New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-04

would not run again Mr.. Churchill was
defeated by only two votes at the board
election a year previous. The progress
siye' element Is now i'm control OF tnar
body. Mr.. Churchill is lawyer. and was
- teacher IN tile schools for fourteen
years
John 9. Greene was reelected vice
president
George Gillespie placed Mr.. ChurchilIs
name before the board, and it was sec
onded by Arthur Somcrs, Frank n. VIII
scy. Alrck H. Man. H. l.. Morrison and
Abraham Stern.
H. his speech of acceptance Mr.. Church
III sad Mr. Winthrop had impaired
to the office IAN attribute peculiarly his
contribution-the attribute OF rare dig-
nifty"
Tn" new president minced no words in
outlining what he thought were the poll
cies Of tho board
This board is and must be-" he de-
clsrcd. the paramount authority intrust-
81 with the management and control II
the public education of this city There
Is no Other Board OF Education I'm the
city of New York but this The line OF
dcmarcation between il and other depart
mcnts must be kept clear and unbroken."
As the finances are provided by the citi-
gems of this city Mr.. Churchill added.
there must bc no vagucness or indircction
in the boards communication with other
departments.
The authorities having charge of the
a.. = la oil, la.
dent. have a right TO the closest scrutiny
for the purpose Of insuring the sulctest
economy in the expenditure OF school
funds. We should Snvitc such scrutiny.
We can be resolute without turbulence,
performing these interdepartmental duties
with clcarness and courtesy. We snail
open the door 10 suggestions from every
source lend every one an ear. ask from
every lover OF his Kind and take or leave
each contribution on the basis of our
Judgment of its benefit
Mr.. Churchill said the schools of this
city. like those IN other places. suffered
from inncxible and overloaded courses OF
study.
I'VE have seen systems he added
reach the point where ii would sacrifice
the boy 10 save the rule We know that
education is not a matter of machinery,
but primarily of spirit.
The era of criticism through which we
have passed has brought forth concrete
recommendations that must Toe pondcred.
This era Of criticism should bc succeeded
By an era OF construction. The trend OF
public opinion and professional opinion is
I'm one direction and irresistible. Who
socver is hostile 10 these new ideas Will
find objection futile. All that opposing
forces can accomplish with benefit is TO
contribute the element of rational con-
seryatism To the inevitable result
I'm closing Mr. Churchill said he had
briefly outlined to the members what he
felt should be the policy of the board
that il must not delegate to others the
essential policies OF education, that II
must keep in touch with the people :
will. that it must adapt the work of the
school TO the needs of the children and
do so with less machinery and more
simplicity.
The board took step yesterday IN
appointing committee OF five TO con-
fer with regard to the recommendations
being made by the school inquiry com
mittee of the Board of Estimate that
showed the. board would take up the
school problems and not leave them To
the City Superintendent and principals.
The resolution further provided that
the president OF the board should be the
chairman of the committee. and that IL
would confer with the City Superintend-
ent on a plan To enlist the cooperation
of principals and teachers. All sugges-
lions received by DR.. Maxwell are to be
submitted TO the committee.
The committee on studies and text
books reported on changes to be recon-
mended In the course of study adopted in
1908 for elementary schools.
While sewing was heartily approved,
and that work considered practicable, il
was declared that much of the time spent
on cooking was wasted. 1t was recon-
mcnded that the teaching OF music for
the first six years be confined exclusive
ly TO singing.
The committee, in presenting the re-
mort. said II believed the simplifed
course recommended will tend to
humanize the system and make more
effective the work Of the teacher"