The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-21
CONGRESSMAN
PROBESCHOOLS
Senator Harrison Offers ResoIu-
ton Providing for Sweeping
Investigation by Committee.

A sweeping investigation of tho
entire washington public school sys-
TEN by a special Senate committee Is
demanded in a resolution offered In
the Senate today by Senator Harrison.
Democrat. of Mississippi.
Public mtstrust in the management
of the public school system in the Ma
tional Capital prompted him to offer
the resolution, Senator Harrison de-
clared.
These are some OF the principal
matters which would be under IRE IL
the Senate adopts the resolution:
RECORD Of vsn schaick.
The uitimatum delivered-to superin-
tendent Thurston by the Rev. DIR. Van
Schaick, president OF the Board Of
Education.
The entire record Of the admins
tration Of DR.. Van Schaick, whose
nomination as District Commissioners
still remains to be acted on IL the
Senate.
Charges that the pay of teachers is
insufficient and that the number OF
teachers in the schools Is Inadequate.
Charges that the school buildings
are not properly heated during the
winter, and also that more buildings
The manner Of appointing the su-
perintendent. principals. and teach
ers.
Senator Harrison expressed conf
dence that his resolution would be
adopted. although he does not intend
to press for its immediate adoption
later today unless he can communi-
cate with Senator Sherman. chair
man Of the District committee.
Text of Resolution.
The text Of the resolution follows:
CommIttee Of Seven.
"Resolved. that a select committee
OF seven Senators, four from the ma
tority party and three from the mi
nority party, be appointed by the
President of the Senate to investigate
the public scsoat system OF the Dis
trict of Columbia.
THAT said committee shall investi-
gate the manner Of appointing the
superintendent. principles. teachers.
and other employees Of the public
schools Of the District: the personnel,
adequacy, and pay of teachers and
other employees Of the public schools
of the District; the accommodation.
heating, lighting, ventilation, and
sewerage of the public school build
inrs of the District: the number OF
holidays, courses of study, and dis
cipline Adopted by the teachers, and
management of the public schools OF
the District; and such other policies
adopted by the management OF the
public school system Of the District,
az. in the discretion Of the committee,
il is advisable to investigate.
THAT the committee so appointed
shall be authorized to select its own
chairman, to send for persons or pa
pers. to administer oaths, and to en-
ploy a stenographer or stenographers
to report such hearings as may be
held in Connection with such investi-
cation.
ing the sessions of the Senate and 1t
shall report it's findings and recon-
mendations to the Senate at the earli-
est date possible"
He declared he had nothing to say
concerning the action taken by DR..
Van Schaick with reference to Super
Tntendent Thurston, but explained
that this was one Of the matters
which could come up before the COM
mittee.
Mistrusts System.
Senator Harrison said he did not in
troduce his resolution direct as re-
suit Of the investigation Of the Van
Schaick matter by the District Com
mittee. He said he acted entirely on
his own initiative because he believed
something was wrong with the pub
lie schools and their management and
wants them corrected at once.
There is public mistrust in the
school system" he said. ''The peo-
pie in the District have been holding
their feeling, criticism Is broadcast,
and the school system, in all its
phases, ought to be Investigated
thoroughly"
There has not been a thorough in
vestig ration of the schools in many
years, and I intend to see that one is
to be begun now and carried out
The conditions In the schools here
are such that the public is entitled
to know what Is being done to arouse
all the discomfort and mistrust.
Pay of Teschers.
Senator Harrison said that the orv
thing, charges that the pay Of teachers
Is inadequate, ought to be investi-
gated.
"If It is found that the teachers
are getting too little pay then they
ought to be given more" he said "It
seems that four buildings are needed,
and that the buildings should be
properly seated"
Senator Harrison said he made his
resolution broad enough to include
in the scope of the investigation any
matter in reference to the ineffici-
emit management of the schools which
may be brought to the attention of
the committee.
nICTDIcT CCNCIIC DCCIUT