Evening journal., 1920-08-10
WRANGLEOVER
CITY SCHOOLS
SURVEY Plan
lcontlnued From Flrst Pagel

several Of the School Board members,
principally Dr. Thomas 0. Cooper.
proiracted their arguments.
Commissioner Mr.. Claxton, IL was
brought out, made II clear that he
would undertake the survey only
upon invitation Of the committee with
the endorsement Of the Board Of
Education and the assurance Of CO.
operation during The survey.
p ter J. Ford, member Of the
committee and Dr. Cooper had a
rather heated wrangle during the
discussion OF the report. After 1t
had been explained several things
what was desired Of the board by the
committee, and Dr. Cooper insisted
upon being informed Of what action
was wanted Mr.. Ford arose and de-
clared that Or. Cooper seemed TO b.
trying TO put the committee in a
false position and was talking en-
tircly at random. While Mr.. Ford
was trying once more 10 make the
matter clear Dr. Cooper persisted in
talking himself and, when Mr.. Ford
fcrventy asserted that he would
tell him again" what he desired, the
board member cried. No, you won't.
either" and declared to the chair
that he resented what Mr.. Ford had
said
any further explanation from Mr..
Ford The latter was not halted by
Pres dent Rommel After this often
repeated explanation, ihs proper ac-
ton was taken by the board.
After Councilman Charles ForWood'
| chairman OF the exc utive committee,
and Joseph Bancroft, secretary, had
and nNnu civ sol form
what was asked Of the board, Mr..
Stradley Immediately made a motion
that the board endorse the plan and
assure Mr.. Claxton Of the support or
those connected with the schools. The
motion was seconded by Or. Ostro.
Before putting the motion before
/ the meeting pr s.dent R0mme. stated
| he want-d TO have a resolution read.
| This resolution approved or the. Plan
/ Of the co.. littee, hut favored he
/ modification that there be no survey
| by a citizens committee, which was
/ provided for in the report ot the com
miftee II seemed to be this phase
Of the report in fact, that msled
some OF the members, although TIE
I committee had asked lnly the endorse
ment of their plan and the assurance
OF cooperation. u
Dr Cooper moved FOR the adoption
Of the Rommel resolution and pre-
amhle. and when the president was
reminded that Mr.. Stradley had mo-
ton on the floor. President Romme
stated that he refused 10 accept Mr
Saradley's motion, despite that IL nae
been regularly made and seconded
ahead Of the resolution being ouereu
10 was then that the discussion
I started. participated in by mdnDerS
ID a.. '.biJ Cuardr and fho members
of the executive committee Of the cdl-
zens' committee. Most OF the discus
sion by member Of the citizens com
mittee was in explaining what Wai
Tho numbers Of the COMMITTEES
pointed out that a survey by lay
. mems committee would be conhne'
- solely TO the physical condit or th'
schools and would in TO way inter
fere with the survey as to the PROBES
siOnal and business side TO be mad
II by Mr. ClaXton.
vision for a citizens committee wa
, needless. as. he said, the commute
and even the board itself can appolh
as many committees as 10 desires.
r A. s. Reed, a member OF the com
b. mittee characterized a survey by cX
r perts as "a cold blooded affair" stat
{ ing that he wants a laymen's commit
! tee. but "is not tied TO" this opinion
81 George B. Miller, president Of IN
4. State Board Of Education, informe
D the members Of the board that the eS
81 pense Of the survey is 30 be borne b
The Service Citizens of Delaware.
Dr. Cooper. in one Of his talks o
the matter. stated that he could s.
no serious objection 10 a citizen
committee. saying that he was of Oh
e opinion that as 10 the physical sic
2 OF a survey. Mr. Reeds judgmel
: would be worth 100 times as much {
@ that Of Mr. ClaXtOn's men as TO II
- cost Of buildings. He brought ol
;, that the cost per pupil in the WI
/. mington schools is lower than in mo
4 cities. and spoke Of the fact that mar
Of the Wilmington school building
4 were not properly planned for scho
" houses. He remarked that Soho
e 40. II is built on q pond and mul
D., of the winter Is spent in keeping u
q cellar clear Of water.
n He felt that a citizens commits
q could make ] survey ot the nuil
r lngs. but not Of the professional al
u business side Of school affairs.
y did NOT want 10 see the whole thil
e, turneG down because Of the lit
IT dlfc-cLce Of opinion, h SAID.
Another poinl in question was d
l. submission of The report u Comnl
a sicncr Claxton after the completion
I his report. The members Of the boa
y felt that. as a matter ~ courtes
. ihev should be given the report SIM
,, isneously with the committee. TT
n was assured by the members OF I
committee,
, Nir. Stradley declared that he cou
y Sc, no reason why his motion shou
~ have been rejected by The preside
o. saying that the people have a right
al have a l7vmfn's committee II they
h. desire. Personally, he said, he
Is that by the refusal Of his motion {
~ board was not using lhe pror
nj methods TO obtain the united supp
e. OF the people.
lr President Rommel declared that
es was heartily in favor Of a survey
M Mr.. ClaXion. but "ke7p citize
no commitaee out OF it" he de,lar
he The committee should he here
el watch Mr. Claxton" h esaid
NJ Dr. Draper took the floor. statir
m 81 have betn sitting here listening