Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-29
OPPOSE Ag q e NIT
EcKINeroN ctf1ztNs WANT
MIGHT sCHooLsro ADMIT ALL.



gems Association at the regular monthly
meeting held last night at st. Martins Hall,
corner of North Capitol and T streets. The
members OF the association are unalterably
opposed to the proposition, and have direct
ed their secretary to draw up a strong let
ter for transmittal to the District Com
missioners and the District committees OF
the two houses of Congress on the subject.
The position of the association is that 1t is
often the men beyond the age OF twenty
one who most desire the courses Of instruc-
ton given in the night schools. especially
the high schools, and it is these men more
than any others that the night schools are
designed to help.
z The meeting was called to order by Mr.
James A. Common, vice president of the as.
ISOLATION, In the absence of President Hem
derson. After the minutes Of the previous
meeting had been read and approved
report from the committee on streets, side
walks and lights was made by the chair
man, Mr.. Herman E. Blau. The principal
portion of Mr.. Blau's report dealt with the
streets that are now closed on account OF
the construction of the new union station.
The association thinks that In view of the
large number of streets closed to the east
and to the south of lexington under the
terminal legislation now being carried out,
both and T streets. from Lincoln avenue
east to I'd street northeast, should be OPEN
ed and graded so to establish communi-
OF the city lying to the west.
Appeal to Congress.
With this view in mind the secretary
was authorized to communicate with the
Commissioners and request that Congress
be urged to enact at the present session
legislation for the opening and grading OF
both of these streets for the distance stated
as a part compensation for the numerous
streets closed and ho dati inn
OF the large number of citizens directly and
indirectly affected.
The matter of night schools then came
up in the report of Mr.. A. R. Server, chair
man or the committee on schools and school
houses. Mr.. Server called the attention Of
the members Of the association to discus
sion at previous meeting when the CUES
ton of the age limit In the night schools
was considered. He said he believed there
could be no better way to further the cause
OF education than for the association to
strongly urge the Commissioners to have
stricken from the appropriation bill for the
support OF the District anything which
would tend to fix maximum age limit for
the pupils Of the night schools. He said
the association should adopt strong reso-
luton and present 1t to the Senate ana
House committees in which should be set
forth the fact that restriction is unwise
and tends to operate against the very pur-
pose which caused the organization of night
schools. He said he had learned that when
young men and young women crowded the
buildings. Some Of these he said, appeared
to think the institution, was q frolic of some
kind planned for their especial benefit. But
these were not in the majority.
Many Were Denied Privilege.
There were numerous young men and wo-
men who had been denied the privileges OF
education in their early youth and who
grasped at this one opportunity to make up
for the loss. Under the present restrictions
the schools are not half well attended, and
many worthy persons to whom education
would be an incalculable benefit, were de-
MED the privilege of working for it.. a
resolution was adopted unanimously by the
association and several menil,ars made
speeches deplortng the restriction which
now exists.
Public Hall and Library.
The report Of the executive committee
was then read by the secretary and adopt
ed, and a report from the committee on
public hall and library was made by Mr..
Henderson Presnell. Mr.. PresneE said he
had been reliably Informed that no steps
would be taken toward the establishment of
branch library in lexington out OF the
money donated by Mr.. Andrew Carnegie
until Congress had showed it's determine
ton to fully provide for the main library in
Mt. Vernon Square. AS he understood 1t,
Mr.. Presnell continued, 1t will be necessary
to completely fit out the Public Library
before any steps are taken to establish
branch.
Mr.. Server suggested that something
might be done by the citizens toward help
ing the cause along. He said the branch
would only have on it's own shelves suit
able reference books ana would depend Oh
the main building for it's supply for sub
scrtbers. The difficulty to be met with was
to furnish the means to maintain such
building. Mr.. Server thought the building
could be maintained through the efforts Of
the citizens. individually. He knsw Of
person, he said. who had agreed to name
two people who would be willing to give
their services, and he believed II the asso-
citation took the matter In hand and each
member agreed to help the cause along
personally by giving his services the
branch library would be an accomplished
fact. In this plan 1t was suggested that
the members give up certain time during
certain days selected By them and be at
the library building in regular turns to
serve the subscribers and attend to the
orders for books
Not Regarded as Feasible.
Mr.. Presnell said he did not believe this
scheme would be feasible because OF the
provisions of the deed Of gift Of Mr.. Car
negie. which, it is understood. require the
city to appropriate at least as much as 10
per cent Of the principal for the support Of
the main library and its branches.
The matter was not discussed further. but
It. Ia understood the library committee Will
look into the suggestions made by Mr..
Server.
Unfinished business was then taken up.
and after short consideration of minor
matters the meeting was adjourned. Tho
following new members were elected: DR.:
C. e. Ferguson. Mr.. Egbert c. San,mls and
Mr.. NJ. H. Stout.