Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-04
SCHOOL DEDICATION
NEW BUILDING AT FORT RENO
FOR CoLoRED PUPILS.
Commissioner Macfarland, Superin-
tendent Stuart and Others Address
the Teachers and Children.

The new colored public school at Fort
Reno. near Tenleytown, known as the Reno
School. was dedicated this morning at II
o'clock with appropriate exercises. which
included speeches by Commissioner Mac
farland, Superintendent Stuart Of the Dis
trict public schools, DR.. w. 8. Montgomery.
assistant superintendent. and Major c. A.
Fleetwood. Mrs. B. G. Francis presided,
and also made an address.
The teachers and pupils presented sill
yer pitcher to Prof. ]. r. Keene. supervfs-
ing principal, as a tribute of respect and
in commemoration Of his long service in the
public schools.
The exercises opened with prayer, after
which the pupils of the school sang a hymn.
The girls of the second grade school then
went through a brief performance after
which Mr.. mcfarland was heard.
Fort Reno is the highest place in the
District of Columbia he said. 1T was one
of the defenSeS of the national capital in
the great war. Here we have built house
for a free public school, and today we
crown it with the American flag, dedicate
1t to American principles, and open 1t to
the boys and girls of this neighborhood.
Nothing more appropriate could be done by
the District government on this spot.
Since 1 became Commissioner, four
years ago, and was given charge OF our
school buildings, including three for man
ual training. have been constructed and
placed in use at cost of nearly $5,OoOoOO.
All agree that no other expenditure has
been more important to the welfare, present
and future of the national capital. we
look forward with satisfaction to larger
school expenditures, because we believe
they are essential to our weil-belng, yes, 10
our very being. as an Intelligent and pa
triotic community We shall work for
In nd
and for more adequate salaries for our un-
derpaid teachers, and in so doing We shaii
feel that we are best serving the highest
interests of the national capital.
Patriotic Songs Rendered. *
When the whole school had sung
America" Major Fleetwood spoke to the
children At the conclusion of his remarks
and after the patriotic hymn Columbia,
had been rendered by the school, Superin-
tendent Stuart made one of his "fatherly
addresses to the youngsters. This was fol-
lowed by a chorus, STARS of Our Union.
The keys of the new building were pre-
scented to the principal, Mrs L. l. Hawkes.
worth, by DIR. Montgomery In short
speech, calling attention to the advance IN
the condition of the country since the civil
war. ...
Here a little more than four decades
ago." he said cannon were pointed IN
every direction, guarding the way to the
nations capital. Today the war drums
throb no longer, and the battle flags are
furled' and we are assembled to dedicate
a building in which the descendants OF
those freed by the immortal Lincoln may
come into the inheritance Of this civiliZa-
ton. These inheritances are intellectual
moral, spiritual, aesthetical and institu-
tional, and to gain possession of these Is
the first and foremost duty Until he hnd
himself, realize his powers in the midst OF
this mighty civilization, the late slave
must be a subtractive rather than an addi-
tive quantity. Only thus can he contribute
his share to preserve, Increase and trans
NIT the achievements of the ages to the
coming generations for still greater perfec-
ton. To this end education first of all
should aid
Importance Of Public Schools.
1.-The school house offers the best vantage
ground to appropriate the rich mental
treasures, to awaken proper estimation
of the results acquired by hard conflicts. to
gain a right appreciation Of the duties OF
the time, that he may share in the life and
struggle thereof with true insight. warmth
and power. In this passage from chattel-
hood to manhood from thralldom to free
dom. the school house Is the ship, all else
the sea-"
When the flag salute was executed by the
children and another patriotic song had
been sung, the exercises were brought to
a close by the pronouncing of the benedic-
ton. Mr.. E. w. Brown, supervising prin-
cipal of the division of which this school Is
a part, was present at the dedication.
The new school contains eight rooms, and
Is constructed with modern equipment.