Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-23
SAY THE COMMISSIONERS
DID NOT STUDY SITUATION
Declare Proposal Now Up to Con.
gress Would Give Politicians
the Full Control.
PROHIBITION PASSED OVER
No Vote Is Taken on Either of Main
Questions Before the Body, Be-
cause of Length of the
Discussion.

The Commissioners plan for \
change in the school system of the
District was the target OF Wig
orous attack by Henry P. Blair.
president OF the board of educa-
ton. and James F. Oyster. former
president of the board. at meet
ing last night of the Federation
OF Citizens Associations.
Taking up the arguments in
favor of the plan presented by
Commissioner Newman at the
last meeting of the federation.
the present and former school
board heads occupied more than
two hours to strip the Commits
sioners position of its last vestige
OF logic and to pronounce the plan
as one making for the injury
rather than the betterment OF the
public schools.
Danger of Bringing in Politics.
Mr.. oyster charged that the proposed
change would bring politics into the
management of the schools. and de-
clared that if any change is made il
af ytxFi,
greater power to the board of educa-
tion.
Both Mr.. oyster and President Blair
made ii plain that they believed the
Commissioners had recommended the
plan without giving the subject ade-
quate study.
1t had been expected that vote
would be taken by the federation last
night on the proposed school change.
but the committee TO which this mat
ter has been referred did not bring in
a report. and action Will not be taken
until the next meeting, two weeks
hence.
Prohibition Passed Over.
Also it had been expected that the
federation would act last night on the
proposal for referendum vote on the
question of prohibition for the District.
but as the school discussion lasted un-
til after IL o'clock adjournment was
taken without the liquor question COM
ing up.
The only business of Importance
transacted was the admission TO the
federation of four associations, the
North Washington, Washington Civic.
kenilworth and Benning Citi-
Eens' Associations. These applications
had been under consideration for some
time. and minority committee report
was made against the Benning-kenil-
worth association. formerly known as
the Benning Association. on the ground
that it was not representative or
ganization of the Benning section.
The committee report was TO I in
favor of admitting the association,
which, under the name of the Benning
ton, had been one of the con-
stituent bodies of the federation for
several years. The federation. how
ever. adopted resolution suggesting
new Benning Association that they en-
deavor to adjust their boundaries so
as to represent respectively the sec
tions of Benning and Kenilworth.
Summary of School Legislation.
MIR. Oyster began his address with a
brief summary of school legislation for
the District. describing it order
ly evolution From July, 1878, to
July. 1906 the Commissioners exercised
final control over the public schools
of the District of columbia he said
For more than a quarter OF century,
then, this scheme was tried. And II
was found wanting. Can it be pos
sible that our present Commissioners
are acquainted with these factsH ~'---
This law of 1906 was not framed
precipitately. 1t was the result Of
many years of experience and prolone-
he f.f
of Congress Why abandon in breath
less haste plan which was devised
with utmost care and deliberation?
Moreover. this law of 1906 is no
longer a piece of raw legislation. In
the decade of its operation il has been
"a refully interpreted and amplifed by
an impressive series of court decisions.
Al last every one knows precisely what
the law means. Shall we now be so
unthrifty as 10 throw the experience
of this decade of actual administration
, bsolutely away But that is what the
Commissioners propose
Law Is Working Smoothly.
..rhe law of today is working smooth
v and satisfact orily to the people Of
his community. The harmony in the
and educational work
vas never more marked. The superin-
endents have unified the system. They
nave carried through the business re-
organization and the adjustment OF the
grade courses. All the school officers
re working in cooperation. The CO.
operation of parents with our admi-
a BILE teaching force was never more
intelligent and effective
han it is today. Steady progress has
,een and is being made under the
PRESENT system. Why upset it,"
Referring to the three bills submitted
~ the Commissioners on the proposed
school changes-the provision in the
,stmates the bill introduced by Repre-
sentative Johnson and the bill proposed
" Commissioner Newman at the hear
n1 heforA the subcommittee on educa