The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-05-26


co., trict of Columbia has been reported in Con-
49, gress
= All essential steps in school reorganization
are incorporated in the bill submitted the joint
Congressional committee D. C. schools by Sem
= ator Arthur Capper. The measure represents the
: ideals for which Washington citizens have strven
long.
- One fundamental certainty underies all pro-
<-posals for change: The fact that the schools OF
the Capital of the United States not, they
should be, models for America. Their proper ad
ADMINISTRATION is hampered by antique system
AS result the children and teachers suffer from
poor surroundings, overcrowding lack OF equip
sncnt and atmosphere Of cynical hopeessness
The Capper bill proposes by one blow to end
this unfortunate condition. 1t is the combined
result of careful investigation by the Congress
sional committee, recommendations OF national
educational experts, and shrewd observations Of
District citizens. That it will the approval Of
Congress when finally placed before the two cham
bers a foregone conclusion To Senator
Capper and his associates the District
heavy debt of gratitude.
Never has any radical difference of opinion
the needs of the schools here existed among
and who have looked into the situa-
ton. The shortcomings apparent. A short
study has convinced everyone interested that half
way could bring about no permanent
form. The educational requirements of the Dis
trict simply have ougrown the cage in which they
are confined. 1t is question OF furnishing
larger giving up hope for healthier schools
Here are the essential features of the bill
Every D. c. resident would do we'll to study them
I. The power of appointing members of
the Board Of Education is removed from the
District Supreme Court and given to the Pres-
dent subject to confirmation by the Senate.
2. A fundamental change in the authority
of the Board OF Education. which creates the
board independent body and directs that
it deal directly with the Bureau OF the Budget
rather than with the Commissioners of the
District, in determining the size OF the school
budget.
3. The Board of Education is given control
of expenditures of funds appropriated for
schools, through the Office of the auditor for
the District of Columbia.
4. An assistant superintendent for business
affairs Of the schools is created.
:. An assistant superintendent for educa-
tiona research is created.
s. The term of Office of the superintendent
Of schools is increased from three years to six
years.
7. The law gives to the direction of
the President the appointment of women and
representatives of colored people to the Board
of Education.
8. The municipal architect is defined
architect for the Board of Education.
BY far the most important provision in the
Capper bill is that which calls for independent
Board of Education which need not worry over the
limitations of the District budget. By dealing
directly with the Bureau Of the Budget thereby
eliminating the roundabout method in force,
the members will be saved gray hairs and sleep
less nights Needs OF the schools, presented
a separate whole, certain to make a much
stronger impression the minds of those who
control the financial affairs of the District than
when they form a part of the appropriation recon-
mendations of the entire city. They will get
careful consideration. Their importance will be
more obvious. We do not anticipate any short
sighted penny-saving tactics when the system
is in force Most tolerant realize that schools
should be dealt with generously, that only proven
instances of corruption warrant the enforcement
of iron economy in their administration. In
other human activity is small saving liable to
result in permanent loss.
Congress cannot afford to allow unnecessary
time to lapse before the passage of the Capper
bill The end OF the present session both of the
national legislature and of the District schools is
in sight. Tbs change to system could be
made with the least inconvenience during the long
summer vacation. With the opening of the next
school year the District should be able to start
on a clean slate.
With the Capper program enacted into law, we
are confident the upward progress of District
schools will be steady and permanent The growth
will be healthy and continuous. not feverish and
spasmodic has been the case during the past
ten years. II will be no longer of tenn
porary repairs in building and a few new
textbooks in one classroom. Order will replace
condition that often approaches chaos at present