Evening star., 1938-03-13
BROADER POWERS
FOR SCHOOL BOARD
EVOKE CRITICISM
Collins Brands Proposal for
Lump Sum silly and
'Idiotic.'
AUDITOR FOR DISTRICT
WITHHOLDS COMMENT
Further Capitalization in Hands
Of Commissioners Favored by
Allen-0pposes Move.

Recommendations of broader powers
for the Board of Education, made by
the Presidents Advisory Committee on
Education, evoked criticism yesterday
from Chairman Collins of the House
subcommittee in charge of District ap-
preparations, as well as from Commits
sioner George E. Allen.
The committee report, suggesting a
basic legislative code for the schools
and lump-sum appropriation to the
school board to be administered by
the board and its officials, was made
public yesterday. It also suggested the
District be considered as State in
Federal aid to education and con-
demned the practice of legislative
riders to appropriation bills.
Auditor Daniel J. Donovan said he
was withholding comment on the pro-
posals until he completes a study of
the report.
Calls Proposals "Silly."
Chairman Collins described the COM
mittee's proposals as they apply to
the District as silly" and "idiotic +"
He said he had made q cursory ex-
animation of the report and under
stood it contemplated lump sum ap-
preparation for the schools.
"The plan recommended in the re-
port" he said, would double the cost
OF government and, of course, the
first thing the school people would do
would be to double their own salaries"
Congress. he continued, has the
duty of determining the need of ap-
preparations before making them, add
ing that Congress could not do that
If it appropriated lump sums"
Opposes Attempt to "Legislate."
Mr.. Collins declared educators could
get along better if they stuck to educa-
ton instead of trying to legislate, and
added that he did not think Congress
would pay much attention to the re-
port. He said his comment applied
to all recommendations in the report
a1ecting District schools. and particu-
larly one criticizing legislation by sup
ply bill riders
Commissioner Allen said he had
not yet had time to study the re-
port carefully. but added that he
did not see any advantage in taking
from the Board of Commissioners the
limited" budget control it now exer-
cises over the school budget.
In principle, at least, I am in
favor of further centralization of mu-
nlclpal powers in the hands of the
Commissioners, rather than to lessen
them," he said.
Mr.. Allen said he saw no advantage
IN separate school budget, since the
size Of the budget would still be de-
termined by the amount of revenue
available.
Selection Left to Schools.
"As a matter of fact" he added,
the Commissioners now leave the Sc
lection of school items almost en-
trely to the school officials and gen.
orally restrict the exercise of power
over the school budget only to the
total to be allowed"
Mrs. Henry Grattan DOYLE. presi-
dent Of the Board of Education, said
she had not read the text of the
report, but believed it followed the
usual American tradition of leaving
public school control in boards of edu-
cation.
The report, I am particularly happy
to note, points out how Objectionable
legislative riders to appropriation bills
can be-" she declared.
The School Board head said it has
long been apparent to her that the
citizens Of the District want the
model school system" which the re-
port contemplates.
DR.. Frank w. Ballou, superintend-
ent Of schools, could not be reached
tor comment.
The whole report has been referred
TO the House Committee on Educa.
ton.