The times., 1899-03-16
BAD CONDITION OF
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
The District Commissioners
Have Nothing to Say.
The Harries Report Causes a Great
Deal of Surprise.
Mt. BRADY, Inspector of Public Build
inrs. VIII Make a state
men. Later.

inGs. VIII Make a state
men. Later
All the District Commissioners concerned
In the allegations made in the report of
Col. George II. Harries. Chairman of the
Committee on Buildings and Grounds. OF
the Board of School Trustees absolutely
refused TO discuss the statement that many
school buildings recently constructed in
this city are already in dilapidated con-
dition, the result of poor construction. All
were seen by a Times reporter yesterday
and urged to reply to the statements made
by Colonel Harries. All had read the re-
port as printed in The Times. and were
thoroughly aware of its contents. Ii was
also part of their official duties TO examine
and inspect these structures before accept
ing them as part of the property of the
District, yet no amount of questioning
would persuade any of the Commissioners
or the Inspector of Buildings to commit
themselves on the matter. The statement
was made that, when We have been Off
cially informed of the report of Colonel
Harries, We will take official action and
will investigate the matter"
John b. Brady, District Inspector OF
Buildings, conferred with District Com
missioner Wight late in the afternoon. II
could not be ascertained whether the school
matter was touched upon during the inter-
view between those two officials. When
seen after this meeting by reporter for
The Times the Inspector said: Il have
not seen the statements made in the press,
yet"
A copy of The Morning Times was then
handed Mr.. Brady and he was asked
whether he would reply TO the allegations
contained in the Harries report. Il GER
tainly will reply to the report, he said be-
fore reading the paper and as soon as the
matter has been referred to us for consid-
Grafton. l will not say anything just now.
] have nothing to say for publication. /
was IN charge of school repairs until eight
cen months ago, when l had to give that
branch up on account Of the increasing
work of my Office. When ! make my report
ii will be for publication. / do not want TO
be quoted
As the matter now stands the Commits
sioners will await the arrival of the report
OF Colonel Harries. which will be transmit
ted to them by Secretary FaIck, of the
Board of School Trustees some time this
week.
District officials Criticised.
No end of comment was heard in all parts
OF the city yesterday regarding the state
ments in the Harries report. Not only the
general public. but also District officials
and school trustees other than those on
the investigating committee were amazed.
They had the impression that the new
Western High School, completed last fall
was one of the most modern and perfect
school structures in the National Capital
People of Georgetown, and. in fact, all
parts OF the city recall the night last
nla- trt,a tta -
great eclat. The night was rainy, and, by
reason of the practically isolated location
OF the school building, much Inconvenience
was experienced by those who desired to
attend the opening. Inclement weather
failed TO diminish the number that attend
ed and the assembly hall in which the cere-
monies were held was crowded.
Addresses were made by District Com
missioner Jorn B. Wight, James
W. Whelpley, President of the Board of
School Trustees, and several other trus-
tees, ". y. Powell, Superintendent of
Public Schools, and others. Without ex-
ception, the new building was praised TO
the skies. The paint was fresh, the wains-
coting newly finished, the chandeliers bril-
liant, and the structure which filled a long
felt want in Georgetown, had been accept
ed by the District Commissioners. Every
body thought the institution perfect and
N.
attempt was made TO pick out defects and
criucise that which was approved by the
Inspector of Buildings and the executive
government of the District, as being in
good shape. Taxpayers say it is little won
der that they are aroused, if the state
ments made by Colonel Harries are true.
They say the responsibility for any de-
fects and faulty construction must be pIac-
ed where it belongs, and the truth brought
TO light.
School buildings in the District are built
by contract, and during the process of con-
struction, as well as after the completion
OF the work, it is the duty of the Inspector
OF Buildings and the District Commission
ers to inspect school work After the
building is ready for occupancy, the Com
missioners make q final visit to the strllct-
ures and accept them, If found satisfactory.
The Inspector Of Buildings generally ac-
companies the Commissioners on these
trips, and points out various technical de-
tails of construction. Once accepted, the
buildings are supposed TO be in strict ac-
cordance with the plans and specifications
and the contractors are relieved of further
responsibility. By accepting the build
ings and giving the work the stamp of their
approval, the Commissioners assume the
responsibility.
Danger TO school Children
1t has been pointed out by citizens in
terested in the matter that If an inspection
Of a mere week might be productive of so
many alleged glaring defects many more
serious and more dangerous conditions NAV
exist II any fundamental principle ot
construction has been neglected which OF
course, no one is able to tell at glance
the safety of the building and the advisa-
bility Of permitting hundreds of scholars ia
be housed up in faulty buildings will enter
very largely into the question. Parents
think this one of the most important fea-
tures in the questions that have arisen out
Of the disclosures OF the school inyestiga-
ting committee. Some builders are as
deeply interested in the report OF Colonel
Harries as Taxpayers and parents. They
think there is no excuse for defective con-
struction in any part OF the city. either in
public or private structures IF public
buildings may pass muster In faulty con-
dition, and structures of that kind are
already characterized as being in a diiapi-
dated condition" said prominent builder
yes erday. there is no reason yhy private