The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-08-15
SCHOOL INQUIRY
MAY Be CONTINUED
Some Committeeman Favor
Passing Problem On to
New Council.
NOW WORKING ON REPORT
May Rush It Through Council
To-NIorrow Night on
Single Reading.

Having concluded tho taking OF evil
dence. the special Committee on In
vestigation OF the Public Schools went
into executive session last night for
consideration of its repor, No part
Of this paper was made public. (, be-
ing stated by Chairman Pollock that
the report would no, be made pubic
until submitted to the Council. All
OF the members were present last
night. Chairman Pollock had pre-
pared preliminary draft. outlining
MS views as q basis FOR the report
several OF the members do not concur
in these findings. and there viii be a
minority or dissenting report II In
deed Mr. Pollock and his faction do
not compose the minority In the COM
inittee when the vote is taken. There
was some adverse comment on tho ac-
ZION OF the committee in Withholding
Its report Until it goes to the Coun-
CT! on Friday night That will be
the last meeting OF the lower branch.
AID for that reason. IL the report IS a,
be acted upon at all 1t will be neces-
sary for the Council. TO vote az once.
on single reading. and without time
Tor elaboration or study.
Committee Is Divided
PC444N O44 winch lHt committee is
much divided IS whether TO recommend
mat the inquiry into tho conduct OF the
schools be continued b. the Incoming
council some members hold that
there has not been a sufficient time
Tor fun inquiry into all matters re-
iating TO the schools, and recommend
tina similar committee be appointed
by the new Council to continue the
work. Other members hold that tie
ihonths, that 1t has taken testim ny
which covers l.l42 typewritten pages.
including wealth Of repetition. and
mat there is no evidence on which TO
base any serious criticism of the
schools. Certainly no defect has been
found which would Justify continuing
the Investigation this fail. with the
iurther interruption TO the work of
the schools.
1t is conceded that the result so far
has been to interfere seriously with
the work of the schools during the
last half session, and to create frlc-
uon between the teachers and school
authorities
What Evidence shows
ne volume OF evidence taken by
school Board stenographer Morris
SHOWS that the committee has on toe
one hand the views OF some voting wo-
men teachers who have been active in
the otmation OF the Elementary
Teachers Association. and on the other
nand the views OF Superintendent,
On .ndler. Assistant Superintendent
Hill. number OF the principals and
OF United states Commissioner OF Ed
ucation ClaNton. Ali of the evidence
has been on the first count OF The
spec!fications-whet the curricvInr,
was suitable. The committee has
taken no evidence on the second
cnarge-that the school Board has an
ployed supervisors whose salaries wera
in excess OF the value of their sar-
vices This point was dropned after
It was conceded that with ineynort
teachers supervision by those especlal-
iy trained In certain subjects vas
necessary. Nor has there been any avt-
dence bearing on alleged friction he-
tween teachers and the school authori-
ties. The friction was self-eyidert or,
mas been greatly increased by the long.
drawn out investigation. but II Wa.
brought Into evidence that Sunerin-
tendent Chandler has cetrain on
hours for visits from teachers. and
that he has never failed to .-iva eli
and courteous hearing to any teacher
who has been to him about .cbao,
Work. 1t is also In evidence thar tbe
time devoted to the so-called 80
ESSENTIALS such as manual traini,s
craving. music and physical exercises
Is not greater than it was several
years ago being in some OF the grades
iess thsn was given during the later
years OF Superintendent Foxs admin
istration.