Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-30
DECLARED TO Be DANGEROUS
sCHooLHoUsEs CONDEMNED
BY FIRE CHIEF.
Mccormick and Potomac Buildings
May Be Abandoned-Refer
to Board Of Education.

In a report to the Commissioners this
morning upon an inspection of number
Of public school buildings as to their fire
protection William T. Belt chief of the
fire department. called attention to the
dangerous conditions existing in the Nc
Cormick and the Potomac schools. He
said that he found in these two build
ings there is very little, If anything
that can be recommended by him to
make the buildings. from a fire stand
point. suitable for the use for school pur.
poses.
Chief Belts report dealt with the in
spection of the following school buildings
The Tyler. Bradley. Ambush. Syphax
Anthony Bowen, Dent. Lincoln, Cranch
Cranch annex, Greenleaf, Payne, Ludlow
Brent. Hilton. Giddings, Lenox, Buchan-
an. Mccormick and Potomac. He made
a detailed report in the case Of each. The
Ludlow. Cranch and Hilton schools were
found to have one wooden stairway. and
the Mccormick. Potomac. Giddings and
Ambush have two wooden stairways.
He recommended to the Commissioners
that these wooden stairways be replaced
with iron or f1reproof stairways. He in
formed the Commissioners that a. num-
Der of these school buildings the vesti-
bules at the main entrances are SO con-
| structed and the inside storm doors SO To-
| Gated as to render it necessary for the
pupils to make a sharp turn in march
ing out of the building and in other ways
tending to obstruct the exits.
He further stated that he found in
schools where fire extinguishers are in
stalled jantors are not familiar with
the use of the same: that they were rot
given proper attention. and that no
charges for the same were kept in stock.
Concluding Recommendation.
He concluded his report with: IT have
recommended the installation Of fire ex-
tinguishers in all school buildings. and in
connection with that recommendation de-
sire to state that these extnguishers
| should be placed on the walls by means
of so-cailed 'extingusher brackets and
that they should be securely held in place
by means Of So called double extinguisher
hanging hooks
"It Is obvious that after their installa.
ton these extinguishers would be of nc
practical value unless janitors and others
concerned are thoroughly instructed as to
their care and USE"
Commissioner Mcfarland has moved
that all these reports be forwarded to
the board Of education for appropriate
action. including the preparation of such
estimates as may be necessary for ap.
preparations to meet the recommendations
of the chief engineer. and calling attention
to the administrative measures for fire
protection recommended by him. In the
case of the Mccormick and Potomac
| schools the reports were sent to the
board of education Saturday for appro-
pirate action.
Estimates Of the Board.
The estimates of the board of education
for the next fiscal year, approved by the
Commissioners and already presented t,
the House committee on appropriations
by the Commissioners and the board OF
education, call for a site for a building
to replace the Potomac school, which the
Commissioners and the board recommend
ed be abandoned.
The building to take the place Of the
Mccormick building. under the appropria-
ton made for that purpose, il we'll ad-
vanced and will accommodate the pupils
at the opening of the school year. in
September.
Meanwhile the board OF education mus,
consider what can be done with those
buildings under the recommendations OF
the chief engineer Of the fire department.