Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-15
PETW ORTIZ CITIZENS
INADEQUATE SCHOOL FACILITIES
DISCUSSED.

Inadequate school facilities in the Pet
worth public school, and the annoyance to
which the parents Of the children are sub
jected as a result of these conditions pre-
cipitated a lively debate last evening at
the March meeting of the Petworth Citi-
zens' Association held at the residence of
Mr.. William F. GUIDE, 5000 New Hampshire
avenue northwest In addition to the lack
of school facilities a heated discussion grew
out of the failure OF the officials of the
Brightwood railway to redeem many of its
alleged promises for the improvement of
the service.
The school question was brought up by
Mr. E. w. Oyster. He said that since the
beginning of the present term the pupils
of the first second and third grade of the
Petworth School are being taught in half
day sessions. This is made necessary. he
said, because of the inability of the teach
ers to give instruction to the large number
applying for admission. Mr.. Oyster also
informed the association that like cond-
ton existed in several school divisions of
the District.
He criticised the Commissioners for fail
ing to provide accommodations for the chill
dren of the lower grades. The Commission
ers, he said are not taking sufficient inter-
est in the schools. Mr.. Oyster took the
view that not more than one-third of the
pupils remain in school after they have
reached the sixth grade and for this reason
thought they should be given full day ses
sions.
Mr. w. F. GUIDE, president of the asso-
ciat ton, discussed the question from very
much the same standpoint, and said it was
not only question which affected Pet
worth but the entire District. He favored
the abolition of this method and suggested
that if the lack of funds could not permit
the full sessions in both the lower and
higher grades preference should be given to
the lower grades where the foundation of
the child's education is laid. Most children,
he declared, are compelled to leave school
at a compare lively early age.
| Others made short talks on this subject,
| some taking the view that the situation
| could be relieved at once if Congress would
appropriate less money for streets and more
| for school purposes The sentiment prevail
| ed that the child should receive a thorough
rudimentary training and have the founda-
| ton of his training securely established. A
resolution recommending an increase of the
facilities of the lower grades OF the school
system was adopted.
Arraigned Railway Officials.
Mr. George Stose started a lively discus
sion when he arose and bitterly arraigned
the officials of the Brghtwood electric rail-
way for their failure to keep certain al
legged promises made from time to time for
the improvement of the service. Whiie IN
respect to schedules there is slight i'm
movement he said other accommodations
which they offer the pubic are meager and
inadequate. He was ashamed he said, to go
into the Brightwood transfer station and find
the place as dark as Egypt" He recalled
the promise of the road to build switch
at the transfer station instead of at Pom
eroy street. thus avoiding the switching of
18th street cars on the Br1ghtwood track.
He also criticised the road officials for fail
| ing to properly heat the station building
| during the winter, but he was informed
| that Slight improvement had been made in
| that direction. 81
DR.. d. J. Particle condemned the railroad
| officials for failure6 to properly heat the
transfer building, and said this could have
| been done during the entire season with
| ton of COAL His experience with the road
officials he said, WIS that their repeated
demands had only, been rewarded with
| smooth promises. EVERY suggestion or
project for the improvement of the service
had been futile, and he thought the sending
of additional recommendations would be
| treated In like mannerii Other members
| took part in the discussion.
| A resolution was offered and adopted Pc
| titioning the Washington Railway and
| Electric Company tO3install switch for the
| use Of the cars the Brightwood line at
| the transfer station on 18th street near
| Florida avenue, in order that long delays
| occasioned by present switching arrange
nents could be avoided. The resolution
| also urges the company to light with cleo
| tricity the waiting station at the transfer
| The secretary was instructed to request
| the engineer department of the District to
| provide a means for draining water from
| a spring which flows In the center of
| Brightwood avenue between Newark and
Omaha streets. 1t was stated that the
| spring had greatly damaged the roadway.
| measure was also adopted giving the
| associations Endorsement to the plan for
the Identification of the national capital
! along national lines at the expense of the
government President w. f. Guide D. J.
Particle and Jacob Xander were designated
| a committee to attend the mass meeting
which has been arranged for the further
| will be representatives or all the citizens
associations Of the District.