New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-03
MR.. CHURCHILL REPLIES
The President of the Board of Educa-
ton VS.. Mr.. Maxwell.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: Your editorial OF September :"
entitled "NIr. Maxwell and the Board OF
Education" leads me 20 believe that YOU
are misinformed. and. in view OF the I'M
portance of correct information 10 the
public upon educational affairs, / am
prompted to advise you OF the following
facts regarding the episode upon winch
your article was based:
had been advised that a committee OF
organizations interested in public aHairs
had invited members OF the supervising
staff and others connected with the Board
OF Education to appear at A budget con-
ference to be held at the United Chariues
Building at . 80 o'clock on September -
two days before the Board OF Education
would meet TO consider such budget no
notice or invitation had been sent 70 the
board. | consulted with representatives
of the Public Education Association the
Bureau OF Municipal Research and tne
Prison Association. all OF these orsani%a-
tons having delegates at such conferences
These representatives agreed with the sug'
sestions I made-namely. that II "oula
have been proper 10 advise the boafo u
Education of the proposed conference tns'
II would be better TO have such CONFER
ence held after the Board OF Educauon
had considered the budget and that the
moro appropriate place to meet wouia "
the board building, where the time OF or
acials could be saved and where supper"
ing data were at hand.
I had also met Dr. Maxwell and haa
told him that thought II inadvisaole Tor
officials to attend the conference ri tne
time and place specified, and said woula
= drop him a line 10 that effect lie ma"o
no comment. Assuming there was no DIS
agreement I'm our views. ] sent him !"
writing the request l had made orally
Then came a letter from the acting sec
rotary Of the Public Education Assoc
alton. under date Of September 10, advi'-
ing me as follows:
II talked the matter over with Dr. y.
f. Lewis, chairman of the conference, ana
understand that I'm an interview win
you this afternoon the difficulty was ad'
justed. | am sure that the use OF uh'
rooms of the Board of Education for tIi'
purpose on date subsequent TO the da'e
Of adoption Of the budget by the ooai"'
which you also suggested to Mr.. StraishS
will greatly aid in bringing out the lhi0',
nation desired by the organizations anu
individuals interested in the school bulge"
inasmuch as il will doubtless he NOR
convenient for many Of the school, "
ficials 20 be present I trust II VIII man
il possible for you personally 20 atteho
This would have closed the incident ssr
isfactorily We're IL not for Dr. MaN"e"'
letter
Before I had time to respond the ClV
Superintendent had sent copies of his ie.'
ter TO a number OF members of the boar"
Without hint from me. the board took t"o
matter up, with the result that the u"
superintendent was admonished that Us
letter was couched IN terms when VIZ
an affront To the president and 70 '"'
board.
The Board OF Education is the head %
The Department of Education. Buuse
are submitted and defended by the DOM
II the estimates are incorrect the board y
responsible. II is proper that the reaso"'
for adopting the budget should be gwen
by the board itself, or by its authorize
representatives.
The budget committee referred TO Is
hold a conference at the board buila'"s
in 5sth street on Friday. october g.
No warrant Cor raising the issue oil i'''
speech was given.
Il. w. CHURCHILL
President. Board OF Education
New York, Oct. /, 1913.