Evening star., 1901-03-26
OPPOSES CONSTRUCTION
CITIZENS ASSOCIATIONS OBJEC-
TIONs TO PROPOSED SCHOOL SITE.
Comm fssiOners Asked to Defer Action
Until After Meeting Of Con-
gress-0ther Matters.

An effort was made by the ,orth Capitol
and lexington Citizens Association last
evening, supplemental to a previous effort,
to prevent the building of an additional
school house for colored children on P
street between North Capitol and list
streets northeast. 1t was shown that of
the children now attending the colored
school on the square where it is proposed
to erect another such building but 10 per
cent live in it's vicinity, 90 per cent of the
scholars coming a long distance from the
south and west of the building. This was
regarded as a hardship on the school chill
dren, most of whom, 1t was shown, have
to walk distance covering many squares
in the most inclement weather, and many
Of them often improperly protected from
the storm. 1t was also regarded as
injustice to the white residents near the
proposed colored school building, as the
bringing into the neighborhood of hun
dreds of children from distant parts
of the city had the effect of depress-
ing the values of the homes in that sec
ton. The citizens do not object to the
building of any number of school houses
necessary for the accommodation Of col
ored children living within the bounds of
the association.
After the question had been thoroughly
discussed a resolution was adopted re-
questing the Commissioners to take no
further action toward the building of the
proposed school house until after the
meeting of Congress- when, it is believed,
legislation can be secured allowing the use
OF the lately purchased school site to be
used playground for the coiored
school house it adjOins, and also providing
for site for the proposed school building
at a place where it will be readily acceS-
sible to the coiored children who will be
obliged to attend it.
Chairman Serven's Statement.
Mr.. Server, chairman of the committee
on schools and school houses, reported
that his committee had learned that 444
colored children now attend the present
school building on street, Of which num-
Der, as stated, 80 per cent came from be-
yond the vicinity of the school, less than
10 per cent living in the neighborhood. In
vestigation had shown that four classes
had been taken bodily from the John F.
Cook school, on o street between 4th and
5th streets, and transferred to the present
school building on P street.. in order to fill
it up, there being no children in the neigh
borhood for that purpose. The superin-
tendent Of public schools and the board Of
education had unanimously recommended
the placing Of the new colored school be-
low NJ street, west Of North Capitol street.
The Commissioners did not follow this
recommendation, Mr.. Serven said. but pur
chased a site on n street, west of North
Capitol street, because the money at their
disposal would not buy satisfactory site
further down town. The people on N street
protested against the location of the school
house there, and finally secured the revo-
cation of the sale, whereupon the school
house was relocated two squares further
from the place recommended by the board
of education.
The committee, accompanied by PreSi-
dent VIM. G. Henderson of the association,
had called on the Commissioners, and the
members were told that the Commissioners
ha6 a6Inr fnr dc for
site, but had no offers of sites south Of M
street, and therefore enlarged the limit of
the section In which they would accept a
site. They had $13,500 only with which to
purchase site, and could not get one for
that amount Of money further down in the
city. Commissioner Macfarland had told
the committee the site had been purchased
and the transaction could not be revoked
After further discussion a resolution
was adopted requesting the Commissioners
to take no further steps in the matter until
after the meeting of Congress. Mr.. A. D.
Smith reminded the association that the
new District code gives the Commissioners
full power to condemn property for school
sites.
Lincoln Avenue school.
Mr.. Server stated that Mr.. Brady, the in
spector of buildings, had said he expects
work to begin on the new twelve-room
school building on Lincoln avenue above r
street, in about six weeks, and a resolution
was adopted asking that this building be
completed, If possible, by the 18th of next
September Mr.. serven also said the COM
m1ttee on parks and parking had arranged
for conference with the parking commits
sion soon to be at work In this city to de-
wise general park system for the District
of Columbia.
Mr.. w. ]. Hughes, chairman Of the COM
mittee on railways stated that several
cars had been added to the Maryland di-
vision OF the City and Suburban railway,
but it was not known what the schedule
will be on that division. with the addi-
tienal cars, but it would be considerably
improved.
Mr.: A. D: Smith of the committee on
public health called attention to the Gus
tom Of driving hogs from Benning to
slaughter houses on the 7th street road.
and an effort will be made to prevent the
driving OF live stock through the city
streets at any time
The proposition of the East Washington
Citizens Association for the purchase of
fve-acre school sites throughout the Dis
trict for future use was laid before the
association but 1t was decided to consider
it at future meeting.
Mr.. w. o. Eldridge was elected a men,
ber Of the association.