Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-02
LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DIR. CHANCELLoR's THEME BE-
FORE CITIZENS ASSOCIATION.
Columbia Heights Considered to Be
Entitled to Favors-Plans
for the Future.

DR.. William E. Chancellor. superintend-
ent of the schools of the District. made
the principal address at the first fall meet
ing of the Columbia Heights Citizens As
sociadon, held at the Savoy, 14th and
Girard streets, at o'clock last evening.
There was large attendance of the MEM
bers, and they listened intently to the ad
dress.
In opening Dr. Chancellor said that
it is natural for a man to speak of his vo-
cation in life, he would talk for a few mo-
ments upon the schools of the District of
Columbia. THE school buildings here" he
said ARE better than the general average
to be found in a city of the size of Wash
ington. Most of the old buildings are in a
good state of repair. The average of the
schools here is high, but we have no fine
school buildings. In one instance we have
what l will call fine school property. 1t
is not fine school building. but it is To-
Gated up on a great site. This is the West
ern High School. Here we have the larg-
est proportion Of children going half day
to school. All Of our rented school build
ings are good when sanitation is consid-
ered.'
The superintendent then spoke of the
social conditions of Washingt ton, and called
attention to the large negro population.
In any order l give to be carried out in
the schools he said Il must first weigh
and consider the races and the effects of
the order. Things I would like to recon-
mend to the board of education at times
l cannot carry through
Compliments Columbia Heights.
Mr.. Chancellor then spoke of the splen-
did class Of people who reside in Columbia
Heights, and said that was one of the rea-
sons which brought him to the section
when he came here to reside. He declared
that new high school should be located
In the heights, calling attention to the fact
that two fashionable young ladies' semi
naries had located there. He also believed,
he said, that the proposed normal school
should be placed in the Columbia Heights
section, because of the fine class Of peo-
pie from whose ranks the teachers would
be to a large extent drawn.
I'VE want our children taught by ladies
and gentlemen" said the superintendent,
seemingly by way of emphasizing his pre-
vious statement
In reference to recommendations to be
made he said: Every one knows that the
Senate and House of Congress are the rul-
ers Of the District of Columbia. We are
going to ask for small school buildings Of
high character-say Of the eight, sixteen
and twentyfour room types; and we want
thirty square feet Of playground for each
child. We also want enlargement to
the Western High School"
DR.. Chancellor closed by saying that he
had renewed the lease to his residence
and proposed to reside upon the heights.
James s. Easily SmithS and others also
made brief addresses.
The meeting was presided over by Judge
Charles s. Bundy,. the president, who de-
livered a short address at the opening urg-
ing the members to greater effort during
the year for public improvement upon the
heights.
Secretary w. B. Todd read the minutes of
the last meeting and the same were ap-
proved.
The following new members were elected:
Messrs r. E. Johnson, James 8. Easily
Smith, Walter A. Swanton, ]. Clinton
Hiatt, H. L. Shepard, Thomas ]. Tobias
and DR.. Gotwald.