The Washington times., 1908-10-28
Declared to Have Objected
to Only Builders Inspect
ing School.
THINKS THEY MAY
BE PREJUDICED
Committee With Nor
roW-Teachers Said TO Be in
timidated by Inspectors"

According TO information which leak
ed ont today. Capt. James F. Oyster,
president OF the Board or Education. is
not entirely pleased with the special
school investigation committee. which
was named by Engineer Commissioner
Morrow recently. and which has been
at work Tor the last four days
Captain oyster first read the names
OF the committeeman in the newspapers
when they were selected by Commls-
sioner Morrow. According 20 the story,
he didn't like the fact that on the com
mittee every man was an architect o.
in some way connected with building
construction. He went TO Commissioner
Morrow. so the story goes. and protest
ed against the naming Of a board con
sistiug of architects. when that board
would have 10 pass upon the merits OF
buildings designed by brothers in the
profession.
Captain oyster asked the Commission
er if il would be possible for a COM
mittee OF architects TO condemn the
work Of brothers in the profession. The
Commissioner. so II is understood.
hadn'i anything TO say about the hnd-
ings OF the committee.
Oyster Gets Amused.
Commissioner Morrow is reported 10
have suggested the name OF Building IN
spector Ashford. al which Captain Oys-
ter was amused. Captain oyster then
sugg, sted the name OF Chief Belt, OF
the Fire Department. and Health Ohicer
Woodward
The Engineer. Commissioner then
agreed TO place the names OF Dr. Wood
ward and Chief Belt upon the commit
tee r0IN Captain Oyster departed. say
ing that he is willing TO stand by the
report Of the Fire Marshal as 70 the
safety OF the buildings and said that #
the commission finds any OF the unsafe
he VIII refuse to permit their further
occupancy
Building Inspector Ashford. If is now
believed, is milE3mg in the school build
ing investigation, for, according tC re-
ports from teachers In various schools,
inspectors from his department or men
who pose as such have in the last few
Gays visited several buildings, and have
made suggestions as 10 repairs that
might be needed, and have in some cases
almost demanded statements showing
that the particular school is in good
condition, and not unsafe. IL is be-
iieved possible by teachers that it IS
the hope Of whoever Is conducting tnese
Investigations that repairs thdI are
needed in various buildings may l1us
be made before the special committee
gets TO these structures.
One Teachers Story.
Beginning the first OF the week at
Potomac school, the first inspector in
duced Miss b. NJ. Price, its principal 10
agree that certain repairs and general
conditions would be acceptable. Fright
ened by the inspectors show Of au-
thority and his zeal in using il. Miss
Price gave her consent. Immediately
afterward appealing 10 the school au-
thorities for some explanation Of the
matter.
other complaints, indicating that
teachers were Influenced in statements
they made to the inspectors. have been
received from many quarters.
Janitors have reported 10 their super
intendent, Hugh McQueeney. that such
inspections are being made. Never IN
tWenty-three years, according 70 Mr..
Mc9ueeney, h..-e such inspections been
maoet and the secrecy and inslstence
Df the inspectors, which in some cases
has amounted 10 intimidation OF the
teachers leads school authorities to be
lleve that the inspectors department
will MAXI an effort to have bad build
iugs In good condition before the com
A special order directing all pTin-
cipals 10 welcome the inspectors and
to make frank statements of facts,
calling attention TO improvements pre-
viously asked for. whether they have or
have not been made. and to refrain
from placing blame for present condi-
tions, was issued today by SupeTtn-
tendent Of Schools A T. Stuart.
Several teachers who said they feared
their position might be jeopardized by
replies made to the secret inspectors,
have been reassured and a statement
20 that effect is TO be sent to all teach
eTs and ianitors.
Further complaint against the Com
I1issiOners' actions has been made in a
erected building, with no provisions for
water, has been made unsanitary By
the installation of open barrels sunk IN
the ground as clubhouse vaults for the
use OF the pupils. Not even the regu-
lations regarding cesspoOls have been
cipal w. 5. Montgomery, whose report
has been indOTsed by Secretary Harry
Hine with the remark, This Is awful"
and forwarded to the Commissioners.
These barrels. Ii is said, are supposed
to be emptied on the open ground about
the school. The matter is TO be dis
cussed at the meeting OF the Board Of
Education al Franklin School this after
noon at 4 o'clock.
Previous 10 that the board members
will confer on matters relating to the
present inspection of schools. and it Is
the matter made public at tOday's meet
ing.
pOOR GET DIUORCEC