The Washington herald., 1908-02-02
EXPECT HOT DEBATE
School Bill May Come Up for
Passage Tomorrow.
TO PRESENT DISTRICTS SIDE
Senators Not Unanimous for Pro-
posal to Give Federal officer Ap-
pointing Power-StrOnE Argument
Advanced in Favor of Granting
This Authority to Commissioners.

Those who are behind the DolIiver bill
proposing TO reorgauize the public school
system of the District OF Columbia. are
confident that the bin will pass tile Sen
ate tomorrow. when Senator GalIinger
toijl probably call 70 up for consideration.
There are indications that when the
measure comes up opposition VIII develop
20 tHat feature of It which proposes TO
vest in the government Comm issiouer o.
Education. instead Of the Distric, Con-
missipners. the power 10 appoint ard re-
ir,ve the director Of education. who un
der the terms Of the bill. is TO assume
the powers now exercised by the school
board, the superintendent Of education.
and otter administrative officials Of the
present system.
How strong this opposition win be can
not DE fofecasted. The hackers Of the
measure are confident that it will not de-
yelop in sufficient volume to amend the
bin as desired by the citizens Of the Dis
trict but It is known that At least two
OF three Senators viii make an effort To-
secure the desired change.
Consider Districts Interests.
The Senator'S who arc behind the bill
have no desire 20 override the wishes Of
the District from selfish or a stubborn
motive. They are earnestly convinced
that the plan proposed I'm the Dill pre-
sents the only assured method Of getting
rid once and for all Of the factioual trou-
bles which have initiated against the
best interests Of the schools for a number
Of years, and their only desire is to do
for the District what in their Judgment
is best for the Districts interests. They
feel that the people of the District take
a too narrow view OF the questions in-
vOlved. But other Senators do not share
this opinion and are Of the impression
that the people of any enlightened COM
munity are best qualified TO decide their
own affairs
It is generally recognized in the Senate
that the people of the District. or at
least a majority of them. earnestly de
sire the abolition Of the school board. and
there is a practically unanimous deter
minatiOn among the Senators, so far as
can be learned, to carry out this pro
gramme. But many feel that the Dis
trict government should have the an
pointing power granted by the bill. and
at least some efforts viii be made toward
this end.
See source Of Friction
4 potent argument which is being ad-
vanced toward this end Is the statement
that, as the District Commissioners con
troll the finances Of the schools. they
should also have the appointment of the
director of education. In the proposition
to give this power 10 the Commissioner
Of Education OF the United States they
see in this connection. an opportunity of
future conflict. The director, It is argued.
can do nothing without adequate support
from the authorities controlling the
school finances, and should the District
Commissioners ever have cause to find
fault with the director of educauon's
methods. they might. il is pointed ont.
quite properly refuse to extend TO him the
financial cooperation, without which
the schools could rot be conducted
Commissioners Beat Judges.
Il is conceivable, say the opponents Of
the proposition TO withhold from the
District Commissioners the appointing
power. that the Commissioner Of Educa-