The Washington times., 1908-01-28
AppOlntm Mt OF Director
OF EduCatiOnIS Favored
By the District Sub
committee.
Members Hear of CliqueS
in Body and Decide
Change Is NeceS-
Sary.

Ihe adjustment Of the Board Of EdU-
cation and the appointment Of = direc-
tor OF education in its stead will be
recoHmended by the subcommittee ap-
pointed by Senator GaIlinger TO investi-
gate and report upon the troubles in
the District schools.
Ihis decision was announced by SEN
ator Burkett, chairman Of the commit
tee, after a two hours session this
morning, during which Admiral Baird
former president of the Board OF Edu-
cation, and Senator DOlliver, author Of
the bill favoring the plan agreed upon,
had been heard and had scored the
present school system. The conviction
OF the subcommittee in the matter was
voiced by Senator Burkett when he was
asked II his committee would hold any
further meetings.
Evidence Sufficient.
We will not meet again" he repIied
The gentlemen we heard This morning
seemed 10 know what they are talking
about We shall certainly report fav-
orably the DoIIiver bill"
The surprise OF the hearing was the
startling testimony given by Admiral
George w. Baird, former president of
the board. who resigned last August
because. as he expressed 1t.
l did not feel that 1 could be a party
10 the petty quarrels and selfish mo-
tves apparent in the Board Of Educa-
ton, when the matter meant so much
TO the school children Of the District"
There was no doubt, the admiral re-
PHed, In response to questions by the
senators present, that selhshness was
n mi d. -
the BOARD, and their positions We're being
used 70 accomplish personal ends.
Says Change Is Necessary.
Senator DoIliver listened with rant
attention 10 the remarks OF Admiral
Baird and when he addressed the com
mittee said that the aGmiraTs charges
showed conclusively that a CT ange was
necessary. 1t was apparent. he said
that the board was attempting TO per-
from the duties Of the Superintendent
ana that about the only thing the
BOARD did was to NEEDLE in the af-
1alrs or the teachers and Superintend-
ent who should in reality be in charge
or the schools.
Petition Presented.
Senator Burlett opened the meeting
by presenting the petition forwarded bv
the board signed by about 1 800 teach
ers. so stated, asking that the board
be retained IN power The Senator
said he had also received q mass Of
other documentary matter, some anon
ymous and some otherwise, taking both
sides Of the issue. He next referred 20
the Dolliyer bill, which provides that
the board shall be abolished ApriI !.
and with il the offices of superin-
tendent, assistant superintendent of
white ana cOlOred schools. respectively
and secretary TO the BOARD Of educa-
tion.
In lieu Of these it provides for the
naming Of a director OF education at a
salary Of $3.50, who shall be appointed
by and responsible to. I'm addition to
Congress the Commissioners Of Edu-
cation OF the United States. The di-
rector the bill provides, shall appoint
seven assistant directors, i've White,
two colored- whom he may dismiss fer
the good OF the service
Baird Favors Bill.
Admiral Baird was asked by Sena-
tor Burkett TO express his frank opin-
ion Of the bill,
I regard it as an admirable bill, the
very thing needed, replied Admiral /
Baird. with the possible exception that 1
IL might be best to have the District /
Commissioners appoint the director Of 1
education instead OF the Commission !
er or Education OF the United States |
Admiral Baird said that history dem
OnsJrated that il was best to have one
head in governments, that bodies like /
boards Of education could never be held /
responsible.
They go to wTangling. and when you /
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