The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-21
Commissioner Morrow Says
There Is No Reason for
HySteria on Public's Part.
ALL THE BUILDINGS
ARE TO BE VISITED
Appleton P. Clark and His Col
leagues Hold a Conference With
President of School Board.

Il do not propose to engage in any
further controversy. but the special
committee appointed by myself to in
Vestigate the schools Of the District will
begin its labors today in order to de-
termine the question of veracity be-
tween the statements made by the Com
.missioners Of the District and the SEN
sationaI and incomplete statements pub
lished in a morning paper. SO cOlOred
have these reports been that some Of
the people are almost in a state OF
hysteria, and the impression gained Is
that it is unsafe to send children to
school"
Commissioner Morrow this afternoon,
while admitting that deficiencies exist
ed i'm some Of the school buildings OF
The city. said that the same conditions
were told about a year ago in the report
ur the Schooihouse Commission.
Confer With Oyster.
Appleton 2. Clark, IT., chairman Of
the special committee, which consists
of Mr.. Clark, James l.. Parsons, builder;
Paul J. Pelz, architect; Samuel J.
Prescott, builder, and Leon T. Dessez,
architect, had a conference with Fresi-
dent oyster, % the board Of education,
this morning. at which plans were made
for the cooperation of the school and
District authorities I'm the present in
vestigatiOns. regardless Of the cOntro-
versy as TO who is responsible for the
conditions.
This special committee will visit all
of the school buildings complained OF
and has been requested by the Commits
sioners to submit a report prior 10 the
opening Of Congress early in December.
Committee Has Power.
Commissioner Morrow has conferred
upon the committee the power to make
an investigation Of the widest latitude.
He has asked that the committee ex-
anime some of the very old buildings,
the more recent ones, and some of the
newest buildings IN the school system.
He has asked that the investigation be
AS drastic as the committee sees fit,
and that any merited criticism of the
existing service be given
Inc public is entitled to know the
facts. say both Commissioner Morrow
and Commissioner mcfarland both OF
whom believe that through the publica-
ton Of sensational reports the public
mas been mlSlcd as TO true conditions.
What Is most to be feared in the
schools IS a possible panic without
cause ana parents should guard against
unnecessary excitement from the state
ments made about the public schools
by persons who have some Interior
purpose" said Commissioner Macfar-
land.
All Anxious to Help.
Although it has been a matter OF
controversy for some two years be-
tween the Board Of Education and the
Commissioners as to whom imperfect
school buildings might be attributed. it
is said that all are anxious that these
dlherences should now be overlooked
IN order that the committee may have
fun cooperation all along the line.
The Board Of Education welcomes
the agitation" said Captain Oyster to-
day 1t confirms our contention Of
two years standing. and had we OBJ
tanned the appropriations for which we
asked. and which have been cut by the
commissioners, the system would be
IN better shape We want to assist all
we can in lettering conditions"
Captain oyster said that he had re-
quested the Commissioners TO appoint
a committee 10 examine into complaints
as 20 sanitation and fire protection
pTope-, outside Of structural deficien-
cies. which win be cared for by the
special committee just named.
Morrow Agrees.
Commissioner Morrow has agreed
that future examinations Of this kind
shall be made as required by a COM
mittee composed Of Captain Kelly.
Building Inspector Ashford, Health
Officer woodward. and Fire Chief Belt.
the two latter alternating according TO
whether the defects regard sanitation
or fire protection This committee. how
ever, does not work in conjunction with
the special committee, but will inyes-
ugate only on specific complaints
A second meeting of school janftOrs
was held by superintendent Of Jani-
tors McQueeney at the Franklin build
ing last night, 20 emphasize the inn
pOrtance Of observing every rule and
law for the protection of the school
children. The meeting was called for
those 1anitOrs who were una bic to at
tend the Monday night meeting Again
the edict OF Captain oyster that any
school officer who violated the rules
would be dismissed was officially con-
veyed to the janitors.