The Washington herald., 1910-04-02

The recommendation of the Dis
trict Commissioners that the board
of education and the Board of
Charities be abolished has met
with popular appreciation, and it
became apparent yesterday from
expressions of business men and
public officials that these branches
of the District government will en-
dure but little longer. !
The Commissioners sent a letter
to Chairman Smith, Of the House
District Committee, in response to a
request for recommendations as to
the bill introduced by Representa-
tive Peters, providing for a director
of education, at a salary Of $1,000
a year, and a director of charities
at $1,000.
OYSTER RESERVES OPINION.
Capt James F. oyster. president Of the
school board. said last evening that he
had not sufficiently digested the report
Of the Commissioners to discuss the mat
ter at this time. especially in the ab-
sence Of certain data which was not at
hand He added. however. that in his
opinion the high apparent cost OF edu-
cation is due TO the dilapidated condition
in which the school buildings were found
by the present board. neeessitating large
expenditures Of an extraordinary char
/ acter it was his opinion that when the
| buildings have been modernized the hg-
ures viii greatly decrease.
Former Commissioner Henry L. West
said last night:
7 heartily concur in the recommends
| tions OF the Commissioners in this mat
ter. as is evidenced by q letter which I
addressed to Senator Gallinger, chair
man Of the Senate District Committee,
over two years ago on the same subject
1t is Indispensable TO proper administra-
ton that all Of the coordinate branches
Of the District should be under the one
/ executive head-the Commissioners Of
the District Of Columbia"
Mr.. GUIDE IndOrses Idea.
William F. GUIDE. president of the
! Chamber of Commerce, said all govern
mental bureaus or departments should be
under the control OF the United States
or of the District government. ''The Dis
trict has been particularly fortunate in
the character OF the citizens who COM
/ prise these boards, but in these days il
| is impractical to seek gratuitous service
Of the kind that is called for in the ex-
ecutives of these important departments
of government.
Il believe that in addition TO the eXces-
sive cost Of supervision in the present
organization of the schools an essential
feature entering into the high cost OF
education here is the red tape which pre-
walls. I am credi5iy informed that
requisition for a single pencil worth
cents will frequently involve an ex-
penditure of clerical labor that viii cost
the government in the neighborhood
of 81"
Maj Judson, the Engineer Comnis-
sioner, said. in part:
I do not think that any great corpora
ton expendlng SS.30o00O a year in any
cne of its departments would intrust the
management of that department to a
nonsalaried volunteer board and trust
simply to its integrity and public
spirit to secure economical and adequate
administration"
Labor Man Favors Plan.
P. J. Ryan, chairman of the legislative
committee OF the Central Labor Union.
said that the idea was an excellent one,
and would undoubtedly meet with the un-
qualified approval of labor. 1T win be
an excellent thing" he said. "to have at
the head of these important governmental
institutions person of responsibility.
While disclaiming that he was speaking
for the board Of charities. DR.. George NJ.
Kober, in the absence of John JOY Ed
son. president of the board, who is Ia
Atlantic City, said that he believed that
each and every member Of the board
would be glad to step aside, as it was
great sacrifice for each and every one
| of them to give the time that the work
demanded. All of them had to be per-
suaded TO accept the positions originally,
and have reluctantly applied themselves
| to the work.
Il believe the time has come" he con-
cluded. when the work of the board can
| best be carried on by single executive
head as the work is now we'll laid out
/ for him. The position will be a difficult
one. however. and will require a man OF
great strength Of character TO properly
administer it,"
Employees Would Remain.
| The bill places the departments directly
under the control Of the Commissioners,
but retains the present employees subject
to removal by the Commissioners All
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