The Washington herald., 1908-01-29


provisions Of the present Iaw prescribing the char
aeter Of, and yesting the power Of appointment o.
| the beard Of education IN the judges Of the su-
| preme Court Of the District Of Columbia, being
/ wen calculated 60 result IN the creation Of a
thoroughly representative board. free from all spc
cial Influences.
The foregoing resolutions embody the
principal action taken at a special meet
ling of the board Of directors Of the Cham
Der Of Commerce yesterday, called to-
gether to pass upon the report of the
SPECIAL committee on public schools. TWEEN
/ t. members Of the board were present,
most Of whom took part in the discus
sion which followed the reading Of the
report. Meeting with the board were the
chairman and several members Of the
Icommittee on schools who had taken ac-
tive part in the preparation Of the re-
port.
Mr.. Brown Reads Report.
Percival N. Brown, chairman OF the
Icommittee. submitted the report. After its
reading it was discussed at length by Mr..
! Brown Postmaster Barnes. Arthur c.
! Moses, d. J. Callahan, B. f Guy, and
others A motion 10 refer the report "a
the Chamber Of Commerce at a special
meeting to De called next Friday night
resulted ia a tie vote OF the directors. and
| President Harper decided 1t in the mega
tive. stating that it seemed necessary
/ that the committee should take immediate
steps 70 give force and effect TO the action
of the body. without waiting for the call
/ OF q meeting Of the general body.
| A motion offered by Arthur G. Moses
was adopted. providing for the appoint
ment Of a special committee TO work in
conjunction with the committee on
schools. in visiting the committees Of the
/ Senate and House OF Representatives. and
/ in taking active steps at once 70 defeat
! the Deliver bill IN the Senate and the
/ Burleson bin in the House, which have
/ for their object another revolution Of the
school system. The committee appointed
! is composed Of p. NJ. Brown. John JOY
Edison. Cuno H. Rudolph. =. J. Callahan
! J. II. Ralston. F. @. Coldren, and Chaplin
Brown.
Mr.. Edison DepIOres Legislation,
Point and enthusiasm was given TO the
action Of the directors by speech made
by John JOY Edison He stated that he
had read with some amazement and a
good deal OF Indignation in the evening
/ papers Of the action Of the subcommittee
Of the Senate in determining to report
lfavorablV the Deliver bin for approval
to the full committee. Mr. Edison said
be had hurried to the meeting, after read
ing this statement, to aid. if possible
/ in movement to preserve TO the people
Of this District some semDlance Of con-
troll over their public schools
/ Mr.. Edison declared that the propositions
contained IN the Deliver bill were per
nici0us IN principle, that they would
/ place control Of public education in the
hands of one man who might be tyran'
or a shining success. according 10 the
man Mr.. Edison said it was a serious
matter and one which should call forth
/ the protest Of every citizen Of the Dis
| trict against this invasion of the rights
of the people. who pay the taxes and
support the schools, placing them at the
mercy of a one-man power, responsible
to nobody and in a position TO WELD
! absolute power,
! Other speeches were made in the same
{
practically unanimous that the proposed
+ legislation should be defeated. If posi-
/ bic. and the present law and system OF
| administration of the schools preserved
Capt Oyster Defends system.
/ An incident OF the meeting was an IN
terestlng speech made by Capt. oyster
president of the board of education. il
which he gave his views freely as To the
/ law and its administration, stating many
/ facts in favor Of the present regime.
| In presenting his report Chairman
Brown stated that the committee had
gone extensively into the condition OF
the schools. taking testimony from the
/ present superintendent, from the assist
ant superintendent. from the supervising
principals and from representative
teachers Of the high schools and the
graded schools. Dr. Chancellor had beer
invited to appear before the committee
but had not awaited himself Of the op.
portunity to do so.
Mr.. Brown said the testimony fully ac-
quits all the officers and teachers IN the
school system Of any suspicion Of dis
loyalty or opposition TO the late superin-
tendent. or of any lack on their part tC
cooperate with him In creating and main
tanning the best class Of educational
work in the schools.
Report Summed Up.
The report summed up the testimony
which had taken several weeks to gather
in the following propositions:
There was a general feeling Of relief among the
| teachers following Immediately upon the recent
change Of superintendents.
/ There had been q general desire on the part Of
all subordinstez Of the superintendent to perform
their duties TO the best Of their ability. in accord
ance with what was desired by him.
The general belief among the school officers and
tea hers Is that the present law is an efficient and
sat sfactory one, and that, while minor amend
mants may prove sooner or later 10 be desirable
it is not now desirable to have any new legislation
( but the crescent law without change Of any kind
/ should be given a further trial
The general opinion throughout the Washington
school system Is that what Is nov needed above
every other consideration in the interest Of tbs
pupils is ,bsOlute quiet and a peaceful working
| ont Of the present law.
There has been no friction whatever, at any time
between the present board Of education. the super
| visng principals. and the teachers.
The retention in the administration Of the school.
| Of the feature Of local representation as a safe
guard against political disturbance favoTitism and
autooratic rule, is highly desirable.
ANY such law as that proposed by the two bills
known as the Burleson and DolliFer bills now
pending before the District committees Of the House
! and Senate. would be extremely disastrous IN its
! effect upon the schools
Would Fight for Local Control.
Commenting upon the work of the com