Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-18
The Miner School Building to Be
Occupied
IN SPITE OF VIGOROUS PROTESTS
Commissioners Announce Their De-
cision on the Matter.
RED ms ANITARY

Notwithstanding previous promises. the
Commissioners this morning decided to use
the Miner School building at the corner of
18th and Madison street for school house
to accommodate the pupils of the Stevens
School during the repair of the latter.
While 1t was expected the Commissioners
would take such action, the decision this
morning came in the nature Of a surprise
to the delegation of citizens representing
the West End League, who called to pre-
sent petition from the residents and
property owners in the neighborhood pro-
testing against the use of the Miner build
ing. This petition was printed some days
ago in The Star.
After Mr.. F. NJ. Evans had stated the
object of the committee in appearing be-
fore the Commissioners and had presented
the petition. Commissioner Truesdell, speak
ing for the board of Commissioners, said:
I'VE have received a letter from Trustee
John H. Brooks. In which he states that
the Stevens building Is insanitary. An
examination of that building by District
officials shows this statement is correct.
The Ger ter building must be abandoned. 1t
Is not fit for school purposes, making 1t
necessary In any event to have more ROOM
1t Is not only insanitary, but unsafe. 1t
was for that reason that an appropriation
was made to reconstruct the building.
Now, gentlemen, the Miner building has
X
perts, consisting of the health officer, the
inspector Of buildings and the inspector
of plumbing. They made their examination
yesterday. and this morning submitted a
verbal report, in which they say that the
building can be made sanitary by small
expenditure. the plan being to give up all
natures. and to plug up all sewer connec-
tons In the light of that report. and the
1act that the Stevens building Is not In
shape to be used the Commissioners find
it necessary to use the Miner building. 1t
Is absolutely necessary to provide additional
room for portion OF the pupils and the
Commissioners have given the subject care
ful consideration, and find it necessary to
use both buildings. The wings of the
stevens building will be used until spring.
when the improvements will be com.
menced."
All the Year.
Then You will use the Miner building all
the school year?" asked a member of the
committee.
fes.' replied Commissioner Truesdell,
ut will have to be used the entire year by
portion of the pupils"
But we were assured. gentlemen" said
MI. Evans. that you would only use the
Miner building in any event until jan
uary. Now we are told you are to use it
the whole year. How many pupils do YOU
propose to put there?"
About 300. and that removes the most
serious objection that your association has
raised. l refer to the objection that the
building would be overcrowded. Now. we
do not propose to overcrowd the building
Stevens Building Repairs.
Now. returning. to the Stevens school,"
continued Commissioner Truesdell, 1.-The ap-
preparation for the repair of that building
Is about 5000 less than the lowest bid
received to do the work. We propose to
commence the work of repair in May, and
leave the construction in such shape that
70 m Ina aI1 Id
carried out with the help of an additional
appropriation"
How are you to pay for these repairs to
tne Miner building recommended by the
board OF experts?" asked Mr. Evans
The Commissioners" replied Commits
sioner Truesdell. have not obligated them
selves to pay for any of the repairs. The
repairs will be made, and If the Commits
sicners can get an appropriation to paw for
them In the future. why. all we'll and good
1t Is expressly stipulated in the lease with
the owner that he Is to make all neces-
sary REPAIRS
But that Is practically an evasion of the
law Insisted Mr.. Evans, "for you are
virtually making contract for which you
have no appropriation
Ends the Matter.
'As far as that is concerned" replied the
Commissioner. 1--WE think it is a moral OBJ.
legation to provide proper school facilities
for the children in the District and we are
ShtASiy WiiiHS " TAKE the Cnance, feeling
certain that our action will be satisfactory
to Congress, and that the citizens of the
District will sustain U.S."
But, gentlemen, the building is insani-
tary, and the hygienic conditions are bad"
suggested DR.. Charles w. Filler.
our experts yesterday examined the
situation carefully. and if we cannot be
guided by its report, we needn't look else
where. The repairs can be completed to
have it ready for the opening of the regu-
lar school year. The Commissioners have
looked into this matter with an earnest
desire to do what was best. and we see no
other way out of the difficulty, and the
course have outlined to you is the one we
are going to follow. If you can assist us
In getting another building we will be
Obliged to you. There is no danger of this
school being continued longer than another
year Its capacity is 600, and We are only
going to quarter 800 children there The
commissioners are sorry that they could
find no other way of settling this i'm
portant question. but something had to be
done. and We did what We thought best for
all concerned"
This ended the hearing.