The Washington herald., 1911-09-16
SCHOOL SINKING
ON HOODOO LOT
ASHFORD BLAMED
"Just an Excuse to Com
plain" Says Architect.
BRUCE WINS VICTORY

The "hoodoo lot at Thirteenth and
achieved notice at the time Capt
James F. Oyster charged Municipal
Architect Snowden Ashford with hav-
ing bungled plans for new normal
school there, broke into the limelight
yesterday afternoon, when a complaint
was made by the boaSd of education
that the portable school on the hoodoo
lot had begun to sink.
According to Capt. oyster. faulty
drainage. which allowed the recent
rains to soften the made ground under
the school. is responsible for the acci-
dent He maintains that had the mu-
niCipaI architect taken proper preCau-
tions to drain off the water such an
accident. would have been impossible.
Backed by Supt. William Z. David
son. the members of the board yester
day appealed to the Commissioners TO
repair the schOolhOuse before Monday.
Mr. Ashford announced that he would
correct the trouble to-day. and would
have the building ready for opening on
Monday.
Call Architect LAX"
Several members of the board criti-
cised the architect for not taking the
proper precautions against the settling
of the building. 1t was explained that
the schOolhouse has been erected on
new ground None of the members
seemed inclined to regard the accident
as serious, but pointed out that it
showed the possibility of more serious
accidents if the present "laXity of the
municipal architect" was allowed to
continue.
, Mr.. Ashford last night made light OF
the criticisms, saying the accident
amounted to nothing and simply fur
nished certain individuals with an ex-
cuse to complain"
Il have received reports on that build
ing every day." said the municipal ar
chitect, and 1 have not yet seen the
slightest reason for worry. The building
has tilted very slightly. and has not
been damaged at all have had thirty
two men working on the Normal School,
which is to be erected near this portable |
schoolhouse, and they have reported that |
the building can be Strengthened within |
few hours after work is begun. |
The building will be repaired to-day. |
II will be ready for occupancy on Mon |
day, and will be absolutely safe"
Members of the board have urged the |
Commissioners to see that greater care
is exercised in the matter of sites for
portable schoolhouses.
Ine DullQlnB IN question is One-StOry
affair, seating about forty children. 1t
has been in use for two years.
LunchrOOm and Bank.
Two innovations were announced at the
meeting of the board yesterday after
noon by Supt. Davidson. and were ap-
proved. Both will go into effect this
fall, and it is believed will add much
to the usefulness of the schools wherein
they are established.
At the Mckinley Manual Training
school, under the personal supervision
OF F. E. Daniel lunchroom will be
established for the pupils. All simple
toods' including few hot dishes in win
yer; VIII be prepared under the super
:. VISION on teacher. to be known as the d
director Of the lunchroom.' According
10 the plan the lunches will be sold at {
Sost, the management not expecting to )
the year. at 'ne Gnu Vi
II the plan proves a snccess similar ,
% Iunehrooms viii be established an tha Cen
ytr eastern, Western and R,,.,ness !
alsh schools within short t;,,. Taacb9
,,,ao.as wen as pupils NAV h,iv their (
iunenes az the schools. Ouy 'heir
Inc otner innovation win q
oank At the Business High Sc, s regn,ar ,ll,r