The Washington times., 1909-09-07
DISCUSS ESTIMATES
IN SECRET SESSION
Board of Education Meet
ing Today Is
Legal.
OFFICIALS WORRIED
OVER LACK OF ROOM
Will Be Able to House All
the Pupils by
Crowding.

The Board OF Education VIII depart
from its regular custom this afternoon
and hold, pursuant TO a recent act Of
Congress, its first secret session for the
consideration OF estimates for the next
fiscal year
These estimates, when they are ap-
proved by the board. cannot, on account
of the same law. be made public as
heretofore. The act OF March 3, 1909
prohibits the publication of estimates
prior TO their submission TO Congress.
The secret session Of the board this
afternoon will be in conflict with the
school act of June 20. 1906. which pro-
vides that all sessions Of the board.
excepting those dealing with the ap-
pointment OF teachers. shall be open. On
account Of the conflict between the two
acts CT Congress, the boards legal ad-
wiser, Assistant United States District
Attorney Stuart Mcnamara was appeal
ed 10 for ruling as to whether IL was
legal for the board to consider it's 1910
1911 estimates behind closed doors.
Will Be Legal.
Mr.. McE.amara has given an opinion
II which he states that inasmuch as
Congress specifically fOrbids the max
ing public of estimates prior TO sub
mission TO that body itself, It would
he obviously impossible TO consider and
pass upon these estimates in an open
session, and at the same time carry
out the injunction of Congress The
board. therefore, holds Mr. Mcnamara,
will be entirely within its legal preroga-
tives IL IL excludes the public when
the estimates are brought up for final
approval.
Considerable business of a routine and
general character will precede the Sc
cret session OF the board Among other
things that It is understood will be
gone into will be the old controversy
between the board and Municipal Archi-
tect Ashford as to the erection and
character Of school buildings.
A year ago the board asked for a
h, little more than 100000 for new build
Srgs. grounds, and running expenses for
the District public schools. Congress
appropriated, in round numbers, s., 500,
900. cutting out many of the largest
items.
Estimates Will Be Low.
In view Of the general tendency OF
Congress TO pare the estimates for the
public schools. a member of the board
said today that the original estimates
would be made just as low as possible
this year. The board intends to ask
for what II actually needs. but no more
Although the figures cannot be made
public. 1t IS understood that the board
will express it's willingness to get along
with about 100000 for the next fiscal
year.
It is admitted that crowded conditions
are going 70 confront the school au-
fnnTIf1pQ
Der 20. According 20 President Oyster,
however, the portable schools and rented
buildings will make II possible TO ac-
corninodate every one and Washington
will not suffer Cor the lack Of facilities
as viii Philadelphia and New York.
"On account Of the constant cutting Of
our estimates By Congress- said Cap
tain Oyster, Conditions are not what
they should be here. but we hope 20
mouse every applicant. We are opposed
10 the policy Of rented buildings but
have had TO make out the best We can
with the rented houses and the port
able schools. thirteen of which are in
use. Five more viii arrive later"
IL IL said that the board viii ask par
ucular consideration this year Of its
estimates for the graded schools A
fral and Eastern High Schools. and sew
eral graded school buildings are among
the things that the board desires.
May Bring Up Controversy.
Indications are that the Ashford Board
OF Education controversy may be
brought I'D again this afternoon. One
bone OF contention is the amount that
should be allowed per room for the
erection OF new school buildings. Orig
inally the estimates contemplated 5000
20 the room Later IL was raised, TO
5000 per room, and the Municipal Archi-
tecf. according TO a member of ,the
board today, still declares that he is
unable 10 furnish the school authorities
with the kind OF building the board
believes II should receive fur this
amount OF money
With the exception OF the estimates
for sites and buildings proper. the next
fiscal wear estimates have all been pre-
pared BY the board The Commissioners
OF the District supply the figures deal
ing with buildings and grounds, and
an effort viii be made 10 have these
ready for presentation 20 the board for
fffClffom this q ffrFsrn1v,