Evening star., 1920-03-10
object wax in sending the memoran-

object wax in sending the memoran-
dun to the judges.
''It was to advise the judges as to
the views l held on matter OF I'M
portance to the schools. 1t was not
intended to influence the action OF
the board in regard to the re-elec-
tion of Mr.. Thurston-"
1T is natural to suppose, however,
suggested Senator Harrison. that the
appointing power would nave an i'i'"-
DR.. Van Schaick replied that the
Justices of the Supreme Court had
said they would have nothing to 90
with the matter. .
the judicial position held by the the
Justices. and that they should not De
expected to mix up in local matters;
he said '1 would not think OF send
ing such a memorandum 10 'he''
Left His Re.ignntions-
DR.. Van Schaick testified that When
he left this country in 1917 to go 10
France for war relief work that ne
had left in the hands OF one OF MS
friends. Commissioner BrownsoW. ne
thought, his resignation as hneL
ber of the board of education ana as
member of the board OF charlties'
to be used in case it became neces
sary. He said that he had expected 70
return to this country in the i~ii oA
1917.
Senator Harrison wanted to know
If DR. van Schaick had ever asked
Commissioner Brownlow II ne ha1
ever filed these designations. lie saiu
that he did not remem per
Taking up the question OF pr. Van
Schaick's second election as Presluti.
of the board of education. Senator
Harrison asked if it was unanimous
He said that he did not remember out
that he could get the minutes. y y
Lancaster who was sitting near SUI
geSted that the vote was 10 D. ~
Van Schaick said he remembered mat
j. B. Larner voted against him. Ihe
election took place while he was liz
Cobleskill, y. Y.
Supported Mr. Hamilton.
Before j left Washington in the
summer of 1919 I left a memorandum,
urging the board to re-elect Mr.. Ham
ilton," he said. Mr.. Hamilton had
taken Office with the understanding
that I would return to assume II.
ficiency Mr.. Hamilton's adminstra-
tion had been 1 sought to have him
continue"
DIR. Van Schaick said that Mr.. Ham
ilton may now have some feeling
against him because of his action in
the " Oou case.
WAS there any friction in the
board while you were gone? asked
Senator Harrison.
Il did not hear of any," answered
DR.. Van Schaick.
Did you make any promises in re-
gard to the colored- schools or in re-
gard to Bruce at the time of your re-
election?" aked Senator Harrison.
NO" was the reply.
Asked About Notification.
Senator Harrison examined the wit
ness regarding the notification sent
to Mr.. Thurston recently that he
would not be reelected superintt nd
ent Of schools. DR.. Van Schaick ad-
mitted that the first meeting at which
this decision was reached was in
formal. and that formal meeting
had been held later. He insisted that
he had notified Mr.. Thurston before
the formal meeting. The notification
went through his secretary and
through Mr.. Thurston's secretary. he
said.
"Did you argue with each member
Of the board that Mr.. Thurston should
not be re-electedg' said Senator Har-
rison. DR.. Van Schaick admitted that
he had talked with members OF the
board. He added that several of them
had argued with him that Mr.. Thurs
ton should go.
Did any Of them tell you that Mr..
TnurSIOn SnOuIC De retained. dShcO
Senator Harrison.
II do not remember" said the wit
ness He added that members of the
board began talking about Mr.. Thurs
ton soon after he got back from Eu-
rope.
perintendent in 1917 was by vote of
Ave to four. DR.. Van Schaick being
one Of those who opposed him.
Dr. Van Schaick testified that he
~ hnry
eupported Mr.. Thurston for reelection
at this time.
Asks Family Question.
Senator Harrison wanted to know II
DR.. Van Schaick had any children. The
witness said he had not.
What knowledge had you of the
schools before you became a member
Of the board?" asked Senator Harrison
The witness replied that he had
visited the schools to make addresses.
but admitted that he had not studied
the school system. and that he had no
technical knowledge of the schools.
1t was brought out that Supt. Thurs
ton had been connected with the
schools for three years before he came
mp for reelection in 1917. DR.. Van
Schaick said that he heard people say
that Mr.. Thurston cid not measure up
TO the standard of former superin-
tendentS. He said that he had been a
member of the board ten months when
the reelection of Mr.. Thurston took
place.
"There is some talk that you wanted
to be superintendent of schools your
self" said Senator Harrison.
That would be fatal to me- have
no qualifications for the place." re-
piled DIR. Van Schack.
DIR. Van Schaick insisted that he had
no personal feelings against Mr..
Thurston. Il was in his office yester-
day on the pleasantest terms. talking
over estimates for the schools to be
submitted to the House COMMITTEES to-
day"
tor Harrison. and laugh swept over
the committee room.
Method of Appointment,
Senator Harrison wanted To kpov
what DR.. Van Schaick thought was
the best method for appointing the
board of education. The witness re-
piled that it would be hard to find
anywhere men OF broader culture ana
view than the judges Of the Supreme
Court OF this jurisdiction or in any
other. He said that it was extremely
desirable to keep the schools out Of
politics. Although he believes that
the appointment of the board by the
judges has worked successfully. DR..
Van Schaick said that he would not
give that duty to the Judges
81 would give the duty to the Dis
trict Commissioners" said DR.. Van
Schaick. because they are the head
of the District government thew are
picked people and know the situation
here"
Some people here believe the MEM
bers of the board Of education should
be elected by the people of the Dis
trict." said Senator Harrison.
That would be a most unfortunate
move said DR.. Van schack. Il be-