New-York tribune., 1918-04-21
Educators Demand Board
End Secret Sessions in
Considering Candidates
New Superintendent
To Have Wide Power
1t Is Charged Candidates
Here Do Not Measure Up
to Required Standard

fusal last week Of President Somers' s
tentative offer of the city school super
intendency. an increasing demand has
been gaining headway in local educa-
tional circles that the board now come
unqualifedly out into the open and take
the public into its confidence in all
further consideration of candidates.
"In a matter so vitally affecting the
interests Of the entire community"
said William G. Wilcox, late president
Of the Board Of Education. "the people
Of this city should have full opportu-
nifty to Judge of the recommendations
and qualifications Of any candidate
proposed or supported by any members
Of the Board of Education. 1t would
be disaster to the city, for which we
should pay dearly for years to come,
if any unfit candidate were to be ap-
pointed to this position, and public
opinion should get behind President
Somers and back him up in insisting
that only the best man available is
good enough for superintendent Of our
public schools"
Public in Dark, Says Martin
The same note was sounded by John
Martin, one of the strongest and most
active members of the old board. in
response to a canvass of noted New
York educators taken during the last
two days by The Tribune. In signed
statement Mr.. Martin said:
"Before the Board of Education
makes its final choice of superin-
tendent of schools it should tell the
public what persons it has under ooa-
sideration. Thus far the parents and
in this decision have no information
beyond the letter of DR.. Finley given
out by President Somers-as to the
names under consideration.
"Surely the Board of Education
should take the city into it's conf
dence and give opportunity for a gen.
eral expression of opinion concerning
the suitability of the persons it has
in view The confidence and previous
approval of the general public would
be a great asset to any superintendent
who might be selected.
"When the president Of the board
has displayed sincere wish to find a
superintendent of conspicuous merit" i"
the statement continues, cit would be
an affront to the parents of the city
were the board to proceed to an elec-
tion in secret and without any oppor-
tunity for the public appraisal of the
candidates"
DR.. McNiurray Against Secret Sessions
Equally strong in opposition to the
system of secret deliberation which the
present Board of Education thus far
has been pursuing in this matter was
DR.. Frank NJ. McMurray, professor Of
elementary education at Teachers
College, Columbia.
"Open discussion is obviously the
way out of the present dilemma" de-
clared he. "It is the democratic way
and this is the day of democracy
Secret diplomacy is going by the board
in international affairs; why should it
not also be discarded in educational
affairs? The answer is that it should
Educational administration has. in
many ways, Jagged too far behind the
general march of events. Here is q
golden opportunity for it to catch ur
and come abreast of the times. Ano
it is also an opportunity where, in do.
ing SO, it can confer an incalculable
benefit upon the community-a bene
fit that will bear fruit in life and spirit
and training and morale for years tt
come"
In all of these statements, however
the spokesman were careful to poin
out that no specific criticism of the
present board was necessarily intend
ed. Where, a week ago, the rumor.
coming out of the Board of Education ,.
meetings had admittedly given rise tt
lively apprehensions in educationa
circles, President Somers's unheraldee
offer of the superintendency to DR.
Finley did much to restore confidence
AT the same time, in view of DR.. Fin
ley's declination of the office, fears ap
pear to have arisen in. many quarters
that, set back once again practically t<
where it started, the board-howevel
well-meaning-may be betrayed intt
an unfortunate shortcut through the
very plethora of candidates at its dis
posal.
Tint Opposes Local Candidates
Much OF this thought was epitomizet
by Henry N. Tiff, a man who. befor,
ms career at the bar, served as
teacher in the New York schools, VIII,
has always maintained the keenest in
terest in educational matters. and who
after long service as chairman of tn,
local School Board. acted as Presiden
OF the Board of Education during 1870
and 1905 -''
ITO lay down as general principle
the rule that the Board Of Educatio,
should hold its deliberations in tn
open," said he, "might. It seems f. f.
me, not be altogether advisable. !
you have the right men you don't nee.
open forums. The right men will d.
their duty honestly as they see il
whether they meet in secret or out il
Central Park.
AT the same time, the present stu
alton presents special features. Tn,
appointment which the board is calle,
upon to make Is, as everyone recog