The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-03-13

in the estimates, but We have asked
time ana Time again for sufiicient money
10 put buildings in safe ana sanitary
condition. We call attention 20 the
fact that the Commissioners cut out
estimate for new buildings repairs, ana
incidentais for the year 1893 S9o6,Sz8 We
asked Tor Sll64.4l2, and they recon-
mended $257, ASA.
yet because a few dollars for a fire
extiguisher for some building is not
specified, the Commissioners would alb
solve themselves from ali blame in the
present deplOraDle state OF AFFAIRS, and
lay 10 US the antiquatcd conditions OF
our public schools.
THE present board has done nothing
but appeal Tor repairs and better ac-
commodatlo since IL came into DOW
er, We have at all times had the IN
terest Of the children and their COM
fort and safety at heart, and have asked
for what We thought adequate and Just
appropriations
but we have no power. The Commits
sloners over their own signatures have
notified as that they were responsible
for the fiscal affairs of the District, and
were not accountable to as for the cut
ting OF our estimates. We Will prove
the truth Of our contention by making
public some of the correspondence be
tween Us last December. The public
can form IFS own opinion as 10 VINO IS
now Sinking the responsibility for de-
plOTGble conditions that might have
been remedied years ego.
''On December i last, the board, pro-
testing against our estimates for 1903
having been cut by the Commissioners
wrote that body.
% These data on the needs or the pub
lie OF the District were arrived at by
a careful and qainstaking study Of the
situation by the board, which has en-
deaVorcd also to anticipate the increas-
ing attendance in the schools, and 70
lay plans whereby future conditions
may be met with greater preparedness
h al as1
equipment. Further, these estimates
were compiled critically, item by item,
and Ii Is believed that IN tlelr original
state they are as low as the dictates
OF good Judgment and wise torethought
" 'fhe board. therefore. heard with
much surprise that some Of its esll-
mates had been cut, as such should De
submitted, in the boards opinion, IN
their entirety. In view OF the above, 1
ana instructed to request you 10 INFORM
the board by what authority or under
what law, the estimates OF the hoard
have been changed by you.
We quote from the reply received
from the Commissioners, who. after cit
ing the law ana the fact that they have
submittde such estimates as they DEEM
ed proper, continued;
" The Commissioners invite the at
tention Of the Board OF Education 20
the fact that the fiscal affairs Of the
public schools are placed by law IN
the care OF the Commissioners OF the
District. not only by the provision or
such estimates as they may deem prop
er. out BY the provision that all eXpendi-
tures Of public funds shall be MADE
and accounted for as now provided py
law unde~ the direction and control OF
the Com missioners Of the District
The communication closes;
&" The Commissioners make THIS re-
Spouse 70 the communication or the
Board of Education, not because Jhey
are accountable 10 the Board Of Educa-
ton for their action IA this matter. bat
as an act Of courtesy
'' WILLIAM TINDALL.
&c Secretary 70 the Board Of Commits
sioners.' A"
1.-THE above correspondence speaks Tor
itself" said the representative Of the
Board OF Education today, The board
will have nothing 20 add, as II clearly
places the responsibility for the school
buildings where IL belongs. All We can
DO IS 10 kick"