Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-14
LEAGUE HOLDS ELECTION,
OUTLINES ITS PURPOSE

Officers of the League for the Decora-
ton of Public Schools We're all reelected
by unanimous votes at the annual meet
ing of the organization. held at the
Threlkeid School yesterday afternoon.
They are: President. j. r. Marshal: vice
presidents Miss Leila Mechlin and DR.
William NJ. Davidson: secretary. Miss
Myra NJ Hendley. and treasurer. Charles
j. Bell.
Miss Grace Lincoln Temple, Mrs
Charles w. Richardson and Louise A.
Simon were reelected as members of the
executive council No other members
were chosen to this body. as change
was made i'm the constitution empower
ing an increase CT the membership to
not more than twenty-five. Other MEM
bers will be chosen when the council
meets next fall.
Work of League Commended.
Praise was given the work of the league
by many speakers. Mrs Charles w Rich
ardson compared the room in which the
meeting was held. which had been deco
rated by the league, with the room in
which she had gone to school Il at
tended school in this building in the room
Just below this she said. and remem-
Der how, children. We used to wonder
why something was not done to make it
prettier. 1t was "A whitewashed room.
and its sole decoration was the old
base burner stove which stood in the cor
ner'
Mrs. Edith kingman Kern, member of
the board of education, expressed a gen
eral appre citation of the work being done
by the organ zation. and especially for
the work which had been done at the
Grant School.
Miss Westcott. principal of Western
High School. declared that an artistic en-
vironment, such was being furnished
by the league, had direct influence for
good upon the child. Several others
spoke briefly along similar lines. and
letters We're read from persons interested
In schools which had been decorated by
the league.
Objects of Organization.
Purposes of the league are related in a
little pamphlet which has just been is
sued. 1t says in part:
THE purpose of the league. popularity
assumed to be esthetic, is really scien-
ttfic. 1t is an attempt to change con-
ditions now too frequent in our schools.
At present certain rooms either suggest
sackcloth and ashes, where school hours
are a penance, or are a hodge podge of
colors.
ITO free the mind for undisturbed
study, provision is made for shelter from
storm and cold. The need Of exclud ng
discordant sounds is recognized The
same care is not exercised in guarding
the visual environment In the newer
buildings the quantity of light is ample,
but the quality of that light is often
crude and trying to the eye.
The requirements OF a proper school
room are many and difficult to meet; suf-
ficient and equal lighting in all parts
of the room means absence of shadow.
and absence of shadow means a dreary
waste. We are striving to improve exist
ing conditions where there is excess
of raw light by transmitting it through
some diffusing medium tinted to obtain
pleasing tone: by coloring the walls and
ceilings to harmonize: by providing pie
lures to supply spots of interest in form
and color: and, where growing plants are
found, by furnishing window boxes for
them: to create an atmosphere conducive
to study