The Washington times., 1908-10-20
Continued from First Page1

terested persons seem to agree at pres
ent, is that school conditions are bad;
that they should be investigated, and
that Congress or someone else should
be blamed for not giving more money.
That suggestions they will make is hard
10 forecast, but out of all the muddle
they hope to arrive at some solution, for
eli profess their desire TO clear up mat
ters and make the schools safe. where
by the children may receive education
in sanitary, safe buildings.
Commissioner Morrow gave out this
morning his letter to Chairman Clark,
IN winch ne expresses the desire of the
commissioners 10 get TO the bottom OF
the affair. no matter who suffers nor
what conditions are revealed
What Morrow Says.
In his letter to Mr. Clark, Of the spe-
cial committee, Commissioner Morrow
says, In part:
Il should be obliged il your committee
will make such examinations OF schools
as you may see proper, to make your
examination as thorough as you feel
you can IN such time as you are able 10
give TO the work. I should like you to
examine some Of our very old buildings,
some more recent ones, some of the
very recent ones, and also as many as
you can see fit 10 look at of the very
newest ones / should like Won 10 make
fee Of the Inspector of Buildings and
Superintendent of Repairs in the han
ding Of the work.
7 should like you to find. should
Congress see fit to deny the Commits
stoners' request for a municipal archi-
tect (Who, Of course, would assume
charge Of this work., the plans which
the Inspector Of Buildings would rec
Ommend for Increasing the safety
against fire Of our old buildings, in
case the sum Of $4,000 was granted
b. = ~
of 100000 requested by the Commits
siOners were granted, and 70 report as
10 whether these plans meet with your
approval, or whether the should be
modified, and f so. TO what extent
In his statement Commissioner Mac
farland said:
Every thinking citizen must know
that the Commissioners have at least
as great an interest as any one else
In the public schools and that they
must be doing the best that can be done
with the means at their command for
the public school buildings. Anyone
who chooses TO come &c the District
Building and look at the records can see
that this is the fact. The Commission
erS are. Of course responsible for the
use Of the money given by Congress
for school buildings although they can
not do more than that money permits.
For example, last spring after they had
the results or the investigation they
ordered into the condition of the build
lngs, they recommended to Congress an
appropriation Of $359.OOO 10 put the
buildings in better condition and Con-
gress provided $4,000. although the
Board Of Education, newspapers Board
Of Trade, Chamber Of Commerce. and
other civic associations all cO-Operated
with the Commissioners to get the
larger amount.
$4,000 Expended.
The $4,000 was expended by the Engi-
ueer Commissioner in cooperation with
the committee of the Board OF EduCa-
ton, as economically and efficiently as
possible, but it would not do the work
of the larger sum asked for. Both in
the case Of old buildings and new build
ings, the Commissioners have under
taken to remedy so far as the means
permitted, any defects brought to their
attention, and shall continue 20 do so.
In the case of the Gage School, for ex-
ample, changes now being made will
meet suggestions so far as is practical
bic. Some buildings are to be aban-
doned, as will be the case with the Mott
School this year, when the new building
IS completed However, with due care
on the part of those in charge Of the
schools, there is no cause for alarm.
Much Depends on Others.
Much depends upon the principals
and the janitors as to the management
of doors and the clearing away Of COM
bustibles, and I have no doubt the
Board Of Education which has. of|
course, the appointment and direction
OF all the. officials and employees, will
see that they do their duty.
What IS most TO be feared in the
schools is a possible panic without
cause, and parents should guard againsU
unnecessary excitement from the state
ments made about the public schools by
persons who have some Interior mo-
tive. When the work of Improvement
now In progress is complete. and that
n Nd
reasonable criticisms upon the condition
OF school buildings will have been met
Experts will differ and ideals of con-
stTuctiOn recommended by experts can
not always be met with the funds at
command. even II the experts would
agree upon them. but in general there
Il no reason for alarm on the part of
parents"