Evening journal., 1919-01-28

We had hoped on this second funda-
mental issue TO have had a united
agreement with you instead Of And ns
some members Of your committee for
and some against, those recOmmenda-
tions made by our committee. following
our extended study OF this problem.
However, we are most hopeful that
as the subject progresses In It's public
discussion, we can all eventually unite
upon the principle Of a smaller board,
all OF the members Of which should be
elected at large. Our study and the
strong recommendations from all over
the United States, including the I'M
portant conviction OF the u. S. Bureau
Of Education, backed UP by It's practl-
cal and satisfactory application In up
wards OF so per cent OF the cities OF
the United States. lead us 10 the def
mite conviction that the ward system
Of election, producing a larger board.
with its extended tendency to commit
tee administration, Is much less et-
fective form OF organization than a
small compact board, elected at large.
"Here again we are comparing sys-
TENS and in no wise individuals, or the
personnel Of the present board with
prospective boards. IL Is but human
| that we should see anyone elected by a
particular constituency more responsive
10 that particular group Of citizens. An
inqulring citizen can naturally feel un-
der the ward system direct touch with
but one member Of the Board OF Educa-
tlon, whereas in a five member board,
elected at large, the citizen has a full
right OF approach TO any and all OF the
Ave members on any questions directly
concerning him, since every member OF
city-wide board Is elected by and re-
sponslble to the whole citizenship Of
the city.
I'VE realize that In some sections OF
our city there may be found feeling
that the citizen believes he can have a
better school system for the education
Of his children through such a ward
elected board But there are so many
sections Of our city which are so lily
provided with school buildings and
equipment as you are well aware
which conditions have existed for years.
that IL Is well TO note the practical ex-
perlence in many other cities through
out the United States. In these cities
we flnd that the change from the ward
system TO the city large election
method has promptly bropght about q
study on the part Of the whole board
N the sections provided with the poor
est school facilities. so as to bring up
Il the standards OF education uniformly
throughout the city.
This result obtained In the election
at-large system has been proven IN so
many cities that II would appear TO
meet any reasonable criticism that the
ward system provides a method Of bet
ter attention TO the interests OF specific
districts.
I'VE therefore urge as pre-eminently
important the establishment Of board
/. elected at large, each member OF which
is responsible TO all sections Of the city
at all times.
I'VE are pleased 20 advise you. after
submitting these principles back TO the
= thirty-seven organizations OF our city
, whose delegates constitute the Citl
5 Committee on Public Schools, that W,
3 have within the week secured actions
. OF endorsement from twenty-four, tht
! names OF which are shown on the at
tached list. There has so far been M
. rejection OF the recommendations pre-
e pared by the City Committee on Publi
Y schools, and we are waiting to hea
0 the action Of the other organization
making up the committee as rapidly a
e they the able 10 consider the principle
: In the new act.
1--WE are pleased TO hand you this ful
! statement and report and to further as
for continuance OF your interest an
cooperation that has been so greatl
appreciated by ell Of US.
Yours very truly,
CHARLES WARNER.
Chairman City Committee on Publ
= Schools"
The following organizations, up-to
= date. have endorsed the City Committe
: -,-o-t Chamber NJ Commerce, CentrS
Labor Union, Jewish Community, Pic
/, ism Community, Rotary Club, Youn
. Mems Christian Association. Whining
ton High School Alumni, Juvenile CouT
Association. Young Women's Christis
Association. Social Service Club. Junio
, League. OF Wilmington, City Feders
/, tion of Colored Women. Church Clu
Of Delaware. Westminster Club, (Har
over Churct), ST. James otherhoot
ST Andrews Mems Club, Mems Clul
Emmanuel Church, Woman's Commit
tee Council OF Defense. Delaware Assc
citation OF College Women, Unity Clul
!, Consumers League. New Century Clul
, Daughters OF American Revolution
! WiIm ngton Section. Council OF JEWS
: Women, Washington Heights Clui
B'nevolent Pioneer Literary Associa
ton.
{ n. Thomas o. Cooper spoke assins
n the City Committee bill, saying he wa
9 opposed to election at large OF boar