The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-06-01
POLITICS, NOT
EDUCATION, TO
RULE SCHOOLS
County Superintendent to
Be Chosen on Basis of
Party Strength.
DUNN EXPECTS VICTORY
Township Trustee Has Built
Fences Since 1880 to
Land Job.
BY DANIEL NJ. KIDNEY
Times STAFF Writer

Politics and not scholarship will
be the principal factor in selecting
new Marion county school SUI
perintendent next Monday it was
admitted today by j. Malcolm Dunn,
Wayne township trustee
Dunn asserts that he has suffi-
cient votes Of the eight other trustees
to assure his election as superin-
tendcnt.
An avowed candidate, he has
been working for the post since his
election as trustee in 1890
The township trustees constitute
the county board of education. To
elect one of their own number to
the superintendency will establish a
new high in political control of the
public schools in Marion county, it
has been pointed out.
Holds Second Grade Certificate
Critics Of Dunn also declare that
he is the only candidate who holds
a second grade superintendent's Ii
cense from the state.
All others hold first grade GER
tificates
Dunn was the author of a reSo-
luton passed by the board which
required that all teachers and prin-
cipals in the Marion county schools
have first-grade teaching licenses.
His election as superintendent
will mean that he is an exception
to his own rule, it was declared.
Nevertheless, Dunn today is con-
fldent of victory.
The Office is a four-year term and
now is held by Fred T. GLADDEN., a
Republican. Present trustees are
all Democrats. so GLADDEN. never
has declared himself a candidate
for reelection.
Beavers Is Candidate
Dunn's leading Democratic op-
ponent is William A. Beavers, 5S72
Julian avenue, principal of Shade
land school, Warren township. He
holds a first grade superintendent
license.
Another contender prominently
mentioned is o. w Nicely, Wash
ington high school teacher, also
holder of first grade license.
From the standpoint of scholar
ship. Professor Pleasant Hightowel
of Butler university is in front. He
is a Democrat, but not an active
politician, according to reports
Although he is the only doctor
of philosophy in education in the
race, he has not been considered
seriously by the trusees, it was said
Served U. S. in Philippines
His doctorate was procured under
Professor Edwin Diller Starbuck al
the University of Iowa, world famed
educator and a native of Bridge
port. Ind.
Professor HightoWer was for some
time superintendent of schools for
the federal government in the Phil
ippines.
Dunn has had no experience
either as a superintendent or prin-
cipal, his opponents contend. He
was botany teacher in the Ben
Davis high school five years.
Entering Democratic politics as
township trustee, he has devoted
much time to building up his quail
1icationS and political fences for the
SUPPLEMENTARY, they assert.
Tax Rate Doubled
In the meantime, the Wayne
township tax rate has doubled
Five OF the nine trustee votes are
needed for election. and Dunn. un-
der the law. can not vote for him
self
Importance of the position is re-
flected in the fact that it means
supervision OF forty-two buildings
including ten high schools, 40G
teachers. and 14300 pupils living
outside the city limits of Indian
apoliS.