The Washington times., 1919-12-09


series of articles The Times will
set forth the conditions. for the
information of Washington peo-
pie and members of Congress.
There will be no relief from con-
gested conditions In the high
schools until Congress appro-
PIRATES sufficient money to erect
more buildings. Az enrolment
in the schools increases, conges-
tion win become more and more
serious 1t IL q big problem for
the school officials to accommo-
date 1000 students, but il will be
years, when there will be $4,000
students.
Congress should make immedi-
ate provision for several new high
schools. Funds have already been
appropriated for a new Eastern
High School, accommodating 1900
students. But Congress failed to
appropriate sufficient funds, and
erection Of this school waits upon
Congressional action. Several
years now have been wasted. How
much longer are the people of
southeast to be forced to send
their children to the crowded and
somewhat dilapidated Eastern
High School, on Pennsylvania ave-
nue.?
Only Slight Relief.
When this new school is erect
ed it will afford only slight re-
lief. Superintendent Thurston
says the old Eastern will have to
continue in use. It was planned
to use the old high school no
longer, but il is certain this
structure will be in service for
many years to come. The District
Commissioners asked Congress to
authorize and appropriate sufn-
cient funds for the erection of a
81, SOC, 900 building. Several years
ago Congress could have put up
this new high school for 5000, 900.
Delays in appropriations hav ebeen
numerous; labor and material
have increased more than two
told, and Congress now 10 forced
to pay almost triple the original
estimate.
While Eastern will afford some
relief. still another high school is
needed.
I'VE need another building Nm
the northwest, or rather north q
Florida avenue" says Superb
tendent Thurston. "The increase
in population Of this section is 80
great that not even the big Gen.
trail Htgh School IL adequate to
care for the students enrolled
from that section"
The Board of Education has
been asked to consider request
ing Congress to build a new high
school in lexington. Various citi-
zens' associations favor this
project and have told the board
so. While Superintendent Thurs
ton will not recommend any .pe-
cific location, he heartily agrees
with these associations that a new
high school is needed here. But
II win be many years before q new
building Is erected
Asked for Addftions.
Congress is asked in this sp-
preparation to supply enough
funds to erect additions to the
Burrville, Petworth. Deanwood.
Phelps, Wheatley. and Takoma
schools. 1t is also asked that a
new school be erected on the lot
between Eighteenth and Twen-
tieth streets. Newton and Monroe
streets northeast.
Congress many years ago ap-
proved these additions to the new
schools. Funds were provided.
but not sufficient funds to cover
erection of the buildings. District
officials could not proceed with
the work. AS a result. not a new
building has been erected in the
last two years.
Congestion daily is Increasing
The schools are handling 1000
beyond capacity. Superintendent
Thurston says enrolment is going
to increase at least 5000 or 4, 900
a year. In FIVE years there will
be an over-enrollemnt OF at least
10000. Will Congress provide suf-
ficient schools and teachers to
accommodate this increase? This
is the question worrying school