The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1913-05-10


MT times to make me lose my heads
school Director ssllie Jones': stIt
would be q good thing IL You did.
might give my opinion of you, sir, but
this Is not the place nor the time; but
name some time when I can meet You
and will give you that oDinion.''
That was as near as the masculine
superintendent of schools and a femi-
nine member Of the board OF education
| came 60 challenging. one another to a
duel at yesterdays meeting Of the
board of education, but 1t sounded tre-
mendously like an invitation to some
sort of combat-verbal or otherwise.
School Director ISincaid, the other
woman member. tried to end the active
difference Of opinion by moving an ad-
iournment, but that did not prevail.
The warfare was too good to be
checked.
tfauated dramatic device, the misplaced
! letter.
The superintendent failed to receive
a copy of the report OF the committee
on building and grounds, which was
prepared by Director Jones. and was to
have received consideration at the
meeting. This report did not mention
.finagseez, butFd lscussed the needs. of the
fschoG department ia ptfler terms.
Director Power offered q resolution
urging that the supervisors provide
the ss,oeo.ooo necessary Tor schools
by direct taxation instead Of by bond
issue. as has been proposed.
Miss Jones stated thatSiier report did
not mention money. but was only an
answer to the supervisors as TO the
probable needs of the department for
property for new schools, new school
buildings and equipment. She added
that as her report was not mercenary
in diction the power resolution was out
of place
SUPERINTENDENT RAISES VOICE
Then Superintendent Roncovieri en-
tered into the discussion. He declared
! with emphasis that he had not seen the
report The secretary spoke up blithely
and asserted that copy of it had been
laid upon the superintendent desk.
However, Mr.. Roncevieri persisted
ers. He asked, in sheer quest of infor-
nation, if the report had included a
recommendation for zone of the most
essential needs. an agricultural college
to cost $3.50, ,o0o."
1t had not Director Jones replied,
and she added that she had no objec-
tion to Incorporating the idea as a
suggestion from the superintendent" !"
"But I think she continued, the
superintendent might at least be court
eous enough to read the report and
make the suggestion before the pres
entation to the board"
The intimation that he had been dis
courteous apparently ruffied Mr. Romeo
vieri With the zest he can insert into
deep, trombonelike note the musician
educator denied the impeachment. He
went further than mere denial and laid
what the lawyers might call founda-
ton for acquittal on the count Of dis
courtesy by asserting provocation.
OFFICIAL DISPLAYS ANNOYANCE
MADAM Jones' he retorted, "as an
official you are the most exasperating
woman I ever met and your conduct in
the board is sufficient at times to make
me lose my head
1T would be good thing if you
did," was the rejoinder of Miss Jones
To reassure himself that the catas-
trophe had not yet occurred Mr.. Ron
covieri grabbed his head in both hands
and then declared himself.
In the superintendent references to
Miss Jones the words Arbitrary .
"dictatorial,r and adjectives Of similar
import flushed forth through his brist-
ling beard.
Nor was Miss Jones silent Il might
give my opinion of you, SIR" she ex-
claimed, but this is not the place nor
the time, but name some time when I
can meet you and will give you that
opinion
Thereupon Director Kincaid moved
for adjournment. but the motion did
not carry.
Director Power offered resolu-
ton that the estimates for the build
1 ing of the Oriental, Cooper, Washing
ton Irving and Marshall school build
ings be trimmed" SO that there would
be $4,000 to be used to construct the
LIE Conte school. The other directors
were Of the opinion that the LIE conte
is not a necessity at this time and they
said they did not believe in putting up
cheap school buildings so the resolu-
ton was lost