Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-25
DISCUSS FIRE DANGER
Members of Board of Educa-
ton to Make Schools Safe.
SEEK AN APPROPRIATION
Mean to Ask Congress for Large
Sum of Money.
DARK CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON
Examination for Teacher of Physics
Cause of Inquiry-Promotions
and Other Changes.
SEEK AN APPROPRIATION
DARK CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON

That the protection of school children
in the District from fire danger will be
| given careful consideration by the board
of education during the coming year was
| indicated at a meeting of the board late
yesterday. If the board carries out the
recommendations of fits committee on
ways and means. it will ask Congress for
| a large appropriation to make local school
| buildings safe in the event of fire.
The meeting was brief and was devoted
principally to the correction of action at
former meetings. making amends for
omissions at previous sessions and ex-
plantations of what will be considered at
the next meeting. John F. Cook was the
| only absent member.
Some dark clouds appeared on the hori-
zon shortly after the session began. They
were discovered when report of the
superintendent was read recommending
that G. NJ. Conant, having passed the
required examination, be placed on the
eligible list for appointment as teacher
of physics in the manual training schools
DR.. Evermann began to ask questions
about the examination. At first, they did
not appear to be leading. but his object
was disclosed when he said:
Asks Reason for Examination.
There are reports, I don't know ass to
the truth of them, that one teacher sof
physics in the Mckinley Manual Training
School has been told the work has been
so arranged that his services are no long
er needed there. If one teacher already
in the service was not needed. why was
an examination held for teachers or
phySicS?'
DIR Myers of the Mckinley asked to
have a teacher of physics who could de-
vote all his time to teaching. That was
impossible for the head of the depart
ment who had been teaching physics
there the superintendent explained.
DIR Myers did ask to have the head or
the department transferred to some other
school. But l questioned the authority OF
the principal over the head of a depart
ment and took no action in the matter"
Then yon don't always follow the
recommendations of the principals! Mrs
Terrell questioned.
Supt. Stuart explained that there was
some doubt as to the right of the principal
to make the recommendation. and IT was
therefore not followed in the case in
question.
A minute later DR.. Everman held a
whispered consultation with the superln-
tendent.
Clouds Appear Threatening.
But the sky was not entirely cleared,
and later the clouds appeared threaten
ing when Mr. Conant was recommended
for appointment as teacher of physics in
the Mckinley Manual Training School,
Does this affect the matter of the
transfer of the teacher from the McKin-
ley?' President Oyster asked Mr.. Stuart.
Il have explained the matter to DR..
Evermann, the superintendent replied.
NO. it won't affect it, Then the cloud
disappeared.
Mr.. Cox, chairman of the committee of
ways and means, explained that the es-
Inmates for school needs for the coming
fiscal year were not ready and would not
be submitted until a later meeting.
AS to making the school buildings fire.
proof, Mr.. Cox explained that the commit
tee feels that it's position is the same as
last winter, when, following the Collin
wood holocaust, the board asked Congress
to appropriate several hundred thousand
dollars for fireproofng local buildings,
and added that the committee would rec
ommend that Congress appropriate that
amount, less the $4,000 which was appro-
priated last session.
Perpendicular Escapes Impracticable
Il will say that the committee does not
favor perpendicular fire escapes-they are
impracticabe for school children" he
added.
One important change which the COM
mttee will recommend. Mr.. Cox stated, is
to have the control of the school play
grounds placed entirely in the hands of
the board of education and the money ap-
propriated for their maintenance expend-
ed under the direction of the board
Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey explained
there was divided responsibility last
year, because the Fairgrounds Associa-
ton looked after the maintenance of the
school Fairgrounds, while the board re-
tanned control over school yards and
buildings used for the Fairgrounds. The
new plan, she stated, would obliterate the
divided authority.
On recommendation of Supt Stuart the
schools will observe Flower day, October
., and the annual flower shows will be
held then. These exhibitions will be open
to visitors from > to o'clock Friday
afternoon, October =. Miss Susan b. Sipe
was appointed director of school gardens
for another year.
Transfer of Teachers.
Transfers and promouons were as fol-
lows:
Mss NJ v. Fauth, fourth grade, from
Conduit Road School, first division, to
Corcoran School, first division in effect
September 1.
Miss C. A Hinzen, fourth grade, from
Threlkeld School, first division, to Con-
duit Road School, first division; Septem-
Der /.
Miss A. F. Goebel. sixth grade, from
Curtis School. first division. to Fillmore
School first division: September l.
Miss NJ. A. McGonigle, sixth grade from
Fillmore School, first division, to Curtis
School, first division September 1.
Miss NJ. A Mcmahon, fifth grade, from
Addison School, first division, to Harrison
School. third division, vice Miss Stutz;
October l.
Miss A E. Douglas fifth grade. from