Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-11
Board of Education Confront
ed by vexing Problem.
HEAD OF DISTRICT SYSTEM
Present Superintendent May Be
Given Another Term.
OTHER CANDIDATES IN VIEW
Local Men Are Among the Poss1blli-
ties. But Outsiders Are Under
Consideration.

Whether or not A. T. Stuart, super
intendent of schools, will be appointed by
the board of education to fill another
term of office for three years from Janu-
ary is the question now staring the
members of that body squarely in the
eves IL is one of the hardest problems
the board has had to settle, and is even
more difficult i'm some aspects than was
the situation which faced the board one
night about three years ago. at the close
or the William E. Chancellor episode. The
loard found itself at that time without
slperintendent of schools. Mr.. Stuart
Lad made way for Mr.. Chancellor. and
when Mr.. Chancellor stepped out Mr..
stuart was called on the telephone at
ate hour and told that there was no
other way to proceed than for him to
accept a temporary appointment as
sdperintendent.
some time later the board found that
= appointment which 1t considered tenn
crary was legally binding for full term
of three years. Now that the term is
sming to close in the middle of a
nool year. the board is divided as to
E, hether Mr.. Stuart should be continued
office whether. If change is made,
tae Of the several candidates from other
tiles should be given the appointment.
Board Beset by Difficulties.
These three divisions of the problem are
20 full of difficulties that no one of the
members of the board can predict that the
outcome will be. and no two of them at
present have the same ideas. The mat
ter will have to be thrashed out and voted
upon in it's several divisions before any
definite conclusion can be reached
Talks with the members of the board
indicate that Supt Stuart has a very
good chance to remain in office. There is
80 question of friendliness or unfriendli-
ness. There seems to be nothing but an
impersonal discussion OF the boards duty
in the matter. Three Of the board MEM
bers who are In favor OF change can
not seem to agree on what the change
should be- One member of the board Is
strongly In favor of continuing Mr.. Stu
art. Others do not know exactly what
their vote would be after they have heard
the remainder of the members talk over
the situation.
Several Conditional Aspirants.
IhsgU ere several candidates for the po-
sition. providing It is to be open. OF the
educatoss now In the Washington schools.
Emory Wilson. principal Of the Central
High School. has strong support, always
with the understanding that a change is
advisable. Other candidates when Supt
Chancellor stepped out were Charles
clarke, Allan Davis, principal Of the
Business High School, and p. NJ. Hughes,
assistant superintendent of schools. Mr.:
Clarke is now at the head of the school
system In Somerville, Mass 1t Is not
known at present whether he would be
a candidate next January. Mr.. Hughes
and Mr.. Davis have not been considered
10 a great extent recently.
OF the educators from other cities there
looms up far above all others. local in
cluded, the figure of C. N. Kendall of In
dianapolis Although the matter was kept
a perfect secret in April. 1909. Mr.. Ken
dali was brought to Washington and had
long conferences with several board men,
bers. That was about the time when the
board found out that Mr.. Stuarts tenn
porary appointment was In reality le-
gal1y binding one.
Mr.. Kendall will be communicated with
in the event that the board votes to ap-
point an outside man.
Iowa Man q Possibility.
Another name prominent in the minds
OF the members of the board who are
working the problem is that of James
Harris Of Dubuque. Iowa. He has the
backing Of Representative Samuel w.
Smith Of Michigan. who Is chairman OF
the House committee on the District OF
Columbia. Mr.. Smith has been urging
the appointment very strongly. Harris
was q resident Of Michigan at one time.
The matter rests. to a large degree, with
the wishes OF Mr.. Stuart. who, until the
subject 10 brought before him in some
oficial manner. Is reluctant to express
any Views. The board members will not
vote to make any change II 1t Is seen that
the schools will be left without head in
the middle OF q school year. II il also
assured that unless another position In
the schools can be found for Mr.. Stuart
10 change will be made. II the program
Of three years ago Is carried out then
Mr.. Stuart will recede to the ONCE Of
supervisor Of intermediate instruction.
and Stephen Kramer. now the incumbent
of that once, will be made a supervising
principal. m of1oe which he held previous
Ia taking up his present duties.
Another dimculty IN the way of an
outside new appointment in January is
that 1t would undoubtedly be difficult to
get IN outside man to sever connections
with his present ONCE in the middle of a