The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-21
ATTACKS POLITICAL
SCHOOL MEDDLERS
Interference by City Officials
Affecting Morale, Says
Arthur s. SOmers.
CITES BUILDING PROBE
Board Of Education Must Re-
tain Its Power jealousy,
He Asserts.

Political meddling and uniformed IN.
reference In school affairs by citv ora.
Gals In whom the law places no re-.
sponsibility for the conduct of tho
schoois threatens to sap the morale of
the city's school staff. according 10 Ar
thur S. Somers. who was ousted from
the presidency Of the Board of Educa-
ton by Mayor Hylan soon after the
Mayor took Office
Mr.. Somers. writing in the current is-
sue OF the Brooklyn Chamber Of Com
MERGE Bulletin, calls no names. but the
constant efforts of the Hylan Admins
tration to obtain control Of the Board
or Education leaves no doubt regarding
the identity Of the officials to whom he
refers. He says the personnel of the
city's schools directional and teaching
corps have been in constant turmoil
and uproar since the Mayor began to
crack the political whip and the en-
Uttered opposition of Comptroller
Charles l.. Craig, exercised often
through the medium of the city's pocket
book. to the Mayors educational ideas
has not helped the situation.
The failure to reach an understanding
with the school teachers regarding in
creases in pay. led the teachers to appeal
TO the Legislature for relief, with the re-
suit that the Board of Estimate has
Is some $40. 100000 short of the amount
the Board of Education declares is nee
eSsary for the operation of the schools.
Cites Hettrfck Letter.
The forthcoming investigation of the
school building contracts, which inves-
tigatton grew out Of letter dictated
by John I. Hettrick, the brains" of the
contractor ring. and sent by the Mayor
to the Board of Education, apparently
Is another Illustration of the sort OF
meddling Mr.. Somers had in mind. Con-
corning that letter the Mayor stated
under oath that Hettrick made fool
of him and that he did not know the
significance Of what he was doing when
he wrote the letter.
One of Mr.. Somers's chief causes of
lament Is interference from those who
not only do not understand but who.
alas, are not even aware that they do
not understand"
Mr.. Somers's article follows, In part:
I'm common with all other Amer
leans we are especially sensitive to any
thing that affects the public schools
To appeals made in the name of our
children we respond at once. That is
why, sometimes. those with political or
personal axes to grind have been quick
to take advantage of popular sentiment
II there was condition to be concealed
or a project to be put through they
waxed eloquent on their love for the
little ones.
Schools Belong to People.
ours being a democratic Government
the schools belong to the people and
they have. through the Legislature, pro- q
vided for Board of Education to direct
- ton, 10 fhe he
and responsibility therefore rests with
the Board of Education, and with no
one else. One of the surest guarantees
Of a sound school system is a Board OF
Education that retains its power teal-
ously. 1t is not concerned with cleo
tons Membership in 1t is not, or ought
not to be, a political prize. The MEM
bership of the board is continuous, and
its members therefore could have no
proper right to permit the school to be-
come the instrument of political schemes
or the plaything of politicians.
ut is worth remembering this, be-
cause there is always the danger the<
officials who think themselves respon-
sble for the operation Of education
should seek to put their finger In the
educational pie sometimes out o.
spirit OF pure meddling, and sometimes
to try to extract a plum or two. IL
takes a little philosophy to remain I'M
moved when interference like this comes
from those who not only do not under
stand. but who. alas. are not even aware
that they do not understand. The pinch
beck royalty Of office is apt to take IT.
self somewhat seriously. and to imagine
that Its smile or It's frown has some
significance In history.
Evils Not Permanent.
at is possible to chill enthusiasm, and
few sad years Of misadventure can do
Il, but the effect will not be perma-
nent AS misadventure comes into tho
lives of most men at some time, ] sup
pose IL Is bound to affect a school sys-
tenn on occasion. Given n teaching and
supervising force that is sound, an occa-
sonal attack of political measles Is not
going TO hurt the system seriously.
However. we should not forget that the
more than 100000 children who are en-
rolled In the public schools will get the
best possible sort Of instruction only TO
the degree that the teachers are conf
dent. undisturbed. enthusiastic.
Teachers and those who supervise
them must enjoy a reasonable freedom
and discretion In doing the work which
is entrusted to them; they should not
become subject to public attack or con-
tempt unless there be abundant reason
for It. Our boards Of education should
have enrolled among them men and
women who are filled with a deep and
whole-hearted devotion to the welfare OF
the schools only. There should be no
allen allegiance.
Neither boards Of education. nor ex-
ecutives, nor teachers, have. or claim to
have. any peculiar right that makes
them immune to criticism.
but these public schools must be
free from any sort Of interference. open
or concealed, for which there Is no pro-
vision In law. Even II those who indulge
in Il are men OF vision. education and
1t would be intolerable.
Under other circumstances II becomes
ma thetic"