The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-17


sentative Peters on Monday OF ''extrava-
CANT educational expenditures" IN the
District. w V. Cox. of the subcommittee
on ways and means. presented q report
at the meeting of the board of ednea-
ton yesterday. showing Washington
position in the matter of school expenses
as compared with other States.
THE cost OF education in the District,
when compared with the cost Of other
things in the municipal budget, is not
high; in fact. It is a little lower than
the average relative cost of education in
l5s cities in the United States" the re-
port says.
Had vie received a small portion OF
the $50, 000, 600 acres Of land recently dis
trlbuted by the government TO the States
and Territories the cost of schools would
not DO as high, as It is Sufficient build
ings to house 5000 children. who are
compelled to attend school IN rented and
lnsanitary buildings could have been
erected on this land had we shared ia
the distribution.
Buildings and Grounds.
LET It not be lost sight OF that g.
100, or nearly one-hatf Of the estimates
for 1911. which has been characterized as
sxtravagant. were for school buildings
and grounds"
why are these expenditures for school
houses asked for2"
First, TO do away with 1ss halliday
schools above the first grade and give
the children chance to get a whole
days schooling. Second. TO get rid of
eighty-four rented schoolrooms. none of
which is ct for school purposes. Third.
to carry out the recommendations of the
school house commission appointed by
Congress in 1906. Fourth. 10 replace
eighteen portable school houses with per-
manent buildings, Fifth, TO obtain ade-
quate Fairgrounds TO buildings now
without them"
Statistics showing the estimates and
appropriations for educational purposes
in the last sixteen years were read by
Mr. Cox and showed the District has
fallen behind S5.S79soO in the amount de-
sired for school uses. This IL one of
the reasons why a large appropriation is
asked for this year.
Less EAUthuGU EVF SGnoOlas
In comparison with the sixty largest
cities Of the United States. Washington
stands hfty-second in the amount ex-
pended for schools, Twenty-eight per
cent OF the total budget IS expended for
education here. while the average Of the
other cities is 295 per cent. according to
figures submitted by Mr. Cox.
-o-,,, - 49,,
cluded, that. in spite of ali the ciamor
about the extravaganza Of our school sys-
TEN, we are receiving more than l per
cent less than the average proportion Of
municipal expenditures given for schools
in the larger cities of the country"
The question Of outside employment Of
teachers was the subject Of considerable
discussion when the special report OF
supt. Stuart was read. He found that
in no case did outside work interfere with
the regular duties or the teachers. r. r.
Horner took exception TO the report
Receive Government Funds.
MY attention has been called TO the
fact that some Of our teachers are prac-
tieing medicine and dentistry after the
school hours" Mr. Horner said THE
teachers being paid by the government. 1t
is their duty 70 render their best services
in the profession for which they receive
the governments funds. / do not believe
It is possible for them 20 practice other
professions without impairing their eff
cheney as teachers. And if this privilege
Is to be given TO a few, It is only fair
that all who so desire be allowed the
same advantage"
After a lengthy discussion It was de-
oided to refer the matter back to the
superintendent for further Investigation.
Recommendation were forwarded TO the
Commissioners asking the sum of ssq 500
be included in the general deficiency Dill
for the proposed addition TO Western
High School The lowest bid for the
work was that much in excess OF the ap-
preparation Of $1,000.
An envelope contribution FOR the Chill
dren's Playground Association was eu-
thorized by the board at the request OF
Mrs. Elizabeth Hoeke. chairman Con-
tributions will be made by school chill
dren and received by a person TO be
designated by the superintendent.
Protest Not Considered.
The protest of southeast residents in
regard to alleged determinations by
teachers in the matter OF grading in the
Dent and Brent schools did not come be-
fore the board. It is not expected that