Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-18

fund for the states and terrftorfes Including the
District Of Columbia, to be distributed pro rata
but an Insignificant amount would come to the
District So important Is this considered that two
surplus patent fund, of about milIioR and three
quarters notwithstanding every dollar of that
fund, besides the expense OF the bureau, has been
paid by the inventors Of the country, who, at the
same time, have paid their proportion Of the ex-
penses OF the government the same as other citi-
zens. II now it is deemed so important that some
thing be done for the states surely it cannot
be amiss to ask that Congress shall do something
for the District OF Columbia, the seat of the ma
ded, the interest on it would greatly relieve our
dmcultles and In a few years enable us to provide
all the public school facilities needed.
This Is no new idea, for from 1895 to 1878 memo
rial after memorial has been presented to Congress
on the subject; for particulars OF which see School
so 81; alse Report OF 1878, p. SO Ia
II Is difficult to understand why the citizens
OF this District should not be treated the same
especially In view of the facts hereinbefore
stated and the still further fact that Congress has
pertaining to the District.
Another change we would recommend, to give
the school board entire control Of all matters re-
latng to the schools the same the school boards
have all over the country. Can any one give any
valid reason why the school board should not have
the same power and control OF school matters here
that they have in Cleveland, Chicago and Boston7
II SO, we have never yet heard it.
So, too, the board should have the appointment
OF It's superintendent OF schools, the same here
elsewhere. He is the executive officer OF the board
to carry out their system or plan OF conducting the
tween him and the board in order to have the sys-
tenn work smoothly. The board do not favor the
idea suggested by the District Commissioners last
winter In their amendment to the code now pend
Ing before COngreSS-tO have the board nominate
and the Commissioners appoint the superintendent
cret t1e m that hit ne proves the
blame will be ours. We do not want any more dt-
vided authority. We believe it is far better to
MI no <u3f
then hold that tribunal responsible.
AS to the best method Of securing suitable plans
Give the School Board fun CONTROL ana
them to select their own architect. the same Is
done elsewhere.
HEALTH AND COMFORT THE FIRST REQUISITES.
There are certain general principles or requisites
for a school room which are SO we'll understood
and agreed upon by all intelligent school men and
When the best plan for school building has been
agreed upon, and tested by experience, it is folly
to be constantly changing merely for show or ex-
ternal appearances. The principal work OF the
architect now to adapt the building to the shape
and size Of the lot, and the locality surroundings
at the same time embodying and carrying out the
general principles as to the size OF rooms lighting,
heating. and ventilating which should never be
sacrificed for any reason whatever. The health
and COMFORT or the pupils ana teachers shOaud
school buildings.
With an Intelligent school board having au-
thorlty to select the architect, and control the
erection OF the building. there need be difficulty
on this point II they are not competent to man.
age and control the erection of the school build
ings, then they are not ut for their position.
Under the law passed at the last session, the
only authority possessed by the school board was
to "apprOve the plans" when made by the arUhi-
tect OF the Capitol. Thus we have the anomalous
condition OF the plans being made by one party
then approved by another party-and the buildings
being erected under the supervision OF still third
party.
1t is seldom, indeed, that a building costing
thirty-hve to forty thousand dollars IS erected
without some slight change In the details being
required; and yet under this law, no one has any
authority whatever to make them even though it
may save thousands OF dollars, enable the work
to be done without violation OF other laws. or OF
the ordinances OF the health department adopted
Congress says shall be as binding, when approved
by the District Commissioners, as though EN-
bodied In the act Of Congress authorizing their
adoption.
THE SCHOOL BOARD SHOULD HAVE CONTROL.
Practically, the Board can hardly be said to
have the approval OF the plans because the act OF
tain day-September !st, uhe act being approved
June 4th)-and in order to have the plans
and specifications approved, bids advertised for,
contracts executed within the time pre-
scribed by the act of Congress, the board were
sheets, without a single detail Of any kind, and
without any specification. What made it still
worse was the fact, that in this instance the bids
therefore had to be rejected and new bids sidver-
tised for In making this statement OF facts we
whatever Is intended upon the action OF the archi-
tect In the matter and who protested, both orally
ana IN writing, 10 the board and the committee in
the Senate, against having this work forced upon
him, in addition to his already numerous duties in
other directions. The sole object is to show the
difficulty. II not imposSibility, Of getting along
successfully under such condition OF affairs. If
Congress will place the matter under the sole
ed IN future. Ii not, then the board ought TO be
relieved of all responsibility in the matter
:. AS to the best plan for making repairs,
may properly be done by contract under the
supervision OF the Inspector OF Buildings, who
should consult with and be governed by the I'D
such as may properly be termed exigency work,
can be most satisfactorily and economically done
by mechanical janitor under control OF the school
board, or by the local trustees employing suitable
persons In the immediate vicinity. The present
plan OF giving out all the work in one line by
contract In advance, to one party, is not believed
to be The best or most economical plan. Either
the District authorities must employ man at q
are at liberty to present such bills as they see
fit and which the trustees are required to approve
without personally knowing anything about the
matter NO argument is required to show that
such Is not the proper way to do business
In like manner the purchase as well as the seec-
tion of school furniture and supplies. should be
under control or the school board and a contract
should be made with sufficient securities to enable
the board to purchase Che furniture in the open
market, at the contractors expense, in case he
failed to have it On hand at the appointed time,
and thus prevent the delay in opening tie schools,
winch during The present season has caused Seri-
Gus difficulty.
Above all, the present system OF contracting for
supplies by awarding contracts to the bidder who
Is the lowest in the aggregate should be abolished
and arrangements made by which the board can
purchase In the open market, with the competition
or dealers on the particular article needed, such
articles as may be incidentally required from time
to time.
So, too, the work of removing and resettfng
school furniture, stoves, and the like, instead of
being done under the control of the property
clerk, should be done under the control of the
local trustees by authority of the school board as
1t would be more economical and far more cOnve-
Iient.
In brief, as before stated, these matters ought
all TO be under the control OF the school board,
and 1t should be conducted on strict business prin
ctpes. or else the board should be relieved from
all responsibility in the matter.
There Is neither sense nor reason In holding tho
board responsible for matters over which they
have but partial or no control, and in asking them
to make requisition for material about which they
can know nothing, or to approve bills the correct
ness OF which they have no means OF ascertaining.
As the services OF the members or the board are
wholly gratuitOus, and as 1t is great sacrifice to
business men to leave their private business to
look after school affairs, it is obvious that great
care should be exercised in the selection OF men for
the position; and no good reason can be seen why
each school division should not be allowed to elect
its own trustees.
For the purpose OF enabling the commission to
see exactly what the position and action of the
school board has been on the several subjects re-
ferrp6 q. SuhYnit herewith the minutes NJ tho