New-York tribune., 1918-05-02
Two Members Of Board Of
Education Refuse
to Vote
Will Serve a Full
Term of Six Years
No Revolutionary Changes
or Sweeping Reorgani-
cations Contemplated

With its president and one other
member, Mrs. Isaac Russell, refusing to
vose. the Board of Education met in
executive session yesterday afternoon
md elected DR.. William L. Ettinger to
tbe $4,000 post of City Superintendent
Of Schools.
Inst before the election President
somers surprised both the board and
,he large audience by announcing that
instead Of being elected simply to fill out
fe remaining four years of DR.. Will
liam H. Maxwell's unexpired term, the
rev incumbent would, under the law,
hold Office for full term of six years.
AIMING S. Prall, real estate broker
II Staten Island, thereupon placed DR..
vttinrer's name before the board in a
eulogistic speech. Vice-President Frank
D. Wilsey, of the Bronx. seconded the
nomination. George F. Ryan, the
oueens member whose vote Monday
decided the contest, then arose and an
nounced that he, too, would like the
priyilege of seconding DR.. Ettinger's
name. After which Mr.. Wilsey moved
that the nominations be closed.
Balloting Was Brief
The balloting occupied less than two
minutes. At the last instant Congress
man Joseph Yeska, who until yester-
day had favored DR.. Edward Shallow
for the superintendency, decided to
Join with the ajority, making the final
eount FIVE votes for DR.. Ettinger, with
two blanks.
Mr.. Prall announced the boards de-
eision while President Somers, beside
him, remained seated. Mr.. Prall then,
accompanied by Congressman Yeska,
disappeared into the board room and
returned leading DR.. Ettinger.
In his speech of. acceptance the new
hesd Of the New York school system
said:
Y am deeply sensible of the great
honor and the tremendous response
bility attached to the ;llustrious Office
to which you have elected me. With
feelings Of prayerful humility 1 accept
this sacred trust.
Relying on your cooperation and
support, relying also on the coopera-
ton Of the executive officers of this
board, and, above all, relying on the
loyal support and cooperation of the
members OF the supervising and teach
ing staff and of the Board of Superin-
tendents, l pledge my best efforts to
me reallzation of policies to be die
children of our great city"
President Somers then rose slowly
and said:
AThis marks the most important
work that any Board of Education in
this city has had to perform in twenty
years. You have selected new Super
intendent Of Schools to father a great
system of 100000 children and $4,000
teachers. He is now the head of that
system, and as such is clothed with
tremendous powers. This board has
elected him, and I am sure l speak for
this entire board, and l trust l speak
aor the entire system and for all who
sre concerned with the welfare of our
ssenoois, when l extend to him the
neartest and most cordial support of
!nis board, to the end that his admin
Mtration may meet with the greatest
success and realize all the hopes which
We all repose in it,
immediately afterward DR.. Ettin-
ssrs assistant, William A. Grady, hand
ed out statement of the new Super
hiendent's policy.
BEGINNING with tho osg,,~r,o. xL.A
90 revolutionary changes or sweeping
organizations" are contemplated. the
s'stement goes on to advocate higher
gay Tor teachers, better school build
,ags and bridging of the present
nlatus that exists between the ele-
,mensary schools and the high schools"
Mucn emphasis is laid on the need for
oemocratizing the schools" and on the
Importance of vocational training in the
scneme of national life that will sue
seed the war.
rivals Congratulate Ettinger
rihe Inc first man to congratulate DR..
SMinger was DIR. Shallow, for weeks his
Nai Tor the place. Close behind him
,n ,as Dr. Gustave Straubenmuller, act
CITY superintendent for the last
..ss ..u: years, whose services in this ca
ssseity the board rewarded with a vote
y appreciation and two months
'ssse OF absence with pay.
..1: nIter DR.. Straubenmuller, the other
IS Instant city superintendents, except
M 4 walsh and DR.. Mellany, who were
sssent, followed in turn. They would
however, express any opinion on
= appointment.
M - nominating DR.. Ettinger, Mr.. Prall
sc Ae oi MIN as one who would inspire
~ saMMdence and hope in the future of
ess ~ New MMew York school system through
~ ~ tne length and breadth of the land
SSs,nt az INTO the trenches of France" He
Ns;ns sNss,s at length upon the quality of DR..
;Ganger's Americanism and his famil-
t;.ay t;,y with New York, stressing par
tsS;lariy his handling of vocational
sining and part time problems.
A. :. Fraii also read list of the uuali-
ssr ~ which New York City school
sSsetlntendent 81 should possess, as drawn
py Professor John Dewey. of Co
npia, and signed by Professor
Sxsy; Professor Frank McMurrav' Of
sners' College, Columbia: Dean
xsemas Ballet, Of New York Uniyer.
f ana Professor Stephen F. Duggan.
900