Evening star., 1916-10-02
PUPILS ENROLLED
IN RECORD NUMBER
Public Schools Have Approx
mateIy 5000 on the Reg I
listers Today.
BUILDINGS ALL REOPENED
FOR THE 1867 PERIOD
Scene Of Animation at New Home of
Central High-Programs
Mapped Out. E.

With what is believed will prove the
biggest enrolment in their history on
the opening date. public schools of the
District Of Columbia today opened for
the 1s1s-17 period.
No figures will be available as to the
enrolment until tomorrow. but Ernest
L. Thurston, superintendent OF schools.
predicted today that the registration
would probably pass the $4,000 mark.
On>the opening day last year. Septem-
ber 20. the enrolment was 47.36l.
One of the factors making for the
larger enrolment today is that the
opening of schools was postponed for
two weeks beyond the usual time. due
to the infantile paralysis scare. 4
number Of children who are usually
entered several days late, being de-
layed In returning from their sum-
to %the city prior to the postponed date
and were registered today.
This is generally supposed to be a
day of gloom and sadness for the little
schools declare this tradition has long
since been proved false.
Children Glad to Get Back.
As a matter of fact, they say, the
children are glad to get back again
with their playmates and to have
something to do" after the summer
months. which for many Of them often
lag. OF course. after school has been
in session a week or so. they may be-
gin to wish they had a few more days
outside. Certainly there were smiles
Of gladness on every hand today. Par
ticularly is this true Of the new build
ings.
New Central probably furnished the
best example of this, for it is not only a
school building. but from the students
point of view is also wonderland-a
wonderland in which II is easy to get
temporarily lost; TO lose track of the
floor one is on. and forget whether he is
walking toward the back or the front of
the building. Yes. it is easy to lose ones
sense of direction in new Central. The
freshman class. which occupied large
part of the first floor of the auditorium
this morning to hear Principal Emory
Wilson give directions as to the courses
of studies offered and other pertinent
features. has not yet had a chance to
learn how much of wonderland IT Is
1t will be weeks. probably. before
the students at Central realize the vast.
ness and the full magnificence OF this.
the finest school building in the Dis
trict.
Alumni Lend Assistance.
Alumni of Central were on hand to-
day to assist the faculty and clerical
force in the great work of organization.
A group of alumni is to be present each
day to help give directions to students
and others as to where to locate certain
rooms. 3
1t is doubtful il the enrolment of any
public school in the District has in
creased in such rapid ratio as has that
of Central September Fl, 1914. the en-
rollment was 761. September 20 last
year the figures had increased to 1.123.
1t is believed that the total enrolment
by the end of this week will be at least
!. 800.
Teachers and clerks of the school
system experienced one disappointment
today. Their salaries. they learned.
will not be paid them hptil Wednesday
or Thursday, when they had expected
the money today. The reason assigned
is the number of changes which have
been made necessary in the pay roll.
Night School Opening Date.
October % has been set as the date
for the opening of night schools. Be
cause of the generosity on the part Of
Congress for this year the schools will
be open for a longer term than usual.
although they are being opened slight
ly later than is ordinarily done. Supt.
Thurston said today he expected the
term would continue until about the
1st of May. whereas 1t usually ends In I
March or early part of April.
Examinations for applicants for Off
cerships in the High School Cadets
probably will be held the latter part
Of this week. according to Stephen E.
schools. who is in direct charge Of the
organization. Details are to
De announced later.
Wallace M. Yater, an Eastern High
school graduate, and formerly colonel
If the cadet regiment, is to act tempo
n the absence of Maj. Wallace A. Nc
n. G. d. c.
Maj. McCathran is now detailed with
he National Guard. 1t is doubtful.
however, whether he can under the law
erve as commandant of cadets. Under
law passed by Congress no one can
lraw two salaries from the government
to more than 5000. As this
happens in the case Of MAI McCathran
q commandant of cadets, he will be
orced to relinQuish the position. unless
he'll can be interpreted SO that he
becomes exempt from the provision. or
lnless an exception can be made IN mis-
ase.
Yater's Previous Experience.
Mr. Yater. who has consented to act
as commandant, was in charge
( the cadets for about six months, during
he time between the date of the death OF
,ol. Burton R. Ross, former commandant,
nd the appointment of Maj. McCathran
0 that position.
A meeting Of the board of education, at
,hich numerous details of organization
re expected to be cleared. is to be held
t the Franklin School Wednesday after
DON.
Because of the great care with which
reliminary organization had been ar
anged not a single case of difficulty
yas presented this morning. Supt.
hurston made a flying trip to certain
{ the buildings. including the new
lumbar High School. where work on
he building has not been completed.
yorkmen are still busy at the new
entral High School also, but this
uilding is in much better shape than
ha n,1n