Evening star., 1920-02-14
VOLUNTEER WORK
T0KEEP UP NIGHT
SCHOOLS Of CITY
Employees Will Continue to
Serve Until Congress
Takes Action.

ne puDiic HlSHl ScnOOlS Will not be
suspended. About 500 night school
employes-teachers and janitors-
agreed last night to continue their
work at pay rate OF 81 a month until
Congress appropriates $4,000 neces-
sary to operate the schools until June.
Early today a public spirited citi-
zen got into touch with Ernest l..
IhurSton. superintendent of schools,
and offered to advance funds to con-
tinue the night school operation until
the congressional appropriation was
forthcoming. quite willing TO take
chances on reimbursement. This loan
was unnecessary because of the equal
ly public-spirited action of the night
school workers.
DR.. John Van Schaick, president of
the board of education. today issued
statement expressing the boards ap-
precia alton of the school employees de-
cision and of the loan offer He de-
clared he thought pressure of busi-
ness has prevented favorable action
by Congress before this time.
An unofficial report from the Cap
itol today said the deficiency measure
carrying the $4,000 appropriation
now in a Senate committee, will be
reported opt and passed within three
or four days
Authorization Refused.
Mr.. Thurston yesterday asked the
District Commissioners to authorize
the school administration to continue
operation OF the night schools pend
ing the appropriation of the money
The request was received favorably
and early in the afternoon Daniel J.
Donovan, District auditor, told a re-
porter for The Star there was no
doubt the authorization would be
given. The Commissioners later de-
cided against such action, fearing to
violate technicalities of the anti-de-
ficiency law
AS soon as he heard his request
had been refused Mr. Thurston got
IN touch with W. B. Patterson and
W. :. Montgomery. night school di-
rectorS. and asked them to see at
once all night school employees and
request them to volunteer to work at
the one-dollar-a-month rate allowed
by law in such circumstances. Meet
ings of the employees with the direc-
tors were held in the various night
schools.
The response was practically unani-
nous" Mr.. Thurston said today. Re
ports from various night school at
taches. gathered by The Star, indi-
Gated that only a few man teachers
in Mckinley High School did not
agree to go on with their work with
out interruption.
Statement From Board.
With reports from the directors il
hand. Mr.. Thurston today received
from DIR. Van Scbaick approval o.
his action in the emergency and au
thorized continuation of the nigh
schools Immediately after his con
ference with Mr.. Thurston. the presi.
dent of the board issued the follow
ing statement:
THE board of education appeals te
the loyalty Of the teachers to keeI
the night schools going.
We believe that Congress has moi
acted because of the pressure of pub
lie business. We are confident that the
appropriation will be made.
This part of the work of education
in the District is of fundamental i'm
portance.
THE board thanks those teachers
who have already volunteered to carry
on, and citizens who have come for
The night schools are the greatest
advance we have made in education.
The work goes right down into the
marrow of society.
Nothing fills me with such hope for
the future acts of free people as the
work going forward by foreigners
and by native born people, deprived
of full advantages in childhood and
youth. to make up in early manhood
a '----->''-oh ho0d
Congress feels as the board feels
Co.....----s ...i4uesIionauly Will act