superintendents should be clearly defined.
Their duties had never been defined by the
board. She did not think that the position
of director of high schools, which was Gre
ated by the last board was at al necessary
and she urged that colored superiln-
tendent be put over the colored schools
with ample authority.
She thought the friction which had de-
veloped recently would be obviated by such
action The colored mothers. Mrs. Curtis
said felt very friendly toward the present
board, and were willing to extend any CO.
operation they could. She thought, how
ever, that some changes in the board were
absolutely essential, and urged the COM
mittee that as the colored people of Wash
ington constituted one-third of the popu-
Iation they should have one-third Of the
membership of the board of education.
She said that she took great pleasure In
stating that for the last four years twenty
two pupils from the NJ Street High School
had graduated and gone to Yale. Harvard,
Brown and other colleges to complete their
higher education, and that one of the pupils
of this school was the honor man at Rut-
gers. These pupils were not boys from
homes where they had special facilities, but
merely colored youths from the masses of
the colored population of Washington.
They had had no further training than
that received at the NJ Street High School,
and she urged this as one reason for not
reducing the standard of the curriculum at
that Institution. She thought, as have the
other witnesses before the committee, that
all the school teachers Of Washington
should receive larger salaries.
Superintendent of Schools Stuart took oc-
casion to follow Mrs. Curtis in controver-
sion of her views on the double system of
educational supervision.
Il do not believe" said Mr.. Stuart I'm
two standards of education In any city
one for the white and one for the colored
children. ! believe In equality of oppor-
tunity for all, but with it must be equality
of responsibility"
Mr.. Stuart said that the board of educa-
ton had taken practically that stand on
the subject.
Il have always observed" remarked Rep
resentative Morrell, the chairman of the
subcommittee. that colored people manage
to acquire education with as much ease
and facility as white people. I have had
considerable experience in teaching and
otherwise, and that has been my observa-
ton"
Mr.. George ]. yesterday told the sub
ity for a change In the present school sys-
TEN, save that the teachers in general
should receive larger salaries.
Mr. T. Edward Clark.
Mr.. r Edward Clark. the next witness,
said that he represented 'the common veal. ="
He did not apear to urge any particular