The Washington herald., 1916-01-20
Unreasonable and Defenseless.

O0IedSOndDle anu UeIenSeleSS.
Forced to accept the role of defenders of the
defenseless and unreasonable proposition to sub
stitute for the present admirable public school sys
tenn of Washington a dangerous experimental
plan, District Commissioner Newman and Corpora
tion Counsel Syme must have quickly realized
their untenabe position at the hearing before the
subcommittee Of the House District Committee
yesterday. Never having had a sound argument
to offer in support of the Commissioners recon-
mendation that they be given absolute control of
the schools, they had nothing to present to
the committee beyond explanation and elaboration
of meddlesome scheme that has no good end
in view 1t is not surprising therefore that the
only impression made the committee was made
by the statements of the chairman of the Board
OF Education and representative of an organiza-
tion of citizens in opposition. The Commissioners
made their first mistake when they recommended
this extraordinary legislation without consultation
with any familiar with the conditions or with
representatives of the taxpayers and citizens whose
interests involved The origin of their ambi-
tious idea is still obscure, for it is gratifying to
note that, while Commissioner Newman intimated
that they were carrying out the general views Of
President Wilson in the matter Of District gov
ernment, he specifically absolved him from any
responsibility for the proposed shackling of the
school administration.
Commissioner Newman struggled desperately
to erect a stable structure upon a rotten founda-
ton, but failed to perform the miracle. He fur
nlshed the refutations of his own arguments as
he progressed. He had safeguard against politics
creeping into the proposed school system, which
ill l,,c l..
satisfied even if control Of the schools did not pass
into the hands OF the District Commissioners un-
til the present board had retired, a suggestion
which has nothing whatever to do with the prin-
ciplc involved. Nor does the substitute bill which
he offered even diminish the menace
OF the fundamental proposition. 1t would still
place in the hands of the District Commissioners
the absolute control of the public school system
and its governing machinery. And to this the cit-
zens OF Washington are Unanimously and unalter-
ably opposed
1t is doubtful whether such demonstration Of
popular disapprova by the people Of Washington
OF a measure involving the governmental affairs
OF the District that OF yesterday has ever be-
fore been witnessed at the Capitol. 1t must have
been a surprise to those members of the District
Committee who in the past have complained that
they unable to discover the will of the people
here. They have learned now that Washington
can speak with voice on subject vitality
affecting their interests when they have reason to
expect that their wishes will be given the con-
sderation by the makers OF their laws to which
they are entitled. The citizens have every reason
to rely confidently upon the wisdom and justice of
Congress in dealing with this important question,
upon which the efficiency of the schools and the
welfare OF their children is dependent