The Washington times., 1912-01-20
Makes Attack on
Extravagance" in
Capital Schools

Tho Washington school system is
having It's troubles during the considera-
tion OF the District appropriation bill,
now engaging the attention of the
House. Following the charge of Con-
;ncnt Of the National Capitals schools
is the most extravagant In the United
States" Congressman Cox of Ohio late
yesterday declared that "extravaRance
runs riot IN the schools Of Washing
The charge followed wha. the Demo-
Gratis alleged was an attempt on the
part OF csnGressman Mann. minority
,fader ,ns rsdS1nn to make political % issue out OF
Mann prOposed an amendment appro-
nria,inr $4,000 for the Chevy Chase
"The place to economize is not in the
schools" said Mr.. Mann. adding that
empty seats in. other school buildings
lid not mean that Chevy Chase pupils
could occupy them. The Mum amend
.ment was defeated on strict party
lines.
Teachers and Pupils.
Congressman Fowler of Illinois want
ed to know II it was true that there Is
one teacher to every twenty-five pupils
in the city. Mr.. Cox said 1t probably
was true.
The political controversy over the
school Issue came up when the House
reached the Longevity pay paragraph in
$4,000 less than was recommended. The
Democrats explained that there Is
available an unexpended balance OF
s75.S7S from the appropriation for last
year; and n, thst there re really was no ex-
Lesson proposed an amendment to re-
appropriate this balance. and the Bur-
Lesson amendment carried after heated
political debate. The cut for longevity
L. fnn tal
Discussing the plan to reappropriatc
the unexpended balance, former Speak
er Cannon made the charge that this
was a Democratic subterfuge to make
more economical than 1t really is.
Congressman Willis of Ohio attempt
ed to get on increased appropriation,
from 81 900 to $500. for school gardens,
but failed.
Congressman Manns plea for an ad-
ditional school building at Chevy Chase
precipitated a lively debate. Mr. Willis
told the committee 1t had claimed to
have made a saving In the District bill
of more than 100000. but that nearly
from the schools of the city.
Attacks Economists.
Mr.. Mann jumped on the Democratic
economists by saying:
1T was stated here that there were
more accommodations for pupils In the
schools Of the District than were need
ed. Certainly that can not apply to
Chevy Chase. What advantage is 1t
to have an idle school room in the
center of Washington when you wish
to educate children at Chevy Chase?
Does anyone here pretend that the peo-
pie who live at Chevy Chase have not
the right to proper school facilities.
or that they must send their children
downtown to Washington that they
may be educated? We have the money
levied by taxation upon those people,
and 1t seems to me that we may well
construct those buildings which are
necessary for school purposes out of
this money which We receive, and here
we receive half Of 1t by way of taxa
ton.
II am willing to economize on a
great many things / recognize the
fact that economies can be found and
made In every department Of the Gov
ernment. / have no doubt that econ
omies can be found and made in the
school department in Washington and
elsewhere, but We know what becomes
of the money when 1t Is put into a
school building. where It can be used