The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-19

washington whose suggestions are en-
titled TO more respectful consideration.
The thing 10 which 1 did object how
ever, as definitely stated, was the fact
that your report. which IS extremely
valuable. and the criticisms contained
in which were largely directed at CON
ditiOns beyond the control Of the Com
missioners, was seized upon Dy the
. journal and maliciOusIy, in real yellow
journal fashion. twisted into a yarbled
newspaper article and Illuminated with
s 5.5t.t headlines, inspired. no
douoG IN the same WY as other at
tacks on the Board of Commissioners
which have appeared at short inter
walls In the same journal through the
past three or four months.
Acquainted With Conditions.
Il believe that you know that We Of
the Engineer Department have been ac-
Quainted with the condition of the pub
lie buildings. and have been doing the
best that can be done with the funds
available toward making the buildings
safe against fire. 1 Deueve that YOU
are also acquainted with some Of the
details OF recent controversies between
the Board Of Education and the various
officials under the Inspector of Build
ingsi L believe also that you are aware
OF the Influences which have led the
morning paper into this so-called propa-
ganda for One-man government, and
Its desire TO seize upon anything to fur
ther this idea, and regret that they
nave gotten your report into the same
class with so many statements and
speeches., most of which have been so
unreliable. and none until YOURS an
peared worthy Of serious consideration.
Appreciates Comment.
I should ask for nothing better were
the morning paper fair-minded in its
treatment OF the situation than 10
nave an inspection made by you of all
our school buildings. and your report.
without comment by the reportorial or
editorial stan Of that paper published
Tor the public Information il is TOO
much, however, to expect that any such
journal
1t is. however, my desire that you
should understand that any illusions in
the article given by me TO the press
last saturday could not be intended as a
criuclsm or your action, or OF the mo-
yves which actuated you in the matter"
Captain Oysters Views.
Captain Oyster in his statement to
the school officials. said:
And you, Mr. McQueeney. Won ara
superintendent Of janitors. If Won hear
or know Of any case in which the rules
OF the board or the laws in regard 10
schools are violated and Won fail 10 re
port them with your recommendations
Tor dismissal, you may as we'll Sit
down and write out your resignation.
me School Board Will not tolerate
negligence Of rules in anyone
He was standing and turned to the
the room.
DO you hear that? And you?" he
asked
Captain Oyster spent the morning at
the board rooms, insisting on a state
ment TO him and the beard, of any
conditions ir the schools that might
justify criticism. and reiterating MS
10 enforce the rules to all the officers
and superintendent.
The board will not shift responsible
lily OF any Of these things as IS insinu-
ated In morning paper editorial"
continued Captain oyster. Il have here
written reports on several incidents.
and ] shall continue to demand inves-
tigdUOn OF all such complaints, and
me board will take action on them
afterward.
Il have collected all the correspond
euCe win the Commissioners conducted
last May 10 show that the board has
moved. In matters Of that sort. the
board is powerless unless its requests
are granted.
Explains Wood Pile.
"As for the charge that a door Of the
Gage School was blocked with wood. I
have proof here that one load u-qs de-
lvered there by the dealer that same
morning, one In the afternoon and that
one was being delivered while those
VINO made the charge We're at the build
lnS- II was not piled directly against
the door. but was thrown down near IN.
The Janitor had not yet had time to
store II. As for the locked door. that
was FOUND after the children left the
building. The doors are always bOlted
then 10 prevent intrusion. During school
hours they are open
ON October Is, the rule and the law
against obstructing outside school doors
was called to the attention OF Superin-
tendent Stuart and he al once issued
orders 10 all janitOrs. That was before
this incident occurred. And any viola
tion Of that RUE during school hours
means dismissal for the guilty person.
Those rules are not new"
Oil for Floors.
In explanation Of the charge that q
leaky barrel OF oil was found in Emery
school, Superintendent of Janftors Nc
Queeney explained that the oil is in
tended for the floors. It was deliv-
cred late this year and had lust ar
rived at the school. The rim Of the
barrel had left an accumulation of
oil on the floor, which, he saws. was
promptly attended TO and the barrel
put in a safe place.
Captain Oysters conference with SUI
perintendent Stuart and other school
OF erS today was for the plrpOse OF
imPressing upon them that the absolute
truth is the only thing the board wishes. !
So far. he says, there has been nothing
that reflects on the board, for he con-
siders the pile Of wood and the closed
door incidents perfectly regular since
they in no way endangered the lives
of the children, and were perfectly nat
ural happenings miscOnstrued. But he
Is anxious not to seem to shift any re-
sponsibiiity for anything that has hap
pened or may happen in the future |
which will justify criticism.
His pointed remarks to all the Of |
hcers left them fully cogniZant of that I
policy on the part of the board.