Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-15
RU|NEDBOOKFUND
LOST IN TREASURY,
BALLOU DECLARES
Difficulty in Administering
Money for requirements
Is Reported.
PROBLEM TO RECEIVE
SERIOUS CONSIDERATION
Results Of Study to Be Barred
Later-Board May Fill staff Va
cancies and Wait Appointments.

Difficulties in carrying out the pro-
visions Of the free textbook law
which require parents to pay for al
volumes lost or badly damaged, are
cited by DR.. Frank w. Ballou, super
intendent' Of schools, in the Anal sec
ton Of his annual report, as Offering
opportunity for serious consideration
during the coming year.
At present DR.. Ballou reports, money
paid by parents for lost or damaged
books is paid into the United States
Treasury where its identity as textbook
money Is lost. In discussing the prob
lem, the superintendent writes:
theoretically, the money 30 col
lected should be used for the replace
ment Of the lost books, so the stocks
may be maintained. Practically, 1t ap-
pears necessary to collect money and
turn 1t over for deposit In the United
States Treasury, where it loses its iden-
tity as textbook money. Those in
charge of the handling Of free text
books have this matter under consider
alton. and may be expected to report
during the school year."
Discusses Employment Rule.
DIR. Ballou also reviews in the final
section Of his report the Controller
Generals ruling that employees of the
school system could not be paid until
their appointment actually had been
approved by the Board Of Education
He pointed out that when the Treasury
ofiicial had the consequences OF his rul-
ing explained to him, he advised the
school authorities they could continue
to put persons on the school stan
when vacancies occurred and permit
their appointments to be approved by
the board at its subsequent meeting
This reversal of his ruling was only a
temporary expedient, however, as the
Controller General advised the board
it could continue the practice until
June 80, 1882.
IN his report DR.. Ballou pointed out
that frequently unexpected vacancies
occur through the death OF incumbents
of offices and successors have to be ap-
pointed Immediately. In these cases,
he said, the board acts on the appoint
ment at the next regular meeting. He
recommends the School Boards Legis-
lative Committee undertake TO prepare
a bill in which new legislation would
be framed to legalize the boards pres
ent practice.
Social Hygiene Viewed.
The superintendent believes that
while the teaching of social hygiene In
the public schools continues to be IN
the experimental stage, conclusions
may be reached as to the effectiveness
of the limited program Of instruction
that now Is being carried on expert
mentally" With respect to education
by radio or the use Of radio to augment
regular class room teaching, DR.. Ballou
points out that as yet Washington
schools are without the means Of re-
ceiving the broadcast progra m S
Whether any developments may take
place during the coming year which
might suggest a course Of action fol-
the School Board to follow, the superin-
tendent is of the opinion that "only
the future will reveal"
Admitting that the question Of pro-
viding clerical help for the elementary
schools continues to be "a pressing
matter" DR.. Ballou reports the prob
lem is likely to become even more
urgent during the coming year until
some adequate solution Of 1t shall have
been found"