Evening star., 1917-01-16
FORMAL DEDICATION.
OF DUNBAR SCHOOL
Addresses by Representatives
in Congress and Others
Feature the Exercises.
BUILDING OF HIGH CLASS


lie schools of America; Of broader
meaning of education; of greater re-
public and of greater democracy WITH
in that republic. were given by speak
ers last evening when the formal dedi-
cation of the Paul Lawrence Dunbar
High School took place. The new high
school building, located on 1st street
between and o streets. is said to be
one of the finest of it's class for colored
students to be found in any part OF the
country.
Tributes to the memory of the Amer
lean negro poet. for whom the edihce
was named. were paid by speakers OF
both the white and colored races.
While the words of praise were being
sounded, the mother of the poet, guest
of honor for the occasion. listened with
pride mingled with pleasure, laughter
and tears. according to the chords
touched by the speakers.
Exercises are to be held at the
school each night this week through
Friday This evening one of the prin-
cipal speakers is to be DR.. Philander
J.. Claxton of the United States bureau
of education. Other speakers are MRS;
Coralie F. Cook, member of the board
of education: Edward C. Williams, Prof
Kelly Miller and Justice Robert II.
Terrell.
Keynote of Mr.. Thurston's Address.
Schools as the common center for all
was the keynote of the address deliv-
cred by Ernest L. Thurston, superin-
tendent of public schools, at the exer-
cises last evening. I'VE go to differ
ent churches; our paths cross and re-
cross ss we go to our work. and our
recreation Is often different" he said.
The school. however, is our common
meeting ground"
Supt. Thurston expressed the hore
for the teaching in the new school in
the form that will make for wise liv-
ing in the community in days to come,
and declared that no child should leave
the school without a broader under
standing of the ideals of this republic.
Declaring that education and the value
OF education must depend largely upon
the extension of the American home Mr..
Thurston said he felt it to be particularly
fitting that the new building should be
named for a poet whose works had touch
ed SO much on home. Urging that moral
dependableness" should be developed,
Supt. Thurston said. in ending his ad-
dress: "If our work is done right, the
the lives of those who have gone out of
these doors"
Represents the Commissioners.
Justice Frederick L. Siddons of the
Supreme Court of the District of Column
bia. and former member Of the Board
of Commissioners. presented the building
TO the school authorities on behalf of
the District Commissioners. This was
to have been done by Commissioner
Brownlow, but an attack of grip kept
him from attending the exercises.
The old theory that when a parent
put his child in school he had fulfilled
his duty is rapidly dying" declared
out OF school is only fraction of eue-
cation. / hear many foolish, fond par
ents say when their child has finished
the eighth grades or high school that
Those who really understand know
that when the student finally leaves
the college or university. then. and
only then. is he even on the threshold
of education"
In presenting the building Justice
Siddons said: Il dedicate this building
to a greater work of education that
this city has ever known"
other Speakers and Themes.
Rev. DIR. John Van Schaick. president
of the board of education, after speak
ing of the plan and structure of the
building, declared the board of educa-
tion and the citizens of the District of
Columbia should get together Ito build
here mentally, spiritually and physi-
caIIy"
Roscoe C Bruce. assistant superin-
tendent In charge of colored schools,
expressed the hope that the school
might serve not only the colored youth
of the city. but the entire community.
He urged that the school might be a tenn
. pie consecrated to good and that moth
ing ugly or illiberal might be found
there. He praised the board of educa :
ton for its justice in dealing with the
colored schools.
Representative Fess of Ohio in a brief
address declared the District of CO.
tuu,bia need never fear on what side of
question he would vote IL that oues
tton affected the National CapitaI
There is growing desire and conyic-
tion that anything needed to make this
the most beautiful capital in the world
should be done willingly and ungruds-
ingly." he said.
Representative Meeker of Missouri
spoke Of the need for greater training
for the hand. saying that Booker T.
Washington had led the way for the COL
ored people. I'VE are learning that edu-
cation as to how to live is necessary
he said.
Snowden Ashford, municipal architect.
who designed the building, told of it's
construction and compared 1t with the
new Central High School. He explained
that the structure had been built on a
concrete foundation, and said he hoped