Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-01
1904. the date Originally fixed for the COM
pletion of the worlxos
The Public Library.


The new Washington public library was
formally opened onsfthe 7th of January,
1903. the occasi6n being one of unusual i'm
portance and interest The president of the
board Of Commissioners, who is president
of the library building. commission presided.
and formally delivered the building to Mr..
Theodore w. Noyes. the president of the
board Of trustees, WHO made an appropriate
address. President Roosevelt then delivered
a speech. and was followed by Mr.. Andrew
Carnegie, who came to Washington for the
purpose of being present upon the interest
ing occasion. Mr.. Carnegie increased his
previous donation of $3.50. 600 by the sum OF
nishing and decorating the interior of the
new building. II Is also proposed to estab-
lish branch libraries In various sections of
the District. these subordinate libraries to
be erected from a further donation which
Mr.. Carnegie has offered. The new building
Will shelve 28S ,27O volumes. The popularity
of the institution Is already fully demon
strated, the average withdrawal OF books
ry ia being admirably managed by a board
of trustees composed Of the public-spirited
gentlemen whose services are freely rem
dered, 1t is hoped that Congress will ap-
been submitted.
Congressional Library.
The past year at the Congressional Ii
brary has been one of increased usefulness.
The great collection of books, prints, maps
and music has been augmented by thou
sends of accessions, and Librarian Putnam
declares the institution has grown in value
in almost unprecedented strides. This year
is the first that the library has been open
to the public on Sundays Figures present
ed by Mr.. Putnam show that this step was
one Of the wisest provisions that could be
made. The number Of readers on Sundays
exceeded by far that Of any week day.
Among the most notable accessions were
the Susan Anthony collection Of books and
papers and the Andrew jackson papers.
Miss Anthony's library contains much valu
able information touching upon the origin
and development Of the woman suffrage
movement. The Andrew Jackson papers
are rich In American historical matter.
The library is constantly extending it's ex-
change list whereby foreign government
publications are received in exchange for
our own public documents, a movement
which places the data relating to the prog
ress of the civilized world at the command
OF those who care to study it.
Statues and Monuments.
As the result of the action taken during
the year the monuments in this city to
the memory of distinguished men will be
added to In the near future by statues of
Gen. Grant and Gen. Mcclellan. The
ate ceremonies and reunions of the army
corps associated with this great civil war
leader. Monuments Of Thomas Jefferson
and OF Amos ]. Cummings have been pro-
posed and also memorial to Maj. Walter
A. Reed. The monument over the grave of
William r. Singleton was unveiled.
The Public Schools.
During the past calendar year the public
schools of the District fully maintained
their high standard Of proficiency, and in
many respects made substantial gains over
the record Of previous years. This most
gratifying state of affairs in one of the
most important departments Of the District
government is due to the efficient manage
ment Of the board OF education, with the
aid OF a competent corps of instructors,
headed by superintendent with practical
and progressive ideas, and the hearty CO.
operation of the pupils themselves. The
sole fly in the ointment was the loss of
several of the best teachers, through the
greater financial rewards for their services
offered by other cities Nevertheless the
schools were never so good and never SO
we'll housed and equipped as they are at the
present time Moreover If present plans
are successful the compensation of the
teachers will be Increased to an extent that
will remove the danger of their accepting
similar employment elsewhere.
The whole number of pupils enrolled in
the public schools is 49, 745, Of which num-
an Increase of 06i per cent over the pre-
vious year. There are 1,371 teachers, OF
whom 925 are white and 446 are colored
There are 1.848 pupils in the night schools
under the instruction of 81 teachers. OF the
entire enrolment Of the schools 1,776, or
3.64 per cent, are in the kindergartens; 49,
80. or 1855 per cent, are in the graded
schools; 2,673, or 5.4S per cent, are in the
high schools; S16 or 1.6s per cent, are in
the manual training schools and ITO, or U.35
per cent, In the normal schools.
During the year the school accommoda-
lions were materially increased by the
Manual Training Schools. the Matthew q.
Emery School. the Thomas P. Morgan
School. the John NJ Langston School, the
William Syphax School. the Edmonds,
gomery schools, and several smaller school
buildings. in addition to which several other
buildings were enlarged to meet the in
creased demands.
The superintendent of schools says in his
annual report: 1T may be said Of the
buildings completed and occupied during
the year and Of those under contract that
although they do not represent as large
an outlay as in some cities, they are credit
able examples of school architecture, and
in the essentials of light, heating, artifc al
ventilation. toilets and cOnveniences gen
orally for pupils are a great advance upon
some Of our older buildings"
To meet the necessities Of the situation
the District Commissioners at the instance
Of the board of education have asked Com
gress to make immediate provision for
permanent home for the Normal School.
for Business High School, for the extern
sion of the Mckinley and Armstrong Man
ual Training Schools and also for an in
crease in the inadequate salaries of the
teachers. The only change in the board
of education during the year. was the
appointment of Mr.. James E. Fitch to nll
the vacancy caused by the refusal of Gen.
George H. Harries to accept the rendered
reappointment as a member.
One Of the new features of the year was
the inauguration of a practical and com
prehensive system of medical inspection in
the schools to guard the health of the pu-
pills and prevent the Introduction and sprea
OF contagious or infectious diseases In ac-
cordance with the provisions of an act Of
Congress. twelve medical inspectors Wero
appointed. and they are now working on
rational lines with the cooperation OF
school officials and parents to improve the
hygiene of the school buildings and the
health Of the school children.
In the Churches.
The past year in the churches has been
one Of conventions. anniversaries and no.
ticeable progress along the lines of mis-
sionary. philanthropic and general Chris
tan activity. There have been a number
Of changes in pastorates, and several more