Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-03
Later Meeting to Be Held
Following Hearing on EIec-
ton Measure.
PROPOSALS SUPPORTERS
ASK FOR ITS enactment
Chairman Capper Favors Extending
Suffrage on Education
Heads.

The Capper bill for the election Of the
local Board of Education is awaiting o
decision by the Senate District COM
mittee at later meeting, following the
hearing yesterday afternoon, marked by
testimony of Mrs. William T. Banner
man, leading the advocates of the meas
ure, who contended the schools could be
improved by allowing the people to
select the board.
While arguing that the school sys-
tenn should be made more responsive
to public opinion, Mrs Bannerman de-
clared a school board member once
told her "the schools are being adj
ministered in the interest Of those who
administer them"
Senator Jones, Republican, Of Wash
tngton, interrupted to ask Mrs. Banner
man If she was sure she understood the
board member correctly, and she replied
that she was. Senator Jones said he
thought Mrs. Zimmerman should give
the name Of the board member she re-
ferred to. Mrs. Bannerman said she
did not feel she could do that without
comforting with the member. The Sen
ator from Washington added that he
wished Mrs. Bannerman would do that.
in justice to others who have served on
the board.
others VINO Resumed.
Mrs. Bannerman is chairman Of a
joint executive committee favoring an
elective school board, representing
group of parent-teacher and other civic
associations
Others who testified in support Of the
bill we're: Charles I. Stengle, Citizens
Advisory Council; Herbert s. Wood.
District Public School Association;
James G.. Yaden, Federation Of Citi-
zens' Associations, school committee;
William Mex. Clayton, Ellie 8. Hoff-
man of the Barry Farm Citizens As
ISOLATION and Mrs. Daniel Murray of
the District of Columbia State Fed
Grafton Of Colored Women's Clubs.
Nearly all of those who attended the
hearing we're supporters Of the bill, but
arguments against it were made by
Mrs. w. G. Stuart of the Bancroft and
Powell Parent-Teacher Associations,
and by Grover w. Ayres.
In opening the hearing Senator Cap
per said he was very much for the
BILL" expressing the belief it would re-
suit in a greater interest being taken
in the schools.
ST have been for some years in favor
of suffrage as applied to electtng the
President and Representatives in Con-
gress," said Chairman Capper. Be
yond that I doubt the wisdom of ex-
tending suffrage, except as to the cleo
ton of the Board of Education"
Mrs. Zimmerman read statistics TO
show the number of cities that have
elective school boards and gave other
figures to bear out her contention that
the schools in such cities have larger
Fairgrounds, more and better paid
teachers and other advantages. Mrs.
Bannerman said the present law, under
which the school board is appointed by
the judges of the District Supreme
Court, is out of harmony with Amer
lean principles.
Quarrel With System.
Mr.. Yaden said an elected board
would be more responsive to the wishes
of the people. He said there Is no quar-
rel with school officials as individuals,
but with the system.
Mr.. Clayton argued that If the ballot
box is set up for selection of the school
board, the machinery would exist by
which Congress could take a referen-
dunn whenever there was doubt Is to
local sentiment on question.
Others who spoke on the bill were
Albert Stabler and John r. O'Neal.
Mrs. Stuart, replying to the support
ers of the bill, said the groups she
represented had carefully studied the
arguments ON both sides of the question
before deciding against the change.
Mr.. Ayres said he agreed with the
arguments advanced by supporters of
the bill, except as to the remedy. He
urged that the school board members be
appointed by the Commissioners In
stead of the judges, but opposed the
plan for an election.