The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-01-19
newman OFFERS
NEW SCHOOL BILL
Asks Congress to Pass Substi-
tute Measure at Hearing
Today at Capitol.
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promotions. reductions. and removals of
officers. tea chers. ETC., shall hereafter
be made by the Commissioners of the
District" =,
..I There has been ,bo S;osts9SI
that the Commissioners make these ap-
pointments. The Commissioners do not
want this authority. When the matter
was first considered. II seemed that IL
was hedRed 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. ana
this should be satisfactory.
1T have been told by a number of
persons that there was also some an
prehensIon among teachers and others
that the teachers will not be protected
under the proposed chanRe-that the
director of education appointed might DC
an incompetent politician.
Fear For Future.
persons fearing this have said, OF
course, that they did not expect the
present board Of Commissioners 10
name as incompetent man but 1t might
be done in the future by some board.
Therefore, the Commissioners nave
suggested another change In the DILL
We suggest to the committee that the
bill be so framed that the Commission
ers will be required to appoint as d.
rector of education "a competent, skill
ed and expert person. who shall De a
graduate Of an established, recognized
and accredited normal school college,
or university.
"Snch a restriction should end the APP
prehension said to exist that a 'politlc,
ian" might be named to head the school
system here. 1t is unthinkaDle' so IaL
as l am ceEcerned, that any Doaru OF
as director of education an unframed
How could politics be injected into
the District school system? That IS
is there any difference between the
opportunity for politics uR me r Ino
posed SYSTEM asked Congressman
"The LANCER, il it exists. is just as
likely under one system as another.
said Commissioner Newman. mere
is no class of politics that would ap-
Dly particularly to ane system"
what politics can enter in either
event?' asked Mr.. Johnson.
A Civil Service Plan.
"I do not see where politics can en-
ter said Mr. Newman. I'VE have
mere no" tue INEIlN cgcN''i'
lv a civil service for. teachers. Pro-
motions are based on the efficiency
test"
Commissioner Newman was asked u
President Taft had not recommended
several wears ago the Capitalization oi
power in the hands OF the Commls-
sioners over the school system Cor,
poration Counsel SWINE came forward
with a COPY Of President Tafts message
= a1N ron.
centration of control for the school
system here. President Taft at thai
time suggested that the Commissioner
be given complete jurisdiction over the
school system. with an ADVISORY posru
of visitors selected from the school dis,
tricts to survey and inspect school
needs.
Congressman Ragsdale asked II Presi-
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 lSrnstdent re.
garding a model form of government
for the District and 1t was decided tha'
instead of sending to othG- cities for ad'
visers In model government. ths Dis
trict Commissioners should begin an In
vestigation OF plans for better admins.
trative government here. The PruA1en'
recommended such q course Oh pro
cedure, and thS legislative program pre-
scented to Congress is the result of the
study Of the Commissioners.
Makes a Distinction.
II do not say that the President
recommended specifically the school sys'
tenn change. or this project or that. but
the recommendations we have made arr
in keeping with his approval of a gen
eral plan to bring about numerous ad
lY,nfV, futT rot two hare / add
receiue ON Thnrsdav afternnnn Ian.