The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-19

tend to keep many efficient men from this position by reason of their ur- willingness to enter politics. This is not the case with appointments
 Viewing it from another angle, why shouldn't the boards of education of Mobile, Montgomery and other Ala bama chies be included.
 Personally am opposed to this leg isation," said E. B. Irwin, mainly be- cause, of the fact that it would not achieve the desired effect of filling these important positions with the best men fitted for the post. With politics figur- ing prenoninently in the matter. it is plain to be seen that this would have a depressing effect on educational mat ters in the city, and would result in low- ering of the present high standard of the Birmingham public school svsten.''
 PUBLIC IS COMPETENT
 Commissioner Henry P. Burruss, in giving reasons yesterday why he thinks the city board of education should be elected by the people instead of being appointed by the commissioners declared that the public is in every way com- potent to elect the members of the board.
 'I consider that the public is just as competent to elect the members of the city board of education as it is to elect the board of commissioners, the judges and other officials" the commissioner of public improvements and former edu- cator said.
 "I favor a popular election because it would give democratic basis to the educational system and would place the public in responsive attitude toward the board.
 "As far as placing the schools in poll tics is concerned I will say this: There is politics that is open and frank and there is politics that is secret, and rkA%I l~ O1A &Svv~ Lwrk . k1<A pie or appointive by a board, politics plays its part. It would not do so any more were the election placed in the hands of the people.
 "You hear a lot of talk about board being better able to select a business man. In my opinion the men <pelected by the people would on the average be just as good in business and in every other way as those selected by the mem- bers of the city commission.
 '1 have always favored popular election of the school board. Since be- coming a member of the city commission favor it more strongly than ever''
 RESPONSIBLUE TO PEOPLE
 Walter oMore favors the passage of the Benners amendment. He said: sI am heartily in favor of the amendment proposed by MT Benners, which would cause the board of education of Bir- mingham to be. elected by a popular vote of the people instead of being ap- pointed by the city commission. In my mind there could be no fairer way of selecting the members of the board than to have them elected by the people They are responsible for the proper education of the peoples children in the schools of Birmingham, and it is only right that the people should be able to show their appreciation or dissatisfaction If the acts of the board do not meet with their approval.
 Certainly such a method is demo- cratic. I can see no reason why any one should oppose this change. The county board of education shows that popular election can give just as able a board as the selective method. If the present board of education is capable and efficient and has shown itself so there is no reason for 1t to fear going before the people for vindication. And If it has not done this there is every rea- son why there should be changes.-