Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-17

achieved.
COMMITTEES have been appointed to Sc
cure q regulation of the fees Of the sealer
of weights and measures. and successful
outcome Il expected.
Another committee Is at present engaged
with the officials OF the various railroads
entering the District OF Columbia to adjust
freight rate conditions, that Washington
may have some of the advantages now
given to other cities. and also with view
Of looking into the demurrage charges by
these railroads on goods left on track be-
yond the prescribed limit OF twenty-four
hours.
Eastern High School Controversy.
'In the course Of the year the residents
Of Capitol Hill made vigorous protest
against the retention in charge of the East
ern High School OF its present principal
Their opposition, together with continued
disorders at the school, led the board Of ed
ucation to order the principal transferred to
the Central High School: but subsequently,
at the behest Of the principals friends, the
board of education rescinded that action
and decided to continue him at Eastern.
''The matter had by this time assumed
such Importance in the public mind, and SO
great was the injustice being done to the
eastern section of the city, that the direc-
tors of this association undertook an IN
quiry into the facts. The facts disclosed to
this committee moved 1t to strong adverse
criticism on the management of the school,
and 1t recommended that either the princi-
pal Of the school should be relieved of his
duties as an executive officer or that he
should make important changes in his meth
DDS. Notwithstanding this showing. the
board Of education decided to set aside the
protest OF the patrons of the school and re-
tain this man as principal.
ut Is my Judgment the findings of the
committee warranted much stronger rec
concentration than that reported. The pr1n-
cfpal, though evidently man of fine char
aeter and unusual learning, and seemingly
a teacher of exceptional ability, was clearly
shown to be untitled by temperament to be
a principal. He seemed to lack tact alto
gether, and to be constitutionally incapable
Of understanding young girls and boys.
'It is my judgment also that II the board
Of education heard favorably the protests
made by the patrons of the Central High
School against having this man placed IN
charge there 1t should have given an
equally favorable hearing to the protest of
the patrons of the Eastern High School
against having him retained in charge
there.
Distinction Drawn.
"a similar controversy arose subsequently
at the Colored High School, the charge in
this case being that the principal, a colored
woman, had committed various acts of
open INSTRUMENTATION. The findings of the
board of eduohtion were that the charges
had been sustained But out of Difference
to the patrons of this school the insubordi-
nation and the findings alike were ignored
The board of education has thus granted
to the patrons of the Colored High School
as previously 1t had granted to the patrons
of the Central High School, voice In the
management of those institutions which 1t
denies to the patrons of the Eastern High
School. l find it impossible to understand
much less to approve, the action of the
board of education at any stage OF these
proceedings
And x,orI 20 ba -, 4;oy,
Of the Anacostia flats and improvement of
the Anacostia river. Years ago, when a
proposition was first advanced for the filing
of the flats of the Potomac river proper
Washington was known throughout the
country as the great malarial city. The
business men of those days and the citizens
generally, with our Commissioners, although
they had no organization, succeeded through
persistent efforts in inducing Congress to
make the necessary appropriations to abate
the nuisance emanating from those flats
Today the fllled-in flats form the nucleus Of
the great park which in the near future
will be one OF the supreme attractions Of
Washington. Our organization since its
foundation has interested itself continuously
for like improvements upon the Anacostia
or Eastern Branch river. The flats OF that
branch OF the Potomac. subject as they are
to overflow through the tides, are a menace
to the health of the eastern section Of the
city particularly. and incidentally to the
entire District of Columbia. The improve
river navigable for small craft. and 1 be-
1ieve / am justified In asserting that the
outcome will be in the near future that
many hundreds of acres will be added to
the park system of the District, thereby
aiding materially in eliminating malaria
and creating in this region, now regarded as
unhealthy, thousands of homes beautiful
lawns and business places to accommodate
the Increase In population which will within
few years make Washington what it
should be. By invitation, we are Good
Grating with the Commissioners In this mat
ter
Great Convention Hall.
Some progress has been made toward
the establishment of a great convention
hall in this city. Capitalists and business
men have shown a disposition to take hold
of this subject. Already many thousands
OF dollars have been subscribed, and 1t IS
the firm belief that before the next presi-
Dental conventions are held by the great
political parties and other organizations
that the District of Columbia will be pre-
pared to accommodate one or all of them
which will result in the future in selecting
the capital as the convention city of the
United States.
Projects Recommended.
'For consideration 1 recommend to your
interest the following projects, not merely
with energy to obtain results:
more schools for the use of children be-
tween the ages Of six and fourteen years.
more attention should be given to night
schools.
More pay for school teachers should be
devised or we will lose the best of them.
More police officers are needed and we
should advocate the curtaiing OF detail
work required of them. The total force
numbers about $50. OF these about III are
detailed to special duties and 10 per cent
of the remaining are generally on sick
leave AS a result we have about $50 off,
GERS on duty to control a district about six
miles square. AS our city grows we need
better protection to lives and property.
Some attention should be paid to the
telephone question. EXorbitant rates and
poor service should be investigated.
Sewerage requirements in all sections
outside the city limits should enlist our at
tention.
1.-THE question of parks about the bound
airy line, or Florida avenue, should be con-
sidered.
1.-THE widening of the roads leading to and
through Rock Creek Park is of considerable
Importance to those who enjoy the pleasure
;F,,l Irix dan