The Washington times., 1907-12-25
president of the School
Board Tired of Asper-
SionS Being Cast
Upon Body.
--latest Outbreak May Be
Used Against Superin-
tendent When Trial
Is Resumed.

'In connection with DR.. Chancel-
lor's charge that the Board of Edu-
cation has wasted the public funds
in a recent expenditure for text
books, 1 have but to say that the
only thing that troubles my con-
science is the thought that the only
money wasted, has been in the su-
perintendent's salary"
Captain James +. Oyster, presi-
dent of the Board of Education,
thus prefaced an interview this
morning which-he gave in defense
of the board and in reply to Dr.
Chancellor's letter as published in
The Times yesterday in which the
superintendent charged the board
with having ordered text books on
December 20 without his approval.
Il may say further" said Captain
Oyster, that for one am becom-
ing very, very tired of these as
persions being thrown upon us by
the superintendent and others.
May Be Used Against Him.
Il felt very indignant when 1 read
DR.. Chancellor's charge yesterday. It
is one Of the most serious attacks he
has made upon the board and although
i am not conducting the case against
him I presume that his most recent out
break viii be introduced in evidence
against him when the trial OF the super
intendent Is resumed before the board
January 2.
Speaking impetUously at the time. I
Ues almost tempted to say that such an
insinuation might Justify suspension OF
the superintendent. but the board has
exhibited no disposition to deal sum-
marily with the superintendent and he
VIII be given an opportunity TO defend
himself upon this as we'll as other
matters.
The board might have been glad to
have sent these reQuisitions 10 the
superintendent house, as n mater Of
courtesy but not as a matter OF neces-
sity. had not DR.. Chancellor's physician
at the very meeting the books were or
dered. sent a certificate TO the board
saying that Dr. Chancellor was too i'll
TO appear for trial or [ take I'D any
unsettled matter. but that he must be
free from bother of any kind IN order
10 reu3erate.
Referring specifically to DR.. Chan
cellOrs charges, addressed to the Coz 4
UisSiOners. q copy Of which was pub
lished In yesterdays Times. 1 have this
70 say:
me requisition for books made On
december - by the board, which he
objects to, applied TO no new books
whatever. 1t was merely 4 recorder OF
books formerly approved, and the books
had beer requested by the supervising
principals in every instance and 8p-
proved by Assistant Superintendent
Hughes who had been given authority
10 act for Dr. Chancellor by the Su-
periutendent himself, in three different
letters which are now in possession of
the school authorities.
Superintendent Without Authority.
Again, the law does not require that
the superintendent shall be consulted in
the matter OF school expenditures. Such
expenditures have been submitted the
superintendent before this time merely
as courtesy.
He seems to be recuperating rapidly,
judging from the tenor of his attack
upon the bOa-d ! trust that the Su-
perintendents health will continue 20
Improve until the matter is brought be-
fore the board again.
Hughes Given Authority.
referring again to the acquisitions
for text books. this work has been done
on a number OF occasions by the as
sistant superintendent, Mr.. Hughes
the only officer at the post to do the
work Of the superintendent who was
and has been absent therefrom for 2
long time. The superintendent has "a
before stated, by three letters Of ex
press authority, delegated Mr.. Hughes
TO do such work in his absence. This
has been done number of times with
in the knowledge Of the superintendent
Continued on Eleventh Page)