Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-08-06
REASON FOR INQUIRY
Reported Taft Caused Letter
to Board of Education.
MATTER UP WITH JUDS0N
President Heard Colored Schools
Were Being Disseminated Against.
WON'T DISCUSS QUESTION
Mr.. Oyster Says Controversy Has
Ended-EstimatesA Are Being
Made Up.

That the recent letter of the District
Commissioners to the board of education
charging discrimination by the board
against colored schools in the prepara-
tion of its last annual estimates
written as the result of President Taft's
inquiry into the matter was the unusual
development in the situation yesterday.
From a high authority it was learned
that the President took the matter up
with Engineer Commissioner Judson
after he had received complaints from a
| number of colored residents of the Dis
trict to the effect that the colored schools
were not receiving a sufficient share of
the annual appropriations.
The letter of the Commissioners to the
board followed the receipt of the Presi-
dents communica tion At the same time,
it is understood, a reply was sent to the
White House explaining the Commission
ers' position.
While members Of the school board
have zealously guarded the fact, it Is
learned through an authentic source that
the board was cogniZant of President
Taft's interest in the affair and, for this
reason. made such a strong denial Of the
Commissioners charges of discrimina
ton.
Taft Interested in Colored Schools.
President Tafts taking hand in the
matter is said to be due to the deep in
terest which he has always manifested in
the colored schools of the District and
his desire to ascertain exactly what meth
DDS are followed in making up the annual
estimates.
Members of the board last night re-
fused to discuss the matter, stating that
| they had made their reply to the Com
| missioners and that they regarded the
| controversy as settled.
| Engineer Commissioner Judson is not in
the city At the time Of the sending Of
the letter to the board Mr.. Judson made
no intimation of the President being In
| terested. The. reason for send.ng the
| letter at that time, he said, was because
| the board would shortly submit its, esti-
mates, and the Commissioners were de-
srous that diffeetn method Of arrang-
ing them be followed.
In their letter the Commissioners
| charged that the board had arranged its
last estimates in such a manner that
when items at the bottom of the list, sup
posed to be least important, were elimi-
mated in order to bring the total appro-
priation within a prescribed amount. the
| result worked a discrimination against
! colored schools.
| Shifting the Responsibility.
| Capt. James F. Oyster, president of the
| board of education, replying to the letter
of the Commissioners, strongly resented
| the charge of discrimination. In fact,
he attempted to fasten upon the Com
missioners the very charges which the
District heads had hurled at the board.
| The commissioners, he said, had not
eliminated items from the bottom of the
| list. but had cut in on the boards esti-
| mates at random, this fact being re-
| sponsible for any discrimination
The reply of the school officials was one
| of the most caustic ever sent to a board
| of Commissioners and produced wide
| spread comment. Yesterdays develop
! ments account for the exhaustive reply,
| as it is understood the board was anxious
| that the President should learn its side Of
| the controversy.
| The complaint made to the President
| by colored citizens is said to be the out
| growth of the failure Of last years ap-
| preparation to provide one-third of the
| amount for colored schools.
| When last years estimates we're SUBJ
mitted to Congress they were remanded
| to the Commissioners for a revision
Representative Taylor of Ohio claimed
| that the appropriations. as between
white and colored schools, should be
| based upon enrolment. and that the
| colored schools, therefore. should be
|
Provision for Colored Schools.
| After the Commissioners had finished
| with the revision the estimates went
back to Congress, providing an addition
al amount for colored schools. The
House struck out the increase, but later
| it was adopted in the Senate. AS the
bill passed, it still provided for
less than third the amount which
Representative Taylor claimed should go
! to colored schools.
Whether the board Of education will
| proportion heavier share OF its next
| estimates to colored schools or the Com
missioners will do SO, in case of a re-
vision, probably will be known in a few
| days, as the estimates OF the board
| practically have been completed.
The Commissioners yesterday sent a
| communication to the board asking that
the estimates be submitted as early as
possible, and it is likely that the request
| will be complied with in few days.
| 1t is understood that the estimates, in
all probability, will not provide for the
| entire amounts to be used in construct
| ing the new Central High School and
| the NJ Street Colored School.
Wish to Get Work Started.
With the object Of getting work started
on these buildings, for which ground al
ready has been purchased, as early as
possible, probably only one-third Of the
total amount to be expended in each case
will be included in this years estimates,
| it is learned.
| The Central High School will cost be-
tween S5O0,OOO and $6UO,OO0, while the NJ
Street School will represent an ultimate
| expenditure of about $2oO,O0O 1t is likely
| that the total estimates will not exceed
those submitted last year.
That the board of education is making
UP its estimates as it always has done,
| regardless of the Commissioners recent
| communication concerning this feature,
was the gist of a statement made yes
! terday by Capt. Oyster. The board presi-
! dent did not indicate what amounts will
| be allotted white or colored schools.
| Capt. Oyster said that the board would
make UP its estimates In the usual man.
| ner, and that If it felt that all that was
asked would not be granted 1t would
place the least important items at the
bottom Of the list.
Life Insurance Case Postponed.
TROY, N. Y, August 5.-Supreme Court
Justice Howard today again adjourned
tho proceedingS ttiS time to Sent ember