Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-08
IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
installation of Fire Alarm
Boxes Refused.
Mr.. OYSTERS STATEMENT
Plans for Better Protection of Pupils
and Buildings.
VIEWS OF MIR. MCFARLAND
District officials Directed to Submit
Reports-Delay in Securing APP
propriatiens-other Matters.
VIEWS OF MIR. MCFARLAND

Tic District Commissioners ueciihep ~
gran, n request of the board OF educa'ioh
several months ago for fire alarm DON
in every school of the city. capt JAMES
f. Oyster president of the board. assert
ed last evening. He denied. however 'iia'
ne made the published statements altrio-
uted to him that the Commissioners hdo
Repeatedly cut the estimates of the poaru
for appropriations by Congress to proF'oe
better protection in the public schoo's
against fire While the Commissioners
have cut the estimates for the past two
wears Capt Oyster explained, he dld not
think the cuts affected the matter of les
SEEMING fire dangers.
The Commissioners declare that never
in the past seven years have they re-
duced an estimate of the board of educa-
ton relating to fire protection. but, on the
contrary. have specially urged upon Con-
gross the necessity of providing for the
estimates.
To Install Alarm Boxes.
President Oyster stated last night that
the question Of better protection or the
school buildings and the pupils against
fire was discussed by the board several
months ago, and it was decided to install
fire alarm boxes in each school The re-
quest for the money for that purpose was
made of the Commissioners, who nave
charge of the school funds. when re-
quest Capt. Oyster says. was denied
Determined to carry out the project. now
ever. the president of the board maintains
the board used money out OF us contlh-
gent fund for the purpose.
Tests of several fire eXtinguishers
which have been in school buildings Tor
long time were made yesterday anu
the apparatus was found TO be in work
ing order.
Views Of MI. Macfarland.
In speaking of the efforts of the District
officials to protect public school children
from fire dangers. Commissioners Macfar-
land said last night that from time to
time for the past seven years the Com
missioners had had such inspections made
and had reported the results to the board
of education and afterward to Congress,
and many improvements had been mace
as a result Of such inspections. He men
toned the fact that the connecting OF
the schools with fire alarm headquarters
by telephone, making every schooI fire
alarm station. the fireproof1ng of stair
ways, corridors and other portions of
semi-fireproof construction throughout, in
GLIDING the practical isolation of the fur
naces: the installation sOf fire escapes and
fire extinguishers in the large and tall
buildings; the provision of outward swing
ing doors and other facilities for exit were
due to these recommendations. MIR. Mac
farland said the Commissioners will, OF
course, present to Congress whatever Is
found to be necessary for the better equip
ment of the existing schools with respect
10 a
the law the estimates for the public
schools had to be prepared in the first in
stance by the board of education and then
transmitted by the commissioners with
necessary.
Examination of Estimates.
81 have just re-examined the board of
education estimates for the past three
years. Mr.. mcfarland stated, land find
no estimate for fire escapes or fire ex-
tinguishers or other fire equipment Pre-
bly, the board of education could see
no necessity for making such an estimate.
If the necessity now exists presumably
the estimate will be made. / may add
that during the past seven years the fire
department has from time to time in
formed the school officials of what was
necessary as to fire protection in order
that they might make the proper esti
mates The fire department has also
given frequent advice. as. for example,
March 10, 1906 when it wrote the super
intendent of public schools. giving de-
tailed instructions as to the operating,
discharging and recharging of the fire
extinguishers installed in the school build
ings.
"A full complement of-ensine and truck
companies now responds on telephone call
from any school building. just the same
as though it were a fire alarm box. At
all times the Commissioners and their
subordinateS have co-operated cordially
with the board of education in securing
better fire protection for the schools, and
they will, of course, continue to do so.
But the initiative in preparing public
school estimates has rested since 1900
with the board of education
Call for Reports.
At an executive session of the board of
Commissioners yesterday afternoon the
approximate cost of providing for the fire.
proofing of all future public school build
ings was considered.
They have asked the chief of the fire
department. the inspector of buildings
and other officials to report to them the
present condition of school buildings as to
protection in case of fire or panic. and
have directed them to remedy Immediately
any condition that could be met with
means at their command.
The school authorities maintain that the
delay in securing appropria tons asked for
and then in having buildings erected is
largely responsible for overcrowded con-
ditions in some Of the schools and the con-
sequent increase of the danger of loss of
life in fire. The crowded conditions at
the Morgan and Johnson schools. it is
maintained, are largely the result of such
delays.
The necessity for another school to re-
lieve both the Morgan and the Johnson
schools, it is claimed. WAS realized by the
school authorities several years ago. AS
result of requests for appropriations
Congress voted money for new sixteen
room building in Mount Pleasant to re-
lieve the schools mentioned. The bill was
passed more than a year ago. and the
money became available about nine
months ago. it is pointed out. and yet no
start in actual construction work has been
made.
To Replace Wooden Structure.
To further meet the increased demands
on the two schools in question il is added
by school authorities, the board of educa-
ton has this year asked for money to re-