The Washington herald., 1907-02-02

ton school situation is meeting with sp-
proval generally among members Of the
Senate and House
| II is also indorsed by many citizens
who are Interested In public schools.
and desire to see Washington have the
/ best system to be had. Evidences Of this
are coming TO Representative Thomas A.
Smith. Of Maryland, who introduced the
/ bill that is now attracting attention
/ among educaors.
DIR. ChanceIIOr's Views.
! William W. Chancellor. superintendent
Of schools Of the Districl Of Columbia.
was seen last night at his home, 1919
FairmOunt street northwest, and asked
for his opinion on the Smith bill. DR..
| Chancellor said:
! 4 do not care to say much In further
agitation OF the problems, which seem al
most insOlubIe. affecting the school ques-
/ tion in the District Of Columbia. regret
/ exceedingly that there has been so much
friction as has already been manifest. but
IL grows out Of peculiar conditions under
which we operate.
''The position Of superintendent Of
schools Of the District Of Columbia was
| offered 10 many people before I took Il.
Mr.. Aaron Cove. superintendent Of
| schools at Denver was offered the posi-
tiOn and declined it on account Of his age.
II was then offered to Mr.. Calvin \. Ken
dall, superintendent Of schools at Indian
apolis. who declined il. II was then de-
clined by Mr.. j. II. Van Sickle. Of Balti-
more. because ne understood the various
factions that might make difficulties here.
and in Baltimore, where he has served
long and honorably. he IS absolute master
| of the situation DR. Ballet, dean Of the
School Of Pedagogy in New York, also de-
clined il because Of the confusion Of the
school laws here, and then the position
was offered 10 me, at that time superin-
tendent Of schools at Paterson, y. J., and
I accepted.
Approves Sims Bill.
4 have not given the Smith bin much
consideration. The Sims bin ] was
strongly in favor OF two weeks ago; ]
was consulted about it's preparation. and
seemed 10 see that under its operation
much Of the confusion and uncertainty
under which we now operate might be
eHminated am not 50 certain now about
the Sims bill If the courts uphold the
Cardozo case, then shall continue to be-
IIeve that the Sims bin may perhaps an
Swer all our requirements. But if the
courts hold that We have no right 10 dis
charge subordinate. who has clearly
been shown TO be an improper person TO
be connected with the school system. then
am i'm favor Of the more radical measure.
IF the Smith bin Is to pass. it means
that there passes from the citizens Of the
District of Columbia the last vestige of
local autonomy. The city council has been
abolished. the board Of health has been
abolished. and the Smith bill viii forever
abolish the board OF education I want
10 say right here that the board Of educa-
ton is as good a board as the citizens OF
the District Of Columbia could possibly
expect II IS made up of citizens OF the
: very highest class; Of high ideals. of great
: intelligence. and with an eager desire
, 10 perform a public duty conscientiously
and we'll. The only trouble is that there
is not enough law behind the board OF
education to allow it 10 work successfully.
There are too many conflicts. As it is
now. we do not know who is authorized
TO spend money for school purposes. The
law under which We operate says the
power to spend money is vested IN the
District Commissioners; another para
graph OF the same law vests that power
/, In the board OF education.
Estimate of smith Bill.
Tine Smith bill. as see il, provides for
the appointment of superintendent Of
schools or an educational commissioner
by the President, whose appointment
shall be ratified by the Senate. and makes
him in that degree responsible to the
President and the Senate for his action;
and vet at the same time. It leaves the
District Commissioners in fun control of
, the financial affairs relating 10 the
schools. and so far as these are con-
T cerned. the educational commissioner
would be responsible TO the District Com
raissioners.
AS TO the question Of salary. the pres
: ent salary Of the superintendent of
schools does not compare favorably with
D similar positions in other cities The new
bill does away entirely with the board of
, education. ana. therefore. adds Il great
! deal Of executive work to the educational
commissioner who shall be appointed. In
- that case. of course, he should get Il
10 larger salary. I am not speaking for
! myself in this as the Smith bin elimi-
mates me as a factor entirely. There is no
r assurance. or even. perhaps. likelihood.
that | should be the first apDointee under
the new bill The Smith bill IS a very
radical one. but Il the courts do not up
hold the CaTdOzo case / shall believe
most heartily that some legislative relief
must be given to the present intolerabIe
situation Tor the benefit OF the children
. and of tire teachers At any rate. wheth-
CT Il is To come TO the Smith bill, the
Sims bill. or from any other quarter.
there must. If the schools of Washington
are to maintain their high standard, be
some relief from conditions as they now
] exist"
Deep Interest shown.
Educators outside Of Washington have
from the first shown a decided interest
- in the multitudin0us misfortunes into
5 which the schools Of the city have been
e thrown 1t is not strange, therefore, that
Mr.. Smiths proposition should at once
command attention. Yesterday he re-
ceived from Prof James H Van Sickle.
superintendent of the public schools of
Baltimore. and from Prof. Thomas 81
Ballet, dean of the school Of Pedagogy
of New York University, letters COM
FONTTNT-ED gN SFfsoNp psCr