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

Since the regular estimate was sent In by the Dis
March 81, 1882, addressed letter to the Commits
sioners, calling their attention to the tact that the
s3 goo was entirely inadequate to the ordinary re-
pairs, the providing Oh the steam heating for the
two new buildings now being erected and the en-
closing and improving OF the grounds OF the sew
putting reproOf floors in the halls and iron stairs
in the Sumner, for which work tie above estimate
OF the school board was made; and the Com
missi0ners have since sent I'm an estimate OF
IA 2O1. Is for the repairs and improvements con-
ternplated the Loco for the heating apparatus,
together with some additions for the plumbing.
&c, being desg ned Tor the deficiency BILL in order
that IT may be sooner available, as 1t is needed ror
1t viii be observed that in 1901 Congress re-
duced the appropriation for repairs $1,000 and last
year reduced IT s COO more, although We had two
additional twelve-rOOm buildings to care for, Asa
result IRE hare not for months hdd cent sritt
,cIticl 10 replace broken srindO,r pane the law
prohibiting the authorities from mourning any
deDt I'D advance OF the appropriations.
WHAT IS NEEDED.
The accompanying reports from the supervising
principals OF the LIST, ID, 3D., 4th and 5th school
divisions will show briefly the condition and needs
OF the school buildings, both owned and rented 1t
ing in the District that ought mot to have an ex-
penditure OF from $1O0 $500 on it to put it into
Peabody, Force. street and Henry build;nes'' are
far superior to those previously erected, nd need
but slight changes or improvements; while such
buildings as the Wallach, Franklin, Sumner and
Curtis VIII require considerable to make them
what they ought to be in respect to safety and
ventilation ON this last subject, ventilation Of
the Walach, Franklin and Sumner, your attention
Is called to the report OF special committee Of the
school board, published in the school report for
1878, PIP. 80 81.
Without the means or time for detailed
examination and estimate by a competent person,
II Is impossible to state Just what amount would
be required TO put the school buildings all into
proper cond tion but it Is believed that not less
than from SIS Oco to $1,000 would be required to
do the work thoroughly.
tSee School Report 1867 11-13l
AS to the rented buildings, with but few excep-
tons they are wholly unsuited and unit to be
occupied Tor school purposes. They consist OF old
barracks erected during the war; old market build
ings, private dwellings, or buildings Easements of
been condemned by the health department as
unnt for the purpose. These buildings are used
simply as matter Of absolute necessity, because
we have not the means to build with, and no other
OR more suitable buildings can be rented for the
purpose. The amount paid for rent OF school
expenses II being for the present year "a
reduction OF several thousand dollars in conse-
Guene OF the erection OF the recent buildings and
which Will be still further reduced by the compile
ton OF those now being erected. The amount now
paid for rent would pay the interest at four per
entire District with all the new school buildings
needed, With all the modern improvements In
Great Improvement has been made OF late both
IN the character and cost of the buildings erected
For instance take the Wallach, Franklin Seaton,
Jefferson, Cranch, Curtis and sumner buildings,
and their total cost exclusive OF ground and fiIr
niture, was s564,0G4.s9, an average per school,
room OF S,231.CS: whereas the cost Of the Force
Peabody and U-Street buildings was $lO7,19O an
average per schOol-rOOm OF $2.g75.5O. The three
now under contract are equally cheap, and all
these later buildings are far better heated and
ventilated, though less pretenttous in outward dis
play.
In reply to your inquiry as to what the school
Board would recommend, we have to say IL would
recommend, as the first and most important step,
te estdOttShfaerd or permanent school |tasd FOR
the District From the foundation OF the govern.
ment Ii has dealt literally with the states and ter
ritores In that respect. while for the District 1t has
done nothing.
As shown by executive document a. mart
Forty-Sixth Congress- I'd session. the national gov,
eminent has donated to the states and territories
ron educational purposes alO5te land follows:
Under the law oil 1903, each 10th section. and I'M
der the law OF 1s4S. each 10th and So section,
amounting tO................ 81. SOC 9i9 acres
For university funds. ........ 1,6055aO acrss
For agricultural colleges. ...... 9,G00,COo acres
Total number Of acres. ............... 79,c09 4ss
To the District OF Columbia. ........ NOtlia0
rms amount given TO the states, is exclusive of
the $50 acres OF saline lands, the 2sls93 acres
don ated TO the settlers In Florida, Oregon. New
Me xico and Washington Territory, and the 1885,
54 ssf acres given TO the states and corporations
Tor railroad purposes.
AS a consequence OF this action by the govern
melt all the states, more especially the western
states, have a permanent school fund varying
from three TO nine million of dollars and Ia some
OF them the land has rot all been sold Much
or the land sold for many times the cost OF govern
ment land, thereby realizing large sums for the
states In one instance that fell under the
writer's personal observation, section OF school
land was worth 500 per acre, In consequence or
=