Evening star., 1920-03-10
VAN SCHA|CK TOLD
JUSTICES OF STAND
AGAINST THURSTON
Admits to Senators He Did
Wrong in Informing D. c.
Supreme Court Members.
DENIES 1T WAS TO AID
HIS OWN APPOINTMENT
Says Commissioners Should Name
School Board-Opposes Elec-
ton by People.

ton by People.
DIR. John Van schaick. jr.. under
cross-examnation today, testified to
the Senate select committee investi-
eating the public schools that he had
transmitted to the justices of the Dis
trict Supreme Court q memorandum
opposing the reelection of Supt.
Thurston in 1917.
That he had been wrong in this
course. DR.. Van Schaick freely admit
it again.
In defense of his action in laying
before the justices who appoint the
members of the board of education of
the District this memorandum. DR..
Van Schaick said he merely desired
them to have his views on a matter
of great Importance to the schools.
Denies Personal Motives.
DR.. Van Schaick was questioned
closely by Senator Harrison of Missis-
slppi, who wanted to know whether
he had sought to influence the JUS
tices of the Supreme Court to bring
about his own appointment as a MEM
DER OIL the DOarO. DF. van SCnalCk IN
sisted that he had not done SO.
| DR.. Van Schaick told the committee
he believed the appointment of the
| members of the board of education
should be taken from the justices OF
the Supreme Court and placed in
the hands of the District Commits
sioners. He opposed the suggestion
that the members be elected by the
people of the District Of Columbia.
DR.. Van schaick Questioned.
! When the hearing started today Sem
ator Harrison began to question DR..
Van Schaick regarding his appoint
ment as a member of the board OF
education and his election as presi-
dent of the board. DR.. Van Schaick
said that he was appointed member
of the board July l, 1916. and that he
was elected president at the organiza-
tion meeting in July. He said that he
was reelected president in July, 1913,
! after he had returned from Europe
| While he was away the board elected
| George E. Hamilton president.
What was the vote by which you
were elected president in 1916" asked
Senator Harrison.
The vote was 5 to T." replied DR..
Van Schaick. He said that Ernest H.
! Daniel, formerly vice president Of the
board. had been his opponent.
! You really sought the place. thenf''
suggested Senator Harrison.
| 1T would be more proper to say that
members of the board asked me to
permit them to nominate me- was the
| reply.
Did you seek appointment as 2
member of the board of education?'
asked Senator Harrison.
Did Not Seek Appointment.
"I did not" replied DR.. Van Schaick.
Il was much surprised when l saw the
appointment announced in the neWo-,
papers" DR.. Van Schaick insisted that
he did not make an effort to have
himself appointed.
aside from your qualifications how
did your appointment come about?'
asked Senator Harrison.
It was known to have an interest in
civic AFFAIRS was the reply. DR.. Van
Schaick said that he had known prior
to his appointment all hve judges OF
the District Supreme Court. the ap-
pointing body. He said that he knew
particularly well Justices Stafford,
Siddons and Hitz.
.Did you have any business relations
with any Of them?" DR.. Van Schaick
was asked.
a legal matter some years before. was
Senator Harrison wanted to know il
the court was unanimous IN making
mis- appointment
Schaick.
You thought that you would make
a better president of the board imam
Mr. Daniel?" asked Senator Harrison.
Yes" replied DR.. Van Schaick afser Ter
little hesitation. MEMBERS s,oh. OF 'H st
would be a good thing to have a little
new blood in the management
In reply to a question as TO VINO
voted for him. DR.. Van Schaick saio:
Beside myself. Mrs. Gerry; MIS-
nj
Those who voted against me were Mr.
Galliher. Mr.. Daniel. MIR. Larner anu
Mrs. Cook" ;s
Senator Harrison. did you SOLICIT
votes?"
.rYou really wanted to be presi-
dent?" asked Senator Harrison;
yes" sad DR.. Van Schaick. In
reply to "A question he insisted that
he had made no promises to any one
as to what he would do II elected
president.
These questions are not INTENDED
TO be antagonistic. DR.. Van Schaick,
said Senator Harrison. but are mere-
ly to clear up matters that are trav-
cling in the wind"
asked" said DR.. Van Schaick.
Senator Harrison asked DR.. Van
Schaick If he had done anything 10
nreyent the reappOlntment OF MI SAl-
liner and Mr. Daniel. The witness said
that he had no feeling against them
because they had voted against MIN.
and that their relations had been
pleasant until the question OF re-
election of Supt Thurston came up IN
1917. He said that Mr.. Larner and Mr..
Talliher took him to task because ne
did not fall in line with them on
Thurston.
,of he n
asked Senator Harrison.
swered DIR. Van Schaick. Il was neu-
trail"
Sent Copy to Justices.
Senator Harrison asked il he had
taken the matter to the justices Of the
supreme Court. The witness acknoWl-
edged that he had sent to the justices
of the court copies Of a memorandum
which he had drawn up opposing the
reelection of Mr.. Thurston. He said
now he believes he had made a mis-
take in SO doing.
The judges let me understand that
after they had appointed q board Of
education they did not want to -
mixed up in school Affairs" he said.
IT sent q copy of the memorandum to
Mr. Thurston, too, and he also sub
mitted a memorandum In reply to the
judges"
Senator Harrison wanted to know
IL he had told the judges what mem
bers of the board were favorable
to the reelection of Mr.. Thurston.
DR.. Van Schaick said that he thought