The Washington herald., 1908-02-19
AMEND SCHOOL BILL
Columbia Heights Citizens
IndOrse DOlliVer Measure.
BUT THEY FIRST CHANGE IT
Instead of Commissioners of Educa-
tion of the United States, rs Pro-
vlded in Measure, Alteration
Leaves school Affairs in Hands of
the Commissions of the District.

The Deliver bill was severely criticised
and then indorsed, after it had been
amended. At meeting Of the Columbia
Heights Citizens Association last night
in the Savoy apartment house.
Instead Of a commissioner OF education
Of the United States. as named in the BILL
the power to appoint a superintendent
TO preside over school affairs of the Dis
trict is left in the hands Of the Commits
sioners by the amendment.
The present school system was alter
nately denounced and upheld. final de-
cision to abolish it being reached after
stirring speech by a. E. L. Leckie.
Judge Charles s Bundy, president OF thu
association. spoke in favor of the present
system and denounced the Dolliver bill
as an 'unheard-of innovation"
A Debating Society.
Mr.. Leckie declared that long as
school affairs were In the hands OF a
mixed board, composed Of men and
women. white and black. there would be
discOrd. He declared that the whole City
of Washington should not be turned into
debating society TO decide whether the
school board or the superintendent hap
pened TO be in the right.
The speaker said he was in favor OF
having one man control the educational
affairs OF the city but did not agree
with the clause in the Dolliver bill. pro-
viding that a United States Commissioner
of Education be appointed man versed
in educational affairs should be chosen.
he declared. without regard 10 politics
10 leave the power OF appointment "a
the hands of the Commissioners.
Arthur T. Ramsay, chairman of the
second committee. read the report and
told of the committee'sIl nding. after ex-
haustive research: that TO the best of
their jurgment the friction in the schosl
board was caused by too many persons
having authority. Such authorities, he
said, often came in conflict and conflict
retarded education In order TO reduce
conflict and controversy 10 a minimum,
Mr.. Ramsay said. the educational system
should be simplified, with one man in
charge.
In respect TO the one-man power. he
said the committee agreed with the DolH-
YER bill. but believed the ruling spirit or
superintendent should be appointed by the
Commissioners. The committee. lie said.
believed that the power of appointing a
superintendent should be vested in the
Commissioners.
The Discussion Begins.
As soon as the resolution had been pre-
sented the discussion began. Several
members argued that It would be much
better TO have the superintendent ap-
pointed by the judges OF the District Su-
preme Court. while others objected to any
change being made in the present system.
On January :. a conmittee was ap-
pointed 10 look into existing school con-
ditons. and report back to the associa-
ton as to what. in their opinion. would
be the best step TO take to improve edu-
cational opportunities in the District.
The committee reported that Il was es-
sential to good educatiC- that school af-
fairs be handled in harmony. To reach
such an end the committee recommended
as follows:
IF in promoting this harmony, peace.
and quiet Congress should deem Il wise
10 enact the pending measure known as
the DOlliveT BILL we would respectfully.
though urgently, recommend that said
bill be amended on page 2 section 2 by
striking out, in lines and s, the words:
Commissioner Of Education Of the United
States and inserting in lieu thereof. the
words: Commissioners Of the District Of
Columbia
Unity and Harmony.
Such an amendment would have a
tendency TO unity and harmonize the edu-
cational and financial affairs of the
schools by uniting in one agency all legal
responsibilities and duties. which. under
the terms Of the bill. would be lodged in
two different agencies. whose opinions
might meet in an frrepressible conflict
to the detriment Of the schools.
A further clause Of the resolution pro-
vided that recommendations be made for
a reduction in the present number OF
supervising officials When the resolution
was adopted committee OF FIVE was ap-
pointed to present the amendment to the
District House and Senate committees.
w. f. Andrews. member of the com
m.ttee followed Mr. Ramsay. and spoke
in favor Of the report.
II. G. Campbell said he ohm iected
to the amendment on the grounds that
it recommended tho Dolliver bill. He
said he did not care 10 have the asso-
citation recommend the DoIliver bill be-
cause II undertook TO put the manage
ment Of local school affairs in a ma
tional appointee He recommended
that fourth commissioner, known as
the commissioner OF education. be
appointed His motion 10 that effect
was not seconded.
Judge Charles s. Bundy. president of
The association. denounced the purpose OF
bringing a One-man power 10 the city "a
preside over its school affairs. He charac-
teriZed former Supt Chancellor as an
example Of the "Autocrat from Nova
Scotia, who can run things to suit him
self"
Committees Appointed.
The following committee was appointed
10 present the resolution and proposed
amendment TO the District committees in
the Senate and House: Arthur T. Ram
say. chairman: W E Andrews. 4. f.
L. Leckie. l. H. Saunders, and Fred c.
Croxton
The committee that reported on the
school matter was composed of the fol-
lowing: Arthur T. Ramsay, chairman
Wilbur l. Wright W E Andrews. I. II
Saunders, Fred {. Croxton, William r.
Todd. and William w. BIowie.
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