Evening star., 1912-07-19
OFFICIALS IN CLASH
Members of Board of Educa-
ton and Municipal Architect.
BEFORE HOUSE COMMITTEE
Charges Of Dereliction at Western
High School-Details Of Man
agement Discussed.

That a janitor at the Western High
School was ordered by Miss Westcott,
principal Of the school, to leave a high
pressure boiler and an engine in full op-
GRAFTON SO that he might arrange luncheon
bulletins in the school lunchroom, thus
producing a situation fraught with grave
danger to the lives of 500 pupils, was
charged by Henry L. Story, superintend-
ent of repairs, before the Redfield in
vestgation committee yesterday after
noon, in the House District committee
room.
Representative Redfeld continued his
queries concerning school engineers and
janitors, and the testimony against the
janitor situation, chiefly given by Mr..
Story and Snowden Ashford, was uncom-
plimentary to the schools. President
Oyster Of the board Of education was
present and frequently gaze testimony.
Much Of what MIR. Story SAID was brought
out under the questioning Of Snowden
seat next to Representative Redfeld.
chairman of the COMMITTEES. This fact
was commented upon by President Oyster.
who finally suggested that Che committee
might uncover ''blunders' it cared to
inyestigate the municipal architects Of
fee.
Asked About Business Connections.
When the afternoon session opened
President Oyster was asked to de-
tail his various business connections In
this city. After reciting the concerns In
which he was interested, he was asked by
Representative Redfield to tell how much
time he gave to the board of education.
IT endeavor to give all the time neces-
sary." he replied. II have employed ex-
ira help in my own business, go that I
can attend to this public business.
have served six years on the board. and
I'm ready to retire"
1T is tax on your time and energy?
asked the chairman.
IF / attempted to do all the business
at the Franklin building it would be en-
tirely too much of a burden. AS it is, l
have q private Office in my own establish
ment where / attend to school business. !"
las president Of the board you receive
no aSa. salary'"
THAT is your contribution to the pub
lie interests
Secretary Hine Witness.
Harry Hine, secretary of lie board Of
education, was asked to furnish sched-
ule showing the organization of his Of
fee, the clerks, duties and salaries.
He said he could furnish one in two
days.
You won't have to make one up, will
your" asked the chairman.
'.No / have something Of the Sort
81 would like to see exactly what YOU
Mr. Redfield went into the matter of
Mrs. Lucy Simmons, assistant custodian
Of supplies.
as it not a fact that the assistant Gus
todian of supplies is detailed as stenog-
rapher to the board OF examiners?
YES. at present" replied Mr. Hine.
1T is a fact, is It not, that Mrs. Sim
mons is rated as a clerk. while the per-
son acting as stenographer to the board
Of examiners is the assistant custodian
of suppiies?"
..Did you give Mrs. simmons any in
structions as to what she should say to
this committee in case the matter came
up7"
mo"
Didn't you tell her to explain carefully
that the salaries had been interchanged." !"
Mr.. Hine said 1t was not so.
Leaving this subject, Representative
Redfeld went into the old matter of
school furniture. It was testified that
many desks are stored away in the base
ments of schools. and that there is no
mechanic In the schools who can resur-
face or repair them. Capt. Oyster said
recommended to the Commissioners that
they be resurfaced. Representative Red
field asked Mr.. Hine If he knew whether
the school furniture purchased conformed
to the specifications. The reply was that
a committee was detailed to examine all
desks and that when necessary furniture
would be rejected.
Ashford Volunteers Information.
Snowden Ashford interposed the state
ment that he knew desks had been de-
livered and installed and had not con-
formed to specifications. He said he had
sent wood from the desks to the forestry
bureau. and that he had been informed
by the experts that 1t was not the wood
required by the specifications. He ALSO
said he would produce desks and furni-
ture TO prove his statement.
These same charges" said Capt: Oys-
ter, 'were made to the Board Of Trade.
After an Investigation by committee.
selected partly by Mr.. Ashford himself,
and after hearings. with contractors and
wood experts present, 1t was determined
that the specifications had been complied
with. The Central Labor Union, at whose
instance do not know. made the same
Investigation, and, although Ii has not
made q written report, 1t has reported
verbally that the desks were all right"
Representative Redf1eld made some In
quiries as to why the school system did
not have a repair outfit, as other depart
| ments of the city have. SO that old desks,
etc. could be worked over and made new.
After considerable talking and references
to laws it was shown that the board OF
prohibits the employing OF such de-
partment. and Mr.. Redfield asked Capt
Oyster to get the opinion OF the corpo-
ration counsel on the subject.