Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-05
Board of Education Now
Must Select New School
Superintendent.
SEVERAL MENTIONED
FOR IMPORTANT POST
Retiring Official Expresses Regret
at Departure From
the Capital.

Dr. llliam NJ. Davidson, superlntend-
ent Of public schools of the District. ten
dered his resignation to the board of edu-
cation this afternoon. He has received
formal notification Of his unanimous cleo
ton by the Pittsburgh board Of educa-
ton.
DR.. Davidson is not prepared to say
just when he expects to leave the Dis
trict. but probably will do SO about De-
cember 1. He said today that he would
not leave until he had everything in ship
shape order and all in readiness for the
incoming of a new superintendent
Now that 1t is known that DR.. David
son has made a final decision, the next
question in the minds Of those in the
schools and in the minds of the members
of the board of education is. who will
be chosen for the next occupant of that
position? Much surmising has been
done, not only by those directly associ-
ated with the schools, but by outsiders as
we'll, land dozen ar more persons have
been named as the probable selection of
the board. Every high school principal,
numerous supervising principals and
other school officials a member of Con-
greSS and number Of schoolmen In other
parts of the United States have been
mentioned.
Board to Take Its Time.
One thing is certain. The board of
education will take as much time as
it sees tit in making selection. and
the selection will not allow itself: to be
hurried in any way. If necessary the
position may be filled temporarily un-
til the board has had ample time to
who may be mentioned to fill the posi-
tion as well as any number of out
siders.
Henry p Blair, president Of the board
of education, sounded the keynote OF the
situation today when he explained that
the board was In no way committed as
to whom S ould be named to succeed DIR.
Davidson. 1--WE must have time and the
confidence Of the community that We are
going to pick the best possible man.: he
said. "The board Is in a receptive state.
and will consider any one who may be
mentioned, but will not discuss the choice
publicly. Personally have absolutely
no choice at present" He added that the
board was not prepared to either favor
or oppose any outside or local man. I
Those Mentioned for Place.
Among those who have been mentioned
for the position are Ernest L. Thurston.
assistant superintendent of schools;
Emory M. Wilson. principal of the Gen.
trail High School,; DR.. Willard s. Small.
principal of the Eastern High School;
Representative James A. Aswell of
Louisiana, Allan Davis. principal of
Business High School; Frank c. Daniel.
principal of Mckinley Manual Training
School: Miss Edith WestcOtt. principal
of Western High School; Charles Clark
and Percy Hughes, both formerly con-
nected with the schools here, and any
number of supervising principals.
So suddenly did events leading to DIR.
Dayidson's resignation come about that
the members of the board have had no
time to even think of new Superintend-
ent Nor is it by any means certain
that all those mentioned for the place
would consider the position, even II it
were rendered them.
we are very sorry to lose DR.. David
son." said Henry z. Blair, president of
the board, today.
Oyster Expresses Regret.
James F. Oyster. president of the
board of education which selected DIR.
Davidson, was an early caller at the
superintendent's Office this morning, ex-
pressing his regret that the superintend-
ent had decided to accept the Pittsburgh
offer, but wishing him success in the
new position.
Supt Davidson himself regrets his de-
parture although he has reached his de-
c:sion only after giving the matter long
consideration and after hearing the ad-
vice of many friends. To the board of
education and to the officers and teach
ers of the schools he paid high compli-
ments today, declaring that no city in the
world could surpass Washington In the
efficiency and culture of its teachers.