Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-02

This can be secured only when they
ar subject to the same central control.
1t will be recalled that much of the
pre- sent wrangle and tangle of conditions
grew out of the friction incident to di-
yided responsibility. Senator Doliiver re-
minds us that the schools form the only
political safety valve for this community.
He is undoubtedly too sagacious a states
mar TO cherish the delusion that the
outlet of the pent-up energies Of 10000
people can be effectually shut off by
legislative fat. Whatever the ultimate
seat of power may be, these people will
ever resort thither to praise. criticise or
condemn the manner in which their chill
d-en are being educated. The writer re-
calls predicting in the preceding hearings
that if the pending reorganization were
accomplished within five or six years the
clamor for change would again recur.
Tie prophecy is justified before the time
of its fulfillment.
Even if the Dolliver bill. as it is now
framed. should be enacted into law, 1t
would but open the way for future tink-
ering with the school system. whose sue
cessful operation depends upon its sta
bil.ty. If the commissioner of education
is to have the final authority. he will
have too enlarge his quarters SO as TO
accommodate the congregation of the
GROWERS. The surest way to effect
system that will be acceptable, If not
satisfactory, TO the local patrons Is to
put the final power in the Commission
ta5iished agencies and instrumentalities
for reaching every househo in the Dis
trict of Columbia. The hearing of COM
plants is part of the daily routine OF
duty The ability to keep the community
in good humor is an essential part of the
equipment of District Commissioner. BY
long habitude in we airing 1.-The smile that
won't come off" they become adopts in
the art of the soft answer that turneth
away wrath The intimate knowledge and
S..~c mol Ipi int tuhf ar q
in disposing the people to the other faa-
lures of local government can be readily
utilized for the peace and quiet of the
schools.
Again, it may be claimed that the COM
missioner of education is appointed by
the President. So are the District Com
missicners. They, like him. are con-
firmed by the Senate. The general gov
eminent Therefore may be supposed to
have much influence and control over
the one as over the other. But the Dis
trict Commissioners are men of local
residence. relations. sympathies and in
terests, while inc commissioner of edu-
cation does not necessarily have any
mere knowledge of or connection with
local affairs than with those of any other
American municipality. 1t is true that
the commissioner of education is an edu-
cational expert, while the District Com
missioners are not. But experience shows
that level good sense and broad judg-
ment of men and affairs are perhaps more
apt to select the right man for specific
work than the specialist, whose vision is
limited to the requirem antS of his craft.
The Secretary of War is a civilian. and
knows no more about the technical de-
tails of warfare than Shakespeare arith-
mstician. The Secretary of the Navy
may not be able to manipulate a saiboat.
And yet these executive heads. with their
wide outlook and broad capabilities. ara
perhaps more effective directors of the
fighting departments of the government
than naval hero or war-scarred vet
cram In making their selection the Dis
trict Commissioners can easily avail
themselves of the expert advice of th1
commissioner of education, well of
the outside educational world.
Over against the numerous patent and
potent arguments in favor of vesting the
appointing power in the District Com
missioners. there has not yet been adj
vanced, in out of Congress. a single
convincing countervailing reason.
Whatever inStrumentality Congress
may see fit to set up for the immediate
mana gement of the local public schools.
the ultimate authority should be vested
in the District Commissioners. In school
matters in physics, stable equilibrium
can never be secured long as the CEN
ter of gravity falls outside of the basis
of support. KELLY MILLER.