Evening star., 1920-03-09
public airing OF such cases where ac-
ton was not to follow.

0uesti0ns Accuracy.
'Mr. Thurston does not remember
quite accurately a number Of things.
He says:
ION July 1, 1915, DR.. Van Schaick
became a member of the board and
by a majority Of one was elected its
president In q day or SO he saw me,
and needed a new superintendent, but
that he would take year before
finally deciding about me-
The facts are that called on him,
told him courteously that the puo-
lished reports that I had been ap-
pointed to the board to get MIN ou.
were untrue: that I came on with an
open mind and a friendly disposition;
that / would do all in my power to
make him the strongest. best superin-
tendent Of schools possible: that 1
would help him in every way in my
power: that l wanted him to succeed
but that if. after working with him,
I found that I could not support him
for reelection. 1 would let him know
in plenty Of time. Mr.. Thurston was
exceedingly cordial. said that the
talk was exactly what he had hoped
we might have and that nothing could
be finer than my frank statement.
Admits He Su<Ee.ted Withdrawal.
II freely admit trying to have him
withdraw quietly in 1917. and believe
it would have been far better Tor him
and for the schools IL he had taken
my advice.
Il established an Office at the
Franklin School at the suggestion OF
Mr. Thurston. l asked him about the
had used. told him that once or
twice a week l wanted to have office
hours and not be interrupted at my
house at other times. He urged me
to come to the Franklin building.
suggested the room adjoining his and
placed his clerks at my service.
Later when l started to move my
office out Of the Franklin School
building. Mr.. Thurston came and
asked me to stay, as 1t would appear
as il there were a split in school ad-
ministration II I went.
and answer things in detail il it. were
worth while.
Called ..Grotesque Caricnture."
1T is all summed up in the charge
that l tried to be superintendent Of
schools myself instead of helping
him. 1t is a grotesque caricature OF
the truth. Both in theory and prac-
tice. l have resisted the tendency of
disgruntled. complaining people to
force me into that position-and have
sent the people to Mr.. Thurston. !
have supported him loyalty, but l
have steadily placed the system above
his personal fortunes"
Dtscusse. Needs OF schoola.
Concerning the needs Of the schools,
DR.. Van Schaick said:
The schools need more teachers.
officers, clerks and buildings. They
need higher salaries throughout the
system. They need changes in or
ganization. Far more vital as re-
lated to the future. the schools need
bright pupils in the normal colleges
preparing for the work of education.
Not all of these things are of
equal Importance. Buildings do not
compare in Importance with well
equipped teachers. strong personality !
and love of the work. A child is far
better off in cheap wooden portable
building with . real teacher than in !
a million dollar structure with poor |
teachers. |
Importance Of Planning Ahead.
1T is important to plan ahead and |
buy land for buildings and play
grounds before 1t is built up. but 1t Is
far more important to plan ahead and |
by adequate salaries draw strong boys !
and girls into the work Of teaching |
and at the same time prevent the |
steady loss of teachers who are going |
into other business.
THE board of education has sent |
its recommendations in this NATTER
H. r. 1908.
The present salary list of the pub
lie schools calls for. approximately !
$2.77S.705. This bill calls for approx
imately 100000 in increases.
enough buildings is enough teachers |
officers, janitors and clerks to do the |
work.
Cannot aren't" Teachers.
I'VE can often rent quarters instead
OF building when we are hard pressed
financially, but we can't rent teachers.
Nobody can paint too luridly the |
evil OF situation where, because OF
too few teachers, classes are over
some things are left undone which are |
vital for the children. |
I'VE are asking for an additional |
force OF 148 teachers above the pres |
ent corps. 1t must be borne in mind |
that the present corps must be con-
ers carried In the pending deficiency |
act.
I'VE lack other personnel. Part Of |
the trouble in heating buildings this |
past winter has been due to unusually |
severe weather. But more is due to !
I've have l5o permanent buildings,
~ portables and 19 rented places for |
which to care. These vary from one
room structures to monumental places
like the Central High School, where |
we have thirty-five persons In the
janitor force.
I'm all we have lat janitors, % la
borers. 8 engineers, 4 assistant en-
gineers and other employees, making
a total Of 2sS. We are asking for
twenty,eiEht new people. but while !
We need more individuals, the critical
thing in this force is the need Of !
higher. pay to enable us to get and
keep help. We pay from $3.50 to !
$1,000, plus the war bonus. We are
asking for increases Of from rs to so |
per centum.
Buildings Held Up.
I'VE have buildings authorized by
Congress. but held UP because we
cannot build within the limits Of the !
given.
I'VE have sent up here estimates
for new buildings and grounds. and |
we have plans for acquisition of land
which. In Our opinion, will be needed
In the near future.
missioners estimates amounting to
$a.164.1s5. with supplementary list
running up to 100000. or a total OF
$2564.163.
THE Commissioners approved esti-
mates of $1,027 000
aui ~ ShluA tNaI Dy the
use Of the two-platoon system we
can cut the building program con-
siderably. provided Congress gives US
more teachers.
This two-platoon system means
running two schools in one building
at the same time. While students Of
one school are using recitation rooms
for basic studies. students Of the
other school are studying. or engaged
in cooking or shop work. music,
drawing. or other special studies. The
auditorium Is used for this kind of
work. the shops, kitchens. etc are