Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-05
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
ero"'h During the Year kent Pace
With City's Growth

with Cfty's Growth.
Inc growth of the public schools during
the year was normal corresponding to the
grown ol the District, and, logical re-
suit of the extension of the means of
rapid transit and the consequent deyelop-
| ment of centers of population. chiefly in
suburban localities The schools in their
day and night sessions gave instruction
during the year to nearly fOrty-nine thou
Sahd 't'o") persons, which is more than
one-siNth of our entire population
The work Of improving the sanitary com
dlonS of school buildings and grounds was
continued during the year. Old and defec-
i've systems Of plumbing We're replaced by
improved methods, and something was done
10 make school grounds and the interiors
OF school buildings more attractive but
mlfch remains to be done to make our
school buildings COmpCrt with other gov
ernnent buildings in the city and with
school structures of modern types else
where. The Commissioners believe that
more ornate exteriOrs and more artistic
appointment Of interiors of school build
lngs would have desirable influence in
the cultivation of order, symmetry and
good taste.
Health Promotion.
The Commissioners are Of the opinion
that the time has come for the employ
ment Of expert direction for promoting the
health of the large number of persons at
ttIb4iS our Schools. frequent medical in
spection would not only insure better health
to The community, as asserted by the best
authorities on the subject, but would alIay
"a burden of anxiety that must always pre-
vail in the absence of such competent and
systematized provision.
Because of the increased cost of ma
tcrials used in construction il was found
impossible during the year to make con-
tracts, within the limits of the appropria-
tionS for the bIjIGipey of oil I.
houses which Congress had ordered. Sites
We're purchased however, plans and speci-
hcations were drawn, and bids for con-
struction were invited for buildings at ID
street and South Carolina avenue south
east, 18th street and Rosedale northeast
and the High School manual training build
ing, 9TH street and Rhode Island avenue
northwest. Bids Were invited also for the
reconstruction of the Birney School at
HlllSdale and the LoVejOy School building
After an examination Of the proposals
presented by contractors it was determined
to suspend proceedings relative to the
aboVe-named houses. and to await the fur
ther action Of Congress. The Commis-
SionerS Will ask for deficiency apprO-
priatiOn that the erection of these build
ings, now so urgently needed, may be be-
gun at an early date.
"A beginning made last year toward
extending school instruction by the addi-
ton of kindergartens, thus Offering free
education TO children younger than six
years. Sixteen of these schools were es-
ana eight for cOlOred pupils. The Com
rnissipners believing this to be a wise move
favor increased appropriations for the en-
largement of this branch of school work.
The Public Library.
The Commissioners allude with much
qualification to the progress made since
their last report toward the acquisition Of
accommodations for the Public Library,
which will be in keeping with the enlight-
/, of the prominence which it is destined to
attain feature in the intellectual re-
sources of the national capital.
by the munifiCent gift of Mr. Andrew
Carnegie of $500 for the erection of the
library building, supplemented by the ap-
preeiative action of Congress in promptly
granting the use of Mount Vernon Square
as site for II, permanent aCcOmmO OdatonS
in the near future far superior to any the
most hopeful friends of the library had re;l-
son to anticipate, have been assured.
THE circumstances attending Mr.. Carne-
gie's generous gift, and the steps which
have been taken by the library - M1nission
to carry the project into effect and of the
Improvement which has occurred IN The ca
paCitY and work of the library, IRE sue
Cinctly and graphically set forth in the ~c.
port of the board of trustees.
Municipal Building.
THE Districts resources We're never in
a better condition than now to justify con
gress in making provision Cor he const-uc-
tion of a municipal building, consistent in
design and lc cation with the prominence or
the District as the seat of the na i)n3l gov
ernment.
THE Commissioners can gine ,,o n.-
ceSsity for further argument to demon
strate the necessity and advantage of pro-
viding a suitable structure for the accom-
mediation of the District government and
courts. and 1t is longer a question cf
financial eXpediency, encouraged TO
hope that this often deferred subject Will
receive the favorable and adequate action
of Congress during the coming session
Civil Service.
THE Commissioners are still impressed
With the conviction that the civil service
laws if made applicable to the District
government would result advantageo1s
to the conduct OF the municipal bustaess
and adhere to their previous recommenda
tions on the subject.
Bathing Beach.
'"rhe insufficiency of the amount appro-
priated for the bathing beach for the past
season seriously hampered the committee
having this branch of the service in charge
in its endeavors to secure the best results
and was especially embarrassing In pre-
venting the completion of the work of grad
ing the bottom. The Commissioners hone
4.