Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-02
IN OYSTERS PLACE
w. v. Cox Elected President of
the Board of Education.
ANNOUNCES HIS PLATFORM
Favors Larger School Appropriations
and Pensions for Teachers.
MRS. MUSSEY VICE PRESIDENT
Letter of Appreciation of Retiring
Presidents Services Read-Pro-
motions and Appointments.
ANNOUNCES HIS PLATFORM
MRS. MUSsEY VICE PRESIDENT

BY the election of William V. Cox as
president and Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey
as vice president. following the resigna-
ton of Capt James F. Oyster from the
presidency, the board of education at its
meeting yesterday afternoon secured a
reorganization of its working forces for
the ensuing school year. Capt Oysters
resignation was accepted by the board
only after he had made a particularly
emphatic statement that he would be
compelled to resign from both the presi-
dency and the board if he was not per-
mitted to retire from the executive chair
But the board reelected him president
anyhow on motion refused TO accept his
resignation and finally permitted him to
retire TO ordinary membership only when
he had made d formal notation of his
resignation on the record. Mr.. Cox was
nominated imme diately and elected unani-
mOuSly, and when Capt. oyster stepped
down Mr.. Cox took the presidents chair.
Mrs Mussey was chosen vice president
without dissenting voice
Outlines His Policy.
The first act of the new executive of
the public school system of the District
of Columbia was TO outline the platform
upon which he will stand, and in brief
lis more important "planks' are as fol-
.Ows:
Urge support of the retirement bill.
Larger annual appropriations, so that
tie program OF the schools may be car
led out without undue restrictions.
a sufficient clerical force.
Reduction in the number of rented
buildings.
Fairgrounds placed under the control
OF the board of education, and most of
mem on school grounds.
Concentration of classes whenever at
tendance falls off in any one school.
Harmony among school officials.
One OF the last acts of Capt oyster,
the retiring president. was to submit to
the board a lengthy review of some of
the more important improvements accom-
piiShed in the schools within the past few
years, and he took occasion to emphasize
the Importance of securing legislation
which will place the public school sys
tenn under one directing head. The bone
of contention in many lively admins
trative battle in recent months, Capt.
oyster criticised that division of author
ity which places in the hands of the Com
ditures and the deciding voice in the Sc
lection of school sites and the conStruc-
ton OF new school buildings.
Questions frequently arise between the
two bodies, said he. and the business
of the schools suffers accordingly. The
board of education is in closer touch
with school affairs. and its decisions
should be final
Letter of Appreciation.
An enthusiastic appreciation of the
work of Capt. oyster for the schools
was presented before the board in the
form of letter by Mr.. Cox, which read
as follows:
Il am sure that no one outside of the
en-, -,
the splendid service which has been
rendered to this board, to the public
schools of Washington, to the whole
citizenship, including both parents and
children. of the District of Columbia,
and in it's general influence to the peo-
pie Of the United States. by the gentle
man who has just completed his third
year as president of this body, Capt.
James +. Oyster.
LAS member Of the board of education
and as one who. appointed with Capt.
oyster has had the honor of being closely
associated with him from the very begin
ming of the board. l deem IL a privilege
TO voice our appreciation of the eminent
service which, without regard to his per-
sonal pleasure or welfare, indeed, at I'M
measured sacrifice of both. Capt Oyster
has unfailingly. and with unquestioned
results, given to the public schools OF
the District of Columbia.
las citizens of the District we owe him
a debt of gratitude which cannot be paid.
He has had in mind the welfare of the
children, whose training has been COM
United to our care, and for this end moth
ing has been too burdensome for him to
undertake.
The officers. teachers and janitors of
the schools all testify 10 his sympa thy
and helpfulness, and l am certain that
without disparaging in the least the work
of any other member of the board land
We have all had our share of work., TO
Capt. Oyster. more than TO any other
member of this body, is due the credit
for bringing order out of the chaos into
which our schools were thrown.
II therefore have great pleasure in NOV
ing that we give expression to our appre-
citation of Capt. Oysters splendid services
to the public schools of the District of
Columbia and that the same be spread
upon the minutes of the board of educa-
tion while Capt Oyster is still president
thereof"