The Washington times., 1916-01-20
Charles w. Darr Asserts Action
Was Based on Decision of
Less Than a Majority.
= WOULD END CONTROVERSIES
Thinks Placing Power in Com
missioners' Hands Would
Cause Cessation of Friction.

That the action Of the Board Of
Trade In opposing the proposed transfer
"r administration of school affairs was
not representative of the boards opin-
on and was based on the report of less
than n majority of the committee on
-Chools is the statement made by
'harlcs w. Darr. a member OF the COM
inittee. who dissented from the report
Asked whv he could not agree with
The committee, Mr.. Darr said he favored
The proposed legislation. not Because it
provided for a change in the method OF
"ppointment of members of the Board
rt Education. but for the reason that at
crescent the responsibility for the man
HGement of sChoo! affairs Is divided.
He considered the judges of the Dis
tlict Supreme Court highly competent.
Hc said. and to be relied upon to appoint
u board in the best interests Of the
:"hoolS. but this phase of the case, lie
declared, Is merely an incident.
Continual Controversy.
He declared that even by the board
itself it cannot be denied that since
he present plan has been in opera
lion there has been an almost contin-
uous conflict OF authority and contro-
'ersy between the Commissioners and
he board relative to some branch of
.Chool management.
1t is. therefore. best. in my opin-
tUn,' said Mr.. Darr, ito have the
'rhoolS of the city managed entirely
hy the commissioners, who are re-
-nonSible heads of our local govern
nent."
He further said that the fear Of
HoliticS entering the management OF
ne schools cannot be entertained
with the present Commissioners in
office, as they have shown conclusive
ls= \
"ited by the committee OF the Board
Of Trade. where the school system has
heen divorced from the general mu-
nicipal government, he added. It must
ne borne in mind that the commits
.'ioners are elected while here resi-
tents are given no voice In the selec-
ion and the District heads owe no
political debt to school officers,
teachers or employees.
Less Than Majority.
My further objection to the action
Of the Board Of Trade" said Mr.. Darr,
is based on the fact that the report
of the school committee was author
i@ed by less than a majority of its
members. The school committee con-
iists of sixty-five members of the
Board OF Trade.
AT the meeting which authorized the
report opposing the proposed legisla-
thirty members were present. The sug-
Gestlon from me that the matter should
receive more general consideration by
greater number of members of the
'ommittee was frowned upon. and a
statement made that il was the purpose
~ the committee to rush the report in
urder to present the opposition of the
Board of Trade to the subcommittee on
"ducation of the House District Com
mittee at IT'S meeting Wednesday. More
man that. / Informal IN Do 4
Hr Trade consists of in the neighbor-
hood of $50 members. The meeting
which adopted the report opposing the
proposed bill, had less than seventy-five
members OF the board present, and
maintain that the report presented to
he committee does not represent the
'"ntiment or opinion of the Board Of
Trade.
Wouldn't Permit Amendment.
AT the meeting Tuesday afternoon
he president of the board decided that
The committees report had to be ap-
proved or disapproved, and would not
permit an amendment to the report nor
would he allow consideration at that
meeting OF resolution providing that
the Board of Education should be elect
ed by the people of the District of Co
Iumbia rather than appointed by any
exlstlng officer, board. or commission.
Il believe that the Board of Educa-
ION should be elected by the people,
me night to vote. however. to be re-
str1cted to taxpayers and to the par
Hnts of children attending schools. Civ
ing the mothers an equal right to vote
with the fathers II the proportion OF
membership present at the meeting of
The Board Of Trade at which the school
"ommittee's report was adopted was
ut all the meetings OF the
various citizens associations. then the
r"mmittee of Congress having this
matter in charge is a long wav from
having before it anything like an ex-
nresSlon of the desire OF the people in