The Washington times., 1920-07-01

AGAINST SIMON
Rabbi Is Unanimously Chosen
At School Board Reorgan-
ization Meeting.
EULOGY FOR VAN SCHA!Ck
Retiring President Admits He
May Have Made Mistakes
In Administration.

The Rev. DR.. Abram Simon, rabbi
of the Washington Hebrew Congre-
cation, today, by unanimous vote,
was elected president of the Board
Of Education, succeeding John van
Schaick, jr., who served in that ca
pacity during the last two years.
Or. Henry Barrett Learned was re-
elected vice president of the school
board.
This action was taken at a reor-
ganization meeting of the board held
at Franklin School building this
morning. At this same meeting the
oath of office was administered to
Dr. Frank w. Ballou. recently elected
superintendent of schools to succeed
| Ernest l.. Thurston.
The reorganiZed board today put
| itself on record as satisfied with the
| character and the educational and
administrative efficiency" of Roscoe
c. Bruce, assistant superintendent OF
colored schools. The board turned
| the Bruce case over to DR.. Ballou,
stating it would act upon any express
| sion from him.
A recess of the board was declared
until the first Wednesday Of Septem-
ber. ~
| BALLOU TELLS POLICY.
fit.1Ay administration of the public
tschools of the District will be guided
by the one purpose of providing the
| best education for the children Of the
District" Superintendent Ballou de-
clared in a statement addressed to
members of the board and people OF
the District Of Columbia. He read the
statement at the meeting.
DR.. Learned. who occupied the chair
in the absence of DR.. Simon, who now
is in Rochester, n. Y, introduced into
the meeting a short statement Of ap-
probation by the board for the work
of Van Schaick.
'The present members Of the Board
| OF Education wish to record a simple
tribute Of respect and admiration for
DR.. John Van Schaick, jr.." reads the
statement. After four years of
faithful, although interrupted, service
in aiding us toward the promotion OF
the interests of public school educa-
ton in the District Of Columbia, he
now retires from the presidency OF
the board"
Van Schaick. in reply, said:
'In relinquishing my office l wish
to express my very hearty thanks for
the unfailing support of my col
leagues and the splendid service they
have rendered. l offer my best wish
es for the futures. / wish also to
record an expression Of sincere coed
will for all employees of the public
school system"
VAN SCHAICK PRESIDED.
After an executive conference the
school board came into open session
| a few minutes past II o'clock. Van
| Schaick presided. The first business
was to administer the oath of office
to Superintendent Ballou. Oaths Of
office were also administered to DR..
Learned and Mrs. Coralie +. Cook, re-
Gently appointed to succeed themselves
as members of the Board Of Educa-
tion..
| Van Schaick then announced the
| next business was to reorganize the
board for the coming year and that
nominations for president were in
order
81 nominate DR.. Abram Simon as
president of the Board of Education"
said DR.. Learned, "Dr. Simon has
served on the board for eight months,
and, while in sor,e respects we have
disagreed with him, he has shown
himself to be an admirable and clean
| hearted man. / do not think we
could choose better man to head
the board"
DR.. ]. Hayden Johnson seconded
the motion, saying: DIR. Simon, dur
ing his time on the board. has kept
his balance and shown himself to be
htted to guide the education OF the
children of the District. / second
his nomination"
The vote was unanimous. Those
voting were Van Schaick, Learned,
| Mrs. Rhodes, and DR.. Johnson.
Van Schaick kept tho chair and
| Continued on Page 13, Column ~