Evening star., 1951-12-07

equitably divided between the white and
colored schools. Secondly. owing to
frequent shifts in population. he is con-
tinually faced with the necessity Of
transferring white schools to the colored
division. shifts which inevitably lead to
the arousal and protest Of local commu-
mites. Finally, under the present restric-
tions on borrowing written into the
organic acts by which the District is
administered, there is no possibility for
the raising Of bond issues, as is done in
other cities, for school construction and
expansion. The District and it's super
intendent Of schools are at the tender
who compose the House and Senate Dis
trict Committees, and must forever re-
main in the position Of suppliants for
their favors.
Were 1t possible for the District of
Columbia Commissioners to choose the
members of the Board of Education, as
Mr.. Donohue recently suggested, there
is distinct possibility that some of the
problems of the superintendent Of
schools might be eased and that he
could rely upon more sympathetic and
constructively minded superiors. One
certainly could not conceive Of Mr..
Donohue. for instance, who has fuller
knowledge Of community groups in
Washington than any other Commits
sioner who has sat in the District Build
ing for many years, appointing a man
OF the caliber of Adelbert Lee, who
represents few interests but his own, to
the Board of Education. The idea of
of No
much to recommend it-as long as the
salaries are low enough to prevent the
position of board member from becoming
a sinecure.
However preferable the appointment
OF the Board of Education by the Dis
trict Commissioners might appear to
pe. than the present method, it can only
be stopgap expedient. Until passage
Of bill which will give the District
citizens democratic rights now enjoyed
by the overwhelming majority of other
Americans. such crises in the schools
are likely to remain permanent features
of our educational pattern.
James II. Whyte.
have been a teacher in the District
for many years. In the publicity being
given Mr.. Lees business dealings and
the need for change in the Board of
Education, there Is great danger that
and lost sight Of.
The main issue is the need for new
superintendent. Maybe there are flaws
in the Board Of Education as it is today.
But the members, individually, have
always been fair. and willing and Anx-
ious to cooperate with individual teach
ers and committees who have called on
them from time to time. And they are
doing their job as public service, with
out pay.
But there is no democracy in this
superintendent's administration. Sew
eral committees Of teachers that have
known in the last several years have
been refused appointments to see the
superintendent. Some who have seen
him have found 1t difficult experience
In course took at local university
this summer the visiting professor said
that it was well known among educa-
tors that there was no democracy in
the administration Of the District of
Columbia schools.
Why should this be so?
Mr.. Lee has been the only outspoken
critic of DR.. Corning. Is Mr. Lees poor
judgment In his business. being brought
out in the papers now, at the time his
committee needs public support for a
much more vital issue. sort of "red
herring" to give our superintendent the
chance he wants to have this big Job for
another three years?
If teachers could speak individually
and freely. they would tell you this. They
are afraid.
Teacher.
There was board member named
Lee, insurance was his speciality; he
sold 1t to teachers, the unfortunate
creatures, and each one Of them paid
him a fee.
Then up spake old Jiggs Donohue, and
said. "Adelbert. just watch me get you.
Board members never ort to be named