Evening star., 1935-01-20

q limited number Of copies Of the
draft of the bill had been made
available, so this lack of definite
information to q degree, at least,
accounted for the lack of interest
in other provisions.
Introductory statements by Cor.
poration Counsel e. Barrett Pretty
man and Peoples Counsel w. A.
Roberts were not very Illuminating
as to the reasons for the proposed
transfer Of the control over the
citizen boards to the Commission
ers. Both advanced purely theo-
retical reasons based on q desire
for centralization Of power and au-
thority In the Commissioners.
Mr.. Roberts made the tactical
mistake Of appealing to the as
semblage to be governed by reason
and to keep emotion out Of the
argument. This was referred to
with apparent resentment by sew
eral Of the speakers. Another
statement Of the peoples counsel
which failed to sit right with the
citiZens-was a statement that our
civic organization actions usually
take the form Of protests and sell
dom are in the form Of construc-
tive, original suggestion.
The most striking arguments
against change In control Of the
schools and libraries were made
by Miss Selma Borchardt, vice
president, American Federation Of
Teachers: Henry I. Quinn. member
Of the school board; Charles H.
Wesley, spokesman for the prin-
cipal organizations Of colored citi-
zenS, and by Mrs. Philip Sidney
Smith, who is q member Of both
the Board Of Education and the
Board of Library Trustees. Mr..
Wesley, in the course Of his argu-
ment, suggested that 1t is incum-
bent upon those who propose the
change to give their reasons for
changing from the existing order.
William o. Tufts and Leo Rover
urged that the power of the Board
of Education over the conferring
Of degrees by educational institu-
tions not chartered by act Of Con-
gress be retained.
The only ones taking part IN the
hearing who gave blanket approval
to the Commissioner control Of all
the boards were George w. Offutt
and Isaac Cans Of the Alcoholic
Beverage Control Board. Members
of this board are full-time en-
ployes Of the District at q sub
stantial salary, and are regarded
by organized citizens as In an en-
tirely different class from the sew
eral boards Of public spirited citi-
zens who give unstintedly Of their
time without any financial remun-
Grafton.
Mr.. Quinn's proposal that the
powers Of the Board OF Education
be enlarged In keeping with its
responsibilities met with enthusi-
astic approval. He specifically
urged that the school board be
given charge Of making repairs to
school buildings and be permitted
to select school sites.
George e. Sullivan, chairman Of
a special committee Of the Fed
Grafton on Reorganization OF the
District Government, urged that
copies of the bill be printed In
large quantities for general use
Of the citizens and thoroughly
studied prior to further hearing
on the proposals. He stated that
the federation was opposed to CIV
ing the Commissioners any veto
OF other powers over the schools
or library boards.
It has been suggested that II
viii be most helpful in the study
Of this bill II q revised draft be
made in which different type
viii indicate what are the new
proposals and what part Is exist
ing law. A further help would be
giving in parenthesis references to
such existing law.
Fiscal Equity Articles
Available for Distribution.
I'm order that our citizens gen.
orally and members Of civic
bodies in particular may have .
more thorough understanding Of
the problem Of the fiscal relations
between the Federal and District
governments The Star has re-
printed in broadside form the re-
cent series Of articles by Theodore
w. Noyes, editor Of The Star.
Organizations desiring to distribute
copies to their members should
promptly advise as to the quantity
required and TO whom the bundle
should be sent. Copies are avail
able either at the news department,
The Star library or room 423.
The Warrington Board Of Trade
has sent copies to each member Of
the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatives and to each Of its own
members. President Yaden Of the
Federation of Citizens Associations
has undertaken the distribution to
each delegate and to the president
and secretary Of each member
body.
A number Of civic leaders who
are specially interested In District
fiscal matters express the opinion
that q careful study Of these
articles by the citizens and re-
tanning Of them for reference win
be distinct help In urging the
cause OF equity for the National
Capital.
The series treats the subject m-
der three general heads - follows:
ss'fome Reasons Why the Nation
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