Henderson daily dispatch., 1937-06-09

bloc, supported by the North Carolina
Education Association, the textbook
trust, the school politicians and in
the last two sessions by the State SUI
perintendent of public instruction and
the State Department of Public In
struction, have sought either to have
the school commission abolished, or
to put it under the control ard domi-
nation of the superintendent But
every effort along this line failed, be-
cause the General Assembly was not
willing to turn over the ALLEGATION of
$25,0O0,O0O a year of school funds to
professional educators and school po-
liticians. Virtually the only effort
made by the school forces in the 1897
General Assembly was to get the
school machinery act changed SO that
the State superintendent would be
chairman of the school commission
with power to appoint the executive
secretary. But this effort was de-
cisively defeated.
But this same bloc is now trying to
persuade the governor to do by APP
pointment what the General Assem-
bly, refused to do by enactment, &C
cording to reliable reports. Those fa-
voring this change, according to these
reports, are attempting to convince
the governor that both the school com
mission and Secretary Griffin are
very unpopular, that both the school
forces and the public are demanding
a change They are also said to be
maintaining that but for the work
done by. State Superintendent Clyde
in,
the primaries last spring, the school
forces would have supported Mellon
aid instead of Hoey, with the result
that Mcdonald would have been nom
mated and elected governor. So, in
order to keep faith with the school
forces who went down the Line for
Hoey a year ago, it is now necessary
for Governor Hoey to name new
commission and get rid of Griffin,
thew are understood to be maintain
ing.
Reports are also to the effect that
this anti-Griffin and pro-Erwin bloc
has either enlisted the sympathy and
aid. or is trying to enlist it, of such
potent personalities, believed to have
the governors ear, as DR.. Fred w.
Morrison, of Washington, D. c., assoc
ciated with former Governor 0. Max
Gardner in his law office there; DR..
Frank P. Graham, president of the
Greater University of North Carolina:
Commissioner of Paroles Edwin Gill
and others, with the argument that
the changes advocated will bring
about greater efficiency and coopera-
ton.
It is generally conceded that Doug
las. who for years has been connected
with the State Department OF PUBIC
Instruction, is a good accountant and
oookkeeper, that he is honest, falth-
rul and efficient in his line. But there
s nothing in his experience or pack
rround to indicate that he has the
,hilitv to handle $25,000,00O year
md allot it to the public schools, or
hat he is sufficiently familiar with
he business details of school admin
stration to become the executive sec
etarv of the school commission, 1t is
ointed out. The general belief is that
he reason the school bloc and Super
ntendent Erwin want Douglas named
secretary of the commission IS De-
ause they believe, he would be IN sym
)athv with whatever Erwin ana the
school bloc wanted done, especially IL
The governor should name the people
on the commission wanted by this
bloc.
For the time being this intense I'M
ler-cover and behind-the-scenes con-
est for the control of the State
School Commission has backed every
hing else, including the Forthcoming
supreme Court appointments, out OF
he picture observers agree. The out
.ome of the contest, showing which
group has won out, is not expected
until late next week.