Evening star., 1935-06-29
MRS. DOYLE LIKELY
NEW PRESIDENT
OF SCHOOL BOARD.
!GilIigan Decides to Vote for
Her Monday, Assuring
Majority.
QUINN MAY RECEIVE
NEW MEMBERS VOTES
Third Term of Mrs. Doyle Pro-
vides Experience and Training
for Efficient Service.

The Board of Education in all
probability will elevate Mrs. Henry
Grattan Doyle to Its presidency Mon
day, the first time woman has been
so honored
Her election assumed the appear
ance of certainty today when it was
learned that Henri Gilligan, veteran
board member, heo decided to vote
for her, giving her clear majority.
1t was only after month CT in
ternal political bv-plav and working
of cross purposes. however. that the
final line up of the board membership
evolved.
AS it stands now, Mrs. Doyle is
slated to receive at least four votes
from the seven persons who are ex-
pected to attend the meeting Monday
morning. One member, Mrs. Philip
Sidney Smith, has announced she will
be out of the city, while the at
tendance of another, George M. Whit
we'll. still is uncertain, depending on
his business affairs. Both Mrs. Smith
and Whitwell, however, are thought to
favor Mrs. Doyle.
Given Colored Support.
1t is felt that, in addition to Gill;
ean's vote, Mrs. Doyle is sure to have
the support of Mrs. Mary A. McNeill
and DR.. J. Hayden Johnson. both COL
ored, who have been for her from the
first discussions of successor to Dr.
Hayden johnson, retiring president.
President johnson, who is chancellor
of National University, withdraws vol
unfairly from the board at the expira-
ton of his term tomorrow
Henry I. Quinn is the only other
person who has been considered
as having good chance for the
presidency, and, until Gillgan's de-
cision learned today. was thought the
most likely candidate.
Although neither had definitely
committed himself, it has been
rumored in school circles that both
new members of the board may sup
port Quinn. They are Robert A.
Maurer. Georgetown University pro-
fessor and former principal of Gen.
trail High School. and Benjamin L..
Gaskins, colored attorney. Mondays
meeting will be their first.
For such small body as the Board
OF Education, the contest for the presi-
dency has been surprisingly keen.
But internal politics is not new to
the board
Three years ago, when DR.. Hayden
johnson was elected president he had
just been appointed and was a COM
promise candidate selected because Of
a deadlock among other members. In
the two subsequent elections, however,
he was chosen on the basis of his rec
ord in Office.
There was some talk that a similar
solution might be sought to this years
election problem, putting off the bal
1oting until Fall and then choosing
Mr.. Maurer.
Experience and Training.
Mrs Doyle is we'll fitted by expert
ence and training for the somewhat
arduous duties involved She was
appointed in 1928 and is now serving
her third three-year term on the
board. During that period she has
been extremely active.
She is an especial favorite with the
teachers, since she herself once was
teacher and understands their prob
lens. 1t was due largely to her ef-
forts that changes in teacher ratings
and promotions were ordered recently.
She is particularly interested in
health activities, care of handicapped
children and numerous other phases
of the boards work.
Entirely apart from her work on
the School Board, Mrs. Doyle is well
known in Washington. She is the wife
of Dean Doyle of the Columbian Col
lege of George Washington University
and has three children, the oldest of
whom was graduated from Western
High School this June.
A native of England, Mrs. Doyle
finished college there at the age of
10, and began to teach school.
Quiet and small, she is a tireless
worker and has an unusual knack of
getting things done with dispatch.
Because she is now vice president,
she frequently has been called upon
to preside at board meetings in the
absence of the president, and has car
ried off the job smoothly and eff
GENTLY.
Two years ago Mrs. Doyle was vice
president of the National League of
Women Voters, and, in that capacity,
Travelled widely through the country.
She lives in Chevy Chase at $500
Thirty-third street.