The Washington times., 1916-01-23
CITIZEN UNION.
WILL VOTE ON.
SCHOOL RULE.
Federation Now Has Heard
Both Sides on Proposed New
System.

Having heard both the Commissioners
and the Board of Educaton's side Of the
~ntroversy over the proposal to give
Sse former complete control over the
schools and abolish the latter, the Fed
Grafton OF Citizens Associations will
take a vote on the subject at its meet
ing to he held two weeks hence.
Judging from the applause accorded
the remarks by Capt James +. Oyster
md Henry r. Blair, respectively past
>ud present head of the Board of Edu-
cation, both of whom opposed the pro-
posed change. the federation will vote
against the Commissioners plan.
Fer several hours last night, Captain
Oyster and President Blair attacked
the Commissioners proposal. Their ad-
dresses were punctuated with outbursts
of applause from the delegates of the
, various citizens associations which
have gone on record as disapproving
any change in the present system of
local school administration.
Reviews School Systems.
Captain Oyster made a set speech of
considerable length, which not only
showed an intimate personal knowledge
of school administration of today, but
contained review of school systems in
the District since 1878. He pointed out
that from July 1878, to July, 1906 tn.
Commissioners exercised final control
over the schools, just as the CommIs-
sioners now propose, but in the last
named year the present system was Gre
ated. and it was an orderly evolution
which had proved success in every
way. He expressed the belief that the
Commissioners had made their present
recommendation without giving proper
study to school affairs in tAe District.
Captain oyster paid high tribute to
the teaching force in the local schools,
and said the parents of pupils were CO.
operating wonderfully with the school
authorities He suggested that the
Board of Education be given even broad
er powers. including the right to make
school repairs, select school sites ana
erect new buildings. rather than being
stripped of any of its present authority.
Present Law Satisfactory.
Summarizing his address, Captain
oyster said:
"I believe that the school legislation
proposed by the Commissioners places
upon them a tremendous burden of
proof which they cannot get away
with.
II believe that hitherto our school
legislation has been on the whole an
orderly evolution, seeking to keep
pace with the best practice of the
best American cities.
81 believe that the organic school
law of 1906 was framed with intelli-
gent care, that it has been admirably
Interpreted by the courts in an inn
pressive series of cases and that it is
today operating satisfactorily to this
community.
4 believe that the feverish haste
which the political officers of the Dis
trict are making to get their grasping
hands upon our schools portends un-
told evil
"I believe that il friction is to be
eliminated by giving the schools bu1
one MASTER that master should un-
doubtedly be a representative board Of
education and not an unrepresenta-
tive board of Commissioners.
"I believe that large and high pow
ers should be given the Board of Ed
ucation here. as elsewhere in Ameri-
ca, in order that the schools may at
tain their utmost efficiency and never
become subservient to politics and
politicians.
IT believe that experience has proved
the present board to he large enough
TO prevent hasty and ill-considered ac-
for Its proper purposes.
II believe that the present law is
entirely reasonable in requiring that
women be represented in the member
ship of the board.
Should Be Bona Eide Residents.
II believe that whatever may be the
case with Commissioners. members of
our school board should not be tran
sients. but bona fde residents.
II believe that our Commissioners
have shown their hands in this school
legislation business. that they have
proved themselves quite UNIT to select
boarC members; whereas the Supreme
Court of the District. removed from the
plaY of party politics. has been most
1udicious i'm selecting representative
men and women.
II believe that the proportionate rep
resentation of our colored population
upon the Board of Education will be
sacrificed the moment the Commission
ers get the appointing power away
from the lust and hiEh-minded Judges
OF our Supreme Court
''I believe that the advisory board OF
education proposed bv the Commission
ers is most shabby. whether considered
as sally OF wit or a piece of political
strategy.
II believe that to emasculate the pro-
fessional head of our schools would be
a Rrievous wrong to the children and
youth of this community now and here
after. and a horrible example for all
the cities of this nation.
"I believe that II our schools be