Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-07
CHANGES IN SCHOOL SYSTEM
Action of Special Committee Of Washington
Homeopathic Society.
Adopted Favoring Inspec.
ton of Sanitary Conditions of
Buildings by Health Ohlcer.

A special committee of the Washington
| Homeopathic Society. to- Investigate the
school question in the District net at Will,
lard's Hotel last evening and adopted reso-
lutions favorfng certain changes in the
manner of conducting the schools. Super
intendent Powell was subjected to consid-
| cradle criticism. DIR. r. Nngsman presided
and DR.. NJ. NJ. Mofftt, chairman of the
special committee to investigate the school
question, made a report.
The inquiries the committee had made,
said DR.. Mof1tt, had been received with
considerable apprehension on the part of
those questioned, especially school trustees,
supervising principals, teachers and jani-
tors. Inquiry had also been made among
parents of the school children. The school
trustees, the report stated, were more or
less indignant that any question should
arise to the possible improvement of the
public school system. Most surprising of
found to be the peculiar feeling of fear
held by many of the principals, and all OF
the teachers seen, of displeasing the super
1ntendent of the schools
Many were the complaints made of him
and his work. and yet" continues the re-
port, such is the singular influence he
seems to have over these hard-worked and
deserving teachers that in some cases it
an honest expression Of just how they felt
and were being treated The question at
once rises as to why this condition exists.
Much of it is due. we think, to the lack Of
confidence and trust of the superintendent
in the teachers. and very much also to the
peculiar idea of teaching held by the super
intendent. Many of the teachers state that
they have been compelled to learn new
method of teaching almost every month.
They scarcely become proficient in one
manner of teaching before the superintend-
ent changes it,.
Faulty Sanitation.
DR.. Gibbs referred to the sanitary and
architectural faults of the school build
ings. He stated ttat more than thirty
schools have the dry earth closets, which
are in the Easements and often next to
the play grounds, where lunches are
sometimes eaten. Frequently school rooms
cannot be properly heated, he said and
the walls are rocking with decomposition.
DR.. ]. B. G. Gusts said the pupils are
not only deficient in spelling but in gram
mar, and, in fact, he said the groundwork
CT practical education is absolutely neg
lected.
DR.. Swartwout criticised the present su-
perintendent of the schools, and DIR. Emily
Young o Brien spoke against the Smead
system of ventilation as used in the build
iEgS.
Drs VIM. R. King, George W. n. Gusts,
Henry Krogstad NJ A. Brosius and others
spoke generally on the school system.
Resolutions Adopted.
The resolutions which were adopted. at
ter being offered by DR.. Custis follow:
BE 1t resolved, That in the opinion OF
the Washington Homeopathic Medical So
ciety of the District of Columbia that the
health and comfort of the children attend
ing the public schools of the city, well
as that of the teachers employed therein,
would be greatly improved by giving into
the hands of the health officer the power
not only to inspect, but to control, the
sanitary condition of the schools, not only
the buildings, but the condition of the pu-
pills, and to have general supervision of the
heating and lighting of the buildings and
we recommend that such authority be
given.
Further, we earnestly recommend the
appointment by the District Commissioners
of school inspectors, all of whom shall be
regularly licensed physicians, who shall
make regular inspection tours of the
schools in their respective districts, or an
swer any calls from the superintendent of
such buildings.
we further recommend that in each
school there be provided a room for such
examinations and for the treatment of
acute illnesses occurring during school
hours
I'VE further recommend that there be ap-
pointed in each building a matron, who will
have charge of this room and whose duty
1t shall be to look after the children during
hours of recess and intermission
BE 1t resolved, That there be appointed
from this society a committee to confer
with the committee on public schools of the
Washington board Of trade, and that a copy
of these resolutions be furnished to the
press and to the Commissioners