The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-01
THE new HALL DEDICATED
COmmOdiOus Structure at the Boys
Reform School Ready for Use.
Keys of the Building Turned Over
to Colonel ShnIIepberEcr. the
Supertntendent-An Address Made
by Commissioner Macfnr rIa nd.

The new assembly hail at the Reform
School of the District Of Columbia on the
Bladensburg Road was formally opened
yesterday afternoon. Commissioner Mac
farland the board of trustees. instructors
and pupils Of the school and large num-
ber Of invited guests were present, and the
auditorium was filled to It's utmost ca
pacity. The keys of the building We're
presented to Col. George A. Shallenberger
the superintendent of the school. by Mr.
James r, Fitch the senior member of the
board of trustees.
The assembly hall is a separate build
ing of an attractive appearance and is To-
Gated at the summit of the slope OF the
school grounds from the Bladensburg
Road. II has a seating capacity of about
500. At one side there is a pipe organ
OF splendid tone and volume.
At the exercises yesterday nearly all the
members Of the board Of directors were
present Commissioner Macfarland made
a brief address to the teachers and officers
of the school The Hon. Merrill r. Gates
made an address to the boys.
The pupils of the school to the number
OF about two hundred occupied seats at
the front of the hall. There arc about
twice as many colored as white boys and
they range in age from eight to eighteen
years. Each was clad In the blue military
uniform of the school. Throughout the
exercises their attention was closely bent
ON the proceedings. They Joined In the
singing and their voices quite drowned
out all sounds save that of the organ and
cornet which provided accompaniment.
Mr. Donald 3. Mcleod, the instructor in
music and organist Of the school, opened
the programme with an organ prelude
Gen. Cecil Clay. President of the board OF
trustees. then extended greeting to all who
attended the services and sketched in
brief manner the progress Of the school
and the place 1t was intended to fill in the
public service. The opening prayer was
delivered by Rev. John G. Butler. d. ID.
At the conclusion of the prayer all Joined
in the recital of The Lords Prayer.
Mr. James +. Fitch. the senior member
of the board of trustees and the chalr-
man of the committee which had charge
of the construction OF assembly hall, was
the next speaker. His part i'll the cere-
monies consisted of the deliyerance of the
keys OF the hall to Colonel Shallenberger'
the superiutendent. In handing the keys
of the building to Colonel Shallenberger
Mr. Fitch said: Colonel ShallenbeTger 1t
is my pleasant duty to deliver to you, as
SUPERINTENDENT of this institution, the
keys to this assembly hah. The trustees.
as you well know. have long felt tie want
of such a building. and when the I'D
erality of Congress at length rendered its !
erection possible. steps Were Immediately !
taken resulting in this beautiful and com
modious structure. In its completeness it !
reflects credit upon its architects and /
builders Its beauty and attractiveness .
cannot fail to prove an inspiration and an |
incentive TO higher living to the boys !
under your charge and be an aid TO you |
ia your efforts for their reformation
In accepting the keys Colonel Shallen- |
berger said: Mr.. Chairman, ] accept /
this key at your hands from the board |
of trustees and with II all the varied |
obligations its care and safe keeping i'm
pose ! accept II, further. as a special !
trust. and thank you sincerely for this |
latest evidence Of your confidence.
Looking out from my present stand I
beautiful appointments, and knowing !,
full well the many years Of effort ex- |
pended TO secure it, | congratulate you /
upon its successful completion.
Colonel Shallenberger then delivered n
few words of advice to the boys.
Then followed a hymn. after which the
scripture for the y was recited. the
boys reading the responses.
Commissioner Macf2rland was then in
Iroduced and opened his address to the
officers and teachers Of the school by re
a dual capacity. that Of a member Of the
board of trustees and that of Commits
sioner. He said. in part:
Yours is a great responsibility. In the
lay Of rnal reckoning you will answer to
God for the boys of this institution, who
will turn out largely what you make
hem. You have voluntarily assumed
most solemn trust in taking any meas
Ire of care Of these boys in the forma-
live period Of their lives. The impress
sioRs you ar" making upon their minds
rts- ffaf h.fr
In large degree, for all eternity.
Those who have the training of only
pne boy in the best of homes may well !
feel that il is Of the utmost importance /
How much more must You have this |
feeling. you deal from day to day |
with scores OF hoys. standing in the place !
OF father and mother II must help YOU
TO avoid falling into dun routine or a |
material way of looking at your work |
You are making men. not machines, and |
you shall give account Of every one Of |
them. For they are Gods children aud
precious IN his sight. There is profound !
inspiration, as well as profound resDon-
sibiiity. in this thought
1t is in this spirit. ] am confident !
mat you have been working here some !
~ you Tor years. In modest patience |
You DO not have to trumpet IL forth |
your graduates speak for you IN the eIo- !
luence of deeds They show forth in the !
market place the sterling virtues which |
YOU have brought out in them and bv
their actions reveal your examples .,s
well as your precepts''
Mr.. Macfarland was followed l,y tho
MEN kiansy uOuDi. prey, upon