Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-09-15
DrLArrDArED SCHOOL BUILDINGS


why tho D0at0t08 Inspector Asks f0R
. Repair Fund Of 81, O0O-Buildings
Going to Ruin from Lack Of Atten.
don.
As stated N THs STAR Of Thursday, the IN
spector Of buildings, Mr.. Entwisle, In his esti-
mates for the next fiscal year, has asked for
SS5, 600 for repairs to school buidinrsL In his
report he sets forth his reasons for asking this
amount as follows ' The increased amount for
repairs to public school buildings is made neces-
sary from the fact that the amounts asked for
for this and the preceding years have been cut
down, when making the appropriation, to such
an extent that the amounts were. as stated By
the trustees, insufficient to repair the buildings
further than to keep them habtable, while the
exteriors Of them are going to decay for want
OF repairs to woodwork and painting In the
county there are seventeen and in the CITY three
wooden buildings owned by the District, each
one or which needs painting, and several of
them need new roofs md other repairs to the
exterior and fences. There are in the city thirty
five and In the county four exclusive of
the three In the city and two In the county in
course OF construction. making fOrty-four brick
school buildings in city and county. and total
or sixty school buildings. majority Of
the buildings in the city are of the large class,
fitted with steam heating and all necessary ap-
pliances, which need to be kept in good order.
Those buildings, with the exception of the
uiuotceu DuflC WlCnln the last Tour years, ana
now In course of construction,
NEED EXTENSIVE REPAIRS
to the exterior, such as repairs to wood work,
enclosures and generally repainting. Those
recently built all need constantly minor repairs
and adjusting. OF the nineteen new buildings
the fund has been only sufficient to kasomine
four OF them. The other fifteen should be kali
somined as speedily as possible to protect the
sand finished walls 1t is false economy to
allow the buildings to run down until they
reach decaying condition. and l am satisfied
that an appropriation of 535. 900 should be made
for the two succeeding years, which will put the
buildings in such q condition that they may
De Kept up at reduced amount. l have for
THIS and the preceding years recon-
mended appropriations as follows, and
eacn nave been reduced, as shown below:
For the year ended June 80, 1884, I recommend
ed s2O, OOO-$15,OC was appropriated. For the
year ended June 80. 1882 I recommended
$4,000. Only $4,000 was appropriated which
sum was entirely inadequate. and deficiency
OF SSOOO was obtained, which was a necessity
to keep the buildings in habitable condition.
For the year ended June 80, 1883, $1,000 was
| again recommended, but $4,000 was appropri-
ated. For the present fiscal year S2O,O was
recommended for repairs, and for the enclosing
ana Improvement OF the grounds at the High,
Henry, Webster. Gales, Garrett, Anacostia and
the school on Biadensburg turnpike, the sum Of
SIG, 400 was asked for, making $36 400; but for
all of the above work only $4,000 was appro-
prated, and by the wording of the bill the re-
pairs are to be made and the grounds named
above enclosed and improved. The best dispo-
sition that could be made of this fund is con-
tanned in the order of the Commissioners, dated
July IA. approprMting Sill 600 to repairs and
S4.O0O to the improvement Of and enclosing tn g
grounds. The above statement shows that
THE AMOUNTS ASKED
for repairs in the four years have been reduced
BOD for
and improving grounds, S12,4OO It is there
fore plain to be seen by the above showing why
the buildings are becoming dilapidated, not
withstanding the care taken in an economical
and judicious use of the funds. Appended is
list of the school buildings owned by the Dis
trict. their locality and capacity. which will
convey some idea of their great extent and the
amount OF funds necessary to keep them in
proper repair and the appliances in q good
working condition The necessity for new
buildings Is for the board of school trustees to
determine; but as to the character of the build
ings. would suggest that the plan Of the re-
Gently constructed buildings be adhered to-con-
tanning eight to ten rooms, and not over two
stories in height above the basement. as they
are far preferable to the three story and base
ment twelve rOOms) buildings in case of fire or
panic, and on account Of the difference in con-
struction and the expensive heating apparatus.
Two buildings, containing eight rooms each. can
rooms buildings; the only difference being the
cost of one more site, which gives the advantage
OF separate and more conveniently located
school,"
LIST OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS OWNED By THE DIS
TRICT OF COLUMBIA.
First Division-Franklin building seventeen
rooms and exhibition hall. heated by steam; Force
building, twelve rooms, heated by steam; Ana
lostan, twelve rooms, heated by steam; Thorn
son building. six rooms and basement, heated
by furnace and stoves; Berret building, two
rooms, heated by stoves; old frame building COR
ner Of 22d and streets northwest, eight rooms.
heated by stoves
Second Division-Seaton building, ten rooms
and exhibition hall. exclusive OF basement.
heated by steam; Henry building twelve rooms
and basement. heated by steam; Abbott build
Ing. nine rooms and basement, heated by fur
mace; Webster building, twelve rooms aid base
ment, heated by steam; Gales building. twelve
rooms and basement, heated by steam; High
school, twenty-eight rooms and large exhibition
hail, exclusive Of basement, heated by steam.
Third DivisiOn-Wallach building, ten rooms
and basement, heated by steam; Peabody build
ing, twelve rooms and exhibition hall. exclusive
OF basement heated by steam; Cranch building,
Six rooms and basement, heated by steam Nc
Cormick building, four rooms and basement,
heated by furnace; Old Odd Fellows hall, cor
ner 7th and G streets southeast two rooms
heated by stoves.
Fourth Division Anacostia, two rooms.
heated by stoves; Jefferson building, sixteen
rooms and large exhibition hail. exclusive of
basement, heated by steam; Greenleaf building,
four rooms, heated by stoves; Potomac build
ing. four rooms, heated by stoves; Amidon
building. eight rooms, heated by furnace.
Fifth Division-Curtis building ten rooms and
exhibition hall, heated by steam; PrOspect-street
building, tour rooms, heated by stoves; High
street building frame, four rooms, heated by
stoves; third street building, three rooms
heated by stoves.
Sixth Division-One-room frame, Ridge
road; one-room frame, Conduit road; one
two-room brick. Tenleytown; one two-room
frame, Grant rOad one two-rOom frame, Bright
wood; one One-rOom frame, Brightwood; one
four-room frame, Mt. Pleasant; one one-room
brick, Columbia road; one one-room frame,
Fort Slocum; one two-room brick, Bladensburg
turnpike; one one-rOom brick. Brook station:
one one-room frame, Queens chapel; one one
room frame, Queens chapel;o ne two-room frame,
Benning's; one two-room brick, do; one one
room frame, Benning's; one two-room frame,
Good Hope. one two-roOm frame. Giesboro; one
six-ro0m frame, Hillsdale; one six-roOm brick,
AnacOstia; one six-rOOm frame, Howard Uni
versity; one two-room frame, Soldiers Home
Seventh Division-Sumner building, ten
rooms, exhibition hall and basement. heated by