The Washington herald., 1907-12-16

tailize In favor Of abolishing the board
Of education and turning the schools
over TO The control Of the Commissioners
OF the District as the quickest and su-esc
way Of ending the present difficulty and
effectually preventing its recurrence in
the future.
A number OF members who were most
prominent in furthering the LEGISLATION
which created the present system have
within the last few days voluntarily gona
TO Congressman Smith. Of Michigan. who
viii be chairman OF the House Commit
tee on the District OF Columbia when its
membership is announced, and declared
their change Of faith Mr.. Smith was a
determined opponent Of the change when
/ II was proposed. believing then. ss hs
stilI does. that the District Commissions
ers not only are competent 70 admins
/ ter the school system OF the District but
that they are the only proper admins
traitors thereof While he regrets as sin-
eerely as do the people OF the District
the imbroglio between the board OF eda-
cation and the superintendent. he be-
heves with many others, that IT has
shown the justice Of the contention which
he and others made against the change.
and expects 10 see it finally result IN re-
turning the control OF the schools 10 the
governing board OF the District.
Commissioners should Control.
Mr. Smith IS outspoken and plain in his
views or. the question. The President OF
the United States" he said last night.
/ appoints the Commissioners, and II il 4
/ foregone conclusion that he takes pride
IN naming men who are thoroughly fitted
| for the important administrative position
/ 60 which he appoints them. Il cannot be
/ questioned that they are entirely capable
OF properly administering the schools. as
/ well as am other department OF the Dis
/ trict government The President has
| enough TO do without being bothered with
I the provision OF school administrators.
I and the courts have enough 10 do also
! Senator Burkett has not as vet asked
/ for meeting OF the Senate COMMITTEES
/ on the District of Columbia TO consider
/ his resolution sJspending the Chancellor
I trial pending the investigation OF the
school muddle, which has been ordered by.
I the Senste. -Four days more. al most. re-
main before the Christmas recess will be-
I gin. and it is not now believed that Mr.
Burkett viii press his resolution until
after the holidays, If he should do so as
all.
HOuSe WOuId stop Trial.
Should. the resolution. however, be
favorably reported 10 the Senate by the
/ District Committee. and be passed by the
/ Senate. as il doubtless viii be If So re-
( ported, it viii be at once introduced in
/ the House. and would. it is believed by
those in a position 70 know, pass that
| body also. It is thought, however, that
/ this VIII not be necessary. as the board
/ Of education IS not expected 10 continue
the trial under the conditions which ren-
! dered il Objectionable 10 many members.
I Of both Houses Of Congress. this obiec-
I ton finding embodiment in Senator Bur-
kett's resolution
/ The Senate Committee on the District
/ of Columbia is expected to take I'd the
/ investigation Of the school question as
! soon as the Congress reconvenes after
the holiday recess. and press it to as
speedy conclusion as is compatible
with getting all the facts and granting
a fun and fair hearing to all sides. The
confident expectation in quarters where
the facts are known is that the investi-l
cation viii result in the reconstruction
OF administering the schools on lines rad
ically differing from those at present
IN use The suggestion IS made that the
schools be placed under the direction OF
a superintendent or commissioner OF ed
! ucation. appointed by the District COM
missiOners, who shall exercise the same
supervision over the work OF this depart-
ment as over other branches of the Dis
trict government.
Pushing Tracks to Station.
! Congressman Smith. chairman-to-be OF
the House District Committee. VIII to-
| DAY or tomorrow call on the officials OF
/ the terminal company controlling thu
| Union Station and ask their views re-
garding the pending legislation for tho
purpose Of securing traction facilities d.
rect 70 the station. He viii ask them
specifically whether. in the event thar
the Sims bill. providing for temporary
overhead trolley line 10 connect the street
railway system with the station, shah
pass. the terminal company will construct
the temporary connecting line, as is pro-
f-N.~N At4 -fAA- E1-4ho measure. he VIII also
ask definite information. in case they
agree 10 construct the line, as to the fare
which viii be charged over the temporary
line, whether transfers will be exehanged
with the traction companies. and whether
the contemplated link will consist of one,
or two tracks. Mr.. Smith desires this
information preliminary TO taking action
on the Union Station track question. so
that it can be determined whether the
terminal company viii have TO be re-
Quired 10 construct the line and make
traffic arrangements which viii be agree
able 70 Congress and the people It is an
open question whether. In case the ter
minal company should decline 10 perform
the requirements Of the Sims bill or any
similar measure, Il could be compelled by
Congress 10 do so.
Temporary Line First
Any immediate relief from the intoler-
able condition prevailing with regard 10
direct communication with the station. il
is conceded, must come through The me-
dium Of a temporary line. Mr.. Sims
Continued on Page 0. COIuma q