The Washington herald., 1907-11-05
COMMISSIONERS TO
AIR THE SCHOOLS
Continued from Page One.

least, il WAS susceptible Of misinterpreta-
ton In this report, he said. il appeared
that the inspector OF buildings had criti-
cised the health officer for assuming an
attitude in criticising the school build
ings, making alarming reports on sani-
tary conditions. and desiring that no pub
licity be given to them. Capt Morrow
maintains that the Inspector Of buildings
did not critlcise the health officer. but
that the communication so much men
toned was a personal one from M Ash
fcrd 10 Capt Oyster. and that IN il the
former tried 10 convey the idea that the
health officer frequently makes sugges-
tions for the betterment OF the condi-
tions. which might cause needless alarm,
il published Capt. Morrow said that re-
the Office of the Commissioners. are given
immediate attention. and any correction
possible Is at once made.
In concluding. Capt Morrow said:
This statement is made. not 10 perpetu-
ate a controversy between the Commis-
siOners and the board Of education, which
controversy, Of course. I regret, because
believe the unusual amount OF publicity
that has been given to it is liable 10
cause a belief in the public mind, unless
officially contradicted. that the school
children are being subjected 10 a danger
which is not present"
This communication OF Capt Morrow
was unexpected, but withdraws any fur
ther possibility Of controversy between
the members OF the board and the in
spectOr Of buildings as in the future all
communications viii come from the head
Of the engineer department Of the Dis
trict.
The actors in this mornings drama roll
include-On the playhill at any rate
Commissioners Mcfarland West, and
Morrow; Capt James II. oyster. president
Of the board OF education: W Y. Cox. W.
D. Hoover. r. r. HOrner. John +. Cook.
Mrs Spencer S Nussey, and Mrs. Justina
X. Hill. members Of that board. It is
likely DR.. William <. Chancellor. super
intendent Of schools, viii be present. and
more than possible that Snowden Ashford
and the health officer Will appear. If the
meeting goes through the whole allotted
number Of scenes.
The controversy, as II has been called,
started several weeks ago. and has in
vOlved in the time that passed since its
inception, not only the board OF educa-
ton. but the health officer and the in
spectOr Of buildings The most startling
phase Of the whole affair has been the
charges that several Of the buildings were
insanitary and unfit for use as buildings
in which children should attend school.
This is the first time. as Capt Morrow
said. that the. Commissioners have been
brought into the matter officially. and
their prompt action will, il is believed,
lead TO some solution Of the problem. Il
is possible that the meeting this morning
will result in a personal visit on the part
of the Commissioners. or one Of them at
least, to the three school buildings spe-
officially named in the report Of the board
published Sunday.
Commission to Report
AS the report OF the commission created
by Congress in June. 1896. for the pur-
pose Of looking into the condition OF all
schools in the District. will be made in
short time. the question of whether
these particular schools are fit for use or
not. is considered important.
The commission mentioned, consisting
OF Capt. Morrow. It's chairman: Hon.
James Knox Taylor. Supervising Archi-
tect Of the Treasury, and the Superin-
tendent Of Schools DR. William E Chan
cellor, met yesterday for consideration OF
some remaining questions regarding its
report Inspector Of Buildings SnOwden
Ashford was present, but Capt. Morrow