Evening star., 1937-01-02

the three needs in that order, but
stresses the hope that the system will
be relieved in the coming year Of the
waves OF misrepresentation, igno-
rance, bigotry and prejudice" that has
harassed both teachers and officers
during the past year.
Although the actual new construc-
ton in the school system in 1886 was
the smallest in several years, the
board launched drive for a planned
program Of expansion to carry the
school system through 1912. This
program now is being considered by
the District Commissioners and other
officials, and If the necessary appro-
priations can be obtained, the physical
equipment Of the schools will be suff1-
cient to house the constantly increas-
ing number OF pupils that overcrowd
the city's class rooms.
Other developments of the past year
included the promotion of Robert L..
Haycock to the Office Of first assistant
superintendent of schools. to fill the
vacancy created by the death Of DR..
Stephen E. Kramer. Two new assist
ant superintendent were appointed
DR.. Harvey A. Smith. in charge OF
senior high schools, and DR.. Chester
w. Holmes, in charge of Junior high
schools.
Character Education Plan Ended.
After two years the congressional
experiment. in character education
was dropped when Congress refused
to provide funds.
There were many changes in per-
sonnel among principals, marked by
the appointment of two new senior
high school principals and the retire
ment of another. Allan Davis retired
after 48 years service as principal OF
Roosevelt and was succeeded by Miss
Many P. Bradshaw, who became the
only woman head of a senior high
school in the city. Lawrence G. Hoo
yer was made principal at Central,
succeeding DR.. Smith.
The year also saw the board lose
a court decision involving the enroll
ment of nonresident pupils. Because
of the overcrowding in the schools,
DR.. Frank w. Ballou, superintendent
banned non-residents. John S. Kemp
of Clarendon, Va, employed In the
District, brought suit to force the
enrolment of his daughter Lois and
won a writ of mandamus. The case
Is still pending on appeal.
THE year 1886 in retrospect" Mrs
Doyle said, brings to my mind pic
ture of some 5000 earnest, honest
patriotic people, the public school
teachers Of Washington, faithfully
carrying on their appointed tasks
moving steadily on their chosen path
while all around them were rockets
red glare of false accusations oi
communism, and bombs bursting in
air filed with the poison gas OF mis-
representation. ignorance. bigotry and
prejudice But all the bluster, threats
unsupported accusations and unconSti-
tutional questionnaires have only
served to give proof through the
night that our flag was still there
the flag of genuine Americanism, the
AmericaniSm for which the founders
of this great and enduring Nation
gave their lives. And that flag still
flies, as it always has and always
will. over the heads and in the hearts
Of the teachers, pupils and admins
trative staff of the District of Co.
lumbia public schools. Let it not bt
forgotten that not one single instance
of any employe of the Board Of Edu-
cation advocating anti-American doc.
trines has been found. But the un.
American red rider, in spite OF thu
splendid reports by committees of bott
houses of Congress recommending it!
repeal, is still with us. The hearings
on Capitol Hill were worth while
and to me at least they seemed to bt
productive of much that was good
The public of Washington has over.
whelmingly demonstrated its support
of the Board of Education on the Is.
sues involved, which are: First, thu
maintenance of the American tradi'
ton of education. which gives Il
properly constituted educational au'
thorities the responsibility for man
aging the public school system with
out interference by politicians or self
constituted dictators and censors, and
second, the principle that our children
shall face the modern world armed
with knowledge. not hampered BY
ignorance.
Planned Building Program.
Nineteen thirty-six saw the initia:
ton of an important step in efficient
economical conduct of the schools
through a planned building program
Far-sighted planning is necessary ir
any business, public or private, anc
it is especially necessary in a busi-
ness concerned with the lives of chill
dren. While this program has moi
progressed as it should. the Board OF
Education and the school officials
have consistently placed the hous-
ing needs of the school system before
the proper authorities and the public
and pointed out the need for purpose
full planning. The year has not seer
much improvement in the condition:
which prevail in many OF our schools
caused by over-large classes. and the
need for more teachers continues tc
be painfully evident.
Nineteen thirty-six has brought a
definite emphasis upon commur-
health to the citizens of Washington
In the high schools, testing fol
tuberculosis marks a forward ster
in prevention work Health examina
tions for all school children are moi
yet fact. but the need is more
clearly understood by parents and
others concerned with the welfare
Of our future citizens.
What will the new year, 1887 bring
to the public school system? Would
that I had a magic wand, to bring
it new buildings, with equal educa-
tional opportunities and facilities fol-
all; to give it sufficient teachers
to make possible more individual at
tention to pupils through reduction
of the number Of pupils per class
to provide health examinations for all