Evening star., 1914-11-18
James Ormond Wilson Lauded
at Dedication of New
Normal School.
FURNISHINGS, PRESENTED
FOR VARIOUS ROOMS
Henry B. F. Macfarland Cites Educa-
tional Conditions in the Ma
tional Capital.

Those who are acquainted with the
work done for Washington by the late
James Ormond Wilson, as well as the
public generally, had cause to rejoice
last night. when the new normal school
at 11th and Harvard streets northwest,
named in his honor, was dedicated un-
der circumstances which indelibly
fixed this work in the minds of Wash
ingtonians.
Henry T. Blair, president of the
board Of education. who presided at
the dedicatory exercises, held in the
assembly hall of the structure. said
he felt sure he voiced the opinion of
Washingtonians generally when he
said:
This is a dedication. but, moro than
that, it is an acknowledgment by a
grateful people,"
Great Audience Gathers.
A great audience gathered for the
exercises. including pupils and grad
yates of the normal and other schools
Of Washington. as well as former Com
missioners of the District Of Columbia
who have had to do with obtaining
the school for Washington, and pres
ent and former officials of the District
of Columbia school system. Members
of the Columbia Heights Citizens As
ISOLATION had been especially invited to
be present.
lures, one portrait of Miss Lucille f.
Smith. the first principal of Washing
ten Normal School, No l, the gift of
former pupils, the presentation being
made by Mrs. William T. Galliher. Miss
Anna McCroach. one of the present teach
n nf al nj
citation OF the school. on behalf of that
organization. presented to the school .ur-
niture and furnishings in a rest rcom'
for the pupils. The members Of the
the principal of the school, with a set Of
rugs for her room.
Several Musical Numbers.
Rev. DR.. Wallace Radcliffe delivered an
invocation. and the pupils sang 1.-The
Heavens Resound," by Beethoven, 1.-The
Wanderers Night Song" by Rubinstein."
Dedication" by Franz, "The Maidens
Wish" by Chopin and Cradle Song" by
Brahms, concluding with "All's Well With
the World"
Addresses were delivered by Henry B.
F. Macfarland former Commissioner of
the District of Columbia; Henry T.
Stuart, director OF intermediate instruc-
Ernest L. Thurston. the superintendent of
the public schools of Washington. Mr.
Blair confined his remarks to occasional
comment as he introduced the speakers.
Mr.. Macfarland's Address.
Mr.. Mcfarland said in part:
This is the harvest of seed sown in
our recommendations to Congress when
I was in the District service. so that I
have peculiar sympathy with your re-
joicing.
"In the past fifteen years much has
been done to improve the housing Of our
public schools. especially the high and
normal schools. Much remains to be done
especially with the grade schools. Either
our taxes should be reduced or our abun-
cant revenue should be used with an
equal amount from the United States
Treasury under that wise and just half
and-half plan established by Congress
in 1873 for the betterment of the facli-
ties and efficiency of this and every other
department of the municipal government
There should be no unappropriated sur
plus of District revenues when the
municipal services need improvements.
Public education is more important
than public parks. 1t is an indispensa BILE