The Washington times., 1911-01-21
President Says Board of
Trade Must Take
Action First.
COMMITTEE FAILED
TO SUBMIT REPORT
Considered Claims Set Forth in
Ashford'S Letter, But Reach
ed No Decision.

James II. Wy SlelI plSSluell Ol tll'
Board of Education, will ignore the
charges aimed at the public school sEs-
TEN of Washington unless they are for
mally acted upon by the Board Of Trade
in regular session.
The sensational charges OF eXtrava-
gance in the operation of the schools,
involving officials and teachers, and the
criticism of the present dual system,
all were contained, it was learned today.
in letter addressed by SnOwden Ash
ford, Municipal Architect of the District,
to the Board of Trade committee on
public schools, of which Mr.. Ashford is
q member.
Failed to Make Report.
The committee met on last Wednes-
day evening, it was learned today, to
consider the charges contained in Mr..
Ashford's letter, but failed to make
any report for presentation to the
board or to act upon the report at all.
In addition to the letter addressed
by Mr.. Ashford to the chairman OF the
committee, A. 3. Browne, resolution
was also drawn under the supervision
of Mr.. Ashford, which the committee
did not pass.
At the request Of Mr. Browne, chair
man of the committee, Captain oyster
matter informally.
Il do not wish to say anything at
all about the newspaper stories until
the matter is brought tG me OfhclalIy:
l certainly do not think 1t is GOOD
taste to comment on the views OF an
individual member of the board, when
those views have not yet been acted
upon by the committee IN question,
and have not even been presented 70
the full board" Captain oyster said
TODAY
Are YOU not acting officially in call
ing upon Mr.. Browne" he was asked
Il am going to MI. Brownies office to
talk over the affair at his request
Captain oyster replied.
Quotes Presidents Message.
The letter of Mr.. Ashford quotes that
part of the Presidents message OF De
Cember 6, 1910, in which Mr.. Taft SAID:
Il do not think the present control Oh
the school system of Washington com
mends itself as the most efficient and
economical and thorough instrument Tor
the carrying on of public instruction.
Last spring l called the attention Oh
our school committee of the Board OF
Trade" said Mr.. Ashford in his letter,
ITO the fact that under the present
management the schools of Washington
are not run on safe and sound business
principles, and that the administration
Is one of the most expensive ana eA-
tTaVagant IN lne country anu IldI VIC
do not get a fair return for Such eN-
travagant outlay"
MIR. Ashford also alleges that the
school buildings of Washington are not
crowded. Mr.. Ashford says he wrote
the letter because of the appointment OF
subcommittee, headed by him. 10
make a report on the conditions of the
schools to the Board of Trade.
Only Two Courses Left.
'I have reason to believe" he said,
"in view of the Presidents remarks,
there will be but two courses left for
us as a school committee; one. to re-
main passive and unenlightened and
mum until Congress shall act upon the
President S recommendations. The other
TO prepare a report at the earliest pos
sible date for the guidance of our COM
mittee and the Board of TRADE, and
show the community the true state Of
affairs, which must have been presented
to the President through other chan
neiS."
Mr. Ashford says the needs of the
citys schools have been fully and gen.
enOusly recognized by Congress and the
Commissioners, and provided for accord
tngly.
Vital to Taxpayers.
The business mana agement and ex-
penses of the schools are most vital to
us as taxpayers" says Mr.. Ashford. |
Counting the Federal Government as
taxpayer. each taxpayer is contributing
S76.2S a year to the support of the |
schools, not counting the interest and !
money invested in buildings and equip |
ment. ! am sending my child to private |
school for $50 year, or $6.2S less than |
contribute as taxpayer to the public |