Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-06


that the provision made for educational
purposes in Washington, while 1t has in
creased in the aggregate. has not kept pace
with the increased expenditure in other
departments.
Public Act No. 254.
THE requirements Of the first section of
public act, No. 254. TO the effect that all
children above the second grade shall have
whole day session. and the increased en-
rollment caused by the operation Of the
compulsory attendance law, make 1t inn
perative to largely increase existing school
accommodations without delay. A number
of temporary buildings have already been
rented and more will have to be rented,
none Of which are suitable for school pur-
poses.
AN immediate enlargement of school
accommodations must be made by the
erection OF permanent school buildings.
SO as to make our occupancy of unfit
premises as brief possible.
Another demand for more school rooms
is credited by the constant extension of
Industrial training in the graded schools
which calls for suitable quarters for
manual training shops, cooking and sew
ing schools. in which instruction Is given
to all sixth, seventh and eighth grade
pupils.
1t has been estimated that the COM
pulsory attendance law, when fully under
way. will bring into school 5000 to 1000
children now on the streets.
If so, the school enrolment of last
year will be increased from 10 to IA per
cent. which. added to the normal annual
Increase of 3 per cent. will add from 13
to II PEI cent to the number of pupils
under instruction.
Demand for New Buildings.
Such an extraordinary increase In the en-
rollment of the schools in the near future
would of itself justify the board in asking
for many new school buildings
1T is also the desire Of the board to pro-
vide a whole days schooling for every
pupil. of whatever grade ana as most of
the first and second grade classes are on
half time large number of additional
schoolhouses will be needed in order tina t
the school session may be extended from
three and half hours to five hours
The superintendent appended the follow
ing statement for the information of the
board:
The revenues of the District of Column
bia for the year 1908 have been estim ted
to be S5.S2S, SOB Add an equal amount from
the United States. $5.s2S. SOB. Total esti-
mated revenue. 81. 607 Cos; total amount of
the estimates of the board of education,
3,273, 425.
Increase of 800, 900 in Salaries.
The superintendent further explained that
the approximate increase of 900 In the
salaries of teachers would be necessary. He
said about half of 1t was forced upon the
board by the natural increase in salaries
provided for under the law, and the rest
was necessary In order to take care of the
children that would be brought into the
schools through the enforcement of the
compulsory education law.
Admiral Baird. president of the board
said he thought Congress should be re-
minded that the school estimates were cut
last winter because of the great expense for
the new municipal building and the unior
railroad station. and ON that ground asked
to allow more money this winter for much.
needed school buildings
The admiral remarked, however that the
committees of Congress would very likely
receive the members of the board and the
superintendent with broad smiles, as If the
| wishes of the school authorities met will
universal Appreciation; but that when il
came to putting the figures In print there
would be- almost certainly, a great cutting
Yes. but two can talk on that subject,
interjected Superintendent Chancellor
Somebody ought to tell some of ,nese mer
that Washington is not doing for hel
schools what other cities are doing"
The president of the board declared tina
| the members of Congress had been told thi.
sort of thing before, and DR.. Chancellor an
nounced that he would tell it to them again
Capt. Oysters Inquiry.
A slight disputation arose when a report
| from the committee on teachers and JAM
| tors was presented for consideration by AID
| miral Baird. Capt. Oyster inquired whether
] or not the committee members had an
proved and signed the report saying tina,
| II this was the case he was willing to vote
| for it. Admiral Baird and Prof. Evermanr
| said they had signed it in order to get ii
| before the board, but that the cammittet
| had taken no action IN the matter
| Capt. Oyster objected to that way O.
doing business" and in spite OF Interrupt
| lions by the president kept the floor unit
| he had explained at length that he though
| committee should attend to it's business
| thoroughly and report matters in proper
form.
IF this committee couldn't do it the mat
| ter ought to be referred to another commit
tee" he declared TOO much of this sor
of business is being transacted at thes,
meetings..
Admiral Baird, Prof Evermann and Mr.
| Cook defended the committee. The admira