The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-01-21
Unanimous Opinion Re.
vealed by Interviews on
City Superintendency.
SHOULD ASK EXPERT
EDUCATORS TO HELP
MiSsOula Men and Women
One in Urging Counsel
From University.
MAKE haste slowly, and be guild
ed in your selection Of superin
tsndent Of schools by the advice
Of educators like Chancellor E. c.
Elliott and President e. o. Sis

tsndent Of schools by the advice
Of educators like Chancellor e. c.
Elliott and President e. o. Sis
son."
That is .he message of Missoula peo-
pie to, the school trustees of District
No. /. 1t is the composite of inter-
views given to the Missoulian yester
day by men and women representing
all classes in the city in regard to the
avowed intention of the school board
not to re-elect ]. L. Williams city su
perntendent of schools.
Interested People Avoided.
The Missoulian carefully avoided in
terviewing persons connected in any
way with the State University or the
public schools. The paper asked '.the
plain people"--if representatives of all
opinions and classes can be so called
what they thought the board should
do if the election meeting tomorrow
evening sees J. l.. Williams not re-em
ployed.
Answer Is Unanimous.
The answer was unanimous. Many
of those asked for interviews declined
To speak for publication, some because
of friendship for some of the men men
toned as candidates for the position.
others because of intense anger over
the treatment of the present superin-
tendent. But every one. without Il sin
gle exception, either privately or tor
qualifications said that the board should
do two things:
I. Act without haste.
2. Seek the advice Of educators
and be guided by it.
The common feeling was that no
beard of trustees, no matter how cap
able, is competent TO select the right
man for a position demanding profea-
sional ability and experience.
Need Best Man Available.
.'Missoula," said almost ali Of the in
tcrviewed men and women, in sub
stance, lis growing city. The schools
are the most important institutions
here. We ought to have the biggest,
most competent man we can find as
superintendent of schools"
There was in the persons spea'.ins
and in the Missoulian no disposition 10
disparage the Missoula men mentioned
as candidates for the position. j'he
common feeling was that these men
and all other candidates should be con-
that II none of them measures up 10
the requirements of the position, the
advising educators should suggest can
ddates.
Resentment 10 Revealed.
The interviews revealed the exist
ence of widespread resentment, pro-
yeked by the boards announcement
that j. L. Williams will not be re-
elected Several persons refused to
speak for publication. saying that their
opinions wouldn't do to print" These
men and women declared that they
consider the boards action unfair ant
unwarranted. and indicated that the
fight is not over. Many others ap.
proved of the decision.
But on the one issue which the Mis-
soulian presented opinion was abso-
lutely unanimous-an amazing condi-
tion. Though all shades of opinior
were expected. there were no shades
at all. Only one opinion was found
That opinion is indicated by the fol-
lowing interviews:
Mayor n. T. Wiikinson.-"The seiec-
-- ton Of a superintendent of our schools
is of vital importance to every parent
and citizen. as this department of 'dr
educational institutions is the one ir
which the children receive their initia
training. Sufficient time SHOULD b.
given this matter in order that ths
trustees may have the opportunity ol
conferring with educators Of estab-
lished reputation in their profession
50 that we may have the best avail
able man for this important position
z. }. Erfsrt, Orchard Homes.--Th'
suggestion that the trustees conside
this matter carefully is very good
They should take expert advice from
the state University people and from
educators outside. We want ma:
big enough for the job"
Mrs. Emma G. Dickinson. Missouia'
first school teacher, 345 Woodford.-
We must not have just anyone a
cur superintendent Of schools. We nee'
a good. strong man. especially on &C
count of the war. And the board ough
by all means to avail itself Of exper
advice from the State University"
James L. Wallace, lawyer, 14t7 Phil
lips.--The position is too important t
fill hastily. The school board shoul
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