The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1909-12-01
REED BECOMES THE
REAL ISSUE
r. A. Hatfield Declares His Opinion
on Situation Which Will Con-
front the New Board.

d. G. Reed, city superintendent of
schools, was discussed as an issue in
the approaching school election i'm
several quarters in North Yakima
Saturday, and it became apparent
that the fight, whether openly or not,
is to be made on him. A fact came
to light Saturday which precipitated
the use of his name into the cam
paign, though it had been expected
that within the next two or three
days he would be made the center of
hot fight. 1t develops. however,
that the candidates for the board are
not Reed and anti, Reed men. They
are, instead generally unfavorable to
him.
Already Rccngaged.
The fact which came to light Sat
urday is that Mr.. Reed has been Of
fered Encouragement for a term of one
year as superintendent after the e&-
piration of his present term, which
will be about June next. This offer
Of reengagement was made at
meeting of the school board held at
the home of Mr.. Reed, following a
, banquet to the members of the board
as farewell to d. NJ. Rand, who left
a cCSple of months or SO ago to
spend the winter in the east. Coupled
with the motion to reengage Mr..
Reed for an additional year after the
expiration of his term, then some
months ahead, was a motion to in
crease his salary $500 per year, or
from $1,000 to $4,000. This increase
was not agreed upon. Members of
the school board who were spoken
to last night about this meeting
could not recall it definitely, but Mr..
Reed talked very freely about it.
May Be Illegal.
f. A. Hatfield, candidate for cleo
ton as school director, declared him
self to he of the opinion that the re-
election of Mr.. Reed was not legal
SO far as he had been able to learn
he said, the call to the meeting was
not legal and moreover he did not
think the board could take such ac-
ton binding it's successors under the
conditions. The conditions being in
one instance, an election this fall tsf
majority of the board. Mr.. Hat
field had evidently made some in
quiries into the matter the matter on
his own account before The Herald
asked his opinion, and had deter
mined that the case was one which
he would investigate if he became di-
rector He was, however, very fair
minded in the statements he made.
1T is my opinion" said Mr.. Hatfield,
that the reelection of Mr.. Reed I'M
der the conditions is not legal and ]
do not think it will stand. If I am
chosen a member Of the board my
attitude would be to test it's legality
or have the board reconsider its de-
ton, as 1 think the new board is en-
titled to settle its own affairs. and
that is one of them. IT, however, Mr.
Reed is to remain for another year
as superintendent I will back him up
in his work as such so long as he re-
mains in the position. That | think,
is only fair to the school. AS long
as he H. in power he must be upheld
or the schools will suffer. | do no;
think, however, that his reelection
will stand"
Reed was Surprised
Mr.. Reed said that the matter of
his reelection for another year was
a simple affair. The school board
had been called to meet in regular
session the night its members ban
quoted at his home. After the dinner
instead of adJourning to the high
school the board was called to order
in his house, really against his
wishes, he said, but in such manner
as to prevent him from interfering
He had previously handed to No
Rand, chairman of the board, a let
ter Offering him (Reed) a position as
superintendent in southern city
and asking what he would do about
it, At the meeting at the home OF
Mr.. Reed this letter was produced by
Mr.. Rand, who eXtolled the work Of
MIR. Reed, his devotion to the schools
ETC., and closed by moving his re-
election at an increased salary. The
salary matter was dropped. Mr.. Reed
said, and his selection was made
unanimous. And" said Mr.. Reed
nothing further has been done.
I said I would take the subject under
consideration and l have made NJ
answer to it. All I can say is that tn,
meeting was regular enough and tina
the action taken came as a surpris,
to me. 1 may say. further, as 1 saiC
to the board, when my letter from
the~s",Ith was handed in. that tn,
matteT ne of little moment to M
one A'eUer."
~ r. J