The Washington times., 1916-01-20

the education subcommittee named by
the Board OF Trade to oppose the
He read the resolution recently
adopted by the Board of Trade, which
protested against abolishment of the
board and suggested instead that eX-
be given the Board OF Education,
which would be subject to the Com
missioner only in accounting.
AT the same time" said Mr.. Fem
ming, I'VE deprecate the attacks which
have been made in certain quarters
against the Commissioners. We do
not believe they have in their minds
any thought OF partisan politics in
making these recommendations, yet
We feel that with the schools in
charge of the Commissioners there
would be presented opportunity for
the Injection Of politics"
Johnson Asks Question.
Now how is Jhat9' interrupted Con-
gresham Ben johnson. There las
been frequent reference here to politics,
Eut II has not been explained - my
satisfaction how politics could enter
into the Washington school system
even II the commissioners had the du-
thority to name and remove the teach
ers."
well, the chances are that the Com
missioners would be confronted with
requests from persons of influence whom
they could not well turn down." said
Mr.. Fenning.
Il do not quite understand how YOU
defend the Commissioners in your
statement a minute ago, saying that
you DO not question their motives and
lhen you virtually charge tnat they will
pc lnnlenced by political co1sldera g..
tons, said Mr.. johnson.
Il do not charge that" said Mr.. Fen
mig. What L say is that we do not
question their motives. but that under
their plan situation probably will arise
where the Commissioners viii find
themselves confronted with requests
IISnt. ITom political sources for appoint
mo one has yet shown here how III.
injection OF politics could come about" i"
repiled Congressman johnson, 1T APP
pears to me there has been a hue and
cry raised here to deceive rather than
anything elsa."
Not at all answered Mr.. Tenling.
we are merely presenting Il situation
that may arise. Politics Is now re-
moved from the school system. The
burden of proof should he on the Com
missioners to show that there exists
necessity for the change they recon-
mend and that the proposed plan will
work better than the present arrange
ment.
Free From Politics.
THE Commissioners should show
that under their plan the schools will
be kept as free from politics as they
now are"
Congressman RagsdaIe wanted to
know from what sources political pres
sure would be brought upon the Com
missioners. Mr.. Fenning said pressure
would be brought by persons who
requests"
let's be frank; to whom do YOU re.
fer?' persisted Congressman Ragsdale
chairman Lloyd interrupted with the
statement that under the old system
whereby the Commissioners had con.
troll of the school system, politica
pressure pressure undoubtedly had peer
II have been here long enough tc
Know that under the old regime. prioI
to 1900, there were many reuuesys roI
appointments made to the Commission,
srs,' said Mr.. Lloyd. II happen tC
know there was pressure brought II
those days by members of Congress
ana some of them grew indignant wneT
they did not get teachers appointed"
Mr.. Ragsdale asked II the same sor'
OF pressure might not be brough
nlnG said it would not work out tina
| way.
Congressman Ragsdale then engaged
IN quite an argument with Mr. FenninI
ANboAhAilb NhG OF the Fed
eral Government to the DistrIc
schools. He said the constituents O.
| members of Congress contributed I'm
Ger the half-and-half plan to the up
Keep OF schools here, and there wa
nothing particularly out of the wa,
in a suggestion that teacher from
outside the District should get a DO
sition in the system here.
Mr.. FenninE suggested that II an ar
gument was started about the contribu
Linn En1npoI
District such a discussion might last
/ all 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 II
the Washington schools"
| Mr.. RaRsdale said inaSmuch as hi,
| constituents were taxed for the uplIeeI
| OF schools here. thev had an Interest
| In them. and wanted the interests OF
everybody protected.
| We look to you for protection now
| smilinRlv commented Mr.. Fenning,
The school system here has been con,
| Quoted successfully" continued Mr. Fen
ming. ''For ten years there has beer
! no friction. The people themselves have
not raised a voice against the Board OF
Education and its MANAGEMENT of tho
| schools. Under the circumstances tht
burden of proof should be upon Tho
Commissioners to show the need of
change; they should show wherein
the present plan does not work salts
factorlly and how another plan would
work for the better"
| What about the. divided authority Of
which the Commissioners complain p
asked Congressman johnson
There has been some slight friction
at times between the Commissioners anC
the Board of Education as to control o
the funds and expenditures / believe,
said Mr.. FenninS. But this was neveI
| serious.
THE situation can be met by amend
ing the law so that the Board of Edu
| cation will have unquestioned author
ity over schqDi funds, and shall be sub
Ject TO the Commissioners only in ac
| counting for these funds There seem
| to be some doubt as TO which bod
should control expenditures, and hi
ought to be cleared up by giving IN
Board OF Education full authority Il
the premises"