The Washington herald., 1908-04-03

II was believed 10 be.
Determined opposition TO the bill was
indicated by the remarks or Senators Mel
son. Hopkins. Clay, Clark. of Wyoming.
and others. and Senators Long and Dfi-
lingham indicated their dislike Of the bill
in milder terms. A large majority Of
Senators showed their lack OF interest in
the measure by absenting themselves
from the chamber
After about an hours debate on the
measure. it was pushed aside by the hour
at which the unfinished business must be
taken up and did not again secure the
floor. Save for developing IN part the
strength OF the bilrs unpopularity. the
debate did rot change the position OF the
measure. 1t remains on the calendar, IN
der Rule 9. and cannot be taken Up save
by vote In the Affirmative upon a mo-
ton TO consider II.
SmOOt Fires First Gun.
Senator Burkett, as chairman OF the
subcommittee Of the District Committee
which had the bill IN its charge. called It
up Immediately after the routine morning
business. and asked that il be taken UP
for consideration. The Vice President put
the motion, and announced that il pre-
vailed. although II was not apparent to
some that the ayes" had outnumbered
the noes" in the viva voce vote on the
motion. Senator SmOOt. OF Utah. sounded
the first note OF the opposition forces BY
moving that the regular order be called
up. The Vice president ruled that this
could not be done. as the Senate had by
vote made the Dolliver bill the order for
the day.
The committee amendments 20 the bin
were adopted, and the bin was reported
/ from Committee Of the Whole TO the
1 Senate. Senator Nelson then secured the
I floor and made speech opposing the bin
as subversive OF the rights Of the people
of the District He attacked the section
which gives the Commissioner Of Educa-
/ tlOa the appointment of the proposed
/ director OF education for the District. he
| Indirectly defended the board or educa-
/ tion.
Turmoil Under All Boards.
Senator Galhuger interrupted the speak
/ er to remind him that there had been
| turmoil under the administration OF all
the school boards Of the District. Mr..
/ Nelson then took the ground that ade-
/ uuate consideration had not been given
/ the bill in the committee. and that some
/ persons and civic bodies had been re-
/ fused hearing upon It. he concluded by
moving that e be recOmmitted 10 the
/ District Committee
| Before the motion was put, however,
/ AR Burkett took the floor, and he held
/ it during the remainder OF the debate.
/ defending the bin and the committee. and
answering questions which were pro
pounded 10 him by other Senator's At the
outset Of Mr.. BUrketts remarks. Mr.. Cal
lnger made a short reply 10 Mr.. Nelson.
declaring that II Capt oyster, whom Mr..
/ Nelson lad mentioned. was 20 be dis
cussed on the floor. the discussion would
be made very interesting by the members
! OF the committee. The implied challenge
was not accepted.
Finds District Work Hard.
Mr. Burkett. after declaring that none
but members OF the District Committee
could realize the burden which member
/ ship on that committee imposed. re-
viewed the history OF school administra-
tion in the District He referred 70 the
Scott resolution, directing an inquiry into
/ the school imbroglio which the present
/ session OF Congress found in progress, and
/ declared that with one exception the Dis
/ trict Committee had been unanimously in
/ favor Of reporting the DOlliver bill as q
| remedy for that condition. Senator Dill
/ lingham here arose and stated that he
/ had not been present at the meeting. and
! later Senator Long stated that ne had
been the one objecting member. as he had
! not been in favor Of giving the appoint
| ing power TO the Commissioner Of Edu-
! cation.
Nelson Disparages Baird.
! Senators Hopkins, Flint. and Nelson
| asked questions intended 10 develop what
/ had been brought out at the hearings
conducted by the subcommittee. Mr.. Mel
son IN doing so fourished a pamphlet re-
porting the hearing az which Senator
! DOlllver and Admiral Baird testified. and
| spoke very dlsparagingly OF Mr Baird
! Senator Burkett took up the cudgels for
the admiral. and warmly defended him.
saying that any man present would do
well 10 bear his honors as well as the ad-
miraI had done. Senator GaIlinger. in
reply 10 Mr.. Nelson's insinuation that
no other persons had been accorded an
| opportunity to make q statement. said
l that the room had been full of people,
none of whom had asked TO be heard.
! Senator Burkett said that much OF the
| trouble had been due 10 the supervising
principals. and alleged that their posi-
/ tiOns had been created in many instances
/ in order TO accommodate some friend Of
a member of the school board. He was
interrupted by several Senators. all Of
whom objected to some feature Of the
bill
Supervisors as AutOcrats.
Mr. Burkett said that the supervising
! principals. of which there are now thir-
teen, each controls. through his auto
cratic power. about 100 teachers, ana that
these teachers. in order 20 protect them
! selves, influence other residents of the
| District according 20 the desires of the
/ group principals. thus making these men
/ power in favor OF retaining a school
/ system beneficial to themselves. Senator
Clark wanted 70 know whether merging
! the power exercised by these principals IN
one man would improve this condition.
I Mr. Burkett declared that this was not
the object of aboliishing them; thar their
duties were 10 be transferred TO seven
/ assistant directors, appointed by the di-
rector created by the bin. Senator Clay
/ here broke in, and said that no one man.
but a board, ought to control the school
system OF a great city.
Prefers District Resident.
/ Senator Smith, Of Michigan. wanted to
amend the bill by prescribing that the
director Of education should have been a
/ resident of the District for five years
previous 10 appointment. Mr.. Burkett
declared that the Senator could not name
/ a person with the necessary qualifications
for this position residing in the District.
/ because there was no such person.
/ Mr.. Burkett also declared that il was
| impossible to get a school board made I'D
Of the most desirable class OF people in