Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-01

But the Commissioners have admitted
that in the past ten years they have not
had enough money to keep the buildings
in repair. I feel that they have shown
board than ever before. They have not
given the school ofiicials cooperation.
and seem to have done nothing b0t throw
obstacles in our way. perhaps not inteu-
tionally. but through indifference.
They have complained that flower beds
against walls have caused damp base
ments. but the figures show that there are
239 damp walls. while there are only ~
flower beds against the walls. and IN
those cases only 10 can be said ITO have
caused the damp walls. because the walls
were not damp before the flower beds
were there.
1.-The reports of the fire chief are not all
in. for he says ne will continue to visit
school buildings. And 1'think he Will md
the conditions of some other buildings as
bar, Or worse. than these two"
Estimates Of the Board.
W. v. Cox. following the president, read
from the estimates Of the board prepared
several weeks ago, showing the amount
of money needed to make the school
buildings safe from dangers from fires.
and pointed out that the Potomac School
was mentioned in that report and that the
estima ties covered. in general. the repairs
needed in all the schools. He also read
from the minutes Of the hearing before
the District appropriations committee. in
which he is quoted as saying that he re-
garded the Potomac School building "A
the worst one in the District. and In which
Commissioner Morrow is quoted as saying
that he regarded the Thompson a. the
worst. with the Potomac running close
second.
/ Asst. Supt. p. M. Hughes sat with the
board. in the absence of Supt. Stuart, and
he was asked about the care for the chill
dren should the two buildings be closed
He said that the pupils Of the Potomac
could be housed in the Bradley building
three blocks away, providing some Of the
| classes are put on halliday sessions. Al
regards the Mccormick. he said, the near
est school Is six blocks away and across
railroad tracks. He said that II the Nc.
Cormick building Is closed the pupils
could not be cared for elsewhere.
He suggested that porches be erected
| around the second stories Of these school
buildings. windows be cut down to. make
them doors leading to the porches, and
| that outside stairways be constrtfct4d
leading from these porches. This suk,
| gestion met the favor OF the board, and
money in their control to make repairs OF
| this kind.
Questions Discussed. r.
bISCuSSlOu followed 6S 10 WHAT SHOuI0
be done at once with the pupils using the
| dangerous buildings and what steps
should be taken by the board to remedy
| the conditions that make them dangerous.
AS to immediate action. 1t was determined
that the Commissioners should either ex-
pend money to build the porches around
the second floor OF the buildings and thus
make them safe or else the buildings
would be closed AS the permanent rem
edy it was pointed out that the compile
ton OF the new Mccormick School will re-
lieve that situation next fall there. and
that In regard to the Potomac the House
! committee has reported favorably on the
recommendation of the board for the
purchase Of site for a new Potomac
School. It was decided to further ask
Congress- in view of the latest develop
ment to appropriate $4,000 more for the
building OF a new school to replace the
Potomac.
The board also authorized the commit
tee on buildings. together with the pres
ident ofsthe board and the superintendent
of schools, to take the action they regard
as necessary in the case of other build
ings which Fire Chief Belt may report
as fire traps