Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-20
Interest in Washington Schools.

| !
to go far as we can in protecting
that interest" answered Mr.. Ragsdale
warmly.
Then we look to you for protection
| in the present interest said Mr.. Fen
ming
Mr.. Harris Remarks Lead
to a Spirited Tiff With
Representative Johnson
| The peppery scene between Repre-
sentative johnson and Mr.. Harr arose
out of the remark Mr.. Harr made about
the Capitalization plan being the out
| growth of a conference between the
| Commissioners and the President. He
| followed this up with the general argu-
ment that the Commissioners are not
| qualified to judge the sentiment of the
people on education matters, beca use
they had not been in touch with it.
They entered on their duties unim-
pressed by the standpoint Of the Dis
trict residents. They are fine men or
fine motives, but with preconcejved
ideas of municipal government.
"Piecemeal Recommendations,
Il think the Commissioners should
have had an acquaintance with the
residents here before advancing plan
not demanded by the people. They have
come forward with piecemeal recon-
mendations. and have omitted some of
the most important features of the
school administration. They did not
thoroughly study the present school
| system, and do not know what 1t
means"
You mention the President" said
ton with the deplorable ignorance Of
the commissioners. Do you believe
that the President is not qualified on
matters Of education
| II resent the Inference said Mr..
Harr; and then he and Representative
| Johnson had it back and forth for a
| few seconds. Representative Johnson
| insisted that he make answer, and Mr..
Harr refused to answer. Then Repre-
sentative Johnson insisted that all of
| Mr. HAIRS remarks be stricken from
the, record. and Chairman Lloyd step
! ped in:
Regrets This Little Natter
| Il regret this little matter" he said,
and l think that Mr.. Harr and Mr..
Johnson misunderstood one another"
He said that all that would be neces-
sary would be for Mr.. Harr TO say that
he did not include the President. Mr..
! Harr then said he had uttered no such
words. and Mr.. johnson asked if he
| had not uttered just that sentiment.
AS the heat of the incident waned. Mr..
| Harr made statement that he had
every respect for President Wilson.
would you respect President Tafts
| opinion on matters of education ~
asked Representative johnson.
"As much as 1 respect him ] could
not take his opinion on matters on
which he had made no study"
You wouldn't take any ones opin-
ion unless it conceded with your
| own
II do not believe in inexpert turning
over of any government"
Other Members Are Heard.
DR.. Richard kingsman and W. Fl.
Klopfer. the other two members of the
Board of Trade committee. made brief
statements opposing the proposed
| change. w. J. Wallis. representing the
| High School Teachers Association, pre-
scented a statement, with charts, to
show that the Commi ssioners' plans
were not in accordance with the educa-
| tionai policies Of the other cities of the
| country.
| Statements from citizens associations
were placed in the record at this point,
| but Chairman Lloyd made the positive
declaration that any attempt to get
the resolutions from the Citizens
| Northwest Suburban Association into
the record would meet with failure.
I This is the resolution brought to the
! hearing yesterday by Representative
| Ragsdale. 1t speaks of "1ambs' being
| turned over to the lust OF political
wolves" and Chairman Lloyd and other
members resented it heartily.
Betterment of the Schools.
Mr.. Fenning said the Commissioners
| have not shown in their argument that
| sentative Johnson asked whether they
could not better it on the score Of d.
vided authority. and Mr.. Fenning read
from the Board of Trade report, al
ready published. covering that point.
| William A. Harris argument opened
with the suggestion that the Commits
sioners' Capitalization scheme afforded
Fan opportunity for politics to creep
| into the schools. Representative John
| son, who has been exceedingly interest
| ed in that statement from other per-
| sons as well as Mr.. Harr, asked for
| reasons.
Mr. Harr replied that while the poiiti-
| cal matter was not OF the most impor-
lance in the issue, he could say that
I
| merit system in the District building
| "in the face of strenuous pressure on
them for jobs by congressman"
Source Of Information.
F.. Right there Representative Johnson
began to fire questions as to the source
of his information. and after Mr.. Harr
had said twice he did not care to mem
ton any names Henry p. Blair, presi-
dent of the board of education, arose
and said he had given the Information
to Mr.. Harr.
Questioned as to the source Of his in
formation Mr.. Blair said II had been
printed In the public press that at n
board meeting OF the Commissioners.
when appointment matters were being
discussed. that statement had been
made.
Mr. Harr said he had inferred that
Congress was meant. az the statement
as he understood II was that pressure
for appointments in the District serv-
ice came from the outside.
But why do you say 1t comes from
Congress-
That's the natural place" This pro.
yOked n laugh