Evening star., 1908-01-17
ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Report of Subcommittee of
Board of Trade.
IAN Animated DISCUSSION
Recommendation Against Change in
School Law.
THE REPORT IS REC0MMITTED
Desire Expressed for Definite Action
on Pending Legislation-Supt.
Stuart's Position.
HE REPORT IS RECOMMITTED

There was an animated discussion over
school matters in the District last night
at a called meeting of the public schools
committee of the Washington Board Of
Trade, held at headquarters in The Star
building. In the absence of the chairman,
the meeting was presided over by Mr..
Herbert F. l. Allen, vice chairman, who
announced that the purpose of the meet
ing was to receive reports from the SUBJ
committees.
The first subcommittee to submit it's re-
port was that on school administration
and amendment of the school law. 1t
recommended that the Board of Trade ex-
press by resolution the statement that 1t
was inexpedient to make any change In
the school administration or the school act
for the present The resolution Of the
subcommittee was presented to the full
committee on public schools by Judge
Charles S. Bundy. who explained that at
the outset he was rather inclined to favor
a clean sweep of the board of education
but had since changed his views, owing to
the fact that he believed it advisable to
prevent, IL possible, any further agitation
of the public school matter by any change
in the present law.
Judge Bundy added that in his opinion
1t would be best to let the question remain
quiet for the present.
Chairman Allen resigned the chair to
Mr.. Sidney Besselievre and opposed the
adoption of the report of the subcommit-
tee He pointed out that since the COM
mittee had reported the Senate committee
on the District Of Columbia had fully de-
termined upon an investigation. and that
the Dolliver bil' providing for director
of public schools had come to light.
ssE,trfhQrrpnre Mr. Allen said Il have
learned that the board of education has
in mind certain amendments to the law
which it intends to ask Congress to
make
Discusses Dolliver Bill.
He requested the committee not to allow
the Dolliver bill to stand as it Is without
some action by the public schools COM
mittee. IF the bill is good. say SO and
support 1t; If 1t Is bad. say so and con-
denim 1t. We cannot afford to have the
bill go through Congress without some
definite statement as to what we think Of
it, Mr.. Allen added. "As for me, am
not in favor of it,
Mr.. Allen then expressed the hope that
the subcommittee would withdraw its re-
port and give further consideration to the
matter. A motion was finally made by
Postmaster Barnes. member of the
subcommittee, to recommit the report. He
stated that In view of the further In
formation the subcommittee had received,
the report should be referred back to the
subcommittee for further consideration.
Mr.. w. H. Baldwin, another member
of the subcommittee, opposed the motion
of Mr.. Barnes, as he believed its adoption
would be q reflection on the subcommittee.
The subcommittee had looked into the
matter. he said, and it was the views of
its members that nothing should be done
at present.
The report covers the whole ground"
he said, land includes any objection there
might be to the Dolliver bill or any other
legislation.
Mr.. Allen, in reply. said that the report
was too indefinite. and that the committee
should go on record one way or the other
definitely in regard to proposed public
school legislation.
A vote on the motion to recommit was
then taken, and 1t was decided to send
the report back to the subcommittee.
Those voting with Mr. Allen TO- recon-
initial included members of the subcom-
mittee, embracing Judge Bundy and the
chairman of the subcommittee.
supt. Stuart Present.
Superintendent of Public Schools Stuart
was present at the invitation of the
committee. and explained that since ac-
cepting the invitation of the committee
on public schools to attend the meeting
the Senate inquiry had developed, and IL
would therefore be embarrassing for him
to state his views prior to any testimon,
he may have to give before the Senate
committee. Supt. Stuart did howeve"
talk at some length as to the need OF
new school buildings, particularly new
normal school structure.
The subcommittee on buildings and
building sites reported that it had not yet
completed it's investigation of the matter
it had in hand, and adjournment was
taken.