Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-23
AGAINST THE DOLuVER BILL
BOARD OF TRADE SUBMITS A
PETITION TO CONGRESS.
Gives Reasons Why the Present
School Law Should Not Be
Changed.

Following long consideration Of the local
public school question. in which all phases
of the recent difficulties were thoroughly
discussed. the Washington Board of
Trade through its officers and its au-
thorized school committee. yesterday sub
mitted formal petition to the Congress
of the United States protesting against
any change in the existing school law
Particular protest was directed against
Senate bill No. 40. known as the Dol
liver bill, and II. r. bill No. 1920. known
! as the Burleson bill. which are already
before the respective bodies of Congress
and which propose more or less drastic
reforms" in the educational system which
now obtains in the District of Columbia.
Ever since IL became manifest that Con-
! gress proposed to inquire into the dis
turbed conditions incident to the separa-
ton of Supt. William f. Chancellor.
from the local schools and very
! likely engraft some new law upon tin.
statute books of the Capital. the Board Of
Trade has spared neither time nor energy
in its efforts 10 determ ne just what course
/ OF action i'll its opinion would best terd
! To conserve peace and the untrammeled
dissemination of knowledge among the
thousands OF school children in this juris-
dlction. The final determination by the
I -
t 1T is ineXpedient to make any change
| in the law or in the administration OF the
public schools at the present time" Ac-
| ton n support OF this same sentiment
was taken by the full Board o. Trade. ard
| its petition. which went 10 the Senate and
House of Representatives vest erday, am
ply attested this fact. The petition va.
sent forward in printed form. one or NOR.
copies being provided for each of the
members of both houses.
! The petition, which was signed by Cuno
I II. Rudolph. president: George II. Harries.
secretary. and by William H. Singleton.
Herbert F. l.. Allen. Charles S Bundy.
Ernest II. Daniel. John JOY Edison. EGgar
! y. Shaw and NJ L. Weller. IA mbers Of
the school committee, gives the following
reasons for opposing the pending bills:
"First-The present law has been IN
operation barely year and a half. So
! limited a time has not given opportunity
! for fair and thorough test of the law.
-Segond-These bills proposing to abol-
/ iSh the board Of edCcatiOay the tried and
experienced supervising principals and
other officers OF the present school system
and establish in their stead fun power
vested in director. who shall have enjira
control of the educational and business
affairs of the schools provide an IN
desirable innovation. and one not in han
mOny with the principles of school add
mnistration that have proved sound by
the experience of American cities.
'''Third-These bills. through a federal
appointing power. would taxi wholly cut
! of the hands of the Washington peopie
their proper repres entation and natural
and r;ghtful influence in the administra-
ton of the schools. dspriVing them Of
their participation in II municipal duty
which closely and vitality concerns them.
''Fourth-The board of education. the
superintendent. the supervising principals
and the teachers are now working har-
moniously and effectively in the education
al direction of the 20 GEO school Children
/ of Washington. The proposed change
! in the law would ovarturn situation
now peaceful and satisfactory.
IF your honorable body in any wise
doubts the wisdom OF further trial of the
present law, the Washington Board of