Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-07-10
lcontlnnad From FIrst Page }

again addressed the board, this time
TO uncover. as Il developed. that the
proposition had been made to him by
the Cooper clan that if he would APP
point their committee slate, they
would graciously permit him TO do
so. and would support him in every
thing. The alternative however, does
not appear TO nave been explained to
Mr.. Miller. But here's what the
president said when he brought the
entire matter into public gaze and
Queried each man concerned individ-
ually:
Gentlemen. there is a matter wish
10 bring to your attention before we
20 any further Last Saturday Wal
ter j. Campbell (member from the
Tenth ward) called on me and pre-
scented O document signed by eight
members Of this board. and / feel il
necessary to say what he said to me,
using his exact language az far as |
can remember It, because I must ind
out how far | can depend upon the
information { received.
HE told me that these gentlemen
had gotten together In conference TO
consider the appointment OF commit
tees: he said they thought that If
had any idea OF apo nting any other
members on some OF them. it might be
considered a humiliation and a slap
In the face for the o board; that H.
might be considered as an implication
from VIII CHI the public might draw the
inference that the cd board mem
bers might be incompetent or incap-
able of performing their duties on
such committees. He further stated
that he would assure me that the ght
members who had signed document
would back me up IN any change /
might make for the betterment of the
condition of the schools end that they
had agreed to act as unit in my sup
port
81 want to know n he was the au-
thorized spokesman for those eight
men and If / was correctly informed
,as 20 their proposed actions. Dr.
Cooper. was Mr. Campbell authorized
to speak for you as / have ind catedT
zone point Is not clear responded
Or. Coopcr. That the board
would support you in any change you
cared to make was and rs not my
feeling in the mltter Two or three
weeks ago the members said they
would back you up in everything
which would meet with their Judg
ment and approval All changes
which YOU might care 20 make could
not do so. They pledge you absolute
support only In such matters VIII en-
meet with their approval"
with Or. Cooper's explanation II
would hit me. too announced Mr..
Plnkerton. If I feel il is ght I'm
ready to back you up in any re~pect.
Or. COopers ideas are NINE
chimed in Mr. Kerssy.
"As whole. they are my sent
ments," said DR. Palmer Il VIII
certainly uphold you in anything /
believe to be right
Il feel as DIT Cooper has expressed
H." said Mr.. Denney.
81 said I would support you in
everything for the betterment Of the
schools" said Mr. Rommel. but l 40
not pledge you my support In every
thing you would recommend.
I'm everything you sa d except that
we pledged support In everything, you
have quoted me accurately said "a
Campbell
Then. announcing that he would ash
Mr.. Souder to present a resolution
covering one OF the points nearest
my heart. as far as the adm Astratlon
Of the schools is concerned Ptesl-
dent Miller and his better school
colleagues laid the scene Tor the T
first experience with the parliamen-
tary steam roller Mr.. Scuder pre-.
scented the 70 lowing resolution aimed
10 install some good business manage
ment. and DIT Washburn seconded ~.
Then open war began The resoln-
ton follows:
whereas, the rapid increase
in public school needs in VII
mington has largely added 20 the
detailed problems Of supervision
covering such work as the economi-
cal purchasing. collection and dis
tribution OF supplies. the construc-
ton. maintenance and general opera
ton OF buildings, and any other mat
ters pertaining to the general bust
ness management.
Whereas. it is thereby becoming
less POSSIBLE for the members of the
Board of Education to give that eX-
tensive detailed supervision and di-
rection necessary for the most eff
cient and expeditions handling OF
such work, and. furthermore. thai
such extensive efforts and sufficient
/ time to do this work properly cannot
reasonably be expected by the public
OF nonsalaried officials, who are occu
pied with their business or profess
sional duties, and
Whereas. the handling OF such 9
problem as has arisen in large
number of cities throughout the
United States has resulted in The
adoption Of modern and effective
policy of appointing a business direc
/ tor whose exclusive and continuous
+ services shall be applied TO directing
/ such work.
Therefore be IL resolved, that bust
ness director subordinate to the super
/ intendent of schools. shall be engaged
! promptly TO take direct charge of carry
/ ing out all work and directing the EN-
/ ployees coming under the supervision
! of the committees on books and supplies
fuel and ianitors, repairs, new build
ings. printing, accounts, insurance ant
such other work a. may be placed in HI
charge by the Board of Education. sal
business manager TO act by and with tn
advice Of the several committees res
pecting their specific divisions of work
except where such business director ma.
disagree with the advice Of any com
/ mittee. and shall refer such questions Z
the Board Of Education for final ruling
( and
"Be IL further resolved that the presi
dent is requested 20 secure and submit
the recommendations and applications q
at least five men suitably qualified Z
serve in the capacity Of business directo