Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-05-03
mrs. L|NGELBACH
REPLIES TO WOLF
Woman Member Taxes Excep-
= ton to Charges Made Against
Board of Education
DEFENDS HER POSITION

Indictment of the Board of Education
for being "autocratlc and completely
under the domination Of that astute
politician. Simon Gratz, has brought
n sharp comeback from Mrs. William
Z. Lingelbach, the only woman member.
The attack on the make up OF the
board and its method Of functioning was
made by Edwin Wolf. former president
Of the board, who resigned last jan
uary. and who has just made his reasons
for doing so public. :,
Mrs. Iingelbach. whose unfitness
for her position called for sharp criti-
cism from Mr.. Wolf, was the only mem :
Der Of the board who would go into
Mr.. VOLTS statement Of conditions and
reply in full.
VOLTS series of charges were that Mr..
Cratz. who is now president, completely
dominated the board by his thorough
knowledge Of the boa, d's business; that
there are well defined political and 80:
cial rings" in the boara. and that
Mrs. Lingelbach was particularly nn-
suited for membership because she knew
nothing Of financial duties.
Mrs. Lingelbach said
Calls Statement "Tirade"
"I read Mr.. Wolf's TRADE and the
most illogical thing Of all that he said
was this: He asserts that business
men, professional men. and even poll :.
ticians can easily solve problems OF
school men and that the board is com
petcnt to determine courses OF study,
qualifications of teachers and techni-
cal educational matters. ,
"Yet while he would have the board
do all these things having to do with
the education of children he makes
financial skill the criterion upon which
he would pick its members: Does he
think a school director need know moth 1.
ing else but finance, or that n school
board has nothing more, important to
do than decide how much It shall cost
to educate the children Of the city?
Couldn't finance committee take
care of money matters. and leave room
for school directors on the board who
know something and care something
about how children are to be taught!
wonder. Just what are the qualifications
of Mr.. Wolf himself and certain other
members of the board? He carried
economy to extremes when he was q
member. and wanted to do away with
school doctors and nurses, In order to
save money, although the bsst educa :
tion thought in the country has shown
that medical care OF children Is q great
advance step. Mr.. Wolf is opposed to
modern methods. and supposed he was
referring to progressive steps which are
being advocated when he talked about
social influences which put me on the
board. I don't know what in the world
he did mean by domestic influences"
Is Against Politics
In regard to Mr.. VOLTS suggestion
that the schools be put under municipal
authority. Mrs. Lingclbach said:
"All over the country, leading edu
Gators are trying to get schools sepa
rated from politics and have a national
ministry Of education. so that they will
not be subordinate to any other infiu
cnce. Yet here Mr.. Wolf would like ia
throw them further into politics, aud
have a director controlled by a mayor,
running them. subordinate to every po
litical influence. Certainly have never
heard Of any authority on education
anywhere favoring such scheme.
~ hope there will soon be another
woman member Of the board"