Evening star., 1920-07-01
DR.. Abram Simon Succeeds
DR.. Van Schaick as Presi-
dent of Board.
BRUCE CASE PUT UP TO
NEW Superintendent
Parents League and Civic Associa-
ton Ask Removal of Col
ored Official.

With the promise that his adminjs-
tration of the public schools will be
guided by the one purpose of pro
viding the best education for the chill
dren of Washington DR.. Frank
Washington Ballou. took the oath of
Office today as superintendent of the
District public school system. DR..
Ballou was sworn in by Harry o.
Hine, secretary of the board of edu-
cation, at a reorganization meeting
of the school governing body.
Soon after taking the oath Of Of
flee the new superintendent had
thrust upon him by the board one of
the most perplexing problems that
body and former Supt. Thurston have
fought over during the last year-the
case of Roscoe G. Bruce, assistant
superintendent of colored schools
whose removal from office has been
sought by the Parents League. The
burden of settling the so-called Bruce
case was thrown on the shoulders OF
Supt. Ballou when the board adopted
unanimously a resolution indorsing
the character and educational and ad-
ministrative ability of the colored as
sistant superintendent.
Takes ID Case Without Emotion.
Apparently Supt. Ballou had been
fully acquainted with the case and
took the matter without emotion.
even when a score of members of the
Parents League surrounded him after
the board meeting, endeavoring to re-
late the history of the case. DR.. Bal
lou told the Parents League members
that he would give the case imme-
date attention, and promised to hear
their arguments either verbally or in
writing
BY a unanimous vote the board
elected DR.. Abram Simon its president
for the ensuing year to succeed Dr.
John Van Schaick. jr., who has been
at the helm of the school-governinE
body for two successive years. DIR. III.
Barrett Learned was unanimously, re-
elected vice president.
DIR. Simon is one of the newest mem
bers on the board. having been ap-
pointed November Is. 1919, to fia the
unexpired term of Geogge Z. Hamii-
ton, who resigned. DR.. Simon was re-
appointed to the board about a month
ago by the justices of the District Su-
preme Court. He waseabsents from
the meeting today when he was elect
ed president. However. board mem
bers are confident he will accept the
office of president.
DIR. Ballou Arrives in ID. c.
DIR. Ba1lou arrived in Washington
from Pittsburgh shortly after $40
o'clock this morning. He went imme-
met by DIR. Van Schaick, and escorted
to his office in the Franklin School
Prior to and after the board meeting
DR.. Ballou was introduced to school
officials and the clerical force at the
Franklin School,
The oath of office was administered
during the board meeting. 1t, was
previously planned to have Assistant
Superintendent Stephen f. Kramer adj
minister the oath in Pittsburgh, but
swxsA H.
decided to come to Washington to at.
tend the board meeting the ceremonies
were deferred.
Will Return to Pittsburgh.
Supt. Ballou will remain in Wash
ington until Saturday or Sunday, when
he will return to Pittsburgh to COM
plete his lecture course at the Cniver-
sity of Pittsburgh summer school.
He will return to Washington about
July IL and assume active duties as
director of the District public schools.
During his absence Assistant Supt.
Kramer will be the acting superin-
tendent.
of the board by DIR. Learned. In his
nominating address DIR. Learned said
that DR.. Simon during his eight
months of service on the board had
but that he had shown some con-
sideration, and a better president
could not be selected"
DIR. Learned also paid a tribute to
Dr. Van Schaick as president Of the
board DR.. Learneds tribute was
adopted as an expression coming from
the board.
Tribute TO DIR. Van Schaick.
"The present members of the board
of education wish to record simple
tribute of respect and admiration for
Dr. Van Schaick." said DR.. Learned.
After four years of faithful, although
interrupted, service in aiding US
toward the promotion of the interests
of public school education ir the Dis
trict of Columbia. he now retires
from the presidency of the board.
For four years he has given atten-i
tion to the needs of public education
in this community. During this time
he has never doubted the power OF
gaining intelligent support for all
rightful aims. Under the stress of 2
bitter attacks upon him and his COL
leagues on the board he has never
lest courage or hope in the prospect.
however dim, of improving great
variety of conditions. In his per-
sistent and broadminded efforts on
behalf Of the children, the teachers.
and all employees associated with the
public schools of the District of CO.
lumbia- he has proved to US a source
of inspiration and strength.
these eHOrtS, we DefieVe, are not /.
likely in the long run to be forgotten,
for Dr. Van Schaick has had con-
stantly in mind the organization ia
this national city of a system Of Dub- Z
lie schools that under wise and able {
should mark Washington as
having the best system of public
schools anywhere to be found-a i
source of pride to the nation. as well
as to the immediate community. He ,
has worked laboriously and earnestly.
with a single great aim in view. Few
ing so troubled a period to have had
associated with their public schools a
man characterized by such singleness Z
honor. and by greater devotion to the
common interests which involve the
welfare of all citizens. irrespective of
party and race"
Reply OF DIR. Van Schaick.
Replying to the tribute, DR.. Van
Schaick said:
'I desire to express appreciation to (
nv colleagues for their hearty sup
port and the splendid public service
they have shown. ] express my best
wishes for them in the future, and
hope they will have the sincere good
will of everybody
Praise for Roscoe c. Bruce.
jThe resolution adopted by the board
Approving the character and admin.
fstratiye and educational ability q
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