The Washington times., 1906-05-15
Morrell Bill, With Foster
Amendment, Passed
by House.
INCREASES FOR TEACHERS
Reorganization of Present
Board and Sweeping
Changes in Methods.

The District public schools system will
be governed by a Board Of Education
appointed by the judges Of the District
Supreme Court. instead of by the Dis
trict Commissioners. and this new board
Will enter upon its duties July l next.
If the action taken by the House of
Representatives this afternoon is ap-
proved by the Senate and the President.
BY a vote of 143 10 g. the House
passed the Morrell bill. reorganizing the
public school system and carrying the
Foster amendment, providing that the
Supreme Court of the District shall ap-
point the Board Of Education.
The bill and the Foster amendment
had been favOrably acted on yesterday
afternoon By the House sitting as a
committee of the whole, and the vote
today was simply a ratification of the
action taken yesterday. An attempt
was made this afternoon by Mr. Bah
cock to secure a debate on the Foster
amendment, with view 10 striking out
the provision.
Mr.. Foster, however. thought that this
was not necessary as il had already
vious question. The vote was. then
taken.
Increases All Salaries.
As the bill now stands it Increases
the salaries of all teachers. II is con
sidered a victory for those who have
fought to secure a reorganization Of the
schooi system and better salaries for
the teachers. Mr.. MorrelI and Mr. Fos-
ter received many congratulations on
the succe- OF their efforts
But minor changes were made in the
bill yesterday afternoon after The
House closed. An amendment offered
by representative Champ Clark, 1.-THE
teachers friend was adopted. prOvid-
ing that teachers called before the Board
Of Education 10 answer charges shall
have ther light to be accompanied by
counsel and by one friend.
Mr. BurleSOu Of Texas who maintain
Cd sharp scrutiny Of every part Of the
billwhile IL was under discussion. moved
that the salary of the assistant Super
$500 10 $500. This was adopted. after
Ny Gardiner OF Michigan had also
stated that he thought the $3.50. pret-
~ steep sum-
Cut Out Two Misses.
Mr. Fitzgerald OF New York objected
TO the provision carrying two trained
nurses for She schools. Mr.. Goulden
wanted more than two. Other members
pointed out that the schools are pro-
vided with medical inspectors and that
the nurses are not needed. Mr.. Fitz-
gerald then moved TO strike out the 1.-TWO
nurse provision His amendment was
adopted.
As the House has already voted 10
strike out the provision providing for
a superintendent Of buildings and sup
plies, the Engineer Commissioner Of the
District, by an amendment. which was
voted into the measure. was made a
member of the commission, to draw up
a plan for the consolidation Of the local
public schools.
During the afternoon the following
slight amendments were voted into the
bill:
Session room shall be a class room
in which the regular work of a class
of twenty-five pupils is carried on: the
yearly increase of 500 for principals of
normal, high, and manuel training
schools shall extend only five years. in
stead of ten years; a similar Limitation
shall apply TO the annual increase Of
$50 per annum for the directors of draw
ing. physical culture. music. domestic
science, domestic art. and kindgartens,
also to assistant directors. to directors
OF primary instruction. and assistant
directors of primary instruction.