The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-12-20
SCHOOL BOARD
<
IS EMBARRASSED
senate's Action in Rejecting Both
Brings No Relief to State
Institutions.

Oklahoma City, Dec. 13.-The SEN
ate's action in rejecting both state
boards of education did not bring inn
mediate relief to the state institutions
as is revealed in correspondence pass
.'g between Attorny General West and
State Superintendent r. II. WILSON,
made public today.
The state superintendent told the
attorney general that pay claims of
800 employees were held up. as the
result of his instructions to the state
auditor and the board of affairs fol-
lowing the board muddle, notwith-
standing the claims had been ap-
proved by the state superintendent as
chairman of the board.
The attorney general informed the
state superintendent that such was a
natural result of the case filed by the
old board members in the Oklahoma
county district court and the decision
rendered by the court. A modifica-
ton OF the decree, the attorney gen.
era lsays, was suggested whereby all
claims could have been paid, but as
it stands, the board is without a
quorum and can not act. He added
that there is no provision in law for
the educational board, such as there
is for the board agriculture, that
/ in the absence of other members the
fpresident may act for the board. The
! only alternative, the law officer ex-
6lained, is for the governor to name
a new board
State Superintendent Wilson quickly
sent reply to the attorney generals
communication denying that he (the
attorney generaD at any time request
ed of him a modification of the dis
trict courts opinion. Superintendent
Wilson says that prior to appointment
i OF the old educational board, he, as
president of the board, approved salary
claims, which act met with approval
kof the board of affairs; upon them
the state auditor issued warrants and
that the situation is no different now.
y, ~ old board directed by resolution
> that the president should approve the
lclaims in the boards name, and at no
/ time, the superintendent says, has a
board meeting been held for such form
aIity.
gS When asked about the controversy
cnight, Governor Cruce said he had
not given the matter of new appoint
! ments thought, but probably would
zach it in a few days. When selec-
d lions are made, he says, it will be
without regard to what any other de-
Eartment of state thinks about it.
i To an inquiry from the state board
of affairs, whether it should allow a
requisition Of the state school of mines
II FOR fuel, the attorney general said that
4 while there was no longer state
. BOARD of education and no regular
S.yay to get claims before the board OF
4 affairs, red tape should be dispensed
8 Swith in cases of this kind and supplies
purchased by the board of affairs.
q There was talk during the day that
the members of the old board of edu-
Zscation considering themselves in of.
I9ice, Notwithstanding the senate's ac.
ion, since their names were not sent
= to the senate by the governor for con.
/ 1lrmatlon. Superintendent Wilson said
s.onight the old board members prob
hbly would confer with their attor
/ leys on that point, and he added, the
I'D board would follow the lawyers
advice.