The Washington times., 1908-10-19

To settle the dispute over the cOnQl-
tion Of the public school buildings Of
Washington and 20 investigate various
charges made against the Commission
ers- Commissioner J. J. Morrow today
named three members OF a citizens
committee Of ave TO take Up che points
and make a complete and public report
on the real facts.
Appleton P Clark. il, was made
chairman Of the committee, while L E
DOssez and James l. Parsons. also
agreed 20 serve
The other Two members VIII be aP-
pointed within the next few days BY
Major Morrow and he has said they VIII
be men OF equal standing with the three
already selected
Commissioner MOrr0w. in a public
statement issued today. declared he
wanted 20 get al the facts in cOnnec-
ton with the matter and the COmmis-
sioners were anxious 10 get facts
Morrow Writes Letter.
Major Morrow also wrote a personal
letter 70 Mr. Parsons. in which he de-
clared that he did not mean 20 ind
fault with the report Of Mr.. Parsons,
published In a morning paper. and that
the Commissioners were duly obligated
20 Mr Parsons for any help or sus-
gestion he might make over the safety
Of the school buildings
While Major Morrow was naming his
committee OF investigation, Capt James
F Oyster. president OF the school,
board was holding conference with
various janiJOrs and sUperlnJendents OF
schools and issued a strong statement
in which he declared the violation OF
any safety rule about the school build
ings would result IN the discharge OF
IF anyone in the schools. from a
supervisor down 10 a janitOr. violates
the laws or the school board rules mace
10 protect children, ne may as WeA SIT
down and write out MS reslsnaLlons
/ fo- the Board OF Education wants his
l head" he said
Morrcw's Statement.
Major Morrow's statement was as fol-
lows:
II note with considerable regret thar
! the attitude Of the Engineer Commls-
sioner continues 10 be miscOnstrued by
4 a morning paper The responsibility for
[ the construction and repair OF our
/ school buildings IS on the Board Of
/ Commissioners TO the extent that funds
are made available by Congress
7 do not care TO enter into any fur
ther controversy I am asking a COM
I mitLee OF FIVE 10 assume the public bur
den Jf going over as many OF our
/ schools as they care 10, NOT 50 mucn
I with a view OF informing the COmr1lS-
( siouers OF the defects that may exist az
] we have our own facilities for doing this
/ work The committee. however VIII be
I Of such a character that any sUggeS-
/ tons or recommendation that II may
/ make viii be Of undoubted value 70 Us
Z in our future Work, bur my prlnclpai
/ idea in requesting these gentlemen 70
I perform this real public service, ls that
\ their report may operate. as am con-
| v{nced that IL will. largely 10 auay the
/ fear that has been raised In the public
mind by such Warplng or reai facts into
] sensational accounts as has been ths
case in recent articles in a morning
paper
Clark Is Chairman
Appleton P. Clark. IT.. has agreed "a
accept the cha Irmanship OF this bocy
IL z Dossez and James L Parsons
have agreed TO assist him I shall ask
one other architect and one other build
er. both OF whose names viii be such
Il as to inspire the confidence Of the pub
lie in their report. as viii doubtless oe
the case with the names OF the thrss
/ gentlemen who have already accepted
o,Sitious in this task which will involve
Ihern IN a considerable labor, FOR which
thew can expect 40 reward except the
4 public thanks fer labor performed
SOLELY in the public interest
I In his letter to Mr. Parsons. COmmlz'
I Sioner Morrow said
! Il am writing 10 you in order TO give
Won assurance Of the fact that the state
I nent Of mine which was published u
SsfrIrf-qv's papers was misunderstood bJ
Won. which I do not believe would have
been the case had the statement beer
I entirely published in the afternoon pa,
ners zxactIy as issued. although II VA
I urintrt. substantially as issued.
7 dtI not intend that anyone should
BELIZE that ! thought your report TO a
4 morning paper was tainted with malice
/ as YOUR report on these buiidin gas
on any buIldings-Would always be vel.
! coined by me, ana any suggestion.
given most careful consideration, a
from my long acquaintance with yOJ