The Detroit times., 1911-07-05
ROBERTSON LISTS
HIMSELF As AN
INDEPENDENT
7 Am Neither a Martindals Man
Nor An ANTI Declares the New
President Of the Board
Of Education.
Supported weideman For President
Pro Tenn. Because He Thinks
Him Better Man Than Goldberg.

Il am neither q Martindale nor "a
anti-Martindale man, :" said Charles Il.
Robertson. newly-eIected president or
the board OF education. to The Times.
In his ONCE. In the Majestic building.
Wednesday morning.
am an independent and always
nave been," he continued. Il went on
the school board with the intention
OF doing what thought was right. In
the best interests OF the city, and I
have acted accordingly. As member
or the teachers COMMITTEES, have sup
ported many things recommended BY
MI. Martindale. and, on the other
hand, have disagreed with him ana
refused to vote for his recommends
tions.
AS president of the board. plan
to carry out the system OF independ-
ence which have been following. In
the appointing OF the different commit
tees, ! shall do my best to mix the
members so that they win work TO-
gether In harmony and effectiveness
Tor the welfare Of the city. As yet.
however, have not made up my mind
as to what shall do In the matter Of
making committee appointments.
want to say right here. though. that i
have made no promises. am tied up to
no side or faction and am free TO DO
as l choose In exercising my rights
and privileges as the head OF the
board OF education.
IT has been said that have switch
ed from the anti Martindale side to the
Martindale clique. Now, as matter
or fact, have never been allied with
either, and don't see how Il can be
hgured out that was an anti Martin
dale man. The only thing that might
have led to such deduction was an
assertion I made In a meeting OF the
Woman's Federation, In the Bamlet
building, TO the effect that would
support any man who had better quat
ifcations for the ONCE OF superintend-
ent of schools than MartindaIe. be-
lieved that Mr.. McAndrews was 4 bet
ter man for the position and | voted
for him against Martindale when the
matter came up after my election.
am still Of the same mind, and want
to say that I shall again vote against
Mr.. Mrtindale n better man should
be available. tor the money we are pay
I Ing Mr.. Martindale.
Yet, can say that there are some
things about Mr.. Martindale that
admire. He has proven himself man
OF tact and executive ability You
know, it Is not always the man who
has a few letters after his name who
makes the best edncationist. Gold
medalists often fail to shine when
they get out into the world, whereas
classmates who Lave made q poorer
showing In the examinations have
outstripped them In the matter Of
making living for themselves. There
are better educated men than Mr..
Martindale. but they may not be able
TO do as well with the school systen
OF Detroit as he has done. However,
as I have said, II a man, who In my
judgment, is better equipped for the
office of superintendent of the Detroit
schools than is Mr.. Martindale, seeks
the ofice, that l shall support him"
| your supporting Weideman for
president pro tenn. has led many to
infer that you are going to ally your
self with the Martindale faction"
was suggested to Mr.. Robertson.
We'll. there IL no reason for such
Inference" Mr.. Robertson replied. n
supported Mr.. Weideman for the Of
flee because believe that he n =
much superior man to Goldberg. who
topposed him. The ONCE Of president
pro tenn. requires man of ability.
because that official becomes mem
Der OF the teachers retirement fund
committee by reason OF his position
That Is most important committee
and feel that the best men avail
able should be secured as members
Of II.
| II was never even In favor OF Gold
berg for president. although I voted
for him until the switch was made.
Mumford was my choice. However. 4
attended the caucus OF the Goldberg
men and decided 70 support him. I,
didn't believe he was the proper man
for the position Of president because
OF the factions on the board. He II
bittery opposed TO Mr.. Martindale,
and thought another man who would
be more likely to create harmony on
the board should be president. Mr.
Goldberg has always antagoniEed the
Martindale supporters, to the extent
that sharp personalities have been en-
changed in the board meetings. Now
that sort of think will never be al
lowed while I am chairman. mean
II