Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-04
OFFICIALS GET BUSY
Commissioners May Inspect
School Buildings in Person.
CAPT. OYSTER STILL FIRM
President of Board Continues Visits
to the Schools. -~
MR.. ASHFORD STANDS PAT
Capt. Morrow and Supt. Chancellor
Discuss situation-Meetiug Of
Building Commission
CAPT. OYSTER STILL FIRM
NR. ASHFORD STANDS PAT

I Discuss Sltuatlon-Meettng OF
Building Commission
There was brief meeting of the pub
lie school building commission, composed
of Supt Chancellor. Engineer Commits
sioner Morrow and Supervising Architect
Taylor of the Treasury Department. in
the Office of the school superintendent
this morning. District Building Inspector
Ashford was present.
The commission considered the form of
the report which 1t is to make to Con-
gress upon its visits curing the past
summer to various cities to study school
buildings. The report it Is understood.
will be largely technical in character.
Supt. Chancellor said this morning that
he is entirely in sympathy with the board
of education in its action last Saturday
looking toward betterment of the sani-
tary conditions in the schools.
Il talked with Capt. Morrow about the
matter before Mr. Ashford came. he
said, and l feel certain that something
Is going to be done very soon. I believe
the District authorities are anxious to
improve the sanitary conditions Of the
school buildings"
No Necessity for Closing Schools.
In reference to criticism of his depart
ment by the board of education. based
on alleged insanitary conditions at the
Berret. Emery and Petworth School
buildings, and the threat Of the board of
education to close the buildings until they
are put in a proper and healthful condi-
ton. Snowden Ashford. building inspector
of ha ct Il
necessity for closing any school on
grounds of defective sanitation. He is
accredited also with saying that tue school
buildings are In much better condition
even than are the homes of many Of the
pupils.
Health Officer Woodward. when asked
for his opinion upon the proposed clos
ing of these schools by the board Of edu-
cation, said today that the basement
rooms in the Petworth School building
should be discontinued as class rooms.
He bases his opinion upon recent re-
port made to him by one OF his health
inspectors. Regarding the closing of the
Berret and Emery schools, DR.. Woodward
said he is not In position to venture an
opinion upon their conditions, and that
he will wait for further developments be-
fore doing so.
Il have nothing more to say at present
with regard to the school building ques-
ion" said President Oyster of the board
am still visiting the schools-I was out
again this morning-and shall report prog
ress at the next meeting of the board.
now have not only the authority Of q
committee, but Of the whole board for
ny action
Mr.. Vests Views.
It is likely that the three District Com
nissioners will personally visit these three
schools at once and carefully inspect
them. They will be accompanied by In
spector Ashford. Commissioner West said
today ne proposes to have a conference
with Commissioner MORROW and Inspector
Ashford. He added that as q matter Of
fact the basement Of the Petworth School
building should never have been used for
lass purposes.
1T was used all Of last year." he said.
without any protest from the board of
'ducation, the health department or the
school physicians. and the first complaint
hat l know OF was made recently by the
women residents of Petworth. II this
building Is !nsan tary now. Il was insani-
AIRY last year, and the school officials did
not seem to get excited over 1t then.
cannot say anything about the other
schools until l have personally inspected
hem
Inspector Ashford says the board Of ed
ucation has the authority to close these
schools If it sees fit. ut is purely a uues-
ION of administration with the board. -
6 said. Ny office has no authority in
ne matter. / have offered, through the
resident Of the board to appear at the
next board meeting and THROW any light
which ] MAY be able to Oh this appar-
=ntly Vexing problem.
Petworth Building.
In speaking of the criticism of the Dis
trict health officer regarding the alleged
'nsanitary conditions at the Petworth
School Mr.. Ashford said 1t is true the
aealth office has suggested that II might
De wise to close the building for several
lays. In working on an addition to the
scnool," he explained, "a sewer trench
vas left open for several days. During
that time IT might have been well to
lose the school, and this was what the
health officer had in mind-not that the
General conditions al the school were per-
nanently bad. as would appear from the
Aartial statement which was culled from,
his recomme nGa ton.
Il cannot say when the conditions at
| .hese schools will be remedied or when
| the repairs will be completed. The work
! IN them has been delayed by the unset
| lied state of the local building trades.
| which trouble Is not yet over. The con-
| FACTORS are paying penalties every day
| Cor the delay and they themselves do not
| know when the work will be COMPLETED -
| 1t IS expected that considerable Neht
| will be thrown on this matter when the
| Commissioners go over the three school
buildings.
Not Advised Officially.
Discussing the same subject Commits.
| Toner Macfarland said today:
| u to this hour we have received nc
communication from the board of edu.
7ation respecting its reported action Sat
| ,rday. When the communication is re-
'aived it will. of course. be given prompt
ottention by the Commissioners. ant
| whatever action seems best upon CON
/ .daration of all the facts will be taken
| { necessary, the Commissioners will con
| n with the board of education and +
ray be desirable for the Commissioner
o visit the schools in question. 1t goe.
,-'thout saying that, the Commissioner.
| are as DESTROYS as anybody else to safe
guard the health of the school children
and that they will do all in thei- powe
20 that end. May add that I am sure tn
Engineer Commissioner expeo4tes tn,
York of repairs on the schools and othe
municipal Blu ldings as rapidly as posi-
4 and would do so without any specia
Quest from any quarter
II regret to see that the unfortunate
newspaper controversy that has engaged
the public attention between the president
of the board of education and the inspec