Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-08
DR.. SIMON DECIDES
! TO ACCEPT POST
ASSCHOOL HEAD
ANNOUNCES New Policy OF
Board of Education Will
Be RECONCILIATION"

After a week Of serious considera-
ton, DR.. Abram Simon today notified
members of the board of education
that he would accept the presidency
of that body, to which office he was
unanimously elected last Thursday. In
accepting the post, DR.. Simon point
ed out that he would be able to devote
only the minimum of time to his
school duties.
The new policy of the board. DR..
Simon stated, would be based on one
of reconciliation" He also emphat-
1cally stipulated that he accepted the
Office with the distinct understanding
that it's tenure shall be limited by his
assurance that the new administration
is moving happily on the road 10
unity and achievement"
Letter to Board Members.
Dr. Simon sent the following letter
TO board members, in which he an
nounced his acceptance of the presl-
dency:
Election to the presidency Of the
board Of education came to me un-
sought High compliment as it is, 1t
carries along it's own weight of labor,
responsibility and vexation. Nor am
unmindful of the experience that
those who commend today may tear
me to tatters tomorrow. This is one
of the hazards of public life. My re-
luctance to accept the proffered cleo
ton was due to a long-held conviction
that a minister of religion in active
service ought not be the executive
head of the public's educational sys-
tenn. The splendid reaction OF the
community warrants me In believing
that no such fear or suspicion is en-
tertained toward me. 1 accept this
Il ,ct; got dar q n RI n
that its tenure shall be limited by my
assurance that the new administration
is moving happily on the road to unity
and achievement. With the idea or
saving myself unnecessary pressure
! and worry. I desire to make the three
following statements:
Il. The policy of reconstruction must
be based on one of reconciliation
No one is friend of the schools who
now glorieS in his former hostility. The
: best way to bury our grievances is not
. to rehearse them. Joyous acquiescence
in the new order may taste like a bitter
pill; yet it's disciplinary value is not to
be slightingly ignored. Some bitters are
fine tonics. DR.. Ballou has staked his all
f. upon this new venture. If we cannot
give him a sincere and undivided 10y
| atty. a suspended judgment is the least
! to be asked of sensible people. The
operation of our new administration
merits the cooperation of the entire
community.
"2 The president OF the board of
! education calls the attention of the
! community to the fact that the Frank
lin School is not located on Cathedral
avenue. Whatever in the nature of
things belongs to the department of the
superintendent or his assistants must
first receive their consideration before
IT will win any encouragement at the
hand of the board. Later on certain
stated Office hours will be instituted at
the Franklin School
80. l am not pledged to any person.
power or policy. but to a determined
execution of the greater school bet
torment program. A proper appraisal
of the labors of the outgoing admin
iStration is vitiated by our too close
proximity to the factors involved A
long perspective will, doubtless, throw
into relief fairly ascending line of
prideful accomplishment To the
clever slogan OF DR.. Ballou, Hats off
:. to the past, coats Off to the future
3 let me humbly add, Hands off for the
present."
To Confer With DR.. BallOu.
DIR. Simon will hold conference
with DR.. Frank W. Ballou, the new
superintendent of schools, when he
returns here Monday. The new school
board head then will leave Washing
ton on vacation trip and will not
return until August Is.
Everything relative to school af-
fairs" DR.. Simon said today, will be
put in first-clasS running order before
/ leave, and there will be no need for
a board meeting until the first week
in September" The next regular
meeting of the board is scheduled for
September 1.