The Washington herald., 1908-01-16
TO ABOLISH BOARD
Senator DOlliVer Introduces
School Reform Bill.
MEETS THE WISHES OF MANY
WOnId Provide for Appointment Of
Director of Education, Who Shall
Educational system and Be Re-
sponsibIe 10 Congress.

E1%NSaAAoAdt system anu ne re-
sponsibIe ia Congress.
The first definite move toward the aboli-
ton of the District school board that has
been made in the Senate was the intro
duction yesterday by Senator Deliver, OF
Iowa, Of bin which proposes to do away
with the board, the superintendent. as
sistant superintendent, and the secretary
20 the board.
All the powers now vested in the board
and the other officials whi1is it is pro-
posed TO abolish are under the terms Of
The BILL TO be transferred 10 a director Of
education, who is 10 be appointed by the
Federal commissioner of education for
term OF four years He is given power 10
name seven assistant directors, two Of
whom are TO be colOred. for like terms.
ana the bin vests in the director author
ity to dismiss all or any Of these assist
ants at any time for the good of the
service.
The principal changes proposed by Mr.
Delivers bill are intended to go in effect
on April 1 next. The director of educa-
ton is 10 be paid an annual salary of
$500, and each Of his seven assistants is
TO receive $500 a year
Reports Direct 10 Congress.
The director is required by the terms Of
the proposed law to make an annual re-
port to Congress on the first Monday in
December. Under the terms OF the bill
Congress is made the only authority to
which the director is subject, but Senator
Deliver would accept an amendment.
which viii probably be offered. giving the
government commissioner of education
the appointing power. also power TO re-
move the director for cause at his discre-
ton
Senator Deliver. however. believes that
the comparatively short term which is
allotted TO the director would. even if the
power 10 dismiss him were not conferred.
prevent his doing anything which would
greatly injure the schools before Congress
could Dust him.
The author Of the bin introduced il
with the intention Of bringing before the
District Committee of the Senate the
proposition, which has been widely dis
cussed by Senators, to put the schools
into the control of one responsible head.
with authority over all who serve under
him, and not 70 be hindered in his work
by possible meddIing from a body exer-
cising authority over the schools without
knowing anything about the administra-
ton of an educational system.
Must BE Well Trained.
The bill provides that the director
which it proposes to appoint shall be a
graduate of a recognized college or uni
versity, shall have pursued at least three
years Of graduate work in some standard
university. and shall have held positions
OF responsible. superior direction over
educational Institutions for at least ten
years.
1t is proposed TO abolish the offices Of
the supervising principals on July / next.
the assistant directors to thereafter per-
form the duties which have been per
formed by those officers.
Senator Deliver is not a member Of
the Committee on the District of Co
lumbia, but ne has taken considerable
interest in the school question. not be
cause he desired to do so. but because.
as he expresses it, IL made so much noise
that he had to recognize its proximity.
whether he wanted TO or not The Sen
atOr characterizes the recent troubles as
similar 70 a boiler factory in effect upon
the peace Of mind Of an who were SO un-
fortunate as to reside IN its immediate
vicinity
Conferred with Burkett First.
The bin was proposed after a conference
with Senator Burkett, chairman Of the
Subcommittee TO investigate the school
question. who opposed no objection 20
its Introduction. IN fact the Senator
from Nebraska has admitted to friends
recently that the sentiment In the Senate
for the abolition Of the school board and
the complete reorganization Of the system
Of administration is no negligible GUAM
thy. and is growing constantly.
While he declined 20 express his opin-
ion regarding the Deliver bill vester-
day, in accordance with his usual nabit
Of refusing TO 'leg.slate out Of the Sen
ate as he calls IT, Senator Burtzer- er-
pressed surprise at the storm which the
school controversy has aroused In thu
Senate, and which apparently has taken
on added intensity since the dismissal Of
Superintendent Chancellor.
Efforts have been made to stem tha tf5o
OF Senatorial sentiment and give the new,
regime chance 10 prove whether or nor
it could be depended upon to bring a rea-
Sonable degree Of peace 10 the schools. but
an element Of the members have declined
70 accept any compromise. and have con-
sistentiy insisted that the abolition Of the
entire school board system alone wouI5
restore 10 the schools that degree Of tran.
guilty which is Indispensable 10 their
yielding their proper usefulness 10 the
community.
Meets OppOsitiOn's Wishes.
Senator Delivers bill perhaps. with
minor changes will meet the wishes of
this not inconsiderabIe element. and +ba
District Committee. il is believed will ~
port 1t tavorably. as several Of those VIII,
desire 10 see sweeping changes made are
members OF that committee and evercisa
some influence in rs c0unsels.
The subcommittee appointed 70 invastf
gaze the schools met yesterday morning
ana held short executive session i
was stated afterward that no definite do
clsion mad been reached as to the suhiact
matter Of the inquiry, but that the frst
regular meeting of the subcommittas
would be held tomorrow at p. m.
'Inose present at the meeting yesterda,,
were Senators Burkett. chairman. So;
johnston, and Martin. Senator Carte,
ire remaining member. was unable 70 a.
tend. 70 at
Provides for New POst-offlce.
The erection Of a post-offoa n, e.
site hitherto acquired at the PennsyI