The Detroit times., 1912-05-09
MARTINOALE'S PLACE TO
Be DECLARED VACANT IN
MEETING THURSDAY NIGHT
Ants" Will Take First Step To
Separate School Superinten-
dent From Job
LINES-UP IS AGAINST HIM
Ten Inspectors Ready To Vote
To Gust Official and Num-
Der May Be Increased

The first definite step toward sep
arating Wales G. Martindale from MS
position as superintendent OF Detroit
public schools will be taken in the
regular meeting OF the Board or Educa
ton, Thursday night when a fesoln.
ton. declaring the office vacant, VIII
be introduced, School inspectors who
have been lighting Martindale Tor
some years have learned by experience
that IL is impossible TO get applica'
lions from educators for the position
as long as IL is filed The anti Mar
tindale faction on the board Is satisfied
that the resolution will go through,
and that the action will mean the GUST
ing OF Martindale on July IL, when the
vote on the filling OF the position is
TO be taken.
There Is expected To be large
number OF applications for the Office
Already, at least three are mentioned,
Frederick l.. Bliss, principal OF the
Detroit University school; Jesse Davis,
of Grand Rapids, formerly teacher in
the Central high school. Detroit, aud
A. s. McAndrews, principal OF large
technical school in New York. Ii is
also anticipated that Martindale him
self will be a candidate. The posi-
ton pays $4,000 year and the term
OF appointment is three years. Mar
tindale has held the Office for 10 years.
Al the present time there are at
least ten members of the board op-
posed TO Martindale, and 1t Is even
likely that another will be added TO
the anti force before the appoint
ment is taken up. The division is as
follows:
For NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., Char
bonneau, Movie, Miehm, Hely, Wiede-
man, Cary.
Against Observation-Disclosures Bur-
ton, Small, Hunter, Kennedy. Robert
son, Goldberg, Condor. Ellis, Began.
10.
Just how Inspector Jeffries will vote
is not yet definitely known but the
ANTS look for him TO be with them.
More power Is also expected by the
"antis" In connection with the absence
OF Inspector Cary, Martindale support
er, from the city. The doctor is sick,
having recently suffered a slight stroke
OF paralysis. IL is said, and has gone
south in the hope OF recovering bis
health. Ii Is not thought that he will
be back in time for the vote on the
appointment OF a superintendent.
We think Martindale ought TO 20.
as The Times has pointed out, Because
Of his political activity, and, further,
because of his lack OF cooperation
with those under him." said Inspector
Condor to The Times, Wednesday. 1T
is said that Martindale explains he has
got To play politics 10 hold his Iposi-
tion. II thar is so, IL is time he should
go; we don't want the ONCE of super
intendent associated with politics in
any shape or form.
"Tll give the superintendent credit
for being familiar with the details of
his work In years gone by, but the
position Is now too big for him-the
details are slipping away from h.E.
One OF his worst faults Is his failure
TO consult with principals and others
under him in regard TO the interests
of the different schools. He takes
everything on himself and does things
entirely on his own initiative, regard
less of what the consequences may be.
No big business institution would run
things like that, and We think 1t is
time for a change. However, I'll say
lnlb lOi MIL III VIC
get no other applicant whom consid-
er more efficient that the present
superintendent, I'll vote for his reten-
ton.
Personally | would like to see the
school affairs Of the city conducted In
a different manner. l believe that the
only way TO take the school board en-
tirely out Of politics would be to have
its present membership give way TO
a small commission. | should think
that commission Of six could conducI
the business of the schools with emf
nent satisfaction. These commission
ers should be either elected at large
or appointed by the mayor. They
should also be paid, so that they could
give all their time to the work AS II
is now, we are not able to give the
school affairs all the time they need ;
We have TO rely to a large extent on
the recommendations OF the secretary
in making purchases, etc.
IF | am elected to the state senate
in the coming election. shall make Ii
my duty to suggest legislation looking
toward the substitution OF a commits
sion for the board"
Mr. Condor led the fight against
Martindale, three years ago. and II Is
probable that the leadership In the
matter may again fall on his shoulders