The Washington herald., 1920-12-19
HARRISON ASKS
full SUPPORT
FOR DIR. BALLOU
Senator Withdraws His
School Bills-SolOns To
Defer Action.

Congress will allow the. schools
of Washington to remain as they
are for the present
Senator Pat Harrison of Missis-
sippi. who introduced two bills pro-
posing appointment OF a Board Of
Education Of six members to replace
the present board of nine and a sur
vey of the buildings and grounds.
announced last night that ne would
not push the measures for action
Monday, when the Senate District
committee was 20 have taken the
matter up. The committee meet
ing has been postponed as 4 result
OF Senator Harrison's decision.
Since the very thorough investi-
cation made by the Senatorial Sc
lect School Committee this year.
said Senator Harrison last night.
some of the very glaring defects
found in the school system have
been remedied. Some of the very bad
conditions have been removed. And
while there are many other i'm
provements to be made for the bet
terment of the schools, I am Of
the opinion that it probably would
be wise TO allow the new regime TO
have time to work out these re-
Harrisea state. stand.
Since the Congress adjourned
last session. when the whole school
Ii -.
islation passed through the senate
changing the manner Of appointing
the Board of Education. a new su-
perintendent OF education has been
elected / have nothing to say with
respect to that change. 1 had e6-
pressed myself on the floor of Ihe
Senate touching the quallfcati 0ns
OF Superintendent Thurston and i
was disappointed when he was aot
reelected. But the board has
elected another to that importan.
place, DR.. Ballou. 1t is very graf
flying to all who have a deep in
terest in the school system of Wash
ington to see the very favorable
impression the new superintendent
is making. In his present position
he has a great opportunity and
am Ssure no member of Congress
would desire to do anything that
might in the slightest embarrass
him in bringing about those needed
reforms that will perfect the school
system Of Washington and place IL
on that high elevation such as IL de-
serves. / want to see a most model.
modern, up-to-date school system
here. one in which not only the peo-
pie of Washington but of the coun-
try will take pride.
Seeks Better Salaries
1T is in the fear that the legisla-
tion such as ] have proposed and
which passed the Senate last session
will be misunderstood and might in
some way aggravate the situation in
the school system here that has
spot to the people OF wsSnfugton.
that influences me not press at
this time the measure
II expect to join hands with all
friends in Congress of the school
system here and to see that ade-
Quate appropriations are made at
this session to provide enlarged ac-
commodations for the children at
tending the schools; more play
grounds in which they may have
recreation; reasonable salaries for
the Superintendent and other on
GERS, teachers and jsnitors in the
schools. and to see that a proper
and full survey is made of the sys-
tenn.
"As to the proposed bill changing
the manner Of appointing the school
board. / shall see that il be with
held for the present. in the hope
that within the next few months
the new regime will remove every
element in the school system that
causes friction and every cause in
the system that retards its develop
ment and betterment. The people
and every part and class OF the
people should for the present be
patient and give to the new super
intendent encouragement and sup
port. He is entitled to fair trial
and that he should have. II certain
reforms are not brought about
within a reasonable time. then those
persons who have had just cause of
complaint should be heard. No lack
of support in Congress will then
be found to make the system better
and conditions harmonious"