The Washington herald., 1908-01-11

viii BE Recommended.
By unanimous agreement, the Senate
Committee on the District of Columbia
yesterday decided to proceed at once with
The investigation of the District school
system. which was ordered by the Senate,
on a resolution introduced by Senator
Scott, of West Virginia, before the holi-
day recess.
This decision was a surprise even 10
the members Of the committee, as it was
not believed until the question was
brought up that the desire for an in
vestigation at the present time was gen
eral among the members No one was
more surprised than Senator Burkett
chairman of the subcommittee on schools
and author of the law under which the
present school system is operated.
Senator Gallinger, chairman of the COM
mittee, at once appointed a special sub
committee to conduct the investigation.
Senator Burkett is chairman, and the
other members are Senators Scott Carter.
Martin, and Johnston. the two last named
call a preliminary meeting of the sub
committee in the course of the next few
days, 10 organize and determine upon the
method of procedure, and the sentiment
of the members as to what the sub
committee should attempt to develop by
the inquiry
Abolition Of Hoard Expected.
f- al.
Of the investigation, which will De a very
thorough one viii be the abolition Of the
school board and important changes In
the system of administering the schools
Naturally, no member of the subcommit-
tee will express his views as to the de-
STABILITY of any proposed changes. as he
feels the necessity Of going into the in
vestigation with unbiased mind and al
lowing his decision TO be formed solely
upon the evidence to be developed by the
inquiry
It is admitted. however. that sentiment
among the Senators IN general and in the
District Committee in particular. has for
the past few weeks been crystallizing
around the belief that the measure best
calculated to bring peace 10 the schools
Of the District is the proposition that a
District commissioner Of education be ap-
pointed, to have sole supervision and ad-
ministratOn OF the schools. and TO be
answerable for his stewardship either TO
the District Commissioners or TO the gov
eminent Commission of Education.
Opposed 10 Local Rule.
While some Senators believe that the
District government is the proper au-
thority in which to vest the control Of
the schools, through such commissioner
or superintendent. q larger number seem
to have some doubts as 10 the desirability
Of this course, and would prefer that the
schools be divorced entirely from the To-
cal administration. But the course of the
school board in the Chancellor case seems
to have resulted in focusing Senate senti-
ment upon the belief that a change of
system is desirable, and the force of this
sentiment is admitted even by the warm
est friends Of the present school law.
Senator BUTkett said yesterday that the
Investigation. which is now assured
would be painstakng and thorough. and
that the decision Of the subcommittee
would be reached after careful COnsldera-
ton of the evidence to be secured, and
with the sole purpose Of eliminating all
Objectionable features which may be
brought to light and making the system
as near perfect as possible. Particularly
strong efforts viii be made 20 throw
around the system such safeguards as
may be expected to prevent in future a
recurrence of the disgraceful situation
which was created by the Chancellor
case.
Chancellor Has Friends.
The former superintendent undoubtedly
has some strong friends among the mem
bers of the Senate, and his dismissal. it
Is understood, has not stopped his ef-
forts to secure justice at the hands OF
Congress. Il is not believed, however.
that there is any chance of his being
reinstated by action Of Congress. HIS
friends are active I'm his behalf and are
doing all in their power 10 secure a thor
ough review of his case This. in the
natural course of events, will doubtless
be included In the investigation which is
10 be undertaken by the subcommittee.
but while it may result IA his being vim
dicated Of some of the charges which
were brought against him. the prob
ability that he will secure further recog-
milton than this vindcation Of his char
acteT as an educator of ability is slight
It is felt that his course was not wholly
without blameWOTthy features. as regards
his conduct toward the board, even
though some of the charges against him
may not have been substantiated by the
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