Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-29
Criticism of Plans,

These Office plans were adversely criti
cised by many interested in public school
matters, or, to speak more plainly. the
buildings contemplated by the office plans
we're adversely criticised, and the Commits
sioners sought the advice of the school au-
thorities in the matter. Superintendent
Cook OF the colored schools and Trustee
Richardson, it is stated, favored the cree
ton Of the Lovejoy School a school for COL
ored children, but the school board thought
II inadvisabie to construct any of the three
buildings on the office plans believing il to
be wiser to delay their construction until
Congress provided more funds for the pur-
pose.
Nevertheless. the Commissioners wrote
Mr.. Richardson yesterday as follows: III is
expected to rebuild this 0he Loveioy)
school house with the present appropriation
ana that an award of the contract for the
purpose will be made in d few days
But, after the letter to Mr. Richardson
was written. the Commissioners further con-
sidered the matter, with the result that
they finally decided to reject the third set
of bids for the three school buildings, and
to allow the balance of the appropria lions
to be turned back into the treasury OF
course, the Commissioners were influenced
to some extent by the advice of the school
authorities in the matter, but Capt. Beach
explained today that, after most DELHI
crate consideration of the subject. the board
reached the conclusion that it would be for
the best interests of the people of the Dis
lTlCl 10 take the action ABOVE stated
VIII Cause but Little Delay.
This action of the Commissioners, it is
believed. will amount to less delay than is
generally expected. Had the bids on the
office plans been accepted, it is said, the
buildings would hardly have been ready
for occupancy before next April or May.
Their completion at that time would not.
it is stated, have enabled the establishment
of the next school wear or September, 1900
Congre IS. 1t is believed, will act so prompt
ly in the matter of granting the additional
amounts required as to enable the Com
missioners to complete the three schools
early in the school year of 1890. Hence 1t
is thought the action of the Commissioners
in deciding to await larger appropria tons
will not amount to such a serious incon-
Venience after all.
The District appropriat ten act of March
D. 1899. provides for an eight-roOnl school
in Columbia Heights, one in Hillsdale and
fOur-room school in Takoma Park. The
plans for the first mentioned school have
already been prepared, having been drawn
by Architect Fuller. and bids for its con-
structiOn will be opened the 18th of July.
The site fol the school, on Kenyon street
between 18th and 18th streets. has been
purchased. and the Commissioners have
remaining about S'S.O with which to build
the school and heat it. This sum is believ-
ed to be ample for the purposes, and it is
iioDfu ~ CoiIplete II III lilie LOT us Oc-
cupdTcy at the commencement of the
school year of 1900.
TakOma Park. Also.
II is also believed that the sum appIo
priated for the school ir Takoma Park will
be sufficient. The site for it has been Sc
cured, and the reliance of the apDropria-
ton will probably enable the Commission
ers to erect an attractive and satisfactory
building.
For the eight-room school in Hillsdale.
the site being owl ed by the District Con-
gress appropriated but 10000. and in view
of their inability to secure satisfactory
bids for the Lovejoy school, for which the
same amount was provided. the Commits
sioners doubt whether they will be enabled
TO erect the Hillsdale school without addi-
tional funds.