The times., 1899-12-06
TEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Commissioners Favor an Appropria
DION for Kind es-s-slrtt.n TEducntinn.

commissioners Favor an ApPropria-
tion for KINDERGARTEN TEducatioH.
Ih. growth of the public schools during
The year was normal. corresponding TO the
growth of he District and as a logical
result OF the extension Of the means Of
rapid transit and the consequent deve op-
meut Of centres of population CnIeiy IN
suburban localities The schools in their
day and night sessions gave instruction
during the -ear TO nearly A. coo persons
which Is more than onc-siIth o. our entire
population. The work OF improving the
sHnirary conditions OF school buildings and
grounds wGs continued during the year
old au8 defective systems of plumbing
were replaced by improved methods and
something was done 80 make school
grounds and the interiors Of school build
InEs n1@-e attractive but much remains
10 ba done 10 make our school buildings
comport with other Government buildings
IN the city aud with school structures OF
modern types elsewhere. The Commis-
sioneTs believe that more ornate eTtoriors
and moro artistic appointment Of interiors
Of school buildings would have 2 desiTa-
bic influence Ia the cultivation OF order
symmetry and good taste.
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 or persons
attending our schools. Frequent medical
inspection would not only insure better
health 10 the community. as asserted By
the best authorities On the subject, but
would aliay a burden OF anxiety that must
always prevail in the absence Of such com
petenJ and systematized provision. Be
cause OF the increased cost Of materials
used in construction it was found imPos-
sibie during the year 10 make contracts.
within the limits Of the appropriations.
for the building Of all the schOOlbOusas
which Congress had ordered. Sites were
purchased, however. plans and speciflca-
tions were drawn. and bids for cOn5tTuc-
tion were invited for buildings at Second
Street and South Carolina AVENUE south
east Fifteenth Street and RnsedaIe north
east and the High School manual train
ing building, Seventh Street and Rhode
Island Avenue northwest Bids were in
yited also for the reconstruction of the
Birney School at Hillsdale and the Love
Joy School building.
After an examination c3 the proposals
presented by contractors FL was determine
TO suspend proceedings Te.ative TO The
above named houses and 10 await the fur
1her action Of Congress The Commits
sionGrs viii ask for deficiency apUrup ia
lion thar the erection Of these buildings.
now so urgently needed. may be begun al
81 early date
A beginning was made last year toward
extending school instruction b. the addi-
ton of kiudeTgaTteus, thus one ing free
education 10 children younger than SIX
Fears Sixteen OF these schools E7rc es-
iablished. eight Of which were for white
Bud eight for cGl0Tcd pupils. The Com
missi0ners believing this 10 be d wise
move. favor increased appropriations for
the enlargement OF this branch OF school
WORK
The New Library.
The Commissioners auude with much
qualification 10 the progress made since
their last report. toward the acquisition OF
accommodations for the Public Library
which VIII be in keeping with the ellight-
eued purposes OF It's projectors and worthy
Ci the prominence which 1t is destined TO
attain as a feature in the Intellectual re-
sources OF The National Capital. BY the
mu8ifceHt gift Of Mr. Andrew Carnegie,
of $3.50 Geo for the erection of the library
building supplemented by the appreciatige
action Of Congress in promptly granting
Jhe use OF Mount Vernon Square as site
-0r liz. permanent accommodations in the
near future far superior 10 any the most
hopeful friends OF the library had reason
O autiCipale. have been assured. The cir
cumstances attending NT. CaTnegie's gen
erGus gift and the steps which have been
taken by the Library Commission 10 carry
7he Ur9iecJ into effect and OF the improve
meut which has occurred in the capacity
and work Of the library. are succinctIy and
graphically set forth in the accompanying
report OF the board Of trustees.