The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-15

based upon the theory that a man
who without salary would spare time
TO represent his section OF the city
on the board would be a man OF
character, and one having particular
interest in educational matters. 1t
Is our opinion that the practical re.
suits attained through this system
have not been in accord with its
original purpose For the most part,
men elected TO membership on the
Board of Education are practically
unqualified for ne position. They
are not representative OF the charac-
ter nor the citizenship OF the wards
from which they are chosen, ana
neither are they fitted for the ser
vice by reason OF any special admin
istrative, educational or technical
training. Although the board con
tains a number Of men whose In
tegrity and efficiency are unquestlon'
ed. still number OF those who nave
been elected are unaccustomed TO the
large and serious work that CON
fronts the board. and are unacquaint-
ed with and unqualified TO ascertain
the needs OF the public schools. IL
appears that questionable influences
have been exerted on certain OF this
latter class OF inspectors, in directins
their acts In connection with certain
school board business.
"Unexplainable favoritism has BEEN
shown in the awarding OF the con-
tracts for school building, and the re-
suit OF this favoritsm, as demonstrate
ed in the character OF the work done,
by no means treasures the citizens
OF this community of the efficiency OF
this method II Is our opinion that
there is no just cause for this con.
ditlon. and that the city has suffered
unnecessarily through delayed and
faulty construction OF school bui d.
ings and equipment, and we are seri-
ously apprehensiye lest we discover
that the influences exertcd on certain
members that secure these contracts
repeatedly for contractors who, 1t
would seem, ignore the building speci.
fcations without Interference, Is more
than questionable, and may be per
haps corrupt
I'm the educational branch OF the
work, 1t is our opinion that the an
Itagonistic attitude OF some OF the
members of the board towards pro
gressiye methods OF school work aud
needed improvements OF various
kinds has often Obliged superil-
tendents and principals to become
politicians In a way, or else abandon
their purposes 1t is. therefore, tire
Recommendation OF this jNy that the
law governing public school educa-
ttion I'm Detroit be in the whole ~
I'm the greater part repealed, and IN
its stead there be enacted law Great
ing a non.partisan Board OF EduCa.
ton. consisting OF five or seven mem.
bers. selected from the city at largo.
and possessing the proper qualihca.
lions for the work.
Too Many Saloons.
Regarding the Warner-C ramton law
and the number OF saloons In Detroit.
The report says:
I'VE have found that instead Of 4
reduction OF the number OF saloons
ia the limit. there has been n reduc.
iticn of approximately 30 In three
wears. and that, whereas the city OF
Detroit should have, In proportion TO
lea population, approximately 1908
saloons. there are now in operation
,oore than $50. This fact is true,
Ir spite OF the fact that IN many I'm.
etances occasions have arisen where
The licenses should have been refused
i I'VE would recommend a reduction
at the earliest possible moment OF
he saloons In this city to the legai
limit, that is, one for each 500 OF the