Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-07

Auxiliary OF the Citizens Association had
Interested themselves. and had succeeded
IN winning DR.. Salisbury over to their way
of thinking. He referred to the COM
md said there were 124 pupils registered.
and that the average daily attendance
was 107. The lack Of proper accommoda-
tions necesstated the primary school
pupils coming in sections and. securing
only half a days school, when they were
ntitled to a whole day
The chairman declared that the trus-
tees had done everything possible to put
the basement room I'm sanitary condi-
ton. and that 1t contains plenty of light.
air and ventilation, and he saw no reason
why 1t should no, be used.
Says It Was a Lie.
The chairman declared that ~. Sans
bury had told DR.. Mcmillan. chairman of
the local board of trustees, that the build
ing could be used temporarily. When
Dr.. Sansbury appeared he said any one
who had made this statement lied. DR..
c. w. Birdsall of Hyattsyille, who is at
tending DR.. Mcmillan, hoped that DR..
Sansbury would retract the word lie
health of the people of Riverdale. DR..
Sansbury did not retract. He said he did
not know who made the statement that
he had consented to the temporary use
of the building, but whoever had made
such an assertion had lied.
DR.. Sansbury was not in the meeting
when Chairman Sehaeffer made the asssr-
ton that started the controversy. Con-
tinuing DIR. Sansbury declared that he had
placed the placard on the school build
ing prohibiting the use of the basement
for school purposes by order Of, the board
of county commissioners He said he
had been backed in his Judgment about
the unfitness of the room ny DIR. Mar
shall Langton Prince, secretary Of the
state board of health, who had made q
personal examination Of the room In
question. Owing to the slope of the
ground, it was stated, the floor lies about
three feet below the level Of the earth
on the southeast side. and about six feet
below on the southwest side.
A portion Of the floor Is decidedly damp
ing through the floor. This room con
tained 476 square feet and S8OS cubic
feet. If the proper requirements are re-
duced one-half, the number Of pupils
which could be safely housed there would
still be too small to make 1t profitable ia
use the room. The effect Of the dampness
would certainly tend to intensity the eff
fects Of overcrowding.
III the present number of pupils con-
tinue to attend the school the accommo.
doubled" DR.. Sansbury declared. Hs
spoke Of several letters he had received
from irate citizens Of Riverdala, and de,
clared that he did not object to having his
Official judgment criticised, but that ne
did not propose to allow any one to as.
sault his personal character.
After considerable discussion, some Of
which was rather personal In its nature
the matter was amicably adjusted through
a motion made by Mr.. Clarence Bright t.
the effect that in view of the doubt tina,
had been raised relative to the sanitary
condition Of the basement. and the state
ment of the health officer. the room b.
not used, but that the pupils submit t.
the present Inconvenience until the count,
authorities can erect two additional room:
which the health officer had promised Il
use his influence to secure and which tn
people of Riverdale demand. Mr.. Bright!
motion prevailed.