Evening star., 1916-01-15
Committee of Board of Trade
Adopts Report Adverse to
Commissioners Plan.
SUGGESTS THAT CONGRESS
REMOVE FRICTION'S CAUSE
Matter to Come Before Full Member.
ship of Organization at
Meeting Tuesday.

Washington Board of Trade yesterday
afternoon adopted a report embodying
resolution opposing the proposed
abolition of the present board of edu-
cation and the vesting of the duties
and powers exercised by that body in
the board of District Commissioners.
The report was one submitted by a
subcommittee. of which William r.
Harr is chairman. OF twenty-seven
members of the committee present at
the meeting, all but one voted for its
adoption.
In addition to favoring the retention
of the present board of education, the
report further states that it might be
well for Congress to amend the exist
ing law pertaining to this board and
its powers as to make it entirely
clear that the board of education has
exclusive authority over the expendi-
lures of school funds, subject only to
the control of the District Commits
Sioners in the matter of accounting.
This. in the opinion of the committee.
would remove d possible cause for fric-
tton between the board of education
and the Commissioners, which now ex-
lists.
Report Goes Before Board.
membership of the Board of Trade tor
its consideration at a special meeting
which has been called for 4:30 o'clock
Tuesday afternoon in the rooms of the
board in The Star building. Wednes-
day a hearing on the Commissioners
plan for the abolition of the board of
S'ucation is to be given by the House
urstrlct committee; representatives of
the Board of Trade will be present to
ton with regard to the plan
The report submitted by the subcom-
mittee and adopted by the full public
schools committee Yesterday afternoon
;. 1pt- IL represents a thorough inves-
legation into the matter The report
as adopted without alteration with
o!te exception. Paul T.. Lesh moved
at the report include the suggestion
thai an existing cause for friction be-
= cen the board of education and the
commissioners would be eliminated il
Congress would amend the law con-
cefning the powers and duties of the
board, so to make them entirely
lear. and thereby remove the differ
'ire OF opinion concerning these duties
an" powers which apparently now ex-
~. The committee concurred in his
sdgGestion.
Paragraphs of the Report.
Following are some striking para
graphs contained in the report:
The change proposed by the Com
missioners is a radical one, IS il puts
the entire system, both educational
and financial. absolutely under their
control. the board of education (Which
Is TO be continued under their plan)
- be appointed by them apparently
NI'hout amy specific qualifications as
10 rssld"rce) and to have only such
powers as they may give them. thus
transforming II from potent aud re
>ponsible authority to iinpotent and
powers only II is seriously doubted
whether competent board could be
secured under these conditions. .
The reason for the change stated
py the commissioners i'm making their
recommendation to Congress is that il
"uld he IN the interest of economy
'"d "fh'iency. They have not. how
yer. pointed out just how either of
change. their statements on this point
D"tng general and indefinite
our subcommittee feels II impor-
10 ,anf !. also 80 y aas state ,u that there seems
changes from any quarter save that OF
the Commissioners themselves, while
public sentiment. as 1t has already
strongly asserted itself through vari-
Gus civic organizations, as well as pri
vately. Is decidedly against amalEa
mating the school system more closely
than II now is with the general mu-
nicipal government"
Important Provision Omitted.
1T appears from subsequent reports
and statements of the Commissioners
that the provisions of existing law
as to the appointment, promotion
examination and qualification of teach
"rs. principals and heads of depart-
rnents were intended to be continued
under their plan. but, which they have
since bodily Incorporated most of these
provisions in their recommendation
ihcy appear to have omitted proyi
sion corresponding to the following
most important one in the present
law-namely. the provision of section
OF the act OF June 80. 1906 GA Stat
+iSD. that:
NO appointment. promotion, trans
fer or dismissal of any director. super
Using principal. principal, head of de-
partment. teacher or any other subor-
dinste to the superintendent of schools
tdirector Of education). shall be made
by the board OF education (Commis.
sioners) except upon the written rec
ommendat tion OF the superintendent OF
schools director OF education or boa rd
OF education)."
The words in parentheses were IN
serted by the committee to show how
the provision should read under the
proposed plan.
In conclusion the report states:
Your subcommittee wishes to say
that while we differ with the Commits
sioners as to the sdvissbility of trans
ferring to them the absolute and ex
elusive superyiSiOu and control of tb,