The Washington times., 1916-01-20
Free From Politics.

ne NoiiliilSSlOnerS should show
that under their plan the schools will
De kept as free from politics as they
now are"
Congressman Ragsdale wanted to
Know from what sources political pres
sure would be brought upon the Com
missioners Mr.. Fenning said pressure
would be brought b. persons who
feel they have right to make sucn
requests"
Lets be frank; to whom do YOU re-
rel; persisted Congressman Ragsdale
Chairman Lloyd interrupted with inc
statement that under the old system
whereby the Commissioners had con-
troll of the school system, political
pressure undoubtedly had pcen
Il have been here long enough TO
know that under the old regime, prior
10 1900 there We're many requests Tor
appointments made to the Commisslon-
ers,' said MI Lloyd. Il happen to
know there was pressure brought IN
those days by members OF Congress,
ana some of them grew indignant wnen
they did not get teachers appointed"
Mr.. Ragsdale asked II the same sort
or pressure might not be brought
| against a school board, and Mr.. zen
nlnG said it would not work out that
way.
Congressman Ragsdale then engaged
IN quite an argument with Mr.. renning
| regarding the contribution Of the Fed
| eral Government to the District
SCHOOLS lie SAID the constituents or
| members of Congress contributed nm
! Der the ha)f-and-half plan to the uI,-
| Keep OF schools here and there was
hothlng particularly out of the way
IN suggestion that q teacher from
| outside the District should get no.
| sition in the system here
Mr.. Fenning suggested that If an ar
gulhent was started about the contrIbu-
Ton OF the Fedora Government 10 the
| District such a discussion Ioirh: 1tst
| an day. Chairman Lloyd said the taXa-
tlon question was not involved in the
pending bill before the subcommittee
have educated my children here.
and have been glad of the opportunity
said Mr.. Lloyd. but the people of my
district have no particular interest in
the WASHINGTON schools"
| Mr.. RagSdale said inaSmuCh as his
constituents were taxed for the uplloep
| OF schools here. thev had an interest
| in them. and wanted the interests of
! everybody protected.
I'VE look to YOU for protection now
| smilinglv commented Mr.. Fennng
The school system here has been con-
Quoted successfully continued Mr. Fen
ming. For ten years there has been
no friction. The people themselves have
| not raised a voice against the Board OF
| Education and its management Of the
schools. Under the circumstances. the
burden of proof should be upon the
| Commissioners 10 show the need of a
change: they should show wherein
! the present plan does not work salts
| laCtofliN ana now another plan would
| work for the better"
| What about the divided authority OF
which tho Commissioners complaint"
asked Congressman johnson
| There has been some slight friction
| at times between the Commissioners and
! the Board of Education as to control of
| the funds and expenditures. / believe"
said Mr.. FenninS. But this was never
| serious.
The situation can be met bv a,nend-
ing the law so that the Board Of Edu-
| cation will have unQuestoned author
| ity over sChTl funds. and shall be sub
| jeCt to the Commissioners only in ac-
| counting for these fUnndS. There seems
| to be some doubt AS 10 which bod :,
should control expenditures, acd this
ought TO be cleared up by giving the
BOARD Of Education full authorily in
| tho premises"