Evening star., 1909-06-06
CARE OF THE SCHOOLS
improvements Expected Under
New Arrangement.
PROVIDING FOR REPAIRS
More Systematic Inspection to Be
Established.
REORGANIZATION IS PROPOSED
Plans to Be Prepared for a Number
of Buildings Authorized by Dis
trict Appropriation Act.

Many changes in the methods of car
ing for buildings owned by the Distric,
of Columbia. especially school buildings
will take place July l, which are expected
| to result in material improvement OF
the physical condition of the school
structures.
The most important change will be the
appointment of municipal architect. for
which position Snowden Ashford has been
chosen. The District act creating the po-
sition declares that it shall be the duty
of that official ito prepare and supervise
the plans for and superintend the con-
struction of all municipal buildings and
the repair and improvement of all build
ings belonging to the District of Column
bia. under the direction of the Engineer
Commissioner Of the District of Column
bia. At present and for many years past
the responsibility for constructing, i'm
proving and keeping in repair school and
other District buildings has been under
taken by the inspector of buildings along
with his work as the head of the building
department.
To Assist Superintendent of Repairs.
In addition to the provision for a mu-
nicipal architect. the last District &C,
| created six new assistants to the superin-
tendent of repairs. and with that addi-
tional hedp the superintendent of repairs
is expected to make big improvement In
the care of the school buildings The
new positions are those of boss painter
boss grader, boss carpenter. boss timer
boss plumber and steamfitter and ma
chinist. These officials will receive 81 ,2O(
year with the exception of the boss
grader. who Will be paid $1,000 year.
Regular Inspection Proposed.
In keeping with these provisions for
the better care of school and other Dis.
trict buildings Engineer Commissioner
Judson has decided to put into effect g
new system of regular inspection, with
subsequent reports to the District Off.
ciais charged with the duty of making
needed repairs and changes. 1t is planned
| to have regular inspections Of the schools
by health office inspectors with regard
to the sanitary conditions of the build
ings. and by fire department officials
| with regard to the safety of the children
in the event Of fire or as to danger Of
fire. Reports concerning physical condi
| tions of the structures. in which recon-
mendations for repairs or improvements
are contained, will be forwarded direct II
the Engineer Commissioner.
Resulting Reorganization.
The appointment Of municipal archi-
tect will result in a reorganization Of the
building department. some Of It's officials
being transferred from the Jurisdiction
of the building inspector to that of the
new official. The municipal architec,
will have under him the superintendent,
of construction. w. l.. Webster. 6
craftsman on the annual rolls: George
T. Tolman and the superintendent OF
repairs. Henry Story These officials
have been doing work that, under the
| new arrangement, will naturally come
under the supervision of the municipal
architect OF course. with the transfer
of the Office of the superintendent of re-
pairs will go the employees of that de-
partment. including the new positions
| created in the same act as was the mu-
nicipal architects place.