Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-05-08
DR.. CORSON IS
E., SELECTED FOR
! POLAND'S AIDE
Education Board, in Confer
ence, Decides on Assistant to
City Superintendent.

The members of the Board of Edu-
cation, at a conference last night,
agreed to name DIR. David B. Corson
assistant superintendent of schools
The salary will be $500, which is
an increase of 1000 per year over
his present compensation. Just when
the appointment will be made was
not determined. 1t is probable that
1t will become effective on Septem
Der 1.
The conference lasted until after
midnight, and no regular meeting OF
the board was held. The question OF
title to be given DIR. Corson was an
other subject which ended in a
wrangle. 1t was finally agreed to
rank DR.. Corson as first assistant SUI
perintendent.
Vice-President Nathaniel King
moved that DR.. Corson be appointed
assistant to DR.. Poland at a salary
of $4,000. dating from September l.
1914, but later accepted an amend
ment of Commissioner Brown that
the sense of the conference should
be that the recommendation of the
superintendent be concurred In and
ment and fixing of salary. President
Taylor had ruled that the matter of
salary was not under discussion.
Commissioner Gaetano NJ. Belfatto
requested that he be informed as to
the powers of the superintendent.
Commissioner Frederic L. Johnson
then agreed to vote for the concur
superintendent providing there would
be "gentlemen's agreement that a
full discussion of the matter later be
held"
Commissioner Belfatto was informed
that the superintendent had the
right to assign any superintendent or
any member of the teaching force to
whatsoever duty he deemed best, but
that this was a matter which re-
quired special action, as 1t was of
such vital Importance, in view of the
fact that DR.. Corson was to perform
special duties and practically take
DR.. Poland's place whenever he, DR..
Poland, was out of town, and addi-
tlonal compensation was to be con-
sidered.
Commissioner Belfatto was in
; sistent to have statement made of
Fthe duties which DIR. Corson would
be expected to perform. DIR. Poland
was called upon and declared that
While DR.. Corson would retain a field
as assistant or district superintend-
ent, 1T would be of reduced area and
he would be known as the representa-
tive of the superintendent, the COM
mittees and the entire board when
sent into another territory other than
that which he would regularly look
after
Commissioner johnson at this point
declared he had not been convinced
that the field was too large FOR he
city superintendent to take care of
himself and that his policy of econ
Omy would compel him to vote against
the amended motion.
There was a general exchange of
sentiment on the necessity of an as
"a sistant to the superintendent and
then Commissioner King said:
I'VE all remember some weeks ago
that the matter of appointing an as
sociate superintendent had it's incep-
ton and was later defeated. 1t was
left to DIR. Poland to suggest a way
out and report to this board. He has
/ offered remedy. He is the ranking
officer, the man in charge, and think
this board should stand by him. He
knows best from his vast educational
experience and the appointment of
an assistant is necessary to lessen the
arduous duties which the city's
growth has piled upon the superin-
LGUueIll we UlQSb DOI lHllh Ol luG
expenditure of a small sum of money.
We must realize that the educational
system of this city entails an annual
spending of close to three and one
J. half million dollars and do our work
in proportion, to the result to be
brought about. The amount at stake
now is infinitesimal when the benefit
to be gained is considered. Relieve
the superintendent, he will do better
~. .,,fII H., Il1f4 a
there will be better supervision"
When President Taylor had listen
ed to the views of practically all Of
the members present-Commissio
Thomas S. McCabe was the only
member absent-he relinquished the
chair to Commissioner King and said;
81 don't believe the board, as a
board or as individuals, are very far
apart in the analysis of the needs of
the school system. I agree that the
superintendent has the right to assign
any district superintendent to any
!, duty he thinks is best for the SER
vice and I also agree that DR.. Poland
needs direct help. His job is big
one and one man cannot possibly
Keep in hand all of the details.
II am simply wondering whether it
would not be better to change the
title and give the assistant to the
superintendent a definite designa-
ton.
:. DIR. Poland strongly opposed such a
~icourse He said it would be I'M
american to change the title; that
the simple fact that the board had
given the authority to the man and
lad differentiated in his salary from
hat of the other assistant Superinten-
tents would be enough.
h"I do not believe in putting yellow
cap or feather on any man in the
system Let us be American citizens
simply and avoid ostentatious display
of authority DR.. Corson would be
clearly distinguished by the special
work which would be assigned to
him and he would need no epaulet or
cap. 1t would severely handicap him.
I would deprecate any graduation"
said Dr. Poland.
!. "All this may be true but I am glad
10 differ with the DOCTOR said Mr..
Taylor. at may be un-American to
designate a man by title, but a title
designates authority. AS Americans
We are all equal and unless you are
designated to criticise me or L to
criticise you / will not let you nor
will you let me. Z belieev every
thing should be called by it's real
name, and unless it is called by that
1t is un-American."
tThe argument pro and con was
continued for a long time, and then
the amendment was put by Presi-
dent Taylor and seconded by Com
missioner Thomas j. d. Smith. Argu-
unent on a technicality was held be-
tween Commissioner Brown and
president Taylor, but the vote taken
showed Commissioners Belfatto,
Breunig, Throssel, Smith and Taylor
in favor of the title, and Commission