The times., 1899-06-29
THE LovEJoY SCHOOL.
Delay in Rebuilding Causes Colored
Citizens to Complain.

Colored residents of Northeast Washing
ton are greatly exercised over the delay of
the District government in rebuilding the
old Lovejoy public school building Con-
gress appropriated $4,000 for the work
Just one year ago tomorrow and no prog
ress has been made, not even the award
ing of a contract. Bids were sought sew
eral months ago and twice rejected be-
cause they were greater than the appro
priation The handsome structure which
was designed by an individual architect
had to be abandoned, and while the plans
We're pigeon-holed and continued TO ac-
cumulate dust. the craftsmen of the Office
of the District Inspector of Buildings pre-
pared new set of plans. These plans
were much less elaborate than those pre-
pared by the architect, and when bids
were received the third time one of the
proposals was low enough to permit the
erection of the building. These bids were
opened almost week ago and ii was
thought that the Commissioners would
have reached decision by this time, but
such has not been the case. A deadlock
over the award of the heating and ven
tifating apparatus, or some other feature
of the bids, is blocking the award. The
Commissioners are also undecided whether
it will be better to erect the building ac-
cording TO the reduced plans or to await
tut opening OF congress-, WneD q new aD-
preparation may be sought.
In the mean time the colored parents
and property owners of Northeast Wash
ington are becoming impatient, are
holding meetings and are preparing to visit
the District Building in behalf of the cree
tion of the school. G. H. Richardson, one
of the colored members Of the Board of
Public School Trustees, has addressed a
lengthy letter to the Commissioners re-
garding the matter, laying special stress
upon the danger that exists in the pres
ent structure. He calls attention TO the
fact that since the ground upon which it
is proposed to rebuild the school is owned.
the appropriation of $4,000 made by Con-
gress ought to be ample TO erect a very
excellent building, leaving out some of the
expense for details in ornamentation Mr..
Richardson states that there is much ma
terial, particularly in the way of bricks,
in the old building, which could be used
for the inner walls of the new building.
also that repairs were made upon all pub
lie schools with the exception of the Love-
Joy during the vacation period last year.
AS result" states Trustee Richard
son in his letter, many children were kept
home who were too small TO attend schools
at greater distance, while larger cnes
living near the building attended school
in other buildings. With the dilapidated
ana unsanltary condition of the school, a
greater danger to life lies in the fact that
panic may ensue at any time because of
falling walls and ceilings. | am informed, :"
continues Mr.. Richardson. that on sew
eral occasions during the present year
this was averted only by proper discipline
on the part of the teachers"
II is reported that the residents in the
vicinity of Lovejoy School are prepar-
ing to hold meetings and finally to wait
upon the Commissioners for the purpose
of protesting against another years oc-
cupancy of the old building, which they
believe should be condemned
The parents sending children 10 the
school are exceedingly anxious to have
the new school building erected during
the coming fiscal year, and efforts Will
be made 10 have the Commissioners agree
1t is very probable that the award viii
be announced by the Commissioners with
in a few days and that the work of re-
building will be commenced very soon
thereafter