Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-18
Another Probe
0fD.C. Schools
Opens in House
Committee to Study
Size Of Teacher and
Supervisory Stoffs
BY JAMES G. DEAN

investigation OF washington
public schools.
Investigators of the House
Appropriations Committee will
spend the next several months
studying the size of the city's
teacher an6 school supervisory
staff. it was learned today.
The House group also is look
ing into the city's relief expendi-
lures and financial operations at
District General Hospital.
Purpose of the three-pronged
study, Representative Rabaut,
Democrat of Michigan. told The
Star, is to check these three main
land controversial-areas OF
city spending. Results of the
study will be considered by the
appropriations group in handling
city budget proposals.
New Independent Study
Mr.. Rabaut heads the House
District Appropriations subcom-
mittee. which passes on city
budgeting.
Mr.. Rabaut said the new study
OF the school system is independ-
ent of the investigation already
under way by a special House
subcommittee headed by Repre-
sentative Davis. Democrat OF
Georgia.
The Davis group. which is
scheduled to get public hearings
under way at 10 am. tomorrow
has announced that it is explor-
ing the entire operation of the
city's schools. It's investigators,
headed by Memphis attorney
William Gerber. have been ques-
tioning many teachers and adj
ministrators about problems of
racial integration and other
matters.
Several school principals and
Board of Education President c,
Melvin Sharpe are lined up to
testify before the Davis group
between tomorrow and Friday.
Spending to Be Studied
The new appropriations COM
mittees study will be completely
financial, Mr.. Rsbaut said. The
aim is to learn chat the city is
spending now and how we'll this
is meeting its needs. -
The study will be carried out
by a permanent investigation
staff attached to the appropria-
tons group.
Individual investigatorsNalready
have set up Offices at Franklin
School, school system headquar-
ters, and at the District-operated
hospital and the Welfare Depart
ment's public assistance division
These investigators will work
with officials of the three agen-
cies in accommodating information
In the case of the hospital, the
study-disclosed publicly already
will focus on purchasing ano
operating procedures which have
been under fire by members oil
the hospital staff.
On the public assistance OPP
Grafton, the study is intended tc
determine whether relief funds
are being spent in the best pos
sible way. and whether they are
adequate.
Methods And Personnel
The school study, according to
the official description, win focus
on the methods, procedures and
personnel policies of the school
administration.
Mr.. Rabaut said one subject
covered will be a comparison of
class sizes and the teaching
staff here with those in other
cities. A similar study already
is being made by city and school
officials.
The Michigan legislator has
given a cool reception to plans
for enlarging the teacher staff
to reduce class sizes here. But
there has been strong public
pressure for such a move.
Day-long sessions are SEIZED.
u1ed to get under way tomorrow
before the Davis group. No in.
dication has been given as to how
long they will continue.
A senior high school principa
and four from junior highs ART
slated to be among the first wit.
nesSes. Hugh Smith of jefferson
Junior High has been called fol-
tomorrow. Wilmer F. Bennett o.
Hine Junior High and Arthur
Storey Of mcfarland Junior
High for Thursday and Mrs. Elvs
Wells Of Roosevelt High Schoo
and Mrs. Willie A. Dodson o.
Eliot Junior High for Friday.