Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-18
OBJECTS TO METHODS.
Committee Criticises Board
of Education.
REPORT MADE ON SCHOOLS
Sharp Discussion in Board ct Trade
Meeting.
CONDITIONS AT THE JAIL BAD
Special Committee to Consider the
Presidents Recommendations as
to Local Government.
REPORT MADE ON SCHOOLS
AT THE JAIL BAD

The public school system of the Dis
trict was discussed last night at a meet
Ing of the Board of Trade. following a
reading of report of the committee on
public schools by Herbert F. Allen, vice
chairman of the school committee. by
whom certain phases of the business
methods OF the board of education were
severely criticised. His criticism was
somewhat softened by the adoption of two
amendments which were added to his
report at the suggestion of Capt. Oyster.
president of the board of education. 1t
was the offering of the amendments which
provoked the discussion.
Capt. Oyster proposed that the Board
of Trade recommend the appointment of
two officers to carry out the child labor
law. and also two additional clerks to
assist the secretary of the board of edu
cation. 1t was the latter suggestion that
caused Mr.. Allen to criticise the business
methods Of the schools.
Mr.. Aliens Criticisms.
The report Of the committee on public
schools went into great detail on mat
tiers which the committee thinks should
be attended to. The report was a long
one. and Immediately after hearing it.
Capt Oyster proposed the two amend
ments. The discussion which followed
Capt. Oysters remarks was sharp. Mr..
Allen declared that the school system
needed better business methods and not
additional clerks. He was of the opinion
that the purchase of supplies for the
schools should be systematiZed. Specific
reference was made by him to purchase
of a certain lot Of school books. He said
that the board Of education had received
q price of $40 a dozen on twenty-five
dozen lot of spoilers and then bought sew
eral thousand books at the same price
and asked for information as to why
bids were not asked for covering the
larger quantity. He declared that pupils
in one school were using soiled and insan-
itary books while many clean books were
reposing In the Franklin School, but at
this point he was cut short by point of
order.
The report Of the committee on public
schools charged that on account of the
present methods Of purchasing supplies
contractor could substitute inferior goods.
superintendent Of supplies to see that in |
voices were properly checked. goods prop |
erly inspected and distributed and that
proper business, methods We're followed In
regard to carrying on this branch of the |
public school work.
New Schools Recommended.
The report made, recommendations for |
fireproof buildings, lighting and opening |
the buildings on two sides, large play |
grounds, buildings of plain design. New
schools were recommended as follows:
Normal school in Harvard street. schools |
at Langdon, Brookland. Cleveland Park. |
between Georgia avenue and 11th street, |
north Of Harvard street. south Of Penn |
oylvania avenue and west OF sd street, |
near site Of the old Potomac School, and |
small building in the vicinity Of the Gage |
School.
The report also urged that school sites |
be bought now, in advance OF the newt |
able rise in the price Of land.
Capt. Oyster complimented the report |
highly, before offering the two amend |
ments. one Of which brought out the dis |
'cussion.
Jail and Workhouse Conditions.
The District Jail and workhouse situa- /
ton was reported on by the committee |
on charities and corrections. The COM
mittee went on record as saying that |
the crowded and insanitary and unset
entific conditions of the Jail and work
house have long been a disgrace to the !
capital OF the nation where model con-
ditions should prevail. 1t was said at !
the meeting that the Board of Trade
will ask Congress to remove the Jail to |
some other locality in the District and |
will also ask for an institution for the |
confinement Of inebrlates.
The Presidents Recommendations.
. The Presidents special message to Con-
sress recommending changes in the form
OF the District government was brought |
up by Gen. George H. Harries and the
board adopted a resolution calling for a
special committee to consider the recon-
and report to the board. The committee
will be appointed at an early date, and |
will probably make its report at the jan
uary meeting of the board,