The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-02-09
Law and PropoSedLeg
lation Compared by
Chamber of Com
merCe.
Booklet Will Be Issued
Tomorrow, Outlining
Position. in
Dispute.

The public schools committee Of
the Chamber Of Commerce is deter
mined that the public, and espe-
cially Senator's and Representatives
shall have an intelligent insight
into conditions in the local schools
and school system, and that the
dangers that they see in the pro-
posed Deliver law shall be gener-
ally appreciated.
To this end the subcommittee, APP
pointed to draft material for a
printed pamphlet, having completed
its labOrs, viii tomorrow issue the
booklet. Besides printing the re-
port of the school committee and a
copy of the Deliver bill, the com
mittee has included a comparison
Of the present school law, and its
results, with the proposed law. In
order TO contrast the two most
clearly, parallel columns are used,
showing the comparisons, at
glance.
There are also included ten spe-
cifc objections to the Dolliver bill.
These objections are as follows:
Local Control.
The present school law provides for
local control OF our schools The Dol
liver bill contains no such provision.
but ander Il the schools which the chill
dreL OF the people or this District
must attend may be managed entirely
by nOn-rssidents The citizens OF the
District are taxed to support the
schools, Tut under the DoIIiver bill they
are not assured OF any voice in regard
70 then.
AutOcratic Power.
The Dolliver bill aboIishes the Board
OF Education, secretary Of the board
the superintendent. assistant superin-
tendents and the supervising principals
and vests an autocratic control Of the
schools in director Of education to
be appointed by a Federal officer, the
Commissioner OF Education, responsible
in no way TO the people OF this District
Ore-Man Power Unchecked.
The DoIliver bill after providing for the
appointment Of a director OF education
authorizes said director to appoint seven
assistant directors, any or all OF whom he
can remove sUmmarily in his discretion
No educational qualifications are pre-
scribed for these assistant directors,
and they are necessarily entirely sub
servient to the director.
Present Law.
The DollIver bill nulllhes. or makes
easy the notification Of all the good
features Of the present law. which fea-
lures were put into the present law 10
guarantee Justice and fairness In regard
TO appointment, promotion, and dismis- /
sal OF officials and teachers. The Dol
liver bill places no check on the director |
Of education IN the direction Of the dis |
bursement OF school funds.
Ideal Man.
The DoHiver bill requires an ideal man |
IN all moods and at all times. and il is /
folly 10 expect to secure such a man. /
In whatever measure he may have had /
qualities, the opportunity for him to do /
harm is unlimited and unchecked so /
long as he IS solid with the appointing /
power.
Political Disturbance.
The DoIliver bill provides a system Of /
school administration that is peculiarly
liable 70 be dominated and controlled
by political and other powerful infu-
ences; under the unchecked control of /
q director Of education, dependent for
continued tenure of office on a depend
ent Federal appointing power. the
schools viii be continually in danger of
having pressure successfully applied 10
introduce into them incompetent IL not
otherwise undesirable teachers. The
citizens OF the District, having no as
sUrance of voice in school matters,
loeal public sentiment will be ineffective
or utterly unavailing to prevent or cor
rect any evils which may arise.
Supervision
The DolIiver bill destroys entirely the
present supervision OF the LOO graded
school classes and the LOO teachers Of
those classes.
A The principles Of the school build
i7gs are themselves teachers, and could
not possibly exercise the necessary
supervision and preserve uniformity in
the system.
3. The seven assistant directors could
not POSSIBLY perform these supervising
duties as they, in connection with ard
under the control Of the director. WI
be charged with all the duties Of the
all the business affairs Of the schoo
Testimony From the Schools.
With practical unanimity the school
officers and teachers testify that the
present law is an admirable one, and
none Of them have suggested or ad yised
changes 10 the committee, EXCEPT in
comparatively unimportant details
which may be made by minor amend
Tnents- The few who have suggested
any changes are opposed to asking
that they be made al present. for fear
Of a change in the general features OF
The law which are absolutely satisfac-
tory The present law is scientifically
.-Gmed and provides admira bly, for ef-
fcient administration. and proper pro-
teeflon for the teachers and the public
Interests.
The teachers OF the city are thorough
y alarmed at the prospect Of the ems