The morning times., 1896-04-15
BOWEN SCHOOL UNSAFE
Commissioners Asked to Have
the Building Examined.
TO REPORT TO TRUSTEES
Most of the Time of the Board Meet
ing Was Consumed In u Discussion
of the Dangerous Condition of the
Structure-Other business Before
Trustees-Teachers Transferred.

The greater part of the meeting of the
board OF trustees of the District public
schools held yesterday afternoon in the
Franklin School Building, was devoted to
the discussion Of the safe and unhealthy con-
dition OF the Anthony Bowen School Build
lng corner Ninth and T. streets south west.
Immediately on calling the meeting to
order Mr.. Job Barnard. the new member
chosen to fill the vacancy caused by the
resignation OF Mr.. j. j. Darlington, was
duly qualified. The other members present
were President j. W.. Whelpley, Messrs.
Harries, Hazen, Shadd Wilson, Cornish, land
Mrs. Terrell.
The condition of the Bowen School Build
ing was brought up by Mr.. Harries, who
spoke OF its entire unfitness for use. 1T
Is, in his opinion, unfit for Use, and
constant menace to the life and health
of the 400 or more children who attend
school there. The condition. he said, had
been called to the attention OF the build
ing inspector, who is reported as saying
he thinks il will stand" Such condition
of affairs, however, is rot satiSfa Ctory to
the members of the board OF trustees, who
feel that in case of accident they would be
in measure responsible.
ASK FOR ANAPPROPRIATION.
Mr.. Harries suggested that the ways a'.'
means committee Immediately bring the
matter to the attention of the Senate Dis
trict Committee and an approprat tion tor
$4,000 be asked for the erection OF
new building.
Mr.. Cornish in speaking of the condition
of the Bowen building, said he had only
lately visited itSand felt il was very un-
safe. Besides the walls being totterng,
the floors shaky, and the plastering falling
off daily, ii was i'll Il terrible condition so
far as heat and ventilation are concerned.
If the matter was brought to the attention
| of the government. in its true light, he felt
thattt would grantanappropriat ton of $50
| 900 before they would longer endauger the
| lives and health of the 400 oT 500 children
| who were housed there.
Mr.. Wilson spoke on the responsibility
| of the board OF trustees. in the matter, and
| moved that the condition be referred to
the Commissioners, with the request that
| they instruct the building inspector to in
| veStigate it at once, and report to the
| board. This suggestion was adopted.
THINKS IT WILL STAND
Mrs. Terrell said If it is understood that
| the building inspector already thinks
the building Will stand, there was no use
| for his further vestigation. Mr.. HarFicS
| thought the trustees were tie best judges
OF the fitness OF the building for sch oil
| purposes, and said, even il the four walls
would stand, that did not do away with
the lack of proper heating and ventilating
Facilities, or prevent the falling of the
| lastering.
letter TO Mr.. Cornish from Supc rvising
| Principal } H. c. Wariug was read. which
discussed al length the deplorahle confi-
ton of the Bowen building.
As stated above the matter will be
referred to the Commissioners, and on the
| receipt of the report OF Building Inspector
| Brady, special meeting OF the board will
| be called to take further action in the
matter.
| Mir. Harries gave notice that at the next
regular meeting he would offer au amend
| ment, assiag for the rcnumberiug of two
of the school divisions -
| A communication received reuuestingih he
| boa rd OF trustees to close the ptfy,lic
| schools on Emancipation Day was not
| granted, the rule observed last year. ex-
cusing absences on written request OF
| parents, being ordered.
CHANGES OF TEACHERS.
The following changes were ordered:
Miss NJ. T. Ennis, second grade to third
| grade; Miss c. UlEe, first to second grade:
MISS Marion Carter, to first grade: Miss
| Julia ward, appointed temporary teacher,
| second DIVISION Miss NJ. NJ Hoover, from
| first To second grade, vice F A Stedham
| resigned; and Miss Edith G. Swami, sec
| ond 10 first Grade, vice Miss Hoover trans
| ierred. The resignation of Miss ]. r.
| NcPhfrSon of the fifth grade was ac-
Cepted.
Application from C. Lacy Sites to per-
| INIT the holding of an ente rtainment in The
| school building for the purpose of raising
FUNDS for free library was granted.
A communication was received from Mrs.