The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-20
REFUSED TO ELECT
SCHOOL TRUSTEES
Council, in Joint Session. Holds
Matter Over, Pending
Investigation.
NO CHARGE AGAINST THREE
Members Whose Terms Have
Expired Will Hold On Till
Report Is Made.

BY vote of IS 10 >, the City Coun-
ell in Joint session last night. deferred
the election of school trustees pending
report from special committee APP
pointed to investigate the public
schools Although called for $3.50
O'Clock, 1t was $40 o'clock before the
sergeant arms was able TO report n
quorum of the two branches. and the
roll call showed only twcnty-on mcm-
bcrs Of the Common Council and th'r-
teen members OF the Board of Alder
mcn-a mere majority III each branch
y communication from the city
school Board stated that the terms OF
v. ". owens. school trustee from the
tirst District; DR. NJ. ID. ioSe. Lr
from the Second District. and John c.
CorleN from the Third District. expired
on April >. 1t was generally understood
That all three were candidates for re.
election. without opposition AS Il
substitute 10 motion TO 20 into the
election. Mir Pollard suggested that
the election be postponed.
should Investigate First.
mas been several months. said
Nh. Pollard. since the Ordinance, Char
ter and reform Committee reported
to this Council that things were not
being run properly In the schools and
needed Investigation. know person
ally Of nothing wrong with tho
schools, and have n Nigh regard for
all three OF the members of the School
BOARD who come up for recollection at
THIS time. all of whom I believe 10 be
capable and conscientious men. But
as "A matter Of fact tho only control
the Council has over the schools is in
tho appropriation Of money and in
the selection of trustees. and since the
charge has been made ny one OF the
committees of THIS Council that things
are not being properly conducted, and
since an investigation has been or
dsrcd. 1t seems 10 me we should walt
TOR report. II tho men who urged
that investigation are in earnest. now
- a. inv CT ..rf So Tar l.,
III three Of these men are competent
officers. but charges have been made.
row let them hc sitted and settled"
No Meeting Tins Been Called.
Why is II that that committee
which was appointed three or four
months ago has never held mceting?"
demanded Mr. Blake. This delay is
impai rins the service Of tho schools. ana
city their time and attention as Nom
bsrs OF the School Board. If there is
anNth ng In tho wind this investigating
committee should have acted. We have
school department and then fail or
refuse to Investigate The members
OF that investigating committee should
resign or get busy"
There Will be no confusion" OK
plaIncd Mr Pollard These members
Will hold over until their successors
arc appointed AID qualify. II those
who urged this investigation are IN
''tlil'AN. NIiS ~ tho way TO Eet at II.
II don't believe the committee viii
ever meet" said Mr.. Blake. who urged
that the investigation committee be
snored and the election proceeded
with The motion to postpone was
adopted. IS to :, after which Mr.. Gunst.
rising 10 personal privilege. defended
the special committee. saying that the
blame lay with the chairman. since no
call had ever been issued for meet
ing.
Members of Committee.
as originally appointed tho commit.
tee consisted OF Messrs. Pollock,
Fuller. Umlauf and Hlrschberc from
the Common Council. and Ncss-s
Mitchell Kahn and Gunst from tho
Board Of Aldermen. Later AIr Pollock
asked 10 lie excused on account of
other business, and Mr.. Butler. OF Lee
Ward. was named In his place. and be-
came chairman of the committee Mr.
Pollock said last night that If Mr. But
Ter was unable to serve. he would
Withdraw his request. and take the
lead In holding the investigation
Messrs. Pollock. tIirschbcrc and But
Ter were members OF a subcommittee
of the Committee on Ordinance Char
ter and Reform, which brought In tho
report recommending an investigation
of school conditions.