Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-19

IT,,
inadequate for the needs of the schools.
Your committee recommends that, if
the above use is to be made of the $50. 900,
the board of education ask that 700
additional be requested for the repair Of
school buildings for the fiscal year 1909"
Comments by Board Members.
In the discussion which followed it was
pointed out that fire escapes often are ex-
tended down only to the second floor. that
they were put on only one side of a build
ing and that they are largely perpendicu-
lar.
Mrs. Mussey declared that at the Henry
school she found that one set Of double
doors had been locked since the building
was turned over to the school system, and
that the principal has unsuccessfuly tried
to get key for the doors. Fire Chief Belt,
she said, was shocked at the discovery.
When new buildings are to be con-
structed. have the superintendent and the
school authorities, who are familiar with
the needs of schools. right to review and
supervise the plans?" asked DIR. Ever
mann.
The Commissioners say that. out of
courtesy. they will allow us TO do So"
Capt. oyster replied Mr.. superintend-
ent have any Of the plans for the new
buildings now being contracted for. been
submitted to your
No" Mr.. Stuart replied.
in the buildings have nothing to say
about their arrangement the president
of the board commented. 1t was pointed
out later that 1T is the history of school
systems that buildings constructed with
out the supervision of the school authori-
ties have some serious defect Another
member of the board stated that only
recently a serious mistake in building
that would have materially cut down the
exit facilities was prevented because a
supervising principal went to the District
building and protested.
The report of the ways and means
committee was then adopted. the board
deciding to ask Congress for about 500, 900
to make the school buildings safe in
event of fire.
Consideration of Pending Bill.
The bill introduced in Congress by Rep
resentative Olcott, amending the school
appropriation bill, was considered 1t has
three features. which were considered
separately. 1t first provides that med
ical inspector shall not rely upon the
principals or teachers to select children
that need medical attention" In this
connection it was pointed out that there
are only twelve medical inspectors in
the school system. and that these cannot
visit each school of the District every
day and look after each of the 10000
children in the schools. The inspectors
visit each school only occasionally. 1t
was suggested that a child might become
i'll and the teacher would soon discover
the condition. but under the proposed
law that teacher must wait perhaps
weeks until the inspector visited the
school and discovered for himself the
sick child. 1t was manifest. a member
stated. that the teachers, who are closest
to the children. ought to call the in
spector when child is found to be ILL.,
The board expressed itself as opposed to
the provision of the bill.
The second clause provides for the ap
pointment of a nurse for the schools. to
look after cases of Illness: and the board
decided. on the recommendation of Mrs
Hill, to recommend law providing for
the appointment of two nurses. one for
white schools and another for colored
schools each at a salary of $780,
Cause of a Stir.
The third clause stirred up the board
1t declares that no appropriations for