Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-21

commensurate with the ability displayed
and the services rendered. il being argued
that the schools should be conducted on
liberal wise, business principles. so as 70
secure the best results. The night schools
were commended. ard it was suggested
that there should be no maximum limit X
age.
The compulsory education law enacted
for the District in 1864 only provided fer
school attendance for twelve weeks. ana
even this was never enforceable, the re-
port stated. Statistics show that there are
about 5000 children of school age not en-
rolled in public or private schools, and an
equal number irregular in attendance.
Neither have we in the District any edu-
cational qualifications for the employment
of minors. The board of education has APP
proved a draft of bill to compel scnoot
attendance between the ages of eight and
fourteen years, which bill is now in the
hands of the Commissioners.
An effective law along these lines should
be passed.
Play Grounds.
The report of the committee heartily sup
ports the recommendation for an apprOpria-
ton to enable the fitting up of the grounds
about some of the schools as public play
grounds. This will entail but small ex-
pense. it was stated, and 1t is obvious that
the utilization of these school grounds for
this purpose during the vacation months
Will De a most economical methOQ 10 secure
what is so greatly desired and needed in
this direction. The committee also COM
mends the efforts of the school authorities,
assisted by the Department of Agriculture,
in encouraging the children to beautify the
school grounds. in cultivating flowers and
raising vegetables, as this work not only
affords desirable outdoor exercise but fur
nishes useful information.
Increase in Board Recommended.
1.-THE board of education now consists of
bur seven MEMBERS continues the report.
''Your committee believes it should be in
creased to eleven This would permit of
more adequate representation on the board
OF all sections of the District, and also
make it possible for each member to visit
regularly quite a number of the schools,
thereby assuring more comprehensive and
thorough knowledge on the part of the
board of the real conditions and needs OF
the schools
Referring to the anniversary of President
Washington's BIRTH the committee recites
the interest taken by the Board of Trade IN
all that pertains to the growth and de-
velopment of the District, and the arrang-
ing each year exercises in the schools in
&C mmemOra ton of the anniversary. The
ceremonies of the past year were carried
out most creditably. These exercises entail
weeks of time and labor in preparation. Inc
committee requests the cordial cooperation
and assistance of the members of the Board
of Trade in these endeavors for inspiring
loyalty patriotism and good citizenship in
the minds and hearts of our fifty thousand
school children.
Public Buildings.
Mr.. Ernest Wilkinson, chairman of the
committee on public buildings, said that so
much had been appropriated for public
buildings last year and so little inclination
to do anything this year has shown that
the committee only expected to get Sooo0oC
additional appropriation for the municipal
building. His report recited that during the
past year the three matters most proml-
neutly before it Were:
TIE energetic prosecution of the work on
the new municipal building.
The securing of separate quarters for the
Police Court, and Il new building for that
court. and -.. ~. -
The increase and betterment of the public
school buildings.
Despite the fact that this was the year
of the presidential election" it is stated
and that the increasing excess of eXpendl-
lures over receipts made Congress still
more strenuous in urging retrenchment IN
public appropriations, the needs of the Dis
trict were duly and fairly recognized and
provided for. -r.e
Leaving out of consideration the large
amount of money now being spent IN the
construction and Improvement OF bridges
roadways filtration plants, sewers ana
parks, and combining ourselves TO the mar
rover meaning of the term public buildings
we find that in the District, and primarily
for the District, there are appropriated for,
or in process of construction, the following:
Muuiripa building tprobabIe cost So, 900, 900
Aimsouse and workhouse probable cost E}3,OO
Schools tprobabie COST 62l'UO0
Hospitals (prubable cost .....-........ iO.OoO
Sewage pumping station probable COST. 25o,O00
Waterworks at Reno tprobable cost ...: $1,000
plans only (probable cost .......... 1880
MT, 60 $50 ,no