davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1920-03-04
Board Decided on More
General School Survey.

Following the receipt of the pre-
liminary survey report, the board de-
cided by resolution to go on with a
more general survey. In conference it
was decided to ask the bureau for the
details to be covered; in public it re-
quested the bureau to go ahead. With
the expectation of conference, which
would have permitted discussion of
the matter of added demands on al
ready everburdened teachers and
other factors. l raised no objection. In
time letter detailing the scope Of
the survey was received from the bu-
reau. and a conference with the head
OF the bureau was asked. Although
the president of the board has an
nounced, / believe, in the press that
the general survey is going right on.
no conference has been held-at least
none to which l have been invited. At
no stage was the matter taken up
with me properly as administrative
officer
1T is well recognized by educational
authorities that the most worthwhile
board member is man accustomed to
handle large business matters enec-
lively and promptly. During the pc
ROO OF my superintendency there have
Deen IN the board membership flve ex-
cepfionally we'll known and highly re-
spected citizens, all broad men of af-
fairs and all men active in civic in
tereste Each one. l believe, has
served on more than one board OF di-
Iectors OF business or other instltu-
t1ons' Each one has served as a re-
Evening star., 1920-03-04

tions. for such action necessarily han
dicaps the superintendent and weak
ems his authority while not lessening
his legal responsibility. In my eX-
perience. it leads to candidates ap-
preaching board members, and seok-
ing board influence with or against
the superintendent. l have more than
once learned from board members of
the candidacy of individuals for ap-
pointment or promotion before the
latter have applied to the superin-
tendent. who is the nominating power.
have suffered from board pressure.
One member for wears constantly
named her candidates for vacancies
in the force under my direction. Other
members have done il more or less.
II my choice fell elsewhere ! have
found seemingly organized opposition
in the board when my nomination was
presented. Naturally. when strug-
CLING to select wisely on professional
grounds. there is embarrassment in
receiving word of a board member 5
choice before my own nomination is
submitted for board action. Under
such conditions ! do not believe that
board members can properly weigh
my recommends tions. Moreover, per
soma. feeling quickly develops.
Evening star., 1920-03-04
CENSUS TO EMPLOY 500
WAR Department CLERKS
Temporary Employees Will Get
New Jobs Immediately on Ger
tificate of Admission.

Plans have been effected by which
about 500 temporary employees of va
rious bureaus of the War Depart
ment whose services in that depart
ment would soon have to be dis
Lensed with by reason of reduced ap-
preparations will be given immediate
employment in the bureau of census
The latter bureau has given notice
that ii is in urgent need of 500 clerks
and can appoint from 80 to 100 a
day beginning today. The rate of
pay is 1860 per annum. plus the bonus.
making total of $1,000. and it is
stated that there will be opportunity
for rapid promotion.
"A large number of card puncherx
also are to be appointed at 5000 per
annum. plus the bonus. a total of
S1.140> per annum. with opportunity
for rapid promotion based on output
of work. Fifty years is the maximum
age limit for these employees.
Secretary Baker has directed, in
view of the impending reduction In
the force of the War Department. that
as many employees as can be spared
bs given certificates for admission
tc the employment register and
directed to report Immediately. or as
soon as possible. to the Civil Service
Commission for certification to the
bureau of census.
Evening star., 1920-03-04
Compares Boards Duties
to Corporation Management.

Members of boards of education
are directors of large corporation
and should apply the principles of
good corporation management to ed
ucational affairs
Fundamentally. then. board of
In business. deals with general poll
cies but ought not attempt to usurp
the function of the administrative Off
Ger. the superintendent
With the general principles here
Ia1d down l am in entire accord
Measured by these standards, I feel I
can say most positively that I have
not failed to properly cooperate with
the board of education. If certain
members of the board had believed in
these principles. and had earnestly
striven to work under them, there
would he today no material differences
between the superintendent and the
board. Unshackled, he could have
shown his full power. Il the school
board now came to recognize these
principles all differences could now
be wiped out and we could work TO-
it would not now be necessary for me
to discuss certain factors in our re-
lations which. for the boards sake,
I would prefer to leave untouched
II was appointed teacher in the
high schools in September, 1894. In
| succession, l served as high school
head Of department. supervising prin-
cipal of a division of grade schools
and assistant superintendent. On jan
| uary 1. 1914. became superintendent
of schools. filing the unexpired term
of DR.. Davidson. On July 1. 1914. be-
gan a full term. without board op-
position. On July 1. 1917, I entered
another term after severe opposition,
headed by Dr. Van Schaick. My cheif
J administrative assistants were, and
are. Mr.. S. f. Kramer. candidate for
superintendent in 1914. who. on my
election. sought the assistant super
intendency. and Mr.. r. G. Bruce. for
| the colored schools. Mr.. Bruce was in
Office at the time of my election.
Evening star., 1920-03-04
Quotes From American
School Board Journal.
Prom an editorial. American School
Board journal, November. 1916:
..1 pp0fpE EccJyJ> pit L.

Prom an editorial. American School
Board journal, November. 1916:
"'A PROGRESSIVE RULE.
"'Thc Salt Lake City school board
has adopted resolution which ,ap-
peals TO us as expressing policy
that should be universally accepted
!, 1t is. in fact. policy that must be
fixed part of the working system of
every school board if true efficiency
and progress are to be continuously
in force. The rule reads:
"fteSolved. That the Superintend-
ent of schools be given general super
vision of the entire system under the
direction of the board. and that he be
the administrative officer of the
board"
The purpose of the members Of
the Salt Lake hoard is to give the su-
perintendent the broadest power in
the educational management of the
schools. including initiative in the ap-
polntment of teachers. the arrange
mont of courses. etc. The board is to
""ntiE' it's activities most largely to
the outlining of general policies, and
to financial and business matters In
educational questions il is to limit it,
self to disapproval or approval of the
Super'ntendent's action. It's attitude
Will be advisory rather than dicta-
educational engineer and the board
members will be the directors of the
school corporation
'E. p. Cubberlv states in his Public
School Administration, after review
ing certain types of the invasion of
the administrative field by board
members: 'All of these cases of over
activity on the part of board members
and board committees arise from a
confusion as to what the members
were elected to do. A school board is
elected primarily as a board of school
control. to determine policies, select
experts. approve new undertakings
and determine expenditures. and the
members transform it into a board of
supervision for the detailed oversi ght
of the work of the schools This no
hoard of laymen should undertake to
do
."E. c. Moore in How New York
City Administers It's Schools states of
the board of education: It's functions
are not executive. but Legislative. de-
Lucrative. advisory and report hear
ings In the nature Of the case. being
a lay body. it cannot itself run the
schools ''e
Miss r. Winser. board member.
speaking at an n. E. A. meeting at
| New York in 1916. said:
Evening star., 1920-03-04
School Says Board Lau

administrative fields by members of
the board independently and without
authority of the board as a whole.
Matters which could have been clear
ed up by an informal word between
board members and superintendent
have been held for secret session to
force long explanations. l feel that
members of the general force of erl-
ployes have been encouraged to 10
out of the usual routine direct %
board members. Some employees ul-
doubtedly have been confused ~
board procedure, and thus have ten ! ID
to follow channels which are not the
NEST effective for administrative
strength.
immediately on becoming presi :
dent DR.. Van Schaick established an
office next to my own He kept long
office hours daily. He was constantly
calling me in on administrative de
tails He developed policy of re-
ceivlng direct complaints. criticisms.
suggestions properly administrative
in character. Subordinate officials
were and are summoned for confer
ence, and called on for information
touching the school service, and all
without regard to the superintendent.
who. as administrative head. should
be the connecting factor between the
board and the force under his direc-
tion. This procedure has been so
marked as to cause much comment
within and without the system and
among out-of-town visitors l per-
sonally protested this procedure to
DR.. Van Schaick in 1917.
''tndoubted;y the Bruce case is one
of very few real factors for dis
agreement between the superintend.
ent aad certain members of the board.
The Bruce case has been thought of
as involving only the colored schools
Il t,A k1,r u
matter of fact it has been used within
the board as weapon against the
superintendent Of schools. ! am not
going into the matter of the fitness or
unfitness of Mr.. Bruce for the assist :
ant superintendency of colored
schools, although it should be said
that Mr.. Bruce was a storm center
long before my entry into the super
intendency, and l simply inherited the
case.
Evening star., 1920-03-04
Board Always Divided
on Authority of Mr.. Bruce.

During my six years in office there
have been continual complaints oil
Mr.. Bruce's acts and recommendations
frequently of so positive nature
as to require me as administrative
officer to look into Incidents. l soon
discovered that the board was ana
always had been divided as to Mr
Bruce. and that my administrative az
tention to colored affairs on my part
members believed that MIR Bruce
should be given free rein in admins
trative and educational recommends :
tons, with purely pro fo1ma approval
by the superintendent.
The superintendent, however. is
charged by law with tn" 'directioh
and supervision in all matters per-
tanning to the instruction In all the
schools under the board of education
The coIored assistant has charge OF
the colored schools specifically under
the direction of the superintendent
Direct nominating power rests win
the superintendent. not with the as
sistant superintendent. except in
teacher promotions, from class to
class Here the assistant may ortEi-
nate. but the superintendent approves
The law places responsibility and GER
tain power on the superlnfendent; ana
he cannot ignore his responsibilities
even at the desire of board members
However. The colored assistant has
been given extreme consideration by
the superintendent.
"In attempting to administer the
law, ] have been subjected to bitter
personal attack in secret session. and
personal opposition Of board members
may be traced to this cause. / have
never been given freedom in taking
hold of the colored situation. For my
part. I have no desire to dominate the
colored schools. 1 have not the slight
est objection to a separate superin-
tendent for colored schools. and to a
completely separated colored organf-
zation il the community desires 1t.
But this should he brought about by
law and not by ignoring present legal
provisions.
Recently the board. gave the color
ed assistant superintendent. although
subordinate to the superintendent,
seat on the board. 1 believe his pres
ence there, II not strictly Illegal. Is
clearly against the intent of the law.
The superintendent has seat at the
board by legal right. Such provision
Is not made for any other person ex-
cept board members. I have no objec-
tion to the presence of the assista mt
superintendent in conference. His
right to board seat. however. should
be determined by law.
Evening star., 1920-03-04

October I. 1919. was preceded by the
customary board private conference.
of which l received official notice.
These conferences are held in my
office. On attempting to enter at con-
ference time I was met by DR.. Van
Schaick and requested to remain
away from the conference. 1 did so.
although I stated positively that 1
had a right under the law to be
present. What happened is well es-
ia blished. An attempt was made to
place blame for Mr.. Bruce's admins
tration on the superintendent. Mr..
Peyton. in his minority report. says:
On October |. 1919, the chairman of
the special investigating committee
detailed orally from a brief what pur-
ported to be the majority report. At
this meeting the burden of blame for
all failures affecting Mr.. Bruce's ad-
ministration was laid at Mr.. Thurs
tons door. He was arraigned. This
was done. too, during his absence. for
he had been excluded contrary to
law from the meeting
Evening star., 1920-03-04
Object to Participation
in Civic School Meetings.

Il have been astounded to find from
casual and indirect criticism. that cer-
tain members of the board seem to
object to my participation in civic
meetings in the interest of the schools
1t Is a generally recognized duty of a
superintendent of schools to meet the
citizens and to keep the community v
informed as to school conditions
Very properly. therefore. i'm these
times. when conditions are recognized
as serious. I have sought to place bo-
fore the people the most vital needs
the extreme difficulties attending
operation and the most obvious rem
cdies. have not sought to criticise
the board. I have sought continually
to emphasize the important, funda-
mental propositions for school better
ment on which ! thought the commu-
nifty. the schools. the board and the
superintendent could we'll get togeth-
ef. II these were accomplished we
would have the foundation on which
to make other adjustments. have
preached to the text of cooperation
things for which l stand. 1 am seem
ingly not in accord with the board be-
cause l believe the public is vitality
concerned in its schools. that 1t should
know conditions and that it should
have right to express it's real de-
sires-and to have them given con-
sideration by the school authorities.
Indirectly ! am led to believe that
possibly my attitude on school sur
veys may have Influenced board feel
ing toward me. although the board
has not taken up the matter directly
in a critical way
Il made no slightest objection toan
estimate for an appropriation for a
formal survey when this was proposed
by DR.. Van Schaick. Later this was
set aside in favor of informal surveys
by the United States bureau of edu-
cation
Evening star., 1920-03-04
At Loss to Understand
Charge Made by Board.

Il am at a loss to understand what
the board means by unwillingness to
accept responsibility. have not
knowingly refused to accept it. The
facts already stated show have
sought and have. been seriously ham
pered in securing that freedom of ac-
ton and that proper procedure within
the administrative field which is es-
sential to full responsibility. largely
because the consistent policy of the
board officials is that of interference
in administrative detail. Not since
DIR. Van Schaick came on the board
have | had the opportunity to exer-
else my run power as superintendent
except in so far as durin; the period
of the war crisis MIR. George f. Ham
llton. as president, with w'se vision
of the tremendous problems | had to
meet. and with clear recognition of
nv rights and responsibilities. was
able to give me. with the help of GER
tain members. splendid cooperation.
THE superintendent of schools is
the central officer of the system He
is. or should be. organizer and di-
rector of the work Of the schools in
all their different phases and the rep
reSentatiVe of the schools and all the
schools stand for before the people of
the community. His is an intensely
human business. He is in the public
light and subject at all times to sharp
criticism from the system and from
the community. Perhaps no public
officer in community is SO open to
attack It is significant, therefore, in
the present instance that even before
I have uttered anything in my de-
fense I have been made to feel the
general cordial sympathy and coop
Grafton of the community and of the
vast proportion of the force under my
Supervision.
The superintendency of schools in
the District of Columbia is recognized
among educators the country over as
exceptionally difficult and taxing. The
varied relations of authority admin
istrative and financial. the lack of eff
fective force and other well known
factors, make administration difficult
under ordinary conditions. and eX-
ceptionally SO under conditions which
have existed during the last few
years. The superintendent needs and
deserves full cooperation of the
board of education and not opposi-
tion-not for his own sake. but for
the sake of the schools.
Evening star., 1920-03-04

sponsible chief administrative officer.
under boards of directors. They are
men most exceptionally qualified to
Judge wisely the relative duties and
responsibilities of board of educa-
ton and of its superintendent. Two of
the five served as presidents of the
board of education, and three. includ-
ing the two presidents. named. served
terms as vice presidents. These men
understood my problems. my duties
and my responsibilities. ] came TO
have the cordial support and co-opera =
ton of these five. l believe their at
titGde is exceptionally strong testi-
mony as 10 my fitness as a school
administrator
Evening star., 1920-03-04

work. I have extended my confer
ence plan to include not only my
officers and principals. but also rep
resentative councils of teachers
saw to the development of intensive
courses during the war period.
worked for a remarkable develop,
ment of our night school system. for
the Americanization school. for vaca-
ticn schools for the development Of n
experimental platoon school. for the
junior high school. for free grade
school principals. for coaching teach
ers. for the socialized recitation. for
broader use of school plants. for ads-
quate compensation for teachers. for
retirement Legislation. These are
simply some of the factors showing
my progressive attitude and efforts
My annual reports. which have not
received sufficient consideration from
the board. are further evidence of
my leadership.
II hold that my record shows pro-
gressive leadership under conditions
of exceptional difficulty; that it shows
administrative strength in the face
of enormous demand and in spite OF
Inadequate force; that 1t shows a
meeting of emergencies and vital es-
sentials: that responsibility has not
been avoided but sought. and that
with clear conception of the proper
functions of a board of education and
of a superintendent of schools 1 have
not taken any attitude or position
which should justly lead to differ
ences with the board. 1 hold that In
very large measure the community
has realized something of my diff
culties. and given me- its confidence. 4,
support and cooperation. ! hold that
the vast majority Of the force under
me has confidence in me. and that
lack the support only of that group
led by a few leaders who have not
conference 90
but antagonism and domination. And
/ have lacked the support of board
members who have been unwilling to-
accord me the full power which unV
der the law and common custom
should go with full responsibility.
Il submit this statement to this
board as due myself and due the COM
munity. At a later date I possibly
may go more fully into adminis-
trative matters"
Evening star., 1920-03-04
DR.. Van Schaick's Early
Disapproved of School Head.

"On July l. 1916 DR.. Van SchaiCk
became member Of the board and by
a majority of one was elected its
president In a day or so he saw me.
told me the schools were in bad shape
and needed a new superintendent. but
that he would take a year before
finally deciding about me. Long be-
fore the year was up he drafted his
we'll known memorandum, and l un-
derstand that In February. 1917. with
out authority from the board. he was
seeking a new superintendent at the
\. L. a. convention in Kansas city.
'In the spring of 1917 the matter of
my reelection became active and DR..
Van Schaick bitterly opposed me. In
the hope of eliminating me. in some
| way, or of securing my withdrawal.
he called me into r number of private
conferences with him. impressing
upon me my certain defeat. Among
other things he suggested my pOssi
BILE acceptance of various subordinate
positions. Within a few hours of my
reelection he informed me that I
would certainly be defeated, 6 to 3.
All overtureS were positively refused
by me.
"In connection with this contest I
prepared a statement, covering my
general work and my administrative
accomplishments. This was given to
board members. To three. whose per-
companying letter. in which I sated:
"If after reading this statement Of
facts you desire to talk with me, or are
willing to talk with me. / shall deem it
"A privilege to come and see you. I feel
that if there is in the mind of any board
member any real criticism Of the super
intendent, it is right that he should
| know of it in order that he may prove
| his record clear or benefit by wise sug-
gestions.'
mot one of these members gave me
the interview desired Only one
acknowledged the paper. and that verb
ally. These three members voted against
me in 1917. without stated reason, and
| again in 1920. as did DR.. Van Schaick.
None of the four changed their attitude
after the 1917 election, or gave me real
| cooperation In spirit. after l had won
| my reelection in fair fight. and was en-
, titled to the support Of the board. The
cooperation 1 sought was not granted.
| 1t should be made a matter Of record
| that members seemingly sought to avoid
responsibility before the public for their
vote in my 1917 election, by voting in
, secret session and electing me in the
| following unusual way:
Evening star., 1920-03-04
Suffered From Invasion
of Administrative Function.

What | have said does not pre-
clude members from discussing quail
ifications of candidates with the SUI
perintendent. nor suggesting that
&c rtain people he observed or Consld-
cred. A superintendent welcomes tair
conference. He is not seriously dis
tu-bed if. after fair consideration. his
recommendations are sometimes DIS
approved. However. invasion of the
, administrative functions by board
members does not strengthen. but
rather weakens. administration. From
this have suffered.
zone board member not only con-
stantly sought the nomination OF
others. but personally sought the
members own appointment at my
hands to one of our higher paid posi-
tions. So heavily was this members
candidacy pushed that for my protec-
ton and for the boards majority OF
the board members took this action In
February. 1916.
"a ma jorty of the board as at pres
ent constituted are of the opinion
hat no one of it's members should be
considered for any aDpointive office in
the school system under the authority
of the board
MY failure to nominate this mem
her. who is still on the board. is un-
derstood. l believe. to he the main
cause of the members bitter personal
hostility to me.
The secret conferences Of the boa rd
give opportunity for the free express
sion of feeling of board members
against the superintendent in con-
nection with nominations have
been personally attacked and criti-
cised many times. when I was acting
fully under the law. and when a ma
jority of the board could al any time
turn down nomination and force me
to make another. In standing for my
right of nomination. as I have often
had to do. l am not opposing the
board. but am simply seeking to carry
that responsibility the board ella inns
I am trying to avoid.