The Detroit times., 1911-03-11

pensing OF immense sums OF money IN
the purchase OF school sites and sup
plies, I'm the letting OF contracts lot
buildings. and the hiring OF the smaii
army OF school board employees, are
we not justified In further concluding
that BY appointing TO such commit
tee chairmanships men who were 'hc
| least competent. Mr.. Martinda'. was
rewarding them for their votes, anu
| in so doing had no regard TOT EN-
| cheney and economy in the manage
ment OF the business afairs OF lne
school board. but was interested soiely
I'm holding on TO mis- position Can We
not see that the position OF school
superintendent can thus become In
the highest degree political one
The appointment OF Mr.. Martln-
dale of Ralph Treppa, bartender,
brother of the saloonkeeper chairman
OF the committee on text books and
courses OF study. TO the principalship
of night school. can hardly be ex-
cused on the ground OF scarcity III
the supply Of qualified teachers. Arc
We not forced to regard this also IN
the nature OF reward that loon NJ
account OF the moral effect OF such
an act, especially on our growing lot
!. eign population?
But Mr.. Martindale has even been
active in seeking TO further the cleo
ton of such men as would be favor
able TO his own election. Two years
ago Supt. Martindale spent days,
while our schools were in session ana
while drawing $50 day for his ser
vices, delving into dusty public rec
ords in the city OF Chicago, not In
search OF educational ideas. but 10
get. II possible. proof that one OF the
candidates for school inspector. who
had protested most loudly against
graft on the school board. was not
citizen OF the United States. ana,
therefore. not eligible to a seat on the
school board
Work Of Martindsle Machine.
But Mr.. Martindale's political ac-
tiyities have not been confined within
the limits of the City OF Detroit. He
has both strong Republican and Dem
ocratic political connections. His
brother-in-law. Edwin Henderson, Is a
power in the Democratic organization
OF Wayne county. His brother. Fred
erick c. Martindale. who is aspiring
70 be governor OF Michigan and has
already announced himself candi-
date Is secretary of state, having
been twice elected 10 this ONCE on
the Republican ticket, and Is thus In
a position 10 make many 1rienus
among the legislators and to influence
votes. Those who are active In local
notifies know that Superintendent
Martindale, in his campaigns for the
election of friendly inspectors, has
had the loyal support Of both Demo
Gratis and Republicans through the
help OF these family connections, In.
GLIDING among others even the SUP
mort by most questionable election
methods of ex-convict and saloonkeep-
or. BILLY" Considine. Also by the
concerted action Of the forces which
these men control, the men elected
from Wayne county TO the state legis-
lature have been friendly to Superin-
tendent Martindale, with the result
that no legislation, designed to reform
conditions on our school board. has
thus far been passed. On the other
hand. a bill making il possible for his
supporters on the Detroit board OF
education TO increase Mr.. Martindale's
went through the legislature without
halt, Notwithstanding the fact that
no other cities were eagerly bidding
for his services and trying to get him
away from us. Had the Wayne dele
cation been friendly to reforming our
school board organization. surely at
least a great deal more who have been
heard about Ii at the sessions OF the
legislature.
What Is the combination OF these
political forces but a vote-swapping,
bipartisan. political machine, made
possible through friends. family con-
nections. and the immense vote-con-
trolling patronage at the disposal OF
the men in control OF our publle
school system?
MIR. Martindale cannot have spent
time in political activities without
neglecting the educational side OF
school administration. II the educa-
ton OF our children has not thereby
suffered, IL can only be because he has
employed others TO do his work for
him II that case, we are paying more
salaries than are necessary and some
one else should be getting the S6.OOO
which Mr. Martindale is drawing.
Now, while the agitation for rem
edial legislation and for the small
board OF education, elected from the
city at large. has been going on. en-.
dorsed and pushed by practically all
the superintendent and educators OF
the state, why, we ask:
"First-Has Mr.. Martlndsle not
only held aloof from this movement,
but used his political influence to OPP
pose i'll
"Second-Why has he preferred to
work with a large, ward-eIection board
composed Of numerous committees
and with the least competent men ap-
pointed TO do the most Important
work.
"Third--Whst has Mr.. MartindaIe
to fear from a small board elected at
large, provided he possesses the quail
ifications Of a frst-class educator7
"Fourth-ls IL not our duty at this
spring election to support only such
men for school inspectors as will vote
TO remove all obstacles In the way OF
much needed reform In educational
administration. thus following by a
Knockout blow the stssgerer which
was dealt the school board machine at
the election two years sgo7
Further evidence OF the general dis
pleasure with the way the board of