The Washington times., 1908-10-29
Ashford and Morrow Come
Out With Spicy
Statements.
OYSTER is SILENT;
ATTACKS ARE BITTER
Morrow Declares Board Of Educa-
ton Is Seeking Full Con
troll of Schools.

with Building Inspector Ashford say
ing that Captain Oyster has sent
around word 10 get Ashford with
Commissioner Morrow making a state
nlent in which he declares that the
Board of Education desires to obtain
control over the construction of the Dis
trtcts schools. ana with Captain Oyster
declaring that such a statement is
absolutely false the school muddle in
Washington has grown thicker than
ever today,
Beyond this declaration, Captain
oyster would say nothing, but main
tanned a dignifed silence, evidently pre-
ferring to say no more about the mud
died situation. Both Commissioner Nor
row and Mr.. Ashford. bent on giving
their sides OF the controversy, issued
detailed statements setting forth their
attitude
Commissioner Morrow gives also an
answer to all the allegations, concerning
the various investigating committees,
made yesterday by that board
Capt. James +. Oyster. president Of
the Board of Education, when shown
the part OF Commissioner MorroW s
statement given above, looked angry
:.That part Of the statement is abso-
lutely false. I have nothing further TO
say"
As to Committees.
Regarding the two committees of Dis
trict ofhcials, one to examine into sani-
tation and the other into the fire risk
in the school buildings. the COmmis-
siOner says that these boards are not
boards especially created for this work.
but they are bodies which have already
been created and for long time past
used In the District government Tor eX-
actIy this same class OF inspection, in
exactly this same class OF work in
private buildings"
The Commissioner further says that
the president Of the Board Of Educa-
tion seemed satisfied with TIE FIRE IN
spection committee" when notified OF its
membership several weeks ago.
Morrow's Statement
Commissioner MOrrOws statement
reads as follows:
II see with regret that Captain oyster
has broken our again, and that he has
at last made a definite statement of his
BELIEF IN the inC0mpetency of the IN
spector Of Buildings. and in a report
the authenticity OF which he viii prob
ably not deny.
Il have refrained in the past from en-
tertng into press controversy with the
Board Of Education. 1 did this in spite
of a most malicious article published
after the boards meeting two weeks
ago. on which occasion ! wrote a let
ter to Captain oyster inviting his at
tentiOn TO certain statements in that in
teTVieW. He personally and sUbse-
Quently largely denied it's authenticity
and I accepted his denial. On this same
occasion he gave me assurance that the
appointment of a committee, consisting
OF Captain Kelly Mr.. Ashford, and
Chief Belt. TO examine into the IRE
dangers Of the schools where necessary
would be satisfactory 10 him
1T did not seem 10 me that this was
necessary, but it was, however. desired,
and in my motion to the Board of Com
tee be designated to make these inspec-
tiOns. 7 stated that the president Of
the Board Of Education approved of
this committee. I ind now that he
doubts the integrity of both Mr.. Ash
ford and Captain Kelly to make
report on these conditions. The other
board for the examination into sani-
tary conditions was suggested by Com
missioner Macfarland.
Thoroughly Competent.
4 would call especial attention to
the fact that these boards are not
boards especially created for this work
but they are bodies which have already
been created and for a long time past
used in the District government for
exactly this same class OF inspection
in exactly this same class of work in
private buildings There seems absO-
lutely no reason why these boards
should not be competent to handle these
matters, excepting that through the
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