The Washington herald., 1911-08-18
ASHFORD DENIES
PLANS WERE BAD;
OTHERS At FAULT
Capt. Oysters Charges An.
swered by Architect.
INVESTIGATION is NEAR

While Snowden Ashford, municipal
architect, against whom charges of a
serious nature were preferred yester-
day by Capt James F. Oyster, president
OF. the board of education, is reticent in
answering any questions relating to the
matter, he stated that the acusations of
the members of the school board were
without foundation. Mr.. Ashford takes
the position that he only draws the
plans after plat Has been submitted to
his Office by the District surveyor, and
that the building is erected according
to specifications. :g
NEW FIGHT MAY START.
The excavation for the new SIG, 900
addition to the Mckinley Manual Train
ing School was recently held up because
the contractors refused to follow the
plans. It is claimed that the new struc-
ture would not be safe If the building
were erectsd according to the plans. This,
together with the fact that on Wednes-
day the work on the normal school was
held up because of the fact that the
structure would extend beyond the
thirty-foot building restriction line pre-
cipitated what will likely be a repetition
of the row which has been waged for
some time between the board of educa-
ton and the municipal architects office.
81. 0ol
Ashford does not deny SO far that the
building will extend beyond the thirty
foot restriction line, but states emphati-
caIly that he is not responsible for such
a situation.
The plats are sent to the office of
the municipal architect" he said, ''and
We draw me plans accordingly. If by
any chance there is a. discrepancy in the
outline, do not see how this Office can
be at fault. We have nothing to do
with the survey"
Present Plans Are Right.
In speaking of the Mckinley Manual
T ming School, Mr.. Ashford said that
so far as he knew there was nothing
wrong with the plans, but that he did
not care to talk on the subject.
That is matter for the Engineer
Commissions" he said, "and 1 am
certain he will answer the accusations
at the proper time
When asked as to the other charges
brought against his Office, Mr.. Ashford
smiled and said that he was not in a
humor to discuss them.
''The other charges preferred by the
president of the board Of education are
an attempt to fasten the fault of others
on me. All these things are a matter
of record and afe open to the inspec-
tion of all who care to make an exami-
nation. 1 do not wish to enter into any
controversy on the subject. There may
be other details later"
Capt. Mark Brooks, assistant to the
District Engineer, Commissioner, left
Wednesday for conference with Maj.
Judson, who is spending his vacation in
Virginia. He took with him all the data
relating to the charges and it is ex-
pected that upon his return definite
answer to the charges viii be made. 1t
is understood, that the situation has been
taken so seriously by the officials CT the
District that it is likely Maj. Jud- |
son may return to Washington at an |
early date to institute an investigation
Charges Made by Capt. Oyster. !
charges against the office of the munich |
pal architect. He stated that the mix
up in the plans for the Normal Train |
Ing School building, in Eleventh street |
northwest, was-snot the first TIME such
a situation has occurred
AS long as the present municipal
architect is allowed to supervise the con-
OF our school buildings" he
said, just so long will these antangle-
ments continue to exist"
capt oyster said he had no enmity
toward Mr.. Ashford, but that he thought
i wise to criticise any official when such
ylar1ng errors resulted IL the throwing
away Of the public money.
The attitude of Capt. Oyster as presi-
lent of the board of education will. in
the opinion off the District offlcials.
bring about another discussion between
he board and the dfnce OF the munich
pal architect. Several months ago
said to have been preferred
against the board of education by Mr..
Ashford, were aired before the public
n meeting of investigation held be-
ore committee Of the Board of Trade
Former investigation Dropped.
In this instance, Mr.. Ashford claimed
hat r. did not personally prefer the
harges. but that they were made by a
ubcommittee, of which he was chair
nap. The board of education prepared
n extensive answer to the charges, which
we're submitted in open session. After a
hort deliberation the committee decided
o drop the investigation. One of the
principal questions at that time was
whether the public schools were men,
ced by the alleged dual control, 10 being
ontended that the Board of .Commis-
a NJ hz - Il
onfiicting authority
Just how far the present charges will
axe the looked-for controversy is a mat
er OF conjecture, but It is thought that {
many OF the prior questions which Mr..
Ishford stated had not been investigated {
nay again be brought to light II
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