New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-17
ALL CONDEMN CHARTER
More Prominent EnduCatOrS Add
Words of DiSapprOvaI.
DANGER TO WHOLE NATION
President Remsen of Johns Hop
kins Says Provisions Invite
Incorporate Language.

Many of the most prominent educators
OF the country have condemned the pro-
visions for public instruction in the pro-
posed new city charter. Among the critics
who have made public their views regarding
the sections bearing on education are Pres
ident Emeritus Eliot and President Low
ell of Harvard; former President Low and
Presidents Butler, Of Columbia; James, OF
Illinois: Swain, of Swathmore; Humphreys
OF Stevens Institute; Hutchins, of Mchi-
gan: Garfield, OF Williams. and Taylor, OF
Vassar
In addition to all this. letters in opposl-
ton TO the education chapter were made
public yesterday from Presidents Baker,
of the University Of Colorado: Remsen, Of
Johns Hopkins. and Pritchett, of the Car
negie Foundation.
President Bakers criticism follows:
have read the provisions of the educa-
ton chapter of the proposed charter or
New York City. ] believe that all Of those
provisions are unwise 1t would be a mis-
take to make a board of seven superin-
tendents, whose qualifications for office
would not be assured. Since the scheme
includes city superintendent under the
direction Of the board. his work would be
comparatively useless if he could not bring
questions TO the board, If he could not give
his opinion on questions under discussion,
If he could not recommend teachers, III ne
could not go beyond the city for eNcep-
tional instructors. The experience Of this
country has shown that to make a school
system part OF "A political machine would
be exceedingly dangerous and would result
in great harm.
President Pritchett writes:
/ am inclined to believe that those who
advocate paid board have confused the
pf with the uiIpStiDD or
administration. In our better colleges the
governing board is an unpaid body. Its
function is to choose competent executives
and then TO stand back of their execution
with their counsel. their help and their
criticism, but to leave to these trained eX-
eoutives the details and the responsibility
of administration a PAID board, on me
other hand would. ! believe, inevitably
seek to take into its hands the actual ad-
ministration of the school system, which IS
the function of the superintendent or
schools and his associates.
President kemsen writes:
1t IL my belief that the only proper
method Of administration of the schools or
New York or any other city is TO concen,,
trate authority in the superintendent and
to hold him responsible. Is IL proposed to
put experts In education on the Board or
Education? If not, how can they properly
do the things they are TO be called upon
to do? AS | understand. it, they are to as
sign assistant superintendent to duty;
they are to appoint all members of the
teaching and supervisory force, without re-
gard 10 nomination by the superintendent
or board Of superintendent. They are
i'm other words, TO do the most important
rart of the work now done by the superin-
tendent II they are not experts in educa-
ton, how can they do it? On the other
hand. If they are, then there Will be seven
superintendents. You might as well have
seven mayors of the city.
AS TO paying the members Of the board
salaries that imply that they are to give
all their time to the work, that appears TO
me Objectionable for the very reason that
they may feel under obligation TO give all
whether in the long run as good men could
be secured I'm this way as in the old
note that lin appointing superinten-
dents and directors of special boards the
board is confined To those who have had
eXperience i'm New York City schools
This strikes me thoroughly vicious. 1t
is quite conceivable that the person best
fitted for the vacancy may not have had
,Xperience I'm the New York city schools.
Incorporate language has. suppose, never
helped any cause. And yet 7 am tempted
to use Incorporate language in writing OF
these proposed changes. This much vent
ure TO say: There does not appear To me
10 be a redeeming feature in them, and
should almost despair of the future Of the
nation # the chief city should decide TO
initiate such a backward movement.
These letters were received by the Public
Education Association. which is making a
canvass TO ascertain expert opinion on the
educational provision Of the charter.