The Washington times., 1908-10-17

make out in regard 10 little and fire
danger therefrom. II 20, II Is up 10
the Board Of Education 10 correct IL
As 10 the keeping Of the doors locked
also conditions for which the Board Of
Education, through its JanitOrs, IS re-
sponsible.
Mott School an Old One
Passing to the Mott School. it is be-
lieved that there is not much that can
be said in defense Of this school, as it
has been recognized as d worthless old
building condemned for occupancy, and
Is now being used only pending the
completion OF the new siXteeu-rOOm
building diagOnally across the park
nearby II the statement that coal
hindllng, hot ashes vast. DaDer and
oil barrels are stored in the basement
and that ashes containing live Goals are
stored In wood bin Is true, which /
very much doubt II is a condition for
which the 1anltOr and suDeriutendeur
or Janltors Of the schools are probably
immediately responsible. and should
not or course, be allowed 10 continue.
5Lts DuAd!ng, however, viii be aban-
doned In SIX months.
The estimates. which the Commits
SloneIs nave Just completed, provided
Tor the appropriation by COngrcs OF
$1,000 Tor o"erhauling the old school
buildings IN the District and making
them safer against fire than they are
row We will hope that this sum will
De granted. Should this be the case.
mere are some things at the Gage
school which I would remedy but to-,
principal item is one not recommended
Dy MI. Parsons. and this would have
Deen done this summer, except fer lack
Of fund.
4 would not recommend an increase
IN the width OF these doors as 1 81
leve the doors now afford ample facili-
S sies Iot exit ana mat the building. bar
I r,1E me IacI Lh3t ire furnace IN the
NAN or old portion OF the building. Is
not entirely enmased within freDr0Of
walls and has not a freprooF floor above
H. IS about as safe q builGI9=. If MON
eItE suppned with Intelligent janitor
service, as IS necessary in any school
NoCtlhg, however, can be done 10 the
Mott School- Il should be abandoned"
Oyster Feels INDICATED.
l feel" said James +. Oyster. presi-
dent OF the Board OF Education. this
morning. that my position IN the matter
OF these schools has been indicated.
Ever since the present board took
charge Of the school system here.
nave insisted that the buildings Be prop
erly equipped for the safety Of the chill
dren and for the convenience OF the
teachers. In this demand / have been
sustained by the rest OF the board.
7 am glad 10 see that Mr. Parsons
j
OF the Gage school by Mr Parsons "a
lnal the dOOrWays are not wide enough
L MS Is precisely one Of the criticisms
mat 1 made months ago, and II he cares
to undertake further inquiry ro SetaT-
mine If similar defect exists in other
schools l viii be very glad tc furnish
MIN with in ormatiOn on that score.
one OF the past difficulties has been
in the unsa tisfaCtOry Character of tbss
pair work, due to some extent to the
lack OF requisite funds, but lately, the
work has been more satisfactory, and
we have no special complaint to make
Some Of the buildings that are given
10 US are not completed, and this is y
cause for complaint on our part We
intend 10 ask the Commissioners TO ap-
point special commission consisting Of
representatives of the Fire, Health. En-
and School departments
and possibly of the Commissioners also
10 pass upon the new buildings before
they are turned over to the school
board