The Washington herald., 1908-08-24

Although he does not believe that there
is any danger Of repetition Of the Col
hngwood hre disaster ia any OF the local
school buildiuEz. Engineer Comuissioner
Morrow Is of tEe opinion that Central
High School, on o street, should give
way 10 a modern building at once
With his positive declaration that the
I Central High School should be abau-
doDed because Of its age and uadeQuacy
70 meet present conditions. Mai Morrow
has Joined in the fight 10 secure from
Congress a larger scaool appropriation.
He Characterized the proposed expen-
diture Of $4,000 in general Improvement
as pouring good money after bad. and
iikened the repaired building 10 a garment
that is patched until nothing but the
I patch remains.
IT is my sincere hope said he. that
the board OF education. at its next meet
/ Ing, VIII decide 20 recommend a fund for
I the building OF q new edihce.
The fund which. / believe. could be
secured. should be asked for this fan. as
Z It VIII take two o. three years 10 erect
a new sixty-room high school building.
and with washingtoa's rapid growth in
the northwest the question Of time be
/ comes important
Repairs Are Expensive.
The Central High School building is
I bad
we have been spending an average OF
S2o10 year on that school for the past
/ two years. and It viii be necessary next
I year TO go to an additional $500 expense
I 20 install a modern heating plant
Everything about the building is an
/ tiquated- The site is not a good one.
being n a rather undesirable part Of
town and removed from the homes of
/ those who attend the school
Central viii have to be abandoned in
/ time. An expenditure of SS1."06 for iu-
/ pr0vemeuts vii be a patch.
Were we allowed 10 sell the site Of
/ the present high school and Use the pro-
/ ceeds in buying our school property iu a
{ more advantageous location. we should.
! considering the higher price Of land IN
I o street. be able 70 accomplish wonders
[ In erecting a new building with an $50 0f-
/ appropriation"
I The Couulssioner IS or the opinion that
. aa.r eastern ElaE.i s-atFlsil @.ala a.<H
4 way 20 a more modern structure. because
I OF its age and size Eastern High School.
! he declared. was IN better repair than
I Central. and. therefore. not IN such need
+ Of Immediate change
l 7 an willing said he. ''to aid as far
I as IS IN my power. any movement on the
{ part Of the board OF education 20 secure
/ what I believe 20 be one OF the greatest
/ needs Of this cicy-a Central High school
I worthy Of the Capital of the nation
/ Should the matter come before the A1-
/ preparations Committee IN Congress. rest
assured that all Of nv energies VIII be
I bent toward the securing of tre much
/ needed fund"
Fire Precautions
Mai Morrow Is of tire opinion that a
request for a larger appropriation FROM
/ Congress fer fire improvements in the
+ schools this year VIII meet with little
/ better success than attended the 500 01j
/ request sent n by the board OF e6uca-
ton last year.
Shortly after the Couinwood disaster
/ Chief Belt thoroughly inspected the Cen
tral High School. and after survey o-
! the place recommended fve FIRE escapes
and additional exits for the building
I When the matter was taken before the
/ House committee. the expense fo- 50tE
Of these important items was eliminated
from the general bin. and the school VII
therefore open this year with its erner.
! gency exit practically unchanged.
Whether the board Of education VII
! care to risk a big cut IN its auuus
appropriation by requesting q fund fo-
the erection Of a new E5CE school build.
ing. is a matter that vii not be abs0.
Iutely decided until that body meets or
September 8 next for The discussion o-
plans
Capt Oyster. president Of The board
I has requested Mai. Morrow 70 join hin
n conference with NJ. Cox while tEi
annual request IS being formulated ans
the Engineer Commissioner intends urg
4 ing for a new school building. rather thar
an appropriation for the repair OF JLt
present Central High School
The building is not equipped vitf
sufficient fire apparatus 10 place il with
IN the pale Of reasonable safety.
Commission Morrow is inclined q
scof at the SZzo511 asked Of Congress fCl
fire improvements al the instiga1ion O.
Fire Chief Belt. claiming that the mar
shal was carried away by the universe
excitement prevalent al the tine re rlad'
the examination and recommended many
useless and unnecessary precautions