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

Governor Frear has made what
amounts 10 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. M. t.
WilcoE would expire on June 25, but
the governors kction means her i'm,
mediate retirement.
Two commissioners, Mrs. B. ID. Bond
OF Kohala and w. H. 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 r. H. Gibson is act
ing superintendent in charge OF the
department temporarily.
Governor Frear will within few
days announce successors to both the
superint8n11n( and the connissioneis
who 60 ont Of Office RE said this
morning that a number Of names have
been suggested for each position.
II was reported this morning that
School Inspector T. H. 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 q
fresh start, as he puts 1t, in the
school administration Of the territory
has come at the end OF two weeks
work oufa detailed and comprehensive
report on school conditions, published
in full in the Star-BuEetin today. II
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,
ernor Frear pays number Of tributes
TO Pope's ability and the progressive
administration Of affairs but ends his
report with the conclusion that IN the
interests OF harmony all around it is
best TO sweep away the old regime and
start the department afresh.
The governors report was COM
pleted this morning. and after careful
revision by the executive was given to
the Star-Bulletin. While the govern
or's action has occasioned considerable
surprise, 1t was known in official cir.
eles yesterday afternoon that nc c.'n-
templated the sweeping changes now
made and the resultant new appoint
Inents. IL is known also that he made
his decision only with extreme relJcr-
snce and that he has been openly
worried for several days at the pros
pect of carrying out what to him is
an unpleasant duty.
Gist Of Report
The gist of the report is contained
an the last paragraphs. After Il 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 of any serious spe-
cific mistake, but whether the best
interests of the public schuols.
looked at from all standDoints.
would not be best oromoted by
taking a fresh start or turning
over a new leaf. OF several so
lutions that might be suggested
for the problem, am inclined to
think. all things considered, that
the theory of a fresh start" is
the best. The superintendent ex-
poets TO retire from the Office
soon irrespective OF what action
/ might take in this matter. He
has also rendered his resignation
q now so as to leave me as free
as possible to effect any reorgani-
zation of the department that
might seem best While there are