The Washington times., 1908-02-24
TRADE BOARD ASKS
CONGRESS TO DOWN
DOLLIVER MEASURE
People of Dis
trict of Their Rights,
Declares Petition.

A petition to Congress protesting
against the passage of the DoIIver and
burleson school bills vas offered in the
House Of Representatives this after
noon. The petition is the result Of the
labors Of the special committee appoint
cd recently by President Cuno II. Ru-
dolph. Of the Board of Trade, 10 oppose
school legislation At the Capitol. The
petition follows:
To the Congress OF the United States:
The Washington Board OF Trade.
through its officers and the undersigned
authorized committee, respectfully petit
lions that Congress shall make no
change at this time IA the existing law
creating and defining the system OF ad-
ministratioI for the Washington public
sheools.
Your pet tioner is an organization gen
orally reprssentive Of the citizenship OF
the District OF Columbia. numbering in
its membership more than 100 citizens
OF all profe ssiOns and branches Of bust
ness. the sole object OF which is 10
furnish means for citizens 10 express
their views on civic and other public
matters.
Trade Boards Petition.
The Washington Board Of Trade. at
a largely attended meeting, ado3ted
without a dissenting voice, and with
marks OF earnest approval, the follow
ing:
Resolved. BY the Washington Board
OF Trade that, In its opinion, If is in
expedient 10 make any change Ia the
law or IN the administration OF the
public schools at the present time; and
that copies OF this resolution be sub
mitted 10 tie District Committees OF
the Senate and House"
Your petitioner, believing that ths
present law enacted after a searching in
yestigation and thorough consideration
OF the needs OF the schools viii insure
good and satisfactory administration,
respectfully opposes the passage OF S.
Bin No. 4.0S2 introduced by Senator Dol
liver. and II. r. Bill No. 1882, intro-
duced by Representative Burleson.
Chiefly among the reasons which lead
the Washington Board Of Trade % op-
pose this bill are these:
Ftrst-The present law has been in
operation barely q year and a haIf So
limited a time has not given opportunity
for fair and thorough test of the lew.
Second-These bills proposing 20 abol-
and experienced supervising princlpaIS.
and other officers Of the present srhOoI
system, and establish in their stesq full
power vested IN a director, who shall
have entire control OF the eduCa t-OuaI
and business affairs Of the schools. prO-
vide an undesirable innovation ami one
not in harmony with the princip IS Of
school administration that have proved
sound by the experience Of American
cities.
Deprive People Of Rights
Third-These bills, through a FEDERAL
appointing power, would take wholly
out OF the hands OF the Washington
people their proper representation and
natural and rightful influence in the ad-
nainistration Of the schools, depFiving
them OF their participation IN a munich
PAL duty which closely and vitality con-
Germs them.
Fourth-The Board Of Education, the
superintendent, the supervising priuci-
pals. and the teachers. are now work
ing tremendously and effectively in the
educational direction Of the 60 600 school
children OF Washington. The proposed
change IN the law would Overturn q
situation now peaceful and satisfactory.
II your honorable body in anyNise
doubts the wisdom OF further trial OF
the present law, the Washington Board
of Trade, through its committee. re-
spectfuny asks opportunity to present
further Information and statement on
the subject
CUNO H. RUDOLPH,
President.
GEORGE H. HARRIES.