The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-01-24
IN SUPPORT OF THE BOARD

Editor Tribune:
Under the caution, "Thcy Can't BE
Trusted" Tie Salt Lake Tribune OF Jan
Uary II prints an editorial attacking tho
teSrity OF the hoard OF education, and
arguing against the issue Of bonds pro-
posed for the purpose of erecting a new
high school As an alumnus OF nhe high
school ] ask leave to answer through
your columns.
The points supported in the editorial in
question arc these; First. the board of
education is dishonest because the custo-
dian. George NJ Bridwen has been de-
clared innocent Of the charges brought
against him. the members OF the board
having failed to continuc tho investiga- :
tion OF these charges for foar OF involv
practices Second, since the board OF
education lacks integrity no money
should bc placed in its hands with which
TO erect new high school until dis
closure of plans for loca tion and erec-
tion is made. Third, the board intends
10 use the schools as an "electioncerng
machine in campaigning for this bond is
sue": and this would he degradation
OF the schools. and unjust and unwar-
ranted use OF tho pupils. Fourth. The
board has sufficient money III It's ordl-
nary resources to erect a new high school
without calling upon tile people for spe-
cial issue Of hondss
The fallacy i'm the first point is not
far 10 seek. Mr.. EridweIl, or any man
til proved guilty. If, after making a rea =
sonablc investigation the hoard OF educa-
ton concluded that the charges against
the custodian rested upon a foundation
too slight 10 justify his discharge, thcre
remained hut ono fair course OF action,
which course the board took. 1t gave
AIR. Bridwell Scotch verdict OF mot
proven and accepted his resIenatiou
81 az rhC eDt
isfy the most mistrustful. Furthermore,
1T is fair 10 say that the present board
Of education Mil compare favorably with
tho other municipal bodies. Indeed. It
will be denied by few that this Is one
of the best boards the city has ever had
And for The Tribune, 10 intimate that
ErIdweil investigation for fear OF involy-
ing themselves in graft and unlawful
practices or for The Tribune 10 draw
the inference that. because Of the petty
Irregularities of a custodian, the lin =
teerity" aud good faith of such mon
as Sam g Park. q. w. Moylc. Lcdyard
Bailey. MathonlI1ah Thomas and others arc
"at stake; Is TO convict that paper of
n poor attempt at humor. Finally even
It. AS The Tribune asserts. tho present
board Of education were dishonest with
lie? If We who have elected this board
were assured Of It's unfaithfulncss. as Il
whole. or in part, the sane course 10 lake
would be not 10 spite the face OF tho
high school but. at the election next
December to change tho personnel Of
the board before opportunity for misuse
Of funds occurred
AS To The second point-that no money
should ho placed In the hands Of the
board until disclosure Of plans for loca-
ton and erection ts made II. as The
Tribune maintains. the members OF the
present board were lacking i'm integrity,
they would give evidence thereof by taxi
Ing the course advised hy that paper
To announce In advance OF It's purchase
tho site selected for new building
would he TO cause an immediate increase
In the price OF tho land chosen; and such
announcement on the part of the boa rd
might therefore well bo ccnsured. If on
the other hand. The Tribune Is wrong
and the members Of the board 9ro hon
est men. then they would AT least be
guilty of a. breach OF business judgment
In taking the action the omission of
which calls down the wrath OF the morn
Ing paper. And in fact, did the board
or cducatlcL desire to defeat It's own pur-