Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-20
Where the Crush Occurred.

other purpose. as was so largely the case
some eight or ten years ago. On the con-
with some exceptions. the buildings now oc-
cupied by the schools are two stories in
height. with broad. generous double stair
cases. which are absolutely fireproof in the
construction and which are further pro-
tected by fire walls. Fire escapes are at
tached to the thrce-story buildings so that
as far as the buildings are concerned ne
was of the opinion that every precaution
has been adopted to secure them from Are
and the occupants from harm in the event
that fire should break out.
In addition to these precautions the chill
dren were taught a drill which enabled the
teachers to move them as one person. The
children each day left the school room
in regular order and this training was
carried to a high degree Of perfection. 1t
took the place Of what is known as the
fire drill, and he did not think that there
could be anything more effective devised.
The Teachers Duty.
Mr.. Powell. however. said that buildings
with all the modern appliances for safety
were of course excellent in their way and
so was some system Of drill in order to
guard against any sudden surprise or dan
GER real or fancied. But after all these
facilities were practically useless unless the
teachers we're able to control them
selves. and thus maintain their con-
troll Of the scholars. A teacher who
WOuiu dlOW neTSelL OT himself Wnllo INe
school was In session to be startled and
show alarm to the pupils by an outcry or a
sudden jump is in the opinion of Mr.. Pow
ell wanting in the proper qualities of the
teacher. He thinks that. first of
e to conro Himself she aa'y or Of sers ss
such a teacher Mr.. Powell thinks, and with
the excellent buildings in use and the daily
drill the dangers to pupils from any alarm
is reduced to a minimum. He said that in
SNe0kinH TODAY IN Mr. Of he
High School as he stood in the halls of that
large building and watched the children file
in and out to the class rooms the latter
remarked that the building could be emp-
tied of the eight hundred pupils in three
minutes time There Is no doubt that thew
would have that time. added Mr.. Powell
for the staircases as In all the modern
buildings are fire proof.
The Building Distractions.
When a reporter Of The Star Informed
Commissioner Ross yesterday afternoon of
the panic that had occurred at the Garnet
School he expressed great sorrow. and said
he would himself carefully investigate every
detail. Building Inspector Entwisle was
sent for, and directed to report upon the
case this morning.
Commissioner Ross was early at his desk,
and sent Immediately for the building in
spector. Mr.. Entwisle said he had VISITED
the school building and found no obs{ruc-
ton to the north door. He questioned Su-
perintendent Greer and Contractor Thomas.
and they both said positively that the door
had never been obstructed by lumber or aNy
other material. Two days ago a trench had
been dug near the north door for lay
ing water pipes, but this had been filled and
the dirt removed. when I arrived at the
school building I went at once to the al
legged distractions. and as 1 have stated,
found that none existed. Then / called
upon Principal Cromwell and said: You
have made the charge that the north door
Of the school building was INSTRUCTED with
building material, and it was due to this
condition Of affairs that several children
were hurt
ut was obstructed.' he replied.
II then invited him down and asked him
to look for himself. When he had looked a,
the door and found nothing there 10 OBJ
struct he said: I did not know there was
no distractions.
Continuing Mr.. Entwisle said the doors
and passageways were perfectly free when
the panic occurred. The doors are six feet
wide, the halls are sixteen feet wide and the
stairways are freproof.
Commissioner Ross Inspection.
Commissioner Ross, after Mr. Entwisle
had concluded his report, called for his coat
and went to the building to make a personal
examination of the affair.
When Commissioner Ross returned he
stated to Star reporter that he had visited
the Garnet School, and while he did not
find the north door INSTRUCTED he found it
surrounded by storm door with but one
opening The space inside the door was
that about twenty children had escaped
from the building by means Of this door,
Superintendent Cook, however he said
was CAD that more children did not try to
escape by this door. in its narrow con-
fines more would have been injured.