Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-20
Neutrality-suspicious.
Maj. Morrow Urges Duty on
School Committee.
EXAMINE ALL BUILDINGS
Old and New Structures Among
Those to Be Inspected.
WARNING GIVEN TO JANITORS
Dismissal the Fate of Those Who
Fail to Strictly Observe
Fire Regulations.

Inviting drastic inspection of the pub
lie school buildings in Washington, En-
gineer Commissioner Morrow today adj
dressed the five prominent architects and
builders who will constitute the special
committee appointed by him with that
object in view. They met in his private
Office and he informed the gentlemen that
he will place at their disposal everything
within his power to conduct the inspec-
tons, and expressed to them his thanks
in their offering to engage in this civic
duty.
This special committee is composed of
the following men: Appleton p. Clark.
jr.. chairman. Mr.. Clark is an architect
Of known standing in the community.
among whose works may be mentioned
the Washington Post building. the Home
Savings Bank building and numerous
private residences in the city He has
served as member of the building COM
mittee of the Chamber of Commerce and
Il member of the Commissioners commit
tee for the revision of the building regu-
lations
James l.. Parsons. contractor and build
er. among whose work may be mentioned
the new District building Stoneleigh
Court apartments, the Congress Hal
apartments and numerous other valuable
buildings
firm of Samuel J. Prescott & Co. and
vice president of the Master Builders AS
ISOLATION. who has built the Washington
Post building. the Academy of Music
FOUNDRY Church, the Potomac Electric
Power Companys plant, the Home Saw
inss Bank building. the building occupied
by the firm of House & Hermann and
numerous large private residences
throughout the city.
Leon E. Dessez architect who designed
the residence of George F. Hamilton and
the residence OF Edward ]. Stellwa gen
during the past four or five years Mr.
Dessez has made a special study of
schoolhouse architecture in a number of
the leading municipalities in the United
States
Paul j. Pelz. one of the architects of
the Congressional Library also architect
of Georgetown University building and
Carnegie Library. Pittsburg. now engaged
on the plans for the annex for the Court
or Appeals building in Judiciary Square.
What Committee Is Asked to Do.
In letter to Mr.. Clark. who is to be
chairman of this committee in which he
explained what is desired of it, Commits
sfoner Morrow wrote:
Il should like you to examine some of
our very old buildings, some more recent
also as many you can see fit to look
at of the Very newest ones l should
like you to make examination into the
methods Of the office of the inspector OF
DulldingS and superintendent of repairs
In the handling of the work I should
like you to find, should Congress see fiji
TO deny the Commissioners request for Il
municipal architect (who, Of course, would
assume charge OF this work.. the plans
which the inspector of buildings woulf
recommend for increasing the safet,
against fire of our old buildings. in case
the sum OF $4,000 were granted by Con.
gress, or In case the full amount of 500,
OD requested by the Commissioners were
granted, and to report as to whether
these plans meet with your approval q,
whether they should be modified. and. il
so. TO what extent.
should like you particularly to In
quire into the work that has been done
during the last six months in the ex-
penditure of the sum of $4,000 appropri-
ated FOR this purpose at the last session
or Congress. l should like Won in your
examination, to give particular attention
10 the question of freproofing of stair.
ways and floors; the question of exits
the question of landings on stairways
me question OF hreproofng of corridors
the question of fireproofing about HEATING
apparatus: the question of ventilatine an.
paratuS: the question of fire escapeS anc
the approaches thereto the question as
10 the extent of fireproofng that shoulc
future CONSTRUCTIONS
to the question as to the economy anr
extent OF work that should be done in at
tempting to flreproof the different classes
OF buildings; to the question of placins
e nrb e5Sunsuishers in the corridors OF
1ngs. and to the question of coal stora 20
ana the question of ash pits In fact tC
all questions of this character.
:, wouid request you to place yourself
IN communication with the president O,
the board of education who 7 have mr.
1ouot Will give you all the assistance IN
MS power toward an investigation of con
Uitlons In the buildings over which tn,
commissioners have no control ,r,cb a,
the Janltor regulations storage OF ma
terlais In Easements. locking of doors
IRE drills and similar disciplinary meas
9res looking to the safety of the chill
dren. and kindred matters.
Thorough Inquiry Wanted.
oeslre particularly TO impress unor
the members of your committee that ]
should like this investigation of YOURS r.
De as thorough and drastic as Won NAV
see Mt and to request your criticism o,
any methods which you may find existing
IN our service which your committee
thinks should be remedied. l have nc
oouot that the president of the board OF
euucdtion VIII agree in this view. in sc
Tar as their service is concerned / WoulC
particularly invite the attention and con
sioeratlon of your committee to the repor,
on the consolidation of schools Sixtiett
congress. first session Senate document
.sfe) hve copies of which are herewith
forwarded for your use. I should Xix,
your committee to give careful considera
ton to the recommends tons Of this com
mission and include in your report 3
statement of your views thereon.
i regret that the Commissioners have
control OF no appropriation which can be-
useu 10 defray airy expenses to which
your committee may be subjected in con
quoting this investigation. but l will state
mat VIII place all facilities In my offic.
at your disposal Will furnish YOU trans
portation such as is possible to ena BILE yo,
TO make inspections you desire to make
see that room in the building is Sc
apart Tor your use and will furnish yo,
with stenographic services and the neces
sary stationery for your use and will b,
glad TO give you any further assistanc,
that may be in my power
IF possible i would like 10 have votr
report in time to be used by the Commits
sioners before the committees of Con
gress. which Will probably be shortly afte
December L.
Capt. Oyster Pleased.
THE bord is much pleased at the an
pointment of a commission to examin