Evening star., 1920-03-24

with legal procedure IL ne Iolleo t0
surrender the copy in his possession;
one sentence to the effect that I had
net had this testimony at all.
"On the second occasion DR.. Van
Schaick cane to me and In the pres
ence of another person stated that q
representative in Congress desired to
see the testimony. He asked me what
thought about giving 1t out I re-
l should be consulted on this matter
in view Of the fact that / have not
been permitted to see the testimony
myself DR.. Van 6ehaiek turned and
left the room without another word.
He must have known that / did not
have the testimony"
"Kept In Ignorance.'
Mr.. Thurston referred at length to
the question Of the survey Of the
schools here by the federal bureau Of
education, and alleges that as super.
Ignorance of what was going on in
that connection. Reference was made
~ the superintendent to long let
ter sent by DR.. Van Sohaick to r. p.
Claxton Of the bureau Of education,
suggesting lines Of investigation to
be followed by tho bureau.
This Is a very detailed statement"
said the superintendent. According
to the official file, copies were sent to
Miss Deal. Miss Alton and Mr.. Draper,
union leaders and subordinates of
mine. and to DR.. Small. but the whole
matter WAS absolutely unknown to me
until q few days ago. It was never
discussed at any board meeting or con-
ference at which I was present.
think It is entirely clear from the
correspondence In the official flles Of
the board that the superintendent was
Intentionally ignored and kept in lE.
norance OF what was going on. He
was prepared to take up the matter
whenever 1t showed any activity, but
he was absolutely unaware Of the
fact that activity was going on with
out his knowledge"
Conclusion Of Statement.
In concluding his statement to the
Senate committee Mr.. Thurston said:
II have followed closely the testimony
thus far given by members OF the board
of education relative to the inefilciency
Of the superintendent. This testimony
would seem to be summed up in general
statements as to his lack of efdciency.
slowness to act, and slowness to take
hold Of situations. BY way Of illustra-
tion probably not moro than a dozen in
cidents all told have been given. These,
you will give me opportuni-
facts not thus far put before the COM
mittee may be made evident. There is
much that should like to say with re-
gard to them, for I believe that by dis
cussion I can show not only positive
action on my part, but some OF the diff
culties have been forced to faco. The
testimony further goes on to show more
that the superintendent is overworked
and that he had and has altogether too
small a force with which to handle the
problems that come to him. although
no allowance Is made for this.
Carried Great Responsibility.
II think it should be emphasized
before matters are taken up with me
in detail. that 1t has been my duty
during the last three years to bring
the school system through the war in
the face Of all the conditions which
the war and the reactions after the
war brought about. 1t has been ac-
that I am an exceedingly busy man.
That Is absolutely true in ordinary
times, because I carry far more re-
sponsfbility than ordinarily rests d.
rectly upon a superintendent. During
the last three years I have faced. in
addition. the disintegration Of the
teaching force: the disintegration OF
the janitorial force: disorganization
of business force only one-fourth as
large as 1t should be and very largely
without experienced members: short
age OF fuel; extreme dimculty in OBJ
tanning supplies: the serious influenza
epidemic; difficulties with substitutes;
With an overworked stan matters
have come before me for settlement
in a tremendous flood day after day,
and month after month.
The board has not. SO far as can
see. considered these factors at all.
mass of, problems as administrative
matters. and not brought them to the
decision Of the board. I had brought
the school system through the war
and was placing it on its feet, restor-
ing its morale and general tone, when
recent troubles with the board de-
veloped. feel that 1T Is due me and
all my school officers that these gen.
eral factors should be in the minds of
the committee when 1t takes up the
detailed consideration Of the incidents
referred to by the board and OF the
administration of the schools gen.
orally"
Added Oral Statement.
During the presentation Of his state
ment to the committee Supt. Thurs
ton was now and then questioned by
the senator's and at times he added
to his written statement himself with
an oral statement. At one point SEN
ator Harrison asked:
Did you suggest that the business
Of the board meetings be done In pub
lie sessions"
II have often said that many Of
these things should be discussed in
the public meetings SO that the peo-
pie might know the reason for the
actions taken by the board"
Discussing the conference Of teach
ers addressed by him on December
8, in which Mr.. Thurston outlined
some Of his ideas about the schools.
he said that he had had no idea Of
rousing the teachers, opposition. to
been under consideration by the
board Of education. He admitted that
he did not approve Of certain fea-
lures Of that plan. On December 16
DR.. Van Schaick had addressed a
meeting of the teachers and laid be-
said that he was surprised when
some of the teachers arose and spoke
in opposition to various features Of
this plan.
wouldn't it be more proper for the
board to call In representatives Of the
frame a plan. instead Of bringing the
plan first and then calling In the
teachers and the public" suggested
Senator Walsh.
Differences OF Opinion.
TT seems to me that there is alto
gether too much difference Of opinion
among teachers here on matters which
should be dealt with by the board and
superintendent. never heard of
teachers taking action on every little
detail. Every time there In to be a
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