The Washington times., 1908-10-30
MORROW To OYSTER,
GO FAR AS YOU LIKE"
Commissioner Says, If Nee
essary, He Will Fight
Case Out.

With the deluge OF rain that lasted
until early morning came = Iun in the
school muddle, and neither the Commis-
sioners OF the District nor members
Of the Board of Education had much to
say about the responsibility for the al
legged poor physical condition Of many
Of the buildings.
Capt James r Oyster. president OF
the Board OF Education, continued TO
maintain mis- silence; Commissioner Nor
row made short statement. and Build
ing Inspector Ashford had but little 20
say in regard to the accusations which
new thick and fast yesterday.
If Captain oyster wants 10 fight
this thing oat through the newspapers,
am ready" said Commissioner Nor
row this morning. Il have tried in the
past to refrain from publicity regard
ing school matters. but II he wants TO
night this way I am willing TO go as
far as he is.
so far as Captain Oysters denial
that the Board OF Education desires 10
gain control OF school construction goes
do not understand IT, The Board OF
Education in its estimates 10 Congress
last year suggested the creation on t1s
office OF architect OF schools who would
take charge Of the building Of all such
structures, instead Of the Building In
spectOr.'
Is Cut Out.
The estimates pass through the hands
OF the Commissioners before they are
submitted 10 Congress and last year
the Districts governors cut out that
portion OF the school Boards budget
which called for the creation OF this
onice OF architect OF schools. The
Commissioners substituted a municipal
architect" who would have charge in
a sort OF s.-~ervisory way of the con-
structiOn Of all municipal buildings IN
cluding schools.
Commissioner Morrow said that the
school boards estimates referred 90 the
school architect in way that showed
that IL wished TO have its own build
ings properly planned for school uses
and promptly constructed under It's own
direction. and that necessary repairs
might bo made. thereby keeping TIE
buildings IN proper condition
The estimates, Major AOrrOW said,
further specified that under this schOC
plans and details Of school building,
which would be subject 10 the approval
OF the Board Of Education. This arch
/ itect was to be appointed and governed
1 By the Board OF Education ana was TO
/ receive a yearly salary Of 5000.
/ Question Taken Up.
| On pages y and z02 OF the reports OF
the hearings before the subcommittee
on the District OF Columbia OF the
! House Committee on Appropriations,
/ which were held this spring. the ques-
tioa Of the creation OF the position OF
school architect and municipal architect
/ is taken up.
! Commissioner MORROW told the sub.
/ committee that the Commissioners did
/ not approve OF the creation OF the Of
/ nee OF school architect. He said that
4 although ia q few cities, there was such
| an officer. responsible to the school
I board. the proportion Of large cities
/ where such procedure obtained was con
/ siderably less than the proportion In
/ which Il did not obtain
/ Later ". V. Cox. member OF the
/ Board OF Education. appeared before
J the subcommittee at q time when Com
! missioner Morrow was present and the
question Of a school or municipal archi-
! tect was taken up once more.
/ ION manv occasions, said COmmls-
/ siOuer Morrow this morning, reports
/ have come GcrOss my desk from inspes-
/ tors showing that cOmbustble materials
I have been found in the Easements Of
/ school buildings. / have never men
{ toned these reports, because I believed
4 that the Board of Education should ne
/ told quietly about them and permitted
/ 70 remedy matters without any pub
| Iicity. II Captain oyster wishes to make
! matters public, ! am