The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-03-03
OLD SCHOOL FIGHT
BREAKS OUT ANEW
Congress to Referee Scrap for
Control of Local Situation
In Coming Probe.

The ancient battle for control of
he District schools is to be waged
anew during the coming Senate probe
into the system.
The lines will be drawn tight be-
tween the friends and enemies Of the
Board Of Education. not merely with
respect to pending Issues, such as the
Thurston controversy and the Bruce
and Wood cases, but on the general
issue of the boards autonomy and au-
thority.
Ever since the District Commission
ers were deprived OF the power OF ap-
pointing the members of the Board OF
Education. in 1905. and the Distr ct
Court of Appeals was intrusted with
1t, there has been a certain amount of
working at cross-purposes between
the board and the Commissioners.
Citi.ens wsuId Elect Board.
Attempts have been made to amend
the law, either by vesting In the
Presi, At or in Congress the right to
select the members OF the Board OF
Education, or by having the people OF
Washington elect them by ballot. The
latter plan Is now before the Senate
District Committee in bill intro
NuSCN W oChotoA ohCE" HAL, Ny re-
quest, certain groups of citizens in
the city being in favor of 1t. 1t is
not likely, however. that the measure
will be reported favorably by the
committee to the Senate.
In the coming probe. however, the
Board of Education Is going to be
under the heaviest fire il has encoun-
tered in a generation, and 1t would
not be surprising IL Congress deter
mines upon sweeping changes in the
school administrative system.
TeseAers MarshaI Fsrees.
1t will be under fire from the citi-
zens' associations and the teachers.
and the latter will muster to their
support a number OF eminent educa-
tors OF the type Of william NJ. David
son, former superintendent OF schools
here and at present superintendent
of the Pittsburgh schools.
The biggest immediate issue before
the board is the personal fortunes of
President Van Schaick, whose confir-
nation as District Commissioner is
now pending in the Senate. There
seems to be little doubt that Van
Schaick's confirmation depends en-
tirely upon the report OF the investi-
eating committee regarding his rec
VI " 40 pIeSlueHt Oh the bOdTu OF Eu i
ucation- Senator Sherman states that
he will strongly oppose any effort to
confirm Van Schaick before the probe
committee makes it's report
at would make the Senate look
foolish to confirm man under
charges. with the possibility that the
charges might be made good" he
says.
Shernan's Views Prevail.
AS chairman Of the Senate District
Committee, his views on this matter
undoubtedly will prevail with the
Senate. On the specific controversy
between Thurston and Van Schaick.
the committee admittedly has no
Jurisdiction, but an adverse report
from 1t probably would cause the
Board of Education to rescind it's
recent action.
The constructive element In the
work comes In it's opportunity to
recommend the construction OF new
schools here to end the present con-
gestion and to ask for. general sal
airy increases for teachers. Both
these topics are to be presented to
the committee by a committee from
the National Capital School Better
ment Council. comprising II. p. An
drews. chairman: Jerry South, vice
chairman; Jesse c. Suter. George L.
Hamilton. and w. d. Hoover.