Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-16
The Schoolhouse Findings.

The report OF the architects and builders
chosen by the Commissioners to inquire
into the physical condition of the local
public school system is impressive in its
tforoughness and its fairness. 1t is a
full plain statement of facts as they eX-
list, unsensationai and clearly free from
prejudice or a desire on the part of the
investigators either to whitewash anybody
or to put anybody lin hole. 1t is
the more effective in it's temperate tone
than If it had laid stress upon the de-
fects discovered and sought to alarm the
public.
It was the purpose of the Commission
ers In selecting these citizens to examine
the school buildings to ascertain condi-
tons, and In discharging that duty the
investigators were wise in not under
taking to lay blame upon individuals or
groups for such defects as they found.
The report fully meets the official re-
Quirements as a presentation of facts, and
il points the way clearly to the removal
Of all the factors which may have caused
anxiety on the part of the people 1t is
a great relief to the public to find that
there Is nothing seriously wrong with the
school equipment. to the point of menacing
the community with disaster, although
many defects were found, both in the
planning and the construction of the
buildings and in their management. II
is particularly satisfying to the COM
munity that after the Immediately es-
sential corrections have been made-sup-
plementing those that have been under
taken In the course of the Investigation
there will be no cause whatever of panic
among the teachers and the pupils, and
no ground for apprehension on the part of
parents.
All the authorities now clearly under
stand what is to be done to bring the
schools UP TO the highest possible mark
permitted by the appropriations. Some
Of the worst defects have already been
cured. Others will doubtless be corrected
without delay. Meanwhile this report
should enable the Commissioners to go
ahead and get from Congress the funds
necessary for tie repair work indicated
by the investigators and for the compile
ton and construction of the new build
ings required to relieve congestion and
10 carry out tine recommendations as to
the safety Of the children
The commission was charged with the
task Of eliciting the exact facts and in
oicating the real remedies for such de-
fects as it might find. 1t has DISCHARGED
this duty conscientiously and capabiy,
without furnishing any one controversialist
with monopoly Of ammunition for at
tacks upon others. Yet the report is not
"whitewash.' IT does not condone de-
faults or minimize defects in order that
any individuals sensibilities may be
spared from injury The members of the
commission have plainly acted solely in
the public interest, and now it is tho duty
Of everybody, on the basis Of this excellent
presentation, to turn in and work shoulder
TO shoulder 20 the end that the children
may be given the fullest possible protcc-
ton from danger. There should be no
more wasting of time in futile recrimi-
'atory discussion of responsibility for
things that have been done or left undone
II the past. but a whole hearted Coop
GRAFTON on all sides to make the public
schools OF Washington just as sanitary
and just as safe as Congress in its appro-
priations will permit.