The Washington herald., 1909-05-25
EDITOR MAKES REPLY
Good Housekeeping Keeps Up
School Attack.
EXPOSES STRUCTURAL DEFECTS
Sends Vigorous RejOindeF to Charge
that Its Article Was ancient His
tOry'-CaPt. Kelly, Assistant En-
Eineer Commissioner, and Mr.. Ash
ford Review Condition of Schools.

Making vigorous reply to the statement
of Commissioner Macfarland that the
magazines article regarding Washing
tons school buildings was ancient his
tory Good Housekeeping continues its
attacks in its current issue. and reiter-
ates its expose OF the fire conditions Of
tbe structures.
IN comment upon the cross-fre Of de-
bate, the editor OF the magazine oracu-
larly calls for the facts. gentlemen"
and n.skes the following statement:
The magazine IS not accustomed TO
the charge OF printing ancient history
in the gUise OF fresh news. Yet this IS
the accusation brought against US by
Mr. Mcfarland, a Commissioner OF the
District OF Columbia, and members OF
the school board Of Washington TIt
FIRE traps among the Washington school
buildings. the iIl-srranged. nl-ventiiated.
ana unhygienic surroundings 10 which
the children are subjected. were described
in our April number from a thorough
personal inspection made in January OF
this year by our representative. The
schol board cOolly informs US that these
conditions are ancient history that they
disappeared some two wears ago.
People Are Res 9OnSibIe.
"Our April article rather understates
the situation than overstates g.; every
word Is true. The beautiful Capital city
belongs 20 the American people. who are
immensely proud OF II. They. too. are
entitled 10 the truth. ard shall have II
Upon them. in the last analysis. rests
the responsibility for conditions as they
exist in the District of Columbia
IN the body OF the magazine supple
mental charges are made against the
schools.
The Harrison School has no fire
escape: ali second and third story win
dows in the rear OF the building look
down into deep areas The John + Cook
School o street northwest. with base
ment classrOOms and three stories. has
no fire escape. The Kindergarten NOT
NAL in Tenth street northwest, has no
fire escape
There is but one fire escape 10 the
Central High School. but one 10 the II
Street High School. no escape from the
Western High School There IS but one
escape from either the Curtis or the Ran
dali School. The Twining, the Pat1er-
son, and the Blake have no escapes.
CHARGES Of similar import are brought
against the C0chrare. the Tyler. the
Blair. the Mott. the Andrew Johnson. the
Carret. the Force. and the Denniston
schools
The Thomson and the Johnson annex
are condemned buildings. The Threlkeld
is dilapidated- The Cranch and the Sea
ton show a dangerous arrangement OF
radiators Buildings in various stages Of
dilapidation are the Phillips, Jackson
Adams. Logan. Henry, Central High,
Randall, Stevens, and SmallwOOd- East
and west exits are needed in the base
meut Of the Boyne. In case OF = Jam st
the exits Of the CoChrane building c0ndi-
tons would be dangerous"
4 communication from James E.
Tower. editor OF Good Housekeeping. 10
President Taft. was referred 20 Comm!s-
sioner NacfarIand for comment The
Commissioner inclOsed statements from
Capt William Kelly. Assistant Engineer
Commissioner. and Inspector OF Buildings
Ashford. dealing extensively with the
charges.
Capt. Kelly reviews the agitation IN
Washington which followed the Collin
wood fire. near Cleveland, about a year
ago. with the resultant appropriations for
school repairs from Congress. he refers
10 the investigation made by the commit
tee Of architects and builders last fall
which brought IN q conservative report
about the conditions OF the buildings.
Sources Unreliable.
IN closing. I would Ike 10 add few
words in regard TO the source OF the in
formation obtained by Good HOusekeep-
inz. which. il seems 10 me, must be
weighed in considering is statements -
saws Capt. Kelly. Miss Reese, the au-
thor OF this article. is unQuestionably a
veteran newspaper woman Of the most
thorough and conscientious sort but her
article indicates clearly that her k1Owl-
edge Of building construction and the
precautions necessary for FIRE protection
is decidedly lacking.
'In regard 10 William E Chancellor
former superintendent OF schools, his
opinion Is liable 10 be biased BY the fact
that ne was forced 10 sever his connec-
ton with the Washington schools after
a rriai before the board Of education.
But. aside from this. Mr. ChaGcellor's
knowledge OF the school buildings Of the
District was acquired before any spe-
ciaI steps were thought necessary 70 make
the school buildings safe. Since Mr..
Chancellor left Washington about $4,000
has been spent for the sole purpose Of
making the schools safe for the children
under al conditions
Building Inspector Snowden Ashford
goes into the charges in detail, and IN
some instances comedies their truth. He
--,e6a an a~fa-ded review Of the prpSenr