The Washington times., 1920-01-03
DRIVE OPENS
FOR SCHOOLS
Seven D. C. Organizations
Launch Campaign to Secure
Betterments From Congress.

Seven prominent District orsani-
cations united last night to take part
In a campaign to better the condi-
tions in Washington's public schools.
With the appointment Of an executive
council OF fourteen persons, Charles
got under way.
More than 100 representatives OF
these organizations gathered for
conference In the board room OF the
District building last night. William
b. Westlake. president Of the Fed
GRAFTON OF Citizens Association. and
temporary chairman OF the confer
ence, presided. He introduced Ern-
est l.. Thurston, superintendent OF
schools, who briefly outlined the sit
uation in the school system.
Accept womes's Help.
II was announced following Mr..
Thurston's talk that the Federation
of women's Clubs, Women's City
Club and the Congress OF Mothers and
Parent-Teachers' Association were
desirous of joining with the Fedora
ton OF Citizens Association. Rotary
Club Board of Trade and Chamber OF
Commerce in the drive to improve the
local educational system. The offers
of these associations were accepted
and the representatives became a part
OF the conference.
For more than an hour and haif
the conference consisted of nothing
but live discussion. with seemingly a
division of thought among several
factions. A resolution was introduced
which would urge the Board OF Ed
ucation to throw away its reorganiza-
tion plan. After much discussion the
resolution was passed.
Name Executive Council.
After much wrangling, the confer
ence got down to business. 1t was
suggested. and the suggestion was
carried out, that an executive council
be formed to have the power to map
out all plans for a drive for better
school conditions. 1t will be drive
to put before Congress the facts con-
corning the school situation. Mem
bers OF the committee said they felt
sure that Congress would recognize
the conditions and take steps to rem
edy them IL they learn of the real sit
uation from a representative body OF
citizens, which is only desirous of
urging, not demanding, Congfiress to
aid the situation.
The following committee was named
as the executive council: Charles !.
Corby, Rotary Club, chairman: Ro-
land S. Robbins. president, Rotary
Club; Capt. James F. Oyster and Roy
c. Claflin, Board of Trade: Col. Rob-
ert N. Harper and DR.. Arthur Ram
say, Chamber OF Commerce; w. b.
Westlake and Jesse C. Suter, FEEDER
alton of Citizens Associations; Miss
Mary O'Toole and Mrs. Ellen Spencer
Mussey, Wonan's City Club; Mrs.
Howard Hodgkins and Miss Elizabeth
Il. Reese, Federation of Women's
Clubs, and Mrs. Giles Scott Rafter
and Mrs. Henry Spottswood. of the
Congress of Mothers and Parents
Teachers Association. This committee
is composed of presidents and chair
men OF school committees OF the var
ious organizations.
John Barrett Speaks.
The executive committee will meet
at the call OF Mr.. Corby In a few
days to map out details of the move
ment. h-
John Barrett, secretary general OF
the Pan-American Union, spoke for
several minutes. He told the con-
ference that he had enlisted several
Congressman in the campaign to aid
the District schools by obtaining prom
ises of the men to push any legis-
lation through Congress. He also
stated that In a recent trip to st.
Louis he had obtained a promise from
the school people there to urge their
representatives in the Capital to vote
for any Legislation which might help
the local school situation.
A representative OF the Southern
Sociological Congress was present and
stated the congress wished to CO.
operate in the drive.