Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-06-05
Superintendent And
4 Commissioners
Changed
NEW APPOINTEES
ANNOUNCED SOON
Fresh Start" Says
Frear, Found
Desirable


Governor Frear has made what
amounts to clean sweep in the heads
OF the territorial department Of public
instruction.
Superintendent Willis T. Pope and
four Of the six commissioners are out
of Office. Superintendent Pope's resig-
nation has been accepted and the ap-
pointments Of three commissioners
whose terms have expired have not
been renewed. The term OF Mrs. NJ T.
Wilcox would expire on June rs, but
the governors action means her i'm.
mediate retirement
Two commissioners. Mrs. B. d. Bond
OF Kohala and w. II. Smith OF Hilo,
have been appointed so recently that
they are not regarded by the governor
as part of the old regime, and they
are TO be continued in Office.
Superintendent Pope's resignation.
given to the governor yesterday after
noon, took effect at. noon today.
School Inspector T. H. Gibson is act
ing superintendent in charge OF the
department temporarily.
Governor Frear VIII within a few
days announce SUCCESSORS to both the
superintendeut and the commissioners
who 60 out of Office. RE said this
morning that number Of names have
been suggested for each position.
II was reported this morning that
School Inspector r. Fl. Gibson is a
strong possibility for the superintend-
ency. but beyond stating that Gibson's
name has been suggested, the govern
or indicated no probable line OF choice.
Result Of Long Fight.
Governor Frear's action in getting
,'fresh start" as he puts it, in the
school administration OF the territory
has come at the end OF two weeks
work on detailed and comprehensive
report on school conditions, published
in full In the Star-BuEetin today. 1t
is the outcome Of nearly three years
Of factional fighting in the department
and of sensational Investigation con-
Quoted by legislative COMMITTEES dur,
ing the last session. This committee
condemned Superintendent Pope. Gov
eraor Frear pays number OF tributes
to Pope's ability and the progressive
administration of affairF but ends his
report with the concluslph that. In the
interests of harmony a. around it is
best to sweep away the "a regime and
start the department ahesh.
The governors reD<t was cou-
pleted this morning, and after careful
revision by the executive was given tc
the Star-Bulletin. While the govern
or's action has occasioned considerable
surprise, il was known IN official cir
tles yesterday afternoon that nc c.'n
templated the sweeping changes nov
made and the resultant new appoint
ments. 1t is known alsn that he made
his decision only wsaA ,gsssme reldcf
Rnce and that he D. NsSren openly
worried for several dsIA II the pros
pect of carrying o,H what to him is
an UNPLEASANT duty.
Gist OF Report.
The gist of the report is con aimed
In the last paragraphs. After lon'
survey of the situation, the governor
says:
The question as it presents IL
self now is not whether the SUI
perintendent or this or that COM
missioner has been guilty Of any
wrong or even or any serious spe-
cific mistake, but whether the hest
interests of the public schools,
looked at from all standpoints,
would not be best promoted by
taking a fresh start or turning
over a new leaf. OF several so
buttons that might be suggested
for the problem. ] am inclined TO
think. all things considered. that
the theory of fresh start is
the best. The superintendent ex-
poets to retire from the office
soon irrespective OF what action
I might take in this matter He
has also rendered his resignation
now so as to leave me as free
as possible to effect any reorgani-
cation of the department that
MIGHT seem hest. While there are