New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-01
MAXWELL SPEAKS OUT
AT HANUS DINNER
Says Defects Revealed by Re-
ports of Outsiders Were
Already Known.
mitchell GETS A "CALl"
City Superintendent Declares
Estimate Board Has Been More
Niggardly Than Usual in
It's Appropriations.

Dr. William Maxwell, City Superinten-
dent of Schools. had an opportunity last
night to tell Professor Paul II. Hanus. OF
Harvard University, just what he thought
of the reports of the Hanus investigators
on the New York public school system.
and he made the most OF 1t. The fact
that he was a guest at a dinner given In
Professor Hanuss honor at the Aldine
Club failed to check the expression of his
sentiments. When he sat down Charles
p. Rowland. the POSTMASTER. remarked:
1T is perfectly clear to me that the or
CARNATIONS represented here must now
give dinner to Dr. Maxwell and Invite
Professor Hanus to be the speaker OF the
evening"
And Professor Hanus was moved to
begin his address, which came last, with
IF 1t weren't for the very kind tribute
just expressed by the POSTMASTER and
your rising response to 1t, l should feel
as II the legislators at Albany were JUS
titled In pronouncing my name, as l I'M
derstand they do, 'Haynus.
First Commends Report.
DR.. Maxwell said he would first say
those things which he conscientiously
could In commentator Of the Hanus re-
port. 1t Showed. he thought, perfect
~ wonderful amount Of industry; 1t was
valuable as a means of bringing into jux-
Imposition the views on education OF col
lege professors who sit back In their
chairs and evolve theories of education,
and those of practical educators.
But" he added. II am not sure IL Is
not Of more value TO the college profes-
sors than TO the practical educators.
He went on to say that the report had
brought to light many Of the weak spots
In the city's system, but weak spots
which those who had been dealing with
the system for many years had not over
looked themselves nor neglected
II think possibly" said he, IF the COM
mission had taken me into their conf
dence-a thing they did not dol could
have told them Of many other weaknesses
they did not discover"
Then he launched upon his direct criu-
cism OF the report or reports. They were
series Of monographs on different
aspects OF education, he declared, diner
ing widely from one another and provid-
Ing no coherent view OF the entire Held,
such as DR.. Maxwell thought the people
of New York had a right to expect from
the investigating commission. They pro-
posed remedies that had never been tried
anywhere, and they failed 10 find any
thing good 10 say of the existing system
President John Purroy Mitchell Of the
Board OF Aldermen had preceded Dr.
Maxwell as one of the speakers. The
City Superintendent dealt even less leni-
emily with Mr.. Mitchels part in the school
investigation, saying that notwithstand-
ing this exhaustive report on the needs
OF the city's public schools the Board Of
Estimate and Apportionment had been
more niggardly than usual In its appro-
priations. the result being a growth in
the number OF part time pupils. an insult
fient supply OF books. maps and so on
and more pressing lack OF trade schools.
Calls Himself an Optimist.
But | am an optimst." said DIR. Max
well and / look forward TO next Octo-
Der when the full effect OF the fourteen
hundred pages OF the Hanus report will
have been taken In by the intellects Of
the Board OF Estimate Perhaps then they
will give us enough money for trade
schools, enough money TO keep our
schools open afternoon and evening.
There's something, ladies and gentle
men. which didn't require the presence
of Professor Hanus from Cambridge
and of Or. Elliott from Wisconsin 20
bring TO our attention
Or. Maxwell did not forget. either, TO
praise the report Of Professor Moore.
Professor Hanus spoke OF the limita-
tons OF the task which he and his col
leagues had accomplished. but without
attempting a comprehensive refutation or
Or. Maxwells structures. He did take
issue with the Superintendent. however.
I'm regard to the superintendent state
ment that one might hunt through the
l.iOO pages Of the report in vain for
word OF commentator Of the existing
system. Professor Hanus thought II he
had the report with him ne could point
out to Or. Maxwell a number OF pas
sages distinctly laudatory and apprecia-
tive OF the existing order.
The chief investigator emphasized the
need of vocational schools and or
hoard of education which would study
the requirements of it's job and give some
latitude to the experts II employed In
the handling Of problems about which us
members could have no real knowledge.
The dinner, which was held at the
Aldine club rooms In the Fifth Avenue
building. was given by the City CLUB the
General Educational Board. the Pratt IN
stitute. the Public Education Association
DIR. Felix Adler. John NJ. Glenn MISS
virginia Gildersleeve and Dean James H.
Russell. The list Of speakers included
Abraham Flexner, the Carnegie Founda-
ton Investigator. and Presineht AieAa"-
der c. HUMPHREYS. In ADDITION 10 '"oSe
already referred to-