Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-09-12
SCHOOL INSURANCE
DISCUSSED BY HEAD
or MUNICIPAL BOARD
Referring to Criticism, Presi-
dent Souder Says It is
Welcome.
WANTS TO DO RIGHT THING

THAT the Board OF Education hopes
a. 10 the right thing in the matter of
insurlng its property is the opinion OF
President Ellwocd Souder. according
20 tho following letter received today
d, livery Evening from Mr.. Souder:
referring To- your editorial OF Sep
tsml,fr 9. 1891 Turn the Light On
would say that II you win turn the
pages of your journal back TO the cve-
uing that l resumed the responsible
ties qf president OF the board you viii
nnd ihat I fully declared and promised
from that time. the lights would be
turned on--thc press given to under
stand that they would be allowed ac-
cess 10 every delibcration of the board
.-lhe public invited and their presence
roliclte,--that the business OF the
hoard might be transacted TO the fun
Satisfaction of the people of our city.
and to the best interests of the edu-
catlouai development throughout.
| very much appreciate the stand
sou have taken IN said editorial and
assure you that no pains will he
spared in carrying out some of the
trious important suggestions you
ha made As Co the letters of MIR.
~ IT, AANAtAt anu AiIs W. - Afihft
would say that they are both OF equal
interest to me. even though one is
taken in criticism and the other in de-
fcnso ~ tho board.
Answering the letter Of Mr.. Minor
& smith. would say that | feel that
iu some parts 81 his letter as pertains
tu Mr. Stradlcy's part in the insur-
ancr question. he Is absolutely wrong
s-not that Mr.. Stradley might not
have had something To- do with plan
ninn The placing OF our insurance, or
that be- might not have made some
mistakes In placing insurance from
tline % time. for as YOU know. a man
whn = busy an the while doing some
ihinr " likely now and then 10 make
& mistake. | invited Mr.. Smith to the
mrctiuH. a. did quito number OF
either insurance representatives who
rrpnied tn take about the same stand
ua Mr.. smith segarding the placing
ID the school insurance-not that he
should nrraigu MIR. Stradley, or any
'Ufhcr member Of the board person
nlly. but as Mr.. smith might not he
aware after the first cf July. the old
insurance committee headed by MIR
tfrndiey became extinct and the in
eurnnrc committee from tina. time on
has hrcn composed Of the seven men,
tera ~ the board as n committee Of
the whole.
Mr. Stradiev did not make the motion
which prevailed readiusting replacing
~ uuf insurance. and is no more re-
Hpunsihlc for anything that was done
than any other member OF the board.
Therefore. we think MIR. Smith is very
unfnif In placing SO much OF the blame
ul what he calls unfair distribution
an Nf Stradicv as any shortcoming
error or mistake. that might have
houn made is up 10 the Board of Edu-
cation and not Mr.. Shermer Stradley.
! have great regard for the opinion
and authority of my friend. Mr.. Minor
q smith, and many OF the suggestions
ho has made in his letter l heartily
aNrcc with. also I would say that he
might he fiEht in criticising our plan
Cor placing insurance and altogether
the motion 10 adopt sid plan prevail
"a. ] did question whether the action
~ the board would meet with public
criticism.
However. I assure you that every
effort made was for>the best public
interests and no political or personal
Influences brought 20 bear Whatsoever.
"Old man politics" as referred to in
Mr.. smiths letter. has no seat in the
school Board, as shall be managed
under the provisions of the new
sovcn-mcmber board code. and under