The Washington times., 1916-01-19
NEWMAN OFFERS
NEW SCHOOL BILL
Asks Congress to Pass Substi-
tute Measure at Hearing
Today at Capitol.
CONTINUED from First Page.)

lNsOntlHueu 4IoIl IdSt'D
promotions. reductions. and removals of
officers: teachers. etc, shall hereafter
he made by tho Commissioners of the
District"
''There has been some opposition"
said Mr.. Newman. ito the suggestion
that the Commissioners make these ap.
pointments The Commissioners do not
want this authority. When the matter
was first considered. 1t seemed that it.
was hedged about with administrative
features that might make 1t necessary
for the Commissioners to have this au-
thority. but the substitute bill gives
power to the director Of education. and
this should be satisfactory.
~ have been told by number OF
persons that there was also some an
prehension among teachers and others
that the teachers will not be protected
under the proposed change-that the
director of education appointed might be
an incompetent politician.
Fear For Future.
Persons fearing this have said, OF
course, that they did not expect the
present board Of Commissioners to
name as incompetent man but il might
be done in the future by some board.
Therefore. the Commissioners have
suggested another change in the Dill.
We suggest to the committee that the
bill be so framed that the Commissioh-
ers will be required to appoint as ui-
rector of education "a competent. skill
ed and expert person. who shali pe
graduate of an established, recognized,
and accredited normal school college.
or university
such a restriction shouid emu ,ne hp-
preheDsion said to exist that a polite.
ian" might be named to head the school
system here 1t IL unthinkable. so far
as | am ce~cerned, that any board or
commissioners would ever seek 10 name
as director of education an unframed
man."
How could politics be injected into
the District school system? That 1s
is there any difference between the
opportunity for politics under tne
present system and under the pro,
rosed system" asked Congressman
Ben Johnson.
'"The danger, if 1t exists. is just aS
likely under one system as annther,
said Commissioner Newman. mere
IL no class of politics that would ap-
ply particularly to ane system.
"What politics can enter IN cltheF
event? asked Mr.. Johnson
A Civil Service Plan.
Il do not see where politics can en-
ter said Mr. Newman. we nave
here now the merit system. practical
" a civil servSce for teachers. fro-
motions are based on the efficiency
test"
Commissioner Newman was asked II
President Taft had not recommendea
power in the hands Of the 'ommis-
sjoners over the school system. Cor
poration Counsel Svme came for"arn
with a COPY Of President Taft's message
of December 6. 1910 advocalns con-
centration Of control for the school
system here. President Taft at that
time suggested that the Commissioners
be given complete jurisdiction over the
school system. with an advisory board
of visitors selected from the school dis,
trictg to survey and inspect school
needs.
Congressman Ragsdale asked II Prest-
dent Wilson recommended the change
desired by the Commissioners
"The President is interested to this
extent" said Commissioner Newman.
More than two wears ago the Commits
sioners talked with the Eccsd"nt re-
gardinG a model form of government
for the District. and II was decided that
instead Of sending to othS- cities for ad-
visers In model governmeQt tEa DIS
trict Commissioners should begin an in
vestigation OF plans for better admins
trative government here. The Pr1>1ent
recommended such d course o. pro-
cedure, and the legislative program pre-
sented to Congress is The result OF the
study OF the Commissioners.
Makes Distinction.
Il do not say that the President
recommended specifically the school sys-
tenn change. or this project or that. but
the recommendation we have made are
in keeping with his approval of a gen.
eral plan to bring about numerous ad
ministrative reforms here. | may add
that the valuation of p4lic utilities was