National Republican., 1883-11-14
Regular Monthly Meeting Of the Trustees at
the Franklin Building.
Report Of the Very Bad Condition OF
the Stevens Building,
Which Should Be Carefully Read by the In
spectOr Of Buildings and the Commissioners.
Reports on other School BuiidinSs-other
Business Transacted.

with Mr.. B. IL. Warner in the chair and Mr.. G.
b. Rheem secretary. In addition there were
present Messrs. Clark, Curtis, Purvis, Brooks
and Smith.
Applications from John p. Mills, Mary
Mason Dodge Mary H. Dyer. Edna ID. Scott,
and JosieF. Sheehan for teachers positions,
aud from Thomas =. Galleher and l.. Locke
for janitors places, were received and referred.
Referring 10 q communication from the man
ayers of the Ragan illustrated lectures propos.
ing to give children's day, MI. Curtis offered
n resolution that the teachers be permitted to
mention the subject to the children, which
was adopted.
1t was announced that the first quarterly
examination of the Washington normal
school would take place in the normal school
room, Franklin building, on Friday next the
sixt euth' Instant, from $3.50 n. IN. to 1890 p III.
Mr.. Clark nominated Mr.. Maddox as jan-
tor of Cranch school building, to take effect
Nov. 12, 1885, which was referred
Mr.. Purvis, from the committee on janitors,
reported excusng the jantor of the Randall
school building from the charges against him
of absence from duty
Mr.. Brooks, from the local committee of the
seventh division, made the following report
on the dangerous condition of the Stevens
school building.
1t says:
The outer walls of the building are of brick, but
not more than one. half of the necessary thickness
for strength This building is two stories aud
fitted for lem mporary use as school rooms. All the
inner partition walls are of studding The founua-
tons OF the building are built upon made earth.
and have been gradually sinking until all of 4 Q
inner walls have sunk two aud four inches, carry
ing the floors out Of level.
In the plan of construction no cloak rooms wsre-
provided, so that all wrappings of pupils and
teachers must be hung In the school rooms. No
means whatever for ventilation were provided,
and nll attempts since made to secure ventilation
have proved Intellectual.
Therefore, at the present time, children are as.
sembled in school rooms without any other means
than The windows ior ventilation, aud during in.
clement weather when they cannot with safety be
ortned the teachers and children are compelled
TO- remain in an unventilated room during the
whole of a school session.
The building Is heated by direct and indirect
boIs % the csnss of he nT III
Cold air is introduced, and the bin boxes con-
nec;ed by pipes opening in the school rooms
above, supplemented by cast iron direct coils
placed In each school room. The boiler is stu
a.ed in the southwest basement room, the top of
which Is covered with sand 10 prevent loss Of
heat. L ress from the building Is obtained from
e first or main floor through wooden poricos
and Always about twenty feet above tine area.
The yards have been filed up about six feet above
tie ascment floors, and q stone retaining wall
quilt a!Ound the building.
Om account Of the iiailness Of the third or loft
~ fy, and the vibrations OF the roof during wind
- rms 1t WIS determined, aiter three panics had
Occurred at the building, to abandon the use OF
ia part OF tile building Tor school purposes, and
J. Liis not since been used. The northwest base.
m mt room wns fitted UP as water closet for the
",uols, with wooden ventiating duct opening
lhy bu lding 20 the smoke stack the south side.
1ur ortunae location Of these closets. and the
rrry gnsatisaciory working of the ventlator. COM
p,.ird their removal, and the closing OF the
i''m. Closets were then provided by cover.
ins IN ihe space between the rear
10th side for. girls and teachers aud
the south side for boys reserving space in the
center ioT the storing OF coal and using one of the
AZ Q N ii 10 int
The boiler room This alteration was made about
Blk years ago TO meet the demand for immediate
change, for sanitary reasons. The alterations at
the time were regarded us necessary to meet the
emergency, and were consequently intended as
lemp1Iary in their nature. The south partition
and part Of the closet for the boys is now under
Niaed by the caving in of the earth. causing
he wall to crack badly, and to be in imminent
.sLst iron coils in the binns IN sme of the rooms
bss also been a cause of serious anxiety, and
fciently supported. These have been propped up
by the janitOr under the local committee, but
feur of falling aud destroying life. The condition
OF these bins Is such as warrants the local com.
mittee in reporting TO the board that II would
seem to be criminal TO allow the building 10 be
occupied when the danger is so imminent of a ter
rible accident and loss OF life.. The, portlco
On the Gas sas of ths building
carriages have rotted and commenced to give way
at the top, lowering tHe stairways about two
about two inches, lower than the floor of the
porlico, making 1t dangerous TO descend. A num-
Der Of children have already fallen down The
miitee hos directed that temporary props
be put under the carriages of This portico. and re-
ported It's condition directly to the commissioners
The sanitary condition of this building as a
public school is unsatisfactory and IN violation OF
the laws OF health. and, II not remedied is likely
liberia, scarlet lever, and such other levers as re-
suit from want OF proper ventilation aud sewer
When 1t is remembered that we have ff cen
schools, with about 900 child en- atendi, g these
schools, the importance Tor giving prompt atten-
against possible injury and death, becomes an i'm
~ H sspeHS'uFe Ss s1sS sSSS
IN the particulars named by the committee to the
extent of guarding against injury aud loss Of life
and this board to longer permit these great risks
ofprobable injury and loss of life to the children
by the Insecurity Of this building.
1t is, therefore, recommended that the condition
of this building, as herein set FORTH be reported to
the commissioners Of the District of Columbia, aud
that they be requested to direct that prompt at;
tention be given to such repairs MS may be found
absolutely necessary to guni against accident.
The construction Of this buildidg upon its pres
ent plan and condition warrant, the committee
IN submitting the following additional recon-
mendaiions: That the present site (l6,48l square
ieeD, which is ample be retained, and u new
twelve room building, at cost not exceeding
$4,000, be erected therein; that the stone now
used for the area retaining walls. excellent ma
terial, be used for the foundation of new buili-
lug and also that the brick Of the present build
ing be used In its construction This, upon
grounGs Of ecouomy and present convenience of
location school center in this division, would
seem TO be the best plan for meeting the pressing
emergency for other and safe school accommoda-
tons.
In discussing the resolution, Mr.. Brooks
said he would not take the responsibility OF
having children in this building while it ID
in its present condition. 1t is really trap
of destruction. lie described what shifts had
been taken in this matter to keep the build
ing open as a school. The weight of mans
body on the roof will shake the building. 1t
was q sanitary nuisance. He had three
times complained to the commissioners about
it, and finally concluded he would be direlict
in his duty If he did not call the attention o
the board to this matter.
Mr.. Clark offered the following resolution
Resolved, That the board accept the report Of the
local committee, seventh division, aud refer the
same 10 the commissioners OF the district, request
ing such immediate action as Is required 10 make
the Stevens school building secure.
DIR. Purvis moved to amend by inserting the
words, land adopt" after accept" and made
a strong speech in behalfo Of his amendment,
Some discussion was had before the report
was accepted.
Gen. Curtis said he did not wish to present
such strong report to the commissioners.
Mr.. Brooks did not care how strong was the
report The terribly dangerous condition oi
this building deserved strong report
DIR. Purvis agreed with Mr.. Brooks.
Mr.. Smith said that in his own district the.
Iad had nine closets torn out to put in no