The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-02-26
WOULD RUN
.SCHO0LSAS
A BUSINESS
Frank Hooker Alfred
Seeks Board Place
As Duty
PERE MARQUETTE
HEAD HAS IDEAS
Trained Men Should
Look After Educa-
tional Affairs, He Says

Frank Hooker Alfred. cAndf
date for the small school board. IL
enjoying the novel experience Of
being candidate for public once
FOR the nrst time in his life. He
never held a political once. never
would and never viii do any pub
| lie service for salary He does not
regard the membership on the
school board as a political ofice.
otherwise be would not permit his
name 10 De considered. nor would
be think Of accepting such posi-
ton ~ q, carried with II salary
This eritomiEes the attitude OF a
busy and successful business man
toward the attitude a citizen should
take
Mr. Alfred Is not campaigning for
election. Because OF bis personal
success in life and OF his known
ruynusiSsm FOR all that is good for
a community. he was urged by many
lcs s.es Ah5 civic Organizations TO
stand :or Place on The small
school board
To begin with. Mr. Afreds can
diGacy Is unique In that he has no
platform thai 81. In the ordinary
acceptance OF the term. lie has no
prediction promises. propaganda.
theories or threats 20 rise up and
coufound him after election. on
The other hand. IL be becomes
member OF the board IL will be WITH
the idea OF meeting every question
with al open mind and a determine.
aon 10 take the stand on that ques-
ton that good citizenship and good
business ability would suggest a.
best for the school system AID the
community.
Mr Alfred thinks a seven member
board should proceed much like the
board OF directors % a bank or
railroad he would have II gather
AZ the table. hear every side OF
every question. get all the inforrna.
ton possible and then,be IN a posi-.
ton to vote intellisunffy. "a op-
posed TO the present system Of
boosting FOR some political friend.
DO he contractor. Job seeker or
what rot That sort os ADMINISTERS
ton 81 school Affairs by small
board ~ intelligent persons. Mr. Al
fred thinks vii % much 20 M
benefit OF the city. not alone be-
cause - lis saving OF time and
money. but because OF It's greater
efficiency.
Having been connected with a
great railroad in Detroit for the
last IS years. during which time ~
has risen from subordinate posi-
ton TO the highest place in the ad
m!nistration OF the Pere Marquette.
that OF general manager. Mr. Alfred
has demonstrated his ability ~
yond question. Re has lived in De.
troit all % the twentieth century
thus far. and frequently has been
asked 20 accept political once. put
has invariably declined. until now
be secs an opportunity for trained
business men 20 be o, real service
20 their cry.
lie would organize a school syS
tenn as a great big business indus.
try - organized. with every unit
Of the undertaking In competent
hands lie would have The super
intendent responsible for The EN-
ployment o; all teachers without
interference 81 the board. n "A poor
teaching stat is obtained that IL
the fault OF the superintendent and
the board should get a good super.
lntendent and should not try 20
remedy suoh An evil by hiring the
teachers In this way the various
duties should be taken care OF By
the heads OF departments and the
board should instruct the heads. n
work did not 20 smoothly in any
department. n would be the duty
~ the board 20 get competent
head. but not 10 assume the detailed
work Of the department that prop
erIy belonged 10 trained expert.
Mr.. Alfred f. Democrat but In
dependent.