The Detroit times., 1911-03-10

Twenty thousand soldiers On the border
formly voted for Mr.. Martindale at
strongly-contested elections, have been
appointed not only to membership, but
to the chairmanships OF these com
mittees. Competent inspectors who
had voted against the reelection OF
Mr.. Martindaie, of the type OF Car
ence M. Burton, have even been LETT
of committees entirely. Can this
point to any other conclusion than
that Mr.. Martindale has not only sug-
gested, but has even dictated these
appointments?
when we reflect that the expend'
lures of the board OF education run
annually into the millions OF dollars,
and that committee chairmanships
carry with them power over the ais
pensing OF immense sums OF money In
the purchase of school sites and sup
plies, in the letting Of contracts TOT
buildings, and the hiring of the small
army OF school board employees, are
we not justified In further concluding
that by appointing to such commit
tee chairmanships men who were the
least competent, Mr.. Martinda.e was
rewarding them for their votes. and
I'm SO doing had no regard for emcl-
ency and economy in the management
of the business affairs OF the school
board. but was interested solely In
holding on to his position? Can we
not see that the position OF school
superintendent can thus become In
the highest degree political one!
THE appointment Of Mr.. Martin
dale of Ralph Treppa, bartender
brother OF the saloonkeeper Chairman
of the committee on text books ano
courses OF study, to the principalsniI
of a night school, can hardly be ex
cused on the ground Of a scarcity II
the supply of qualified teachers. Are
we not forced to regard this also In
the nature OF reward that took nc
account OF the moral effect or such
an act, especially on our growing Tor
eign population?
HBut 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 AND
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 to
get, IL possible, proof that one OF the
candidates for school inspector, VINO
had protested most loudly against
graft on the school board, was not a
citizen of the United States, and
therefore. not eligible to seat on the
school board.
Work OF MartindaIe Machine.
But Mr.. Martindale's political ac'
rtivities 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
to be governor OF Michigan and has
already announced himself candi'
date. is secretary of state, having
been twice elected to this office on
the Republican ticket, and ts thus In
q position to make many friends
among the legislators and to influence
votes. Those who are active In local
politics know that Superintendent
Martindale, I'm 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
port by most questionable election
methods OF ex-convict and saloonkeep-
err, 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, bill making Il possible for his
supporters on the Detroit board OF
education to increase Mr.. Martindale's
salary from $4,000 to $4,000 a year
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 al
least a great deal more who have been
heard about Il 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 o
the men In control OF our publii
school system?
"Mr. Martindale cannot have spen
time in political activities withou
neglecting the educational side o
school administration. II the educa
ton OF our children. has not thereb!
suffered, Il can only be because he hai
employed others to do his work 10
him. II that case, We are paying NOR
salaries than are necessary and some