Evening star., 1924-01-06
BITTER WORDS FLY
IN SCHOOL BOARD
SEARCH FOR LEAK
Continued From First PageD

CONTINUED FROM FIRST Page.D
Everything is all right now. We
are all good friends"
The unusual session was opened by
Capt. Peyser, who explained that he
and Mr. Greenwood had called it to
consider the salary bill, which went
to the commissioners and was altered
and amended without the knowledge
and co-operation of the school board"
Mr. Greenwood. who had been elected
chairman. took the floor. declaring
that he had learned, with utter as
constituent through the press, that
the commissioners had prepared a
substitute to the boards original sal
airy measure.
Procedure .Pcculiz-."
There are three factors In that
procedure, which We're very pecu-
liar" he said The traditional pro-
cedure for the commissioners to re-
fer back to the board Il bill that
does not meet their approval was
not carried out. Our bill was sent
to the bureau of the budget and a
the substitute bill contained salary
reductions why was our bill sent at
all? Furthermore, the provision in
the substitute bill for the appoint
ment of the members of the board
by the commissioners instead of the
District Supreme Court had no reIa-
tion to our own bill The serious
feature, however. is that Maj. Dono-
van said the bill was prepared with
the approval of certain school Off
cials If any officials did consult
with him they have been guilty of
the gravest lack of consideration for
the board. 1t seems to me in view
of the facts that the board must
determine quite definitely what ac-
ton to take on this matter at it's
next meeting. 1t also must determine
what school officers knew about the
bill at the last meeting of the board"
At this point James T. Lloyd, pres
ident of the board, introduced a let
Ter addressed to him by Maj. Dono-
van in which it was emphasized that
Dr. Ballou had nothing to do with
the drafting of the substitute oill.
"The letter does not alter, the situ-
alton Bit Mr.. Greenwood declared.
after it had been read by Secretary
Harry O. Hine.
Capt. Peyser then inquired If Pres
ident Lloyd conferred with the COM
missioners or Maj. Donovan regard
ing the new bill.
Denies Conference.
II have had no conference with
any one at the District building" re-
piled Mr.. Lloyd.
did you know that DR.. Ballou had
conferred with Maj. Donovan" asked
Capt. Peyser.
Z. 81 had information that DIR. BalIou
conferred with Mai. Donovan" an
swered Mr.. Lloyd.
who told you?" inquired Capt.
Peyser.
replied.
The superintendent who had been
occupying a seat near the press table
was called on by Capt. Peyser, and
read the following statement:
''At the request of Maj. donovan,
the budget officer of the District of
Columbia, 1 conferred with him. and
also along with him, with Capt.
Stephens and others regarding the
salary bill prepared by the board of
education.
"At the beginning of each of these
conferences l stated that ! was not
authorized to speak for the board of
education. My conferences were in
formal and confined to explanations
of the provisions of the bill. At all
times / defined the provisions of the
SaldTy Dill dS pTepdISo ny tIt uodiu
of education.
''At no time in any of these con-
ferences was any mention made of
the method by which the salary bill
should be officially transmitted by
the Commissioners to the director of
the budget. / do recall that in the
conference at the Treasury Capt.
Stephens incidentally remarked that
a bill should be in proper form for
approval when 1t goes to Gen. Lord
and the President.
I'm none of these conferences was
I asked to express official or unofficial
approval of the changes which Maj.
Donovan or Capt. Stephens had under
consideration. Furthermore, at no
time during these conferences did any
one mention the method of appoint
ment of members of the board of edu-
cation. I have had no conversation
with any member of the board or,
Commissioners on the salary bill or
on the appointment of board MEM
bers."
Peyser Fires Questions.
AS Dr. Ballou finished reading his
statement. Capt. Peyser greeted him
with q barrage OF questions. 1t
has been your custom DR.. Ballou,"
Capt. Peyser began, ito give us in
formation regarding your confer
epoes. Didn't, you think that tns'